I’ve resisted writing about JYP Leisure’s GIRLSET till now as a result of they solely have the slightest connection to Okay-pop and I haven’t cared sufficient about their music to have a lot to say. Nonetheless, it’s a gradual day/month/12 months and the group is about to advertise this new tune on Korean music exhibits, so it seems like the appropriate time to examine in.

After listening to new single Chat, I’ll be checking in and checking proper again out thanks very a lot. I concern the viral success of Katseye’s Gnarly has finished irreparable harm to the business — particularly its woman teams. I’ve tried to get into hyperpop as a style for a few years as a result of it looks as if one thing I ought to take pleasure in, however the general sound will not be for me and the twists Okay-pop producers are placing on it are virtually insufferable.

To not sound just like the elder millennial I’m, however I concern we’re dropping monitor of the substances that make a pop tune satisfying. Chat has one thought it thinks could be very intelligent, so it repeats this schtick time and again with little variation or development. For these counting, GIRLSET say the phrase “chat” 124 occasions in just below three minutes. That doesn’t go away room for a lot else, however after they’re not chatting they’re speaking their approach via a fractured digital soundscape, rattling off catchphrases that no actual particular person might utter with out visibly cringing (“How she received the spot so litty?”). Melody is in brief provide (almost nonexistent), however you’ll be able to’t actually name this rap both as a result of it isn’t notably rhythmic. As with so many tracks of this nature, Chat seems like a meme set to music. It’s exhausting.

Grade: D-