It’s a mini Wanna One reunion as AB6IX’s Park Woojin pairs with former bandmate Ha Sungwoon for his new title observe Cool & Sizzling. This track apart, I’ve all the time felt a full Wanna One reunion could be an enormous second on the Korean charts. Too typically, the members of Produce 101/Ladies/Boys Planet teams undergo a blended observe file as soon as they’re unfold out amongst their respective businesses. I do know it’s contractually not possible, however all of those teams ought to have been everlasting.

In fact, you want nice music to make your mark, and the slight funk of Cool & Sizzling is extra “good” than “nice.” We’ve heard a ton of this throwback hip-hop sound these days. Any novelty it could have had has lengthy since worn off. Past all of the DJ scratches and breakbeats is a track that bops alongside properly however by no means catches fireplace. Woojin is a enjoyable rapper and it’s good to listen to that ability absolutely harnessed in a approach that AB6IX (or Wanna One) songs don’t all the time enable. Nonetheless, he doesn’t do something notably attention-grabbing right here. The ambition is fairly low all through, which is smart given Cool & Sizzling‘s unobtrusive, head-nodding sound.

Ha Sungwoon’s hook is equally subdued. “Oh my jeez!” is a supremely awkward phrase to construct a refrain round (and my soiled thoughts hears one thing utterly completely different…).The melody additionally lacks chew, feeling as if it could be extra at house in a coffeeshop than a dance flooring. Each Woojin and Sungwoon are amiable performs with loads of highlights to their title, however I’m afraid Cool & Sizzling will battle to worm its approach into listeners’ recollections.

Grade: C