Previous to Hearts2Hearts’ debut earlier this yr, many Okay-pop followers have been hoping they’d be branded as a brand new era’s reply to SNSD. This has much less to do with the ladies themselves than followers’ eager for the prime quality pop music and monocultural attain of SM Leisure’s earlier generations. Nonetheless, Hearts2Hearts went extra area of interest with the delicate, dreamlike The Chase, providing their response to present musical traits. One may assume they’d proceed this sound on their first comeback, however new single Fashion pulls a complete 180.

If The Chase wrapped Hearts2Hearts in a moody haze, Fashion bursts out the door with sunshine in its step. I can’t think about an even bigger distinction, which raises fast questions on which route the group may head sooner or later. It is not going to shock any longtime Bias Listing reader which sound I favor. I’m an enormous proponent of Okay-pop’s summer time songs and 2025 has been very brief on them thus far. Fashion is as generic as could be, nevertheless it scratches a specific itch that earns it computerized goodwill. Its percolating dance beat jogs my memory a little bit of RIIZE’s glorious Unimaginable from final yr, although its id and textures aren’t as sturdy.

Nonetheless, Fashion‘s simple execution has its charms. The music feels totally fleshed out and by no means loses its vitality. The women sound implausible, including a pure sweetness to the efficiency whereas concurrently resisting the saccharine affectations that always include this type of Okay-pop monitor. I’d have liked to listen to extra dramatic turns within the efficiency, however of all of the songs launched thus far this month I see myself returning to this one probably the most — if for no different motive than the sturdy sense of nostalgia it evokes.

Grade: B+