Album repackages are widespread in Okay-pop, but it surely’s been 4 months because the unique launch of ENHYPEN’s newest album, making this revisit really feel extra like a model new comeback. No Doubt continues the laidback vibe of its predecessor XO (Solely If You Say Sure), upping the tempo a bit however refusing to interrupt freed from its gentle, early-2000’s influenced beat.

As with many HYBE efforts this 12 months, No Doubt feels in step with the final vibe the company is pursuing. It’s easy and ethereal. The melodies are comparatively flat and uneventful and the manufacturing has a sheen that glides over your ear with out providing a lot texture. The very best a part of the monitor comes after every refrain when the instrumental takes a second to shine. This section strongly jogs my memory of Y2K-era R&B-pop, albeit the extra reserved aspect of that period’s shiny sound. For the lifetime of me, I can’t perceive why no trendy Okay-pop group desires to the touch the slamming Cheiron Studios sound of Backstreet Boys and Nsync. Everybody’s pulling essentially the most boring parts from 2000-2001 as an alternative!

No Doubt isn’t boring, but it surely looks like a missed alternative. The verses remind me of Okay-R&B within the vein of artists like Jay Park. I want the producers hadn’t been so heavy-handed with vocal results, as a tune like this rises and falls on a way of humanity. ENHYPEN’s efficiency is smoothed of all edges and sometimes warped into an nameless tone. The refrain has a satisfying bounce, with a melody that appears like a really tame model of Ginuwine’s 90’s hit Pony. If solely No Doubt harnessed synths as crunchy and addictive as that traditional!

Grade: B-