It’s been a couple of 12 months since we heard from Hwasa with the gimmicky (however in some way enduring?) I Love My Physique. On new single NA, she’s traded that music’s retro trappings for a extra fashionable home beat. It’s a welcome jolt of power inside her discography, even when the observe spends an excessive amount of time speaking when it might be singing.

First off, I like listening to this type of power again in Ok-pop. NA‘s dance beat isn’t something new or idiosyncratic, however its insistent pulse makes for an thrilling hear. This depth helps showcase Hwasa’s pure charisma, drawing out a feistiness that offers the observe character. She shines on the vocal-led pre-choruses, various her supply for max impact.

Sadly, NA‘s refrain is a letdown. The effusive manufacturing requires a fleshed-out hook the place Hwasa can actually belt. As an alternative, the music reverts to the drained sing-talk that’s grow to be a Ok-pop staple over the previous few years. It’s all angle, angle, angle. However with out strong melody or compelling circulation to again that angle up, the hook feels extra like posturing lip service than a real declaration of confidence. It’s a disgrace, as a result of I like this sonic course for Hwasa and we all know she has the expertise to knock it out of the park. It’s one more case of TikTok virality taking priority over songwriting that may linger previous a thirty second sound chew.

Grade: C+