Tremendous Junior sub-unit L.S.S — comprised of members Leeteuk, Shindong and Siwon — have the doubtful honor of the lowest-rated SJ launch on this weblog. Actually, final yr’s Joke is without doubt one of the lowest-rated songs usually. Their music tends to mix retro with novelty for tracks that really feel extra like memes than satisfying comebacks. This strategy has various ranges of success, and new Japanese single Pon Pon lands someplace within the center.

Okay-pop was sillier usually, again when it didn’t but should please an ever-increasing international viewers. I miss this vitality, however there’s a superb between foolish and obnoxious. Pon Pon largely sticks with the previous, mixing its new jack swing beat with an icy electro thump. This instrumental is enjoyable and upbeat, bringing the funk in a satisfyingly old-school approach. Had the fellows grafted a distinct music on prime of the manufacturing, we’d be in a significantly better place.

Pon Pon‘s easy refrain works properly, however the chanted asides that observe echo the worst instincts of Okay-pop’s first technology. I might do with out the affected “dibidibidib” post-chorus hook. ‘Attempting to be humorous’ is never humorous, and at its worst moments Pon Pon strains for absurdity. Nonetheless, I can play this during with out eager to gouge my ears out, so I’ll think about {that a} win on the subject of this specific sub-unit’s output!

Grade: C