Mystic Story has turn out to be often known as a inventive, barely left-of-center company, dwelling to quirky lady group Billlie, the violin-powered idol band Lucy and Okay-pop’s unique sonic rulebreakers Brown Eyed Ladies. Now, it’s time for a extra conventional boy group with the soon-to-debut ARrC. Earlier than their official unveiling subsequent month, they’ve teased us with pre-release Dummy.

I hope ARrC will emerge as true business wild playing cards, abandoning boy group tropes in favor of their very own musical playground. Nevertheless, Dummy tempers that hope. As an alternative of swinging arduous proper out of the gate, the tune delivers a comparatively customary, NCT-adjacent retro chant rap throwdown. The observe is probably going positioned to showcase the group’s expertise and vitality fairly than unveil a grand ambition, however even inside these expectations Dummy might be stronger.

I benefit from the tune’s bass-heavy groove, at instances hearkening all the way in which again to Okay-pop’s first-gen stalwarts H.O.T. The manufacturing has a straightforward rhythm, immediately ingratiating with out unnecessary switch-ups. There are a couple of good vocal thrives sprinkled throughout the verses, pointing towards thrilling potential. Nevertheless, Dummy‘s repetitive (borderline annoying) refrain is much less enchanting. To be sincere, I don’t benefit from the phrase “dummy” usually, and the monotonous approach through which it’s deployed solely provides to that concern. Greater than something, Dummy confuses me. I’m to see who or what ARrC turn out to be, as a result of this doesn’t really feel like their last kind.

Grade: C+