Although it has apparent industrial firepower behind it, Teddy and Kush’s The Black Label has additionally developed a status for rare comebacks and — at occasions — dated manufacturing decisions. With all of the expertise concerned, it’s a bit stunning how little the company truly does. That work schedule can be examined with the debut of their first idol group. MEOVV arrives with loads of hype, however does their first single dwell as much as expectations?

It seems like we’ve crossed a threshold relating to a sure type of Okay-pop observe. You already know the sort: extra involved with type and angle than melodic or sonic cohesion. A tune like MEOW seems like a parody of itself, twisting tropes we’ve lengthy since bored with and neglecting the core parts that make a Okay-pop single actually pop. To not be the outdated man within the room, however I used to be listening to 2NE1’s early materials the opposite day to get a way of the place these tropes first gained traction. They had been additionally a gaggle intently tied to Teddy, however the materials felt sharper, much less gimmicky and all the time anchored by the sort of mass enchantment hook that may have you ever singing alongside from first hear.

MEOW has hooks, however they principally contain chanting or badass posturing. The tune feels belabored by the necessity to ship a BLACKPINK-esque throwdown. The place’s the sense of enjoyable? Journey? Inspiration? What number of of those “have a look at how cool I’m?” lady teams can the market actually assist? From MEOW‘s limp instrumental to its monotonous “yeah yeah yeah” centerpiece, I concern (and hope?) we’ve reaching the nadir of this specific type. It’s lengthy since worn out its welcome and this tune brings nothing new to the dialog.

Grade: D