In the case of HYBE teams, aoen have had a curiously subdued rollout. You by no means hear a lot about them and so they’ve just about caught to their homebase of Japan somewhat than try to intermix with the Okay-pop trade. Thus far, they’ve launched a couple of first rate songs however haven’t established something near their very own sound. New single On the spot Crush additionally feels fairly generic, however it’s an honest repainting of Japan’s present rock-forward traits.

Of all aoen’s singles thus far, On the spot Crush would most convincingly go for a observe from some cool indie band. Its shuffling percussion feels very on-trend — overly intricate and fussy. I a lot want the extra simple components of its instrumental and marvel what the tune might sound like if its plucked guitar was an electrical riff and its skittering percussion remodeled into pounding drums. A pointless second verse breakdown stalls momentum (I severely can’t consider songs are nonetheless doing this in 2026) and the refrain opts for sing-song catchiness as an alternative of anthemic heft. This all provides as much as a observe that’s fulfilling however repetitive. What it actually wanted to be, although, is a convincing train in branding. I’m nonetheless unsure what an aoen tune is supposed to sound like.

Grade: B-