Past a return to unbelievable songs, the primary facet I’ve been lacking in present lady teams is vitality. STAYC’s Bebe managed to beat a spoken-word refrain by way of sheer, explosive verve, proving {that a} blazing dance beat could make up for so-so melodies. The identical will be mentioned about Kep1er’s new Japanese single Yum. Despite the fact that a lot of the tune is mired in irritating sing-talk, it touches greatness from time to time.

I need to being with Yum‘s most fun second. The primary half of its refrain, when the women’ voices are layered right into a mighty wall of sound, completely compliments the explosive instrumental. We simply don’t hear these peaks of drama anymore, and this phase immediately brings me again to the times of Kara and 9 Muses. Had your complete observe adopted this template, we’d be speaking about a simple song-of-the-year candidate. Sadly, this flash of brilliance stays considerably elusive all through Yum.

A lot of the tune is pre-occupied with the form of “speaking over the observe” fierceness that’s lengthy since misplaced most of its chunk. Yum‘s verses and repetitive post-chorus are main missed alternatives to develop one thing extra distinctive and timeless. Nonetheless, I’ll circle again to my opening remark about vitality. The sheer depth of the manufacturing retains Yum participating regardless of its shortcomings. It’s just like (ALL)HOURS’ Gimme Gimme on this manner, and it is a development I’d like to see proceed all through 2025 (with higher songs, in fact).

Grade: B