The Boys II Planet collection continues to spawn new acts and at present we’ve the debut of duo FLARE U. This workforce consists of Chuei Li Yu and Kang Woo Jin, each underneath FNC Leisure. It’ll be fascinating to see if this turns into a longtime configuration or if the company will ultimately attempt to fold them right into a boy group. Duos are nonetheless fairly uncommon in Okay-pop, nevertheless it’s an underrated formation in my view.

With debut single Method 2 U, the temporary appears to be “don’t rock the boat an excessive amount of.” Reasonably than arrive with an enormous assertion of intent, the monitor provides FLARE U a smooth mixture of glistening synth and plonky percussion. The refrain kicks up a pleasant bounce, however even right here the tune feels fairly laidback. Each members are vocalists with related tones, which means we have to look to the tune building itself for a style of selection. Sadly, Method 2 U is extra monotonous than it’s thrilling.

To be clear, Method 2 U works as a tune. It ticks all of the containers it must really feel full and predictably pleasant. Nevertheless, the manufacturing is muted in a manner that makes your entire monitor really feel prefer it’s lined in gauze or vaseline. There’s not a lot texture to sink your enamel into and this lack of friction robs Method 2 U of the dynamic enchantment it might need in numerous arms. As a debut, it tells me little to nothing about what FLARE U is meant to be, and that’s disappointing.

Grade: C