Earlier this 12 months, Waker’s debut slipped between the cracks for a lot of listeners. A whole lack of music present promotion most likely didn’t assist, however I wish to go to bat for the tune as a result of I nonetheless assume Atlantis is a 2024 spotlight. The blokes have now returned with a summer time comeback, serving a Vanilla Choco Shake to chill down the season.

First off, I’m happy that it is a fully-fleshed out tune. There’s no two-minutes-and-call-it-a-day enterprise occurring right here. At over three and a half minutes, Vanilla Choco Shake unveils with panache, taking its time by means of a sequence of catchy verses and leaving room for a splashy bridge earlier than the finale. As with Atlantis, the members’ efficiency is tight and spectacular. Even inside this lighter framework, their talent is clearly evident.

These hoping for a knockout comeback could also be a bit underwhelmed by Vanilla Choco Shake. It’s a fluffy, upbeat pop tune that largely wafts by with out grabbing you by the collar. The refrain — whereas catchy — appears like a missed alternative for one thing extra sturdy. However then once more, I felt the identical manner about Atlantis at first and that tune turned out to be a serious grower. Greater than something, I’m charmed by Waker’s upbeat summer time vitality and basic pop method.

Grade: B