Pop music has been caught in a retro romance for this whole decade, seemingly obsessive about referencing previous eras fairly than pushing ahead to new sounds. This has triggered genres like synthwave and synthpop to really feel fairly oversaturated, even when they’re types I personally love. So, when it was introduced that HYO could be drawing from this similar nicely, I had my doubts. Fortunately, her Retro Romance is extra rhythmic than anticipated.

HYO (SNSD’s Hyoyeon) has explored many dance sub-genres all through her solo profession with various outcomes. Retro Romance hearkens again to funky 80’s R&B, borrowing parts from new jack swing and electrofunk. It’s an interesting mix, augmented with sufficient distinctive spark to stop it from feeling like a complete pastiche. Half-rapped and half-sung, HYO’s efficiency has a way of looseness that pulls energy from her confidence. Few melodies stick out as highlights, however the power is brisk and upbeat.

Greater than something, Retro Romance succeeds by understanding which components to make use of. Its squelchy bass, brass undertones and stabbing synths mix to forge a loving ode to the 80’s. All that’s lacking is a talkbox. The music might have leaned even additional into this groove, because it makes an attempt to do throughout its temporary bridge. The bass is simply too good to bury and deserves its personal solo. I wouldn’t be mad at an prolonged four-minute model of the observe.

Grade: B