When this LIGHTSUM comeback was first introduced, my rapid thought was: “didn’t they disband?” Clearly, I used to be getting them confused with one other group (in all probability Cherry Bullet), however it says one thing when a Ok-pop obsessive like me can’t even keep in mind the standing of LIGHTSUM. The group simply hasn’t launched a lot materials and their lengthy hiatuses make constructing momentum a shedding sport.

Nevertheless, I’ll all the time root for the underdog and would like to see LIGHTSUM break by with one thing contemporary and thrilling. As a substitute, new single Pose! tethers itself to 2024’s most insidious woman group development. Its muted sound palette takes us to the membership within the least bold method doable. When a thumping home beat enters the combo, it solely sticks round for a number of seconds earlier than the instrumental reverts again to a boring pulse. Somewhat than let anybody musical ingredient stand because the music’s calling card, Pose! merely blends every thing right into a generic mush.

With manufacturing this subdued, Pose! wants a killer melody to compensate. Sadly, the hooks are as flat and uninteresting because the instrumental. The refrain floats by with out delivering a memorable centerpiece. Even after a number of listens, I can’t keep in mind a lot in regards to the music. The ladies give a strong efficiency, however there’s nothing right here we couldn’t get from every other group. This specific Ok-pop sound has to fall out of favor finally, proper? So far as I’m involved, the earlier the higher.

Grade: C-