Since their Japanese debut in 2020, Stray Children have amassed a relatively massive J-pop discography. JYP Leisure has all the time been good at preserving a number of markets fed, and Stray Children’ self-producing standing ensures a sure stage of continuity between their multi-language catalogs. New single Hole hails from their upcoming third Japanese mini album and sees them taking up a extra melodic strategy.

It’s robust with Stray Children as a result of I typically discover myself wishing they’d lean extra into melody and dispatch with the (typically gimmicky) shout-chanting that characterizes lots of their tracks. But, after they do go for one thing softer like Hole, the melodies hardly ever hit with me. Hole has a considerably colorless palette, fusing gritty synth to a mid-tempo beat that feels plodding regardless of moments of liftoff. Every aspect, from the instrumental to the vocals, is smothered by this hazy mattress of filters that drains character from the monitor. This makes it exhausting for any particular person piece to interrupt via and totally seize consideration.

Manufacturing apart, Hole is kind of workmanlike in its strategy. Every part about it’s relentlessly advantageous, from the requisite rap verse to the biking construction of the refrain. Nonetheless, all of it feels flat to me. It’s like a placeholder single — one thing the group was contractually obligated to ship with no actual ardour or aptitude behind it.

Grade: C-