Ok-pop is well-known for latching onto a particular musical development (often a yr or two late) and refusing to let go till they’ve drained the sound for all its price. That is nice if we’re coping with a enjoyable, malleable development, however turns into more and more maddening when the development is slim and poorly executed. It’s develop into clear that hyperpop has develop into this yr’s overriding development and I’m afraid it’s allowed the trade to take pleasure in all of its worst tendencies: quick songs, little-to-no singing, flimsy/disposable ideas meant for fast memeability quite than timeless attraction.

To be trustworthy, I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of hyperpop and its continued presence in Ok-pop is just deepening that feeling. Even at its finest, I discover the style laborious to attach with. I’m a listener who prizes nice melody-writing and a fullness of sound (ideally with a convincing decrease finish), each of which appear to take a backseat right here. We’re left with tinny electronics and a bunch of chatter that solely sometimes makes an attempt a semblance of melody.

Such is the case with Sweet Pink Magic Gap Flip Telephone. This title is supposed to catch the attention and appear by some means intelligent, however in actuality it’s merely kitschy for kitschy’s sake and that tends to have little or no pull. The identical will be mentioned in regards to the tune as a complete. It’s primarily a repetition of 1 musical concept (of which the sensible Why Did You Do It? by Norwegian group Kulturaften already mastered this yr. Critically, the melodies are equivalent!). Fairly than construct towards any notable centerpiece, Flip Telephone attracts a flat line pushed by a intentionally aloof collection of (principally) spoken vocals. It’s a two minute sound collage — pleasant and propulsive, however pure aesthetic by and thru. On one hand, it’s laborious to withstand the surging digital manufacturing. On the opposite, it’s laborious to think about such a threadbare monitor retaining its impact over an extended time period.

Grade: C