While SEVENTEEN have been releasing some of K-pop’s strongest singles in their homeland of Korea, their Japanese work has been much more scattershot. Other than their brilliant high energy 2018 debut, Call Call Call!, they’ve embraced a much more moody and dark sound. This has impacted both their recent Korean material, as well as their last Japanese project. And while Fallin Flower (舞い落ちる花びら) attempts to harken back to the sounds that made 2017’s Don’t Wanna Cry so brilliant, it’s marred by an unexpectedly weak hook.
Opening with an instantly engaging melodic synth line, Fallin Flower quickly segues into its melancholic percussion heavy verses. They are easily the tracks strongest moment, pulsing forward with an immensely enjoyable build. I love how this segment feels as though it’s on constant ascent, supported by an equally enjoyable melody. J-pop usually favours these kinds of emotional melodies which I’m a sucker for, and Fallin Flower uses that it its advantage. This sense of fulfilment carries over to the minimalistic and nimble pre chorus, which shines full light on main vocalist DK’s brilliant vocals. And once we hit that falsetto led precursor, it seems as though we’re in for something special.
Unfortunately the hook resorts more to a slurred repetition of the word “fallen” than a fully developed melody. And while I adore the tracks instrumental during the hook, I don’t think it’s enough to carry the entire segment. The structure itself is also quite unusual, opting for only two primary hooks rather than the expected 3 or 4. This can sometimes work really well such as with Stray Kid’s Miroh last year, but for Fallin Flower it feels like the track just ends abruptly. It’s an issue that has felt less consequential on further listens, but it still doesn’t provide Fallin Flower with the kind of impact that I would usually except from a Seventeen track. The boys undeniable charisma and the tracks strong verses are enough to make it an enjoyable affair, but I can’t help but long for the dynamic pop fuelled Seventeen of old.
Verses: 8
Chorus: 7
Production: 8
Performance: 8
Final Rating: 7.75 / 10
KBopped 