Although I consider them one of my bias groups, I haven’t really been enamoured by a Seventeen title track since 2018’s Thanks. And that was more than two full years ago. The group have had consistently strong albums but I’ve always felt like the promoted singles have played second fiddle to the much superior b-sides. And unfortunately, such is the case with new single Left & Right which treads the same funky ground as the groups debut years but stumbles with its non-starter of a chorus.
Ok before I talk about the song I once again have to complain about the Bighit A&R team. I know everyone is probably sick and tired of me going on and on about his, but it’s got to be said. Not only have they picked the wrong title track for each of their groups but the tracks that have been chosen for promotion have usually been the weakest/ weaker tracks on the project. I kind of understand the choice to have Left & Right lead the campaign but it still baffles me how you have epic songs like Kidult and especially Together sitting around on the same project and not choosing either of them as singles. Seriously had Together been chosen as the lead single, it would have probably taken a spot in my top 2 songs of the month. Easy. But more on that when I get around to reviewing the album. For now let’s talk about Left & Right.
There’s not much I can say about the song other than it’s fine. There’s nothing really bad or great about the track and as a result it finds itself in an awkward middle ground. The verses are tight and well constructed and provide for an enjoyable playground for the groups vocalists and rappers, however familiar this template may be. The ascending pre-chorus is particularly stirring, harnessing DK’s powerful vocals before a charismatic vocal hook launches us into the chorus. Similarly the bridge also elicits some sparks, pounding forward on a strong dance beat that maintains the energy and ups the momentum. It all points towards an equally potent and powerful hook that unfortunately never materialises.
While some might enjoy the rather monotone and repetitive drop we end up getting, it does not work for me in the slightest. I called pre-release My My a slight entry into the groups discography but at least that song had great chorus! Left & Right‘s hook is nothing but a needlessly repetitive bore that sacrifices almost all the goodwill the song was building up until then. A secondary post-chorus hook comes in to savour some energy but it too fails short. In the end, whilst enjoyable, Left & Right feels like a decent song more suited to b-side status than to lead a comeback.
Verses: 8
Chorus: 6
Production: 7
Performance: 8
Final Rating: 7.25 / 10
KBopped 
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