When I consider groups that have been incredibly hit or miss for me, AB6IX are right up there with the likes of NCT and Monsta X. Groups a record of releasing tracks that I absolutely adore but most of the time return with solid if rather forgettable material. Their 2021 material largely sidestepped this issue with some strong singles but furthered a discography that’s felt more and more jumbled when compared to the clear cut vision of their debut era work. And apart from a galvanising pre-chorus, Savior doesn’t do anything to dispel that notion.
Opening with a scruffy, electronic beat, Savior conjures an atmospheric opening verse that pulls from the industrial production popularised by groups like NCT to craft a pretty engaging first verse. The performances are expectedly strong and the entire segment works well to introduce fans of the group to the edgier soundscape the group have chosen to go down for this comeback. Following this, Savior launches into its undisputed strongest moment. The triumphant pre-chorus. The track completely shifts here in both tone and performance, introducing grandiose brass and a full throated melodic performance that really brings the drama. On first listen its a transition that’s quite jarring but one that feels satisfying the more familiar you get with it. In an ideal world, this would have been a turning point for the song, bringing an equally dynamic melody for the chorus to craft a knockout centrepiece.
Unfortunately, Savior stumbles where it should soar, instead reverting to the rumbling percussion of its verses for its ho-hum chorus that attempts to be sleek and minimalistic but instead comes across as rather lazy and underwhelming especially when compared to aforementioned majesty of the pre-chorus. The production is experimental and does really try but in this case it just doesn’t work. The rest of the track follows suit, forgoing any exciting melodic or instrumental shifts that could have prevented Savior from falling into the monotony that it does by the time we get to the explosive finale. One that still doesn’t quite reach the heights it’s aiming for. Now is Savior a bad song? Not really. Is it another underwhelming single in a year full of them? Unfortunately, yes .
Verses: 7
Chorus: 7
Production: 7
Performance: 8
Final Rating: 7.25 / 10
KBopped 