When NewJeans debuted with the surprise one two punch of Attention and Hype Boy in late July last year, few would have expected just how much of a phenomenon the group would become. Not only have the girls taken their home country by storm, dominating the charts with almost every release but they’ve also amassed a sizeable fanbase abroad based purely off the quality of their tracks. In a market that’s quickly becoming oversaturated with uninspired sounds and concepts, the groups Y2K era sound and concept stands as a revelation, one they effortlessly peddle with yet another standout in the form of the hazy Ditto.
Ditto stands as a pre-release for the groups newest single OMG and contains all the hallmarks of what made their debut efforts so great. Initially, I wasn’t too taken by the track. In my mind, it lacked the kind of knockout hook that made songs like Attention and especially Hype Boy such instant hits. But time has unraveled many of the tracks hidden charms, transforming Ditto from just a nice vibe to a real standout. For starters, the production here is just flawless, skirting along on dreamy synth line and a consistent bed of hi-hats that give the entire package such character. It’s a simple setup but one that revels in its simplicity, allowing for the girls to really stretch their performance in exciting directions that feel both independent yet symbiotic to the production. The languid nature of the track, peddled by the synths and vocal delivery is countered by the fast paced bpm of the percussion that offers just the right amount of contrast to make the entire listening experience feel like the perfect push and pull game. A characteristic that ensures that Ditto never gets boring.
But the real star of the show is the tracks gorgeous pre-chorus. This is a real moment, one that I’m sure will go down as one of the best in the groups already rock solid discography. I love how the percussion entirely clears out to give way to the stunning melody and performance on display. The “I don’t want to loseee” hook is such a joy, perfectly placed and performed, giving an absolute sucker punch of a moment before the addictive hook comes in to really act as the icing on the already delicious cake.
Verses: 8
Chorus: 8
Production: 10
Performance: 9
Final Rating: 8.75 / 10
KBopped 
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