While title track Unforgiven‘s less than stellar initial impressions have since blossomed into something much more appealing, the accompanying album was much more instant. B-sides like the bouncy pop brilliance of No-Return and especially the carnivalesque bounce of Fire in the belly were instant standouts, hinging themselves on arresting arrangements and instantly captivating hooks. But even amidst those standouts, Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife managed to excite, harking back to the stylish soundscape the girls pull off so damn well.
Given its insistent beats and immensely catchy nature, Jersey club is one of those genre’s that I’m surprised more K-pop groups haven’t ventured into. The thumping, rhythmic sound that usually frames songs of the genre (Just Wanna Rock) is incredibly present here, punctuating the elements of both verse and chorus to wonderfully exciting effect. It’s an arrangement that sidesteps a number of issues that currently plague most modern k-pop dance tracks, maintaining a constant sense of momentum without any jarring shifts or a loss of momentum. Ofcourse the girls put their own spin on the genre, smoothing over the harsher elements of the production to better fit their lighter, more sophisticated vocal tones. And boy does it work. The first minute and a half are near perfect, incorporating the standout “I’m a mess” chant as a striking intro before effortlessly transitioning into its pulsing first verse and chorus. But it’s such a tight arrangement, making the post-chorus chant that follows hit like a tonne of bricks in the most satisfying way possible. In many ways you could say this is style over substance but I’d say that this is the rare case where the style is the substance. Like many great tracks, Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife’ manages to take these potentially cloying moments and transform it into something really enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the track loses abit of steam after the half way mark, rehashing past moments that while still potent, threaten to reach levels of monotony in the absence of the tracks iconic chant. One that’s oddly omitted in the second half, instead, being replaced by a lesser though still strong “girl wanna have fun” hook. It results in a track that lacks the killer climax that could have really sent the song flying, cementing itself as one of the years strongest and most instantly invigorating singles of the year. Instead, it stands as a great follow up single, one that personifies the ideas of runway and gay club music perfectly. And for someone who eats that sound up, that’s a pretty good thing.
Verses: 8
Chorus: 8
Production: 10
Performance: 8
Final Rating: 8.5 / 10
KBopped 