Song Review: ATEEZ – Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)

You know, right before this song came out, I was on a journey through ATEEZ’ entire back catalogue. Especially their legendary “Treasure” era. A stretch of releases that introduced us to to the group in the most galvanising of ways, asserting them as a real force with material just as ambitious and invigorating as the concept behind it. Since then, releases have been much more varied, lacking the kind of consistent unhinged bombast and innovation that characterised that era. New single Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers) doesn’t do much to offset that sentiment but does channel the groups trademark sound through a goofier lens.

And it’s certainly……. something.

Now, here’s the thing with this song. I literally don’t know if I like it or not. When I initially heard the teasers, I was kind of repulsed.

The chorus sounded janky, overstuffed and completely unfocused. Too soundalike to the lowest common denominator noisy boy group sounds that I thought we had left behind. But sometimes teasers can be a little misleading and though the chorus may give that impression in isolation, it works much better in the context of a song that starts at a 100 and only keeps growing from there. Rather than frame it around moodier melodic verses as is usually the case, ATEEZ fully commit, giving the verses a demented unhinged performance that make the chorus feel rather tame in comparison. A contrast that I think really helps Bouncy.

It’s the most compressed and chaotic production the group have ever tackled, constantly shifting from one element to the next with little to no connecting tissue bar the groups heavily processed and incredibly aggressive vocals. It’s a trademark aesthetic choice that I’ve never really minded but somewhat comes to a head here. Sure it’s not the most pleasant of sounds to the ear but when everything surrounding it is so unhinged, it makes sense. It’s all or nothing approach is appreciated, though I doubt it will be too conducive for repeated listens.

However, I understand that may not be the goal here. Bouncy is very clearly a track designed for the performance and one that will no doubt be a concert staple and highlight. It’s central hook though initially off-putting has already grown on me and will no doubt be thrilling in a live setting. But this is where it gets tricky because though the track does hold these merits, ATEEZ have numerous other tracks that achieve the same effect without skimping out on killer melodies and breathtaking payoffs. Songs like Wonderland, Guerrilla and even Deja Vu achieved a similar effect while harnessing stickier and much more dynamic melodies right down to the chanted climaxes. Which though expected, feels oddly tacked on here.

And while I doubt I’ll be returning to this song all that much, it’s an interesting experiment. One that will surely win its fair share of admirers but also I expect, its fair share of detractors.

Verses: 7

Chorus: 7

Production: 8

Performance: 8

Final Rating:  7.5 / 10