Song Review: TXT – Back for More (with Anitta)

With the unbalanced Sugar Rush Ride and cloying pop jingle of Do it like that, 2023 has seen me feel more disconnected than ever with TXT’s musical output. I’ve been a pretty staunch admirer of all of the groups work since their debut but with shifting trends and my general disinterest in the Korean musical landscape growing, it seemed as though this year would be the first without the group releasing a personal favourite. But if Back for More is any indication, the groups upcoming album will more than shift those sentiments.

Western collaborations can always be a fickle venture, often resulting in efforts that unfortunately dilute the groups signature sound to be more inline with commercial expectations. TXT themselves fell victim to this with Do it like that and as such, my expectations for Back for More were almost nonexistent. Thankfully, despite its more polished sheen, Back for More resounds with the kind of energy and magnetism often associated with the groups best work. Funk pop has always been a staple of the groups sound and by mending it with a slight latin sheen, the boys have crafted an absolute jam. Sure it’s as streamlined as possible but in an age dominated by jarring musical shifts and clashing thematic elements, the simplicity is appreciated.

But that’s not to say that Back for More lacks any musical variety. Anitta’s second verse brings just enough variety imbue the track with an additional layer of personality that pushes past its more generic leanings. It’s not the most seamless of integrations but I’d be wrong to say it doesn’t work. The rest of the production is also electric, pushing and pulling at just the right moments to deliver necessary releases of tension that make even the most simplistic of melodic turns feel quite momentous.

The dance break stands as a testament to this. In an era where most tracks have been trimmed to be as short as possible (something the single version of the song also falls victim to), it’s been a while since we’ve gotten a truly great dance break. And the one employed here just proves how much they can elevate a track. Back for More absolutely explodes during its climax, incorporating some very fun MJ inspired adlibs and an instrumental that traces the addictive central melody to great effect. This combined with some wonderfully placed high notes gives the sense of a track truly letting loose. It acts as a great caper for a fantastic song, one that not only heightens expectations for the groups coming album but one that stands strong on its own.

Verses: 9

Chorus: 9

Production: 9

Performance: 9

Final Rating:  9 / 10