Boy group ASC2NT has been around for almost two years and they’re finally releasing something longer than a single album. They’ve been hit or miss for me, but last year’s Don’t Move was a slinky highlight and its b-sides proved the group’s mettle as vocalists. It’s become more and more rare to hear idols actually sing these days, so ASC2NT could carve out a nice niche for themselves by fully embracing melody.
That seems to be a tall order for today’s K-pop producers, so I’m not surprised that Still Rose plays things safe. The song is fully sung, thank goodness, but keeps things pretty close to the ground rather than shooting for the sky. The percolating electro groove underlines the song with a satisfying texture, complimenting the guys’ clear voices. I’m a bit underwhelmed by the simplicity of the chorus, but there are some nice flourishes here and there that elevate the song. The second verse is a mess, falling into too many unneeded structural tropes. However, the bridge offers a nice shot of drama. They’d do well to use this segment as a template for everything else going forward.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8
Grade: B-
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