Comebacks from beloved, established artists are tough. I want I might totally embrace them, unencumbered from the legacy of unbelievable music that types their basis. However as a rule, this historical past will get in the way in which and I find yourself wishing for materials that matches the efficiency of their peak creative period. This example occurred with G-Dragon final month and it undoubtedly coloured Infinite’s huge 2023 comeback. When you recognize what an act is able to, it’s exhausting to accept something much less.
That is all to say, I’ve realized it’s not often an artist I miss, however their sound. I assume this is smart given the medium of music. Infinite’s vocals have an identifiable sound, nevertheless it’s their signature mix of drama and open-hearted melody that actually set them aside. New single Harmful affords a light-weight funky model and feels extra totally realized than 2023’s New Feelings, nevertheless it by no means comes near recapturing Infinite’s particular attraction. It’s clear the blokes are in an period of buying songs from numerous producers fairly than having materials particularly tailor-made to them.
Harmful is nice in the way in which that any shiny, funky boy group launch is likely to be. It bops alongside buoyant rhythm guitar and roller-rink-ready synth. The group’s inimitable vocals convey character to something they contact, however the melodies simply aren’t right here this time. Not one of the hooks hit significantly exhausting or give the blokes a lot to work with. Couched inside one among Okay-pop’s most legendary discographies, Harmful appears like a throwaway. They’d have been significantly better off selling final 12 months’s Sungkyu and Woohyun duet Lovely, which went a good distance towards recapturing the depth and pleasure solely they’ll ship.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
