Round this time final yr, Chungha promoted the disappointing Eenie Meenie when improbable b-side I’m Prepared was simply begging for single remedy as a substitute. Artists have each proper to discover quite a lot of genres, however Chungha is such a convincing dancefloor diva that it appears like a missed alternative each time her music ventures elsewhere. Fortunately, new single Stress is aimed straight on the membership, melding her charismatic efficiency to an insistent home beat.
I’m nonetheless satisfied Chungha has but to search out her good track, however Stress factors us in the appropriate route. Its energetic kick and wispy strings take us again to the early-90’s, particularly when the track dabbles in a Vogue-style spoken phrase bridge. The instrumental isn’t bringing something new to the desk, but it surely honors its forebearers properly and offers an attractive backdrop for Chungha’s compelling choreo.
Stress is carried by its simple power, however an equally partaking sequence of hooks would have elevated it. The “stress, stress, stress” refrain is uninteresting and repetitive, failing to land a memorable melody. The identical might be stated in regards to the verses. If we have been to strip away the manufacturing solely, I’m unsure the track itself affords a lot of something. This makes Stress a efficiency piece, which performs to Chungha’s strengths. It will be an honest addition to any dance playlist, simply outshined by bolder songs throughout the style.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B