Everglow had a turbulent 2025, leaving their longtime company Yuehua and becoming a member of upstart CHXXTA Firm (whose title appears like a censored curse phrase). This transfer was applauded by many, as Yuehua’s observe file with the group was spotty at finest. Transitions like this will result in renewed inventive freedom or — on the very least — a reinvention of types. Provided that context, it’s upsetting that new single Code does nothing however copy current tendencies.
Typically I overlook that Everglow have a number of incredible singles beneath their belt. Their discography has been so hit or miss that highlights like La Di Da and Pirate threaten to get buried. Of the misses, Code have to be excessive on that listing. This music is an actual headache. It gleefully adopts the “charismatic speaking over a membership beat” strategy that’s plaguing Okay-pop proper now, however doesn’t even trouble to make that speaking palatable. It’s a large number of bratty affectations, made even worse by ugly vocal results that make Everglow sound extra like AI than human idols.
That is the sort of music that thinks “drop it prefer it’s scorching” remains to be a cool phrase, which might be wonderful if its sound was truly enjoyable. It actually feels just like the producers took each overused pattern they may discover and threw it right into a blender with out contemplating construction or execution. If nothing else, this may function a tragic time capsule for this explicit micro-era in Okay-pop.
| Hooks | 5 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 6 |
| Bias | 5 |
| RATING | 5.75 |
Grade: F