KiiiKiii’s debut yr had a considerably confused sonic panorama, pivoting between quirky sub-genres and meme tradition to broad pop brushstrokes that felt extra generic. Judging by pre-release Delulu and new title monitor 404 (New Period), they appear to have regained their focus in 2026 by pivoting towards the dancefloor.
404 (New Period) arrives bolstered by a tried-and-true manufacturing group. The blokes from LDN Noise labored on the tune, and so they’re accountable for a few of Okay-pop’s best mid-2010s dance hits. Their 90s-influenced membership sound is in full impact right here, giving the ladies a strutting beat to vogue over. Every little thing in regards to the monitor leans into nostalgia. Nonetheless, as necessary because the beat is, whenever you consider these nice LDN Noise songs of previous eras (View, 4 Partitions, Fortunate One, Dumb Dumb) you additionally immediately hear their nice choruses. This — predictably — is the place 404 (New Period) struggles.
So far as spoken phrase centerpieces go, this one is actually on the stronger aspect. The hook right here is delivered with charisma and a rhythm befitting the tune’s energetic manufacturing. However minus an ethereal pre-chorus, the monitor is nearly solely spoken. In an alternate Okay-pop panorama the place this wasn’t the go-to for thus many woman teams, the strategy would most likely be fairly charming. However in a post-Whiplash world, I lengthy for the kind of melody that makes music timeless. Due to its strategy, I worry 404 (New Period) will act as quick style — pleasant within the second however changing into extra threadbare with time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-