Collaborations between Okay-pop stars and video video games have develop into extra frequent, which is smart as a result of I’d guess there’s lots of crossover between the fandoms. aespa’s new monitor with battle royale recreation PUBG goes past easy tie-in to incorporate a full music video that sees the women deposited within the recreation’s violent panorama.
Musically, Darkish Arts looks like an acceptable extension to the group’s monotone Soiled Work from just a few weeks in the past. The vitality is analogous, even hinging on a spoken-word hook. Nonetheless, there’s a little bit extra occurring right here, from the skittering percussion to the melodic pre-chorus. And despite the fact that the music’s centerpiece is spoken, there are no less than… extra syllables? That’s bizarre standards for a evaluate and to be trustworthy Soiled Work‘s defiant grumble has grown on me a bit since its launch. However not like that music, Darkish Arts makes an attempt to construct into mini peaks of drama that give it higher scope.
Even so, this comparatively flat “we’re so badass” sound isn’t my favourite match for aespa. For such nice vocalists, it’s disappointing to listen to them constrained by the fabric. Simply think about how cool Darkish Arts may need sounded with a completely sung refrain that echoed the thrill the manufacturing appears to vow. Even higher, pair it with the trance synths that briefly pop up throughout Darkish Arts‘ climax and also you’d have a really energetic spotlight worthy of a shoot-em-up online game. However sadly, Darkish Arts is simply too involved with being cool to ever be legitimately enjoyable.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C