Past the standard of the music, the primary factor that pulls me to a newly debuted group is a novel perspective. Lots of this new technology’s massive names (TWS, BOYNEXTDOOR) have a particular sound and idea that carries even their weaker materials. If any company is poised to copy this method, it’s Mystic Story. They managed to offer woman group Billlie a novel worldview and I’m hoping they will do the identical for ARrC. Pre-release Dummy didn’t do a lot for me, and S&S (Bitter & Candy) additional complicates issues.
This tune is aptly named as a result of it’s a seize bag of components — some nice and others off-putting. I love the ambition it takes to stuff this many concepts into one observe, and given trendy expectations its three-and-a-half minute working time appears to stretch on without end. Nonetheless, I want that each particular person piece felt like its personal spotlight. It’s a bit like digging by a crate of sweet solely to seek out that you just’re not concerned with a lot of the flavors.
S&S opens with a rugged electro groove that immediately captures consideration. The bass undulates with actual presence, stealing consideration from the so-so verse thrown excessive. From right here, we gradual to a syrupy crawl earlier than dropping into probably the most disappointing course in S&S‘s multifaceted menu. The opening half of the refrain is an obnoxious slog — a jolt of sing-song catchphrasery that simply doesn’t work. The melodic chorus that follows is much extra pleasing, although I can’t assist however really feel I’ve heard this similar sound executed extra efficiently in lots of an NCT Dream observe. S&S will get weirder from right here, however so a lot of its cool manufacturing thrives (electrical guitar!) are buried in predictable bluster. The tune would profit from a streamlined method that trims its weaker, extra grating moments.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+