A couple of month in the past, Jeon Somi launched the underdeveloped Further, which turned out to be a pre-release for her new mini album. That is solely her second mini album in seven years, and third album total. The tempo could also be glacial, however it’s good to lastly hear one thing extra substantial from her. Nearer acts because the album’s title monitor and pulls her additional into evocative dance territory.
Nearer has a stuttering, atmospheric attraction that unfolds differently than most Ok-pop tracks. At simply over two and a half minutes in size, there’s not correct time for the track to ship the sense of construct and launch it needs (and desires) to, however there are some fascinating components forging this track sketch. Nearer spends nearly half of its working time slowly constructing as much as its central beat drop — an strategy that might have labored higher on an extended track. As soon as we hit that refrain, the track hits us with a hypnotic hook that interpolates Ben E King’s basic Stand By Me (or extra precisely, Sean Kingston’s King-interpolating Stunning Women), instantly adopted by a shout-chant punctuation. It’s very moody and interesting, however we solely have about half a track right here.
Earlier than you realize it, Nearer all of a sudden cuts off with out delivering the payoff promised by all its sonic foreplay. I perceive the will for brief songs in our streaming/TikTok era and for this reason a lot present pop music is flat and vibes pushed. You will get away with two minutes of monotony that by no means guarantees something extra, however a quick runtime actively sabotages a monitor like Nearer and robs it of the precise qualities that make it good. It’s so irritating as a result of this might have simply been an addictive, cyclically-structured banger within the legacy of miss A’s Contact however its monetary pursuits clearly outweigh its artistry.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-