Rookie rock group Dragon Pony’s Pop Up impressed me final yr, a lot that they practically climbed the highest of my 2024 rookies listing. Highly effective vocals paired with sturdy songwriting will at all times attraction to me regardless of the style. Pop Up additionally managed to deal with a hook so anthemically pleasing that it grew to become simple. Observe up Not Out isn’t as hermetic, nevertheless it packs just a few wallops that pull it over the road.
In distinction with the bounding vitality of Pop Up, Not Out performs its hand extra furtively. The verses are extra downbeat and mawkish, leaving the refrain to do the heavy lifting. The track actually involves life throughout its energy notes, the place vocalist An Tae-gyu’s commanding tone is allowed to flourish. That is Dragon Pony’s strongest calling card and I’d love to listen to extra of it. A lot of the indie rock scene in Korea focuses on gentler, extra OST-ready sounds. Dragon Pony have the products to go full-on pomp rock.
Since Not Out‘s lopsided sound makes for a a lot much less instantaneous rush than their debut, I’ll be curious to see how the track ages. Although I discover myself slogging by way of the verses to get to the refrain, the truth that there are nonetheless highlights value ready for bodes properly.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
