Recent off their pre-release ballad Saturn final week, MADEIN are again with their newest title observe Love, Afraid (사랑, 두려움). That title may as effectively stand for the dueling feelings listeners have felt earlier than and after sexual abuse allegations have been leveled on the group’s CEO. It’s a messy, uncertain time to be a MADEIN fan, however that doesn’t imply the music can’t nonetheless be nice, proper?
I’m assured Love, Afraid is a superb tune in some kind, however it will require a rearrangement to totally seize its potential. At its finest, the observe recaptures the magical, melodic heft of Ok-pop’s third technology. I’ve been ready for a contemporary lady group to sort out this sound, singing with their full chest as dynamic melodies again them up. I’d hesitantly put Love, Afraid‘s refrain on this class, which exhibits nice potential for MADEIN going ahead.
Nevertheless, the tune frustrates as a lot because it thrills. Up till the second verse, we’re coasting properly alongside. My head is bopping and it appears like we’re able to crest into an more and more ornate association. As an alternative, the underside drops out and we should slog via a very busy — but oddly reserved — second verse that stalls momentum. The extra I hearken to this the much less of a difficulty it turns into, however it’s nonetheless a sonic leftover from Ok-pop’s fourth gen that I may do with out. On the entire, there’s way more “good” than “dangerous” right here, and that’s sufficient to drag the observe throughout the end line. I simply want I may rave about it with none qualifiers.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
