Song Review: AKMU – Battleground (ft. Lee Sun Hee)

Well, what do we have here? Honest-to-goodness new music during the month of July?? Will wonders never cease!

Actually, our long musical drought will soon come to an end as AKMU ushers in a K-pop deluge with their collaboration album next week. Apparently, all of its songs will be given some form of music video, and Battleground (Battlefield?) (전쟁터) kicks this off as a pre-release. Like every track on the album, it features a guest artist. Lee Sun Hee is a bonafide legend, debuting in the 80’s and skyrocketing to national fame. Chanhyuk and Suhyun must be thrilled to work with her!

AKMU have stated that this album will push their style in different directions, and you hear some of this pop up in Battleground. The song sounds distinctly them, but with an injection of icy synth that brings new texture. The percussion also feels more synthesized, adding retro flair to the track. I love this general atmosphere. It fits especially well with Sun Hee’s captivating vocal. Battleground is brisk and rhythmic, but has a haunting quality that keeps you engrossed.

Of course, me being me, I wish the song went even bigger. So many of its elements hint at a chorus that’s just a bit more robust – a climax that’s just a bit more explosive. The gorgeous synth breakdown before the final chorus offers a hint of how massive Battleground might have sounded given a more ambitious touch, but AKMU are hesitant to go full bore. I guess bombastic production isn’t really the point of a song like this, so I understand the more atmospheric choices that were made. With any luck, this’ll end up being the perfect teaser for a legendary title track next week.

Hooks 7 Production 8 Longevity 9 Bias 8 RATING 8 Original Article