Writing about Sorn’s solo music on this blog is seriously challenging the definition of “K-pop.” But hey, it’s a slow music day and even if Sharp Objects comes from a Thai singer performing entirely in English, her former membership of Korean girl group CLC affords us some latitude. More importantly, Sharp Objects embraces the popular synthwave style – a sound I tend to be quite fond of.

As any trend becomes more prevalent, songs can’t simply rest on their genre influences to stand out. Aspects like melody and performance style become more important. With this in mind, Sharp Objects succeeds. Its melody is predictable but satisfying, coasting along the icy synth beat with ease. I’m particularly fond of the pre-chorus, which injects a bit of drama to the arrangement. Sorn’s vocal moves from airy head voice to a more forceful delivery. It shifts momentum without upending the track – a balance that can be tricky to pull off.

Now, will a song like Sharp Objects stand the test of time? This question runs through my mind any time I hear one of these nu-disco, nu-retro (or whatever you want to call them) singles. The market is bursting with them, and only the absolute best will leave a permanent mark. I’m sure Sharp Objects will sound great even a few years from now, but with relatively light ambitions it doesn’t push past its influences to become an instant classic. However, that’s a high bar to measure any song by. For now, Sorn’s synth makeover hits just right.