On this busy day for K-pop, boy group Blitzers emerge as the undeniable underdogs, carrying the esteem of a smaller agency on their backs. They’ve begun to make a name for themselves with a rock-inspired sound, foretelling a musical trend that’s beginning to appear in the work of bigger-name acts. Interestingly, new single Hit The Bass jettisons this approach, opting for a sound more in keeping with the “noise music” often attributed to fourth-gen boy groups.

This is an unwelcome shift for Blitzers. I haven’t connected with their music as strongly as others have, but I’ve enjoyed the continuity between releases. Hit The Bass is every bit as loud as previous comebacks, but feels less focused and much more obnoxious. Do producers know how exhausted we are with these clanging beats, strangled brass samples and farty synth loops? Any charm these elements may have once held has been crushed by sheer repetition. At this point, I could make a playlist hundreds of songs long and use it to torture my enemies. There’s just nothing new to craft with this template.

Hit The Bass is largely hookless, and shifts energy so often that it feels endless. By the time guitar distortion comes in during the climax, it’s as if we’ve entered a new song entirely. Separated out, there are musical elements that could forge the backbone of a strong comeback. But, Hit The Bass throws everything into an inartful blender. It feels designed for a visual performance above all else. Never mind if the song itself is listenable.