Some fans may know Adora as an in-house writer for Big Hit/HYBE, but she made her solo debut late last year. I haven’t always featured her music on The Bias List, mostly because she skirts that thin line between idol act and artist and this blog is mainly dedicated to the former. But, she’s developed a passionate fanbase and the theatricality of new single Magical Symphony feels like her boldest release yet.

I’m a sucker for anything that nods toward whimsical fantasy. After all, what is pop music if not a gateway to a magical, intangible world? IU reaped plenty of classics from this approach, and Adora seems to reference those dramatic arrangements. Magical Symphony is no Good Day or You & I. It’s too overstuffed and scattershot for that. But while the track doesn’t always take flight, its verve and ambition are quite charming.

Rather than rely on swoops of strings, this symphony tethers Adora’s performance to a drum line. We’ve got commanding percussion, plenty of brass and a hearty blend of instrumental flourishes that give the track a larger-than-life appeal. Magical Symphony collapses here and there (that second verse is a huge missed opportunity), but when it swells to its full potential it really sings. I’m especially fond of the melody in the pre-chorus, which repeats later as a satisfying bridge. The chorus is less impactful but endears itself after a few listens. Overall, I hope this is the start of a trajectory that sees Adora pushing herself to go even bigger and bolder.