Is it too early to hear the influence of NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM in other girl groups? Now that “girl crush” seems to have faded a bit, it feels like their subdued – almost aloof – sounds are the next stage in girl group trends. ICHILLIN’s Draw (My Time) is an interesting hybrid of the two styles. It’s much stronger when it leans into its stylish, NewJeans-esque 90’s r&b.
Draw (My Time) takes a moment to right itself. The introduction is rough, with a silly rap giving way to a verse that quickly devolves into a literal nursery rhyme. If I wasn’t planning to write about the track, I probably would’ve turned it off right here. However, Draw quickly improves. Its chorus is a high water mark, injecting funky synth that gives the arrangement a fuller sound. Its melodies are fine, but they’re buoyed by a nice vocal performance that glides over the track with a pleasant smoothness.
Honestly, I’m not sure what to do with this song. I want to take a scalpel and do some surgery. Whenever Draw devolves into its chanty, nursery rhyme silliness I find it pretty unbearable. But moments later, it’s an enjoyable midtempo bop. I’m not sure the strengths are enough to outweigh the struggles, but I’m interested in what this means for the K-pop industry as a whole. Perhaps we’re simply in an awkward middle ground as one guard gives way to the next. In any case, Draw is an uneven listen.
Hooks 7 Production 8 Longevity 8 Bias 7 RATING 7.5
