VERIVERY are emblematic of a common boy group trajectory. They debuted with a fun New Jack Swing-inspired sound. This set them apart from their peers, even if it didn’t lead to extraordinary sales. Then, they got swept up in Road to Kingdom and re-emerged as one of many boy groups peddling darker, angsty sounds. These efforts succeeded when they embraced a more experimental electronic style, but I never really bought VERIVERY as badass blusterers.
Because of this, I was excited when new title track Tap Tap appeared to be a return to lighter fare. Once a boy group goes dark, they rarely come back from the angst. I’m pleased to hear VERIVERY expand their musical palette, but I wish they would have done so with a stronger song. Tap Tap is co-written by production team The Hub – quite possibly my least favorite producers of the year. Their 2022 rap sheet is long, including NMIXX’s title tracks, Weeekly’s Ven Para and TRI.BE’s Kiss. Our musical tastes don’t often align, and their penchant for a jarring tempo change keeps Tap Tap from soaring.
VERIVERY doing punchy pop-rock should be a slam dunk. And, Tap Tap’s chorus nearly gets there. It needs a stickier melody, but I appreciate the upbeat, youthful energy. However, the song’s verses are in direct opposition to this hook. They feel pulled from a different track entirely and act as a weight on that buoyant chorus. Add some awkward rapping and you’ve got a real head-scratcher from a group who has shown they are much stronger than this. On the plus side, I’m loving the Friends pastiche of the music video.
Hooks 8 Production 7 Longevity 8 Bias 8 RATING 7.75
