K-pop’s been on a “summer holiday” for weeks now, but Dreamcatcher are vacationing the right way – by releasing new music, of course! New single BEcause heralds their special summer album. Given this distinction, I wondered if the girls would take the opportunity to delve further into the EDM sound that pops up often in their b-sides. Instead, BEcause stays true to the elements that have made their title tracks so consistent.
The song injects the summer season with a touch of horror, though most of the creepy stuff is relegated to its music video. As a piece of rock-infused K-pop, BEcause is sturdy and satisfying. Its most interesting moments happen in the verses, whether during the brisk intensity of verse one or the cool drum-and-bass breakdown that pulls us into verse two. Calypso-like keys power much of the track, offering a shot of eccentricity to an otherwise straightforward rocker. I wish the song leaned even further in this direction, breaking free of expectations and going crazy with its arrangement.
Even so, BEcause easily gets its job done. The first time through, I wasn’t sold on the chorus. It felt overstuffed and anticlimactic when compared to the dynamic verses. But, the hooks sharpened with each listen, and I love the way the track builds toward a cathartic, shout-along peak. Despite being packed with goodies, BEcause works as a straightforward blitz of energy – echoing early highlights like 2018’s You And I. it may not scratch my itch for summery pop music, but I have a feeling this will be sticking around long past the season.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
