It’s been an underwhelming year for debuts. I get the sense the Okay-pop industry has pulled their punches in anticipation of a major hit reshaping current trends. As we move into April, that hit may have finally arrived. On the heels of a mysterious Twitter announcement two months ago, Okay-pop provocateur Finite has finally made his long-awaited solo debut. (≥*≤) arrives with an unpronounceable fury, and fans’ loyalty has been rewarded.
With a beat reminiscent of The Neptunes’ early-00’s classics, Finite has tied the sample of a bleating goat to herky jerky synth rhythms. Goats are well-known to flock to trash – a reference that highlights (≥*≤)’s anti-consumerism message. It also supports his “Stuff Yourself” campaign, which has been adopted by many as a rallying cry. Fans are often seen waving their fry-bongs at concerts. With (≥*≤)’s steady repetition of fast food menu items, the track offers plenty of ammunition for their cause — paradoxical as it may be.
For this track, Finite has pitched his vocals into a chirpy mix. This approach demands deep listening if you want to catch all the lyrics. For example, the repeated tagline “Finite here, to show my griddle’s hot” is a clever play on (≥*≤)’s fast food theme. Incidentally, the letters in “griddle” can be scrambled to spell “girdled,” which hints at Finite’s unique stage attire during his solo performances. What follows is best described as a string of nonsense, though a defiant “yabba dabba doo” concludes this short verse with aplomb. I trust the choreography will further highlight the nuances in Finite’s delivery.
Surprisingly, (≥*≤) sheds its lockstep approach mid-way through and offers a contrasting tap dance breakdown. I’m not sure what Finite’s intention could be, but it matches Okay-pop’s current trend of randomly fusing two or more incongruous songs together.
At just over ninety seconds, (≥*≤) is perfectly designed for our streaming age. Finite is clearly banking on a robust digital presence, forgoing the expected mini album in favor of this quick, impactful single. And, the song’s hypnotic, looping quality rewards repeat listens. Without a distinct beginning or end, it plays as an incantation, placing listeners in a trance-like state.
(≥*≤) takes on a sinister tone as the menu items are repeated backwards during its climactic refrain. The song itself is structured almost as a palindrome, illustrating Finite’s concept of “Meverse” – a spiraling pocket dimension in which the artist is forced to relive his own vices in an unending loop. According to his agency’s press release, the NFT photocards from this digital album will unlock a code to decipher the Meverse and help Finite escape. A fan celebration/worship circle has already been announced for those devoted enough to collect all forty-six cards. Catering will be provided by McDonalds.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
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Happy April Fool’s Day!! (or 만우절 in Korea!)
