Early on in HyunA’s new single Nabillera, she references her 2011 mega-hit Bubble Pop. It’s a bittersweet moment, because it reminds listeners how incredible her music can be. Match a dynamite song with an artist as charismatic as HyunA and you have K-pop that defines the entire industry. Songs like Red and Roll Deep saw her at her creative peek, melding quirky hip-hop with insanely catchy hooks. With Nabillera (나빌레라), the quirky hip-hop remains, but the hooks feel less inspired.

Over the past few years, K-pop has become more comfortable with single-word or single-phrase hooks, repeated often without modulation. It feels like an easy way out, and only works if you’ve got an absolutely incredible instrumental to back it up. Nabillera’s simple chorus doesn’t inspire much excitement. It’s oddly monotone in delivery, underlined by a spare bass-driven beat. It’s not annoying in the way these hooks can often be. It’s just… there.

HyunA herself could never be accused of being “just there.” Her charisma fuels even the slightest of tracks, and it’s always a treat to hear her play with a song. Her flow is light on its feet throughout Nabillera, and the pre-chorus gives her a (brief) chance to inject some vocals into the mix. The song is pleasant and groovy throughout. It just doesn’t go anywhere or do anything to draw attention. Rather than offer a watered down version of past glories, it would’ve been fun to hear HyunA push her artistry in new directions.