Rookie group Luminous has compiled an inconsistent discography so far. They debuted with the fantastic hip-hop track Run last year, but followed it with the less-than-fantastic All Eyes Down. Now they’re back with a full album, which is highly unusual from a rookie of their stature. Better yet, they’ve enlisted the great G-High to compose title track Engine. With a catalog that includes TOO’s Count 1, 2, Stellar’s Marionette and Infinite’s Hysterie (among many others), the situation seems ripe for Luminous to embrace the best hallmarks of K-pop’s recent past.

To be clear, Engine is very much my kind of song. I love this herky-jerky funk style, with percolating grooves and ultra-rhythmic vocal lines. In a perfect world, the song would be as successful as EXO’s Love Me Right or Seventeen’s Mansae. But while I appreciate Engine’s intentions, there’s something missing here. I’m not sure if this lies in Luminous’s performance or a quirk of the production, but the track feels like it’s holding back. Kicked up a couple notches, we could have a real highlight on our hands. But rather than delivering the explosive energy a song like this requires, Engine paints within the lines to craft something that feels kind of like a demo.

Even with this issue, the track remains enjoyable thanks to its solid construction and catchy hooks. The chorus misses an opportunity to go big, settling for a forgettable melody that belies the strength of the verses. But when Engine pops, it hints at something far greater than what we ultimately get. That’s probably why the song feels so frustrating, even as I’m bopping my head to the beat.