With the release of their new special album, ONF have rewritten the rules for how boy groups handle military enlistment. I’m no expert, but I thought idol groups weren’t able to release music during enlistment because of laws related to wages and income. However, WM Entertainment had the foresight to record and prepare this material prior to ONF’s hiatus, making it feel like long-buried archival footage dug up just when we need it most.
As its title implies, Your Song is essentially a fan song. But, it retains the talents of ONF-music-mastermind Hwang Hyun and paints its sentimentality with a rousing, upbeat brush. This ebullient energy comes in fits and starts. Your Song’s opening verse stretches nearly a minute long, opting for a slow burn that echoes typical fan song tropes. The melody is pretty but not particularly galvanizing. Fortunately, the track soon bursts into its chorus with a resounding influx of percussion and backing vocals. I’d have preferred the whole thing to carry this sunny spirit. There’s a bit too much noodling around during the verses.
If we’re judging by “fan song” standards, Your Song definitely comes out on top. It’s buoyant, beautifully performed and melodically sharp. As a full comeback (which it technically isn’t), the track fades in the shadow of other titans within ONF’s discography. For now, I think it’s safe to say this release does exactly what it’s supposed to. Your Song is the bridge between last year’s Goosebumps and whatever epic music the guys have up their sleeves post-enlistment. It’s a much-appreciated gift, and hopefully an impetus for agencies to be more creative about the ways they handle their boy group hiatuses.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
