Never trust Google translate, at least out of context (and especially when trying to translate from Japanese). I don’t know how I misconstrued whatever article I “read,” but I had it in my mind that The Boyz’ new Japanese single was going to fall within the future funk genre. Maybe they were talking about a b-side? Whatever the case, I’d set my expectations accordingly, imagining how awesome this sound could be when reflected through The Boyz’ performance-heavy prism and given a cyberpunk makeover.
Or, maybe Google was right, and genres have become so fluid that the brisk percussion underlining Breaking Dawn’s verse counts as a future funk influence? Whatever the case, this track sounds more like an extension of the group’s K-pop work. And once I got over my initial disappointment, it’s not bad. The group has been moving closer to EXO territory of late, and Breaking Dawn has moments straight out of the SM playbook. I mean, that power note during the climax? Pure Yoo Young-Jin drama.
I’m not so impressed by Breaking Dawn’s inert, spoken-word chorus. Subsequent listens smooth out the transition, but this still feels like a missed opportunity to go big and melodic. The song’s verses are better, creeping along a tense instrumental. The pre-chorus brings a shot of vocal firepower that’s lacking in most other parts of the track, and acts as a welcome mediator between the hip-hop heavy verses. And speaking of those verses, I appreciate the intensity of the rap in that second one. It’s tied strongly to the existing instrumental, but brings a new texture to the track. With that said, I can’t help but long for that future funk workout that (for now) only exists in my imagination.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
