Track Assessment: NouerA – N.I.N (New Is Now)

I watched final summer time’s survival collection Makemate (and even featured considered one of their songs on the weblog), nevertheless it left such little impression that I battle to recall many particulars about it. Its debuting group NouerA is right here to repair that, arriving with a whopper of an electro-funk observe that undoubtedly leaves its mark.

Ok-pop’s older era of producers simply hit completely different. N.I.N (New Is Now) is an e.one manufacturing — particularly e.one’s Jung Ho Hyun who’s liable for nice work from GFriend, April and Wanna One (amongst many others). The music does a pleasant job melding the previous with the brand new, although when it does falter its because of these pesky “new” musical touches. Other than a clunky, momentum-killing dance break and some pointless slowdowns, N.I.N is an exciting debut. The music is at its greatest when leaning into its showstopping power. I like the multi-part refrain, festooned with dynamic synth and brassy prospers. The second verse can also be a serious spotlight, including handclaps and a perky synthline to the combination.

Most refreshingly, N.I.N sounds like Ok-pop — or no less than, the Ok-pop that first introduced me into the fandom. It’s exhausting to think about this particular sound being pitched in lots of different music markets. The observe doesn’t really feel focus-grouped to attraction to as many worldwide followers as attainable and that enables it to retain a way of individuality. I hope NouerA proceed to stake their declare on this 2nd/Third-gen model as a result of there’s an enormous gap out there they’re clearly able to filling.

Grade: A-