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 Review: A.C.E - Favorite Boys (Goblin)

Last year was a wild ride for those following A.C.E. They started the year with the incredible 'Under Cover'. Definitely for me the K-Pop song of the year and arguably song of the year 2019. Thus, their follow up 'Savage' came with heavy expectations. And while it was a fine song, it was no Under Cover. The same goes for pre-release track 'Stand by You', which was enjoyable, but far from being as ground-breaking as Under Cover. In fact, I was pretty sure as long as A.C.E exist, Under Cover would exist, nothing would be enjoyable from them. I was proven wrong. For although new lead single 'Favorite Boys' (also titled 'Goblin') is slightly weaker than Under Cover, it is amazing.

Favorite Boys, concept-wise, is another hip-hop heavy swag 'hater anthem'. Those songs are a dime a dozen these days. The thing that makes Favorite Boys unique, is its musical choices. Just like Under Cover, its verses' rap is backed not only by hip-hop, but rock beats as well. The instrumentation instantly sets up an atmospheric and moody feel. Byeongkwan in particular steals the show in the verses with his unique rap style, with a flurry rush in the second verse. Maintaining him up high on this generation's best rappers.

My biggest issue initially with Under Cover was the pre-chorus. While melodic, it felt disconnected to the rest of the song. Favorite Boys, on the other hand, masters the pre-chorus. While vocally heavy and melodic, the instrumentation actually heavily builds the intensity. Favorite Boys is probably one of the best pre-choruses over the past 5-10 years. It is majestic.

Normally, a chorus hinging heavily on a refrain like the one in Favorite Boys would get annoying quickly. But (Favorite Boys)'s chorus has a melodic refrain following right after. Though the shouting in the first half is cloying, it does not derail the structure. It just leaves the song with a weaker chorus than Under Cover.

Favorite Boys culminates in an epic climax. Not to different from the one in Gfriend's 'Labyrinth' where the members took turns with the high notes. I simply love the idea of twin high notes, and Favorite Boys has a great one.

My biggest issue of the song probably is not due to the song itself, but due to Under Cover. Under Cover featured  Grunge Rock, Hip Hop, EDM, Mid-Tempo all in equal measure with vocal harmonizing while maintaining a high BP throughout. Favorite Boys has a lower BP and features Hip-Hop most prominently with a bit of Rock and EDM. It still is a genre masher.

I do not like to give high scores early for songs. But considering I have already nearly played it twenty plus times, I do not think I have a choice.

Rating: 9.25/10