Review: Gfriend - Mago
Popular Korean girl group Gfriend (I know, they could have picked a better name) has came back with a new song made mostly by 2020 collaborator Frants. Frants is the producer behind 2020 tracks for Gfriend like fan-favorite (and one of my favorite Korean songs this year) 'Labyrinth', and title track 'Apple'. Except, this time Gfriend has jumped onto the retro trend. Frants is not new to this though, as he wrote some popular Sunmi retro tracks over the last past few years (most notably 2018's 'Siren').
With that said, some of the retro tracks this year feel more likely commercial comebacks rather than proper love-letters to the 70s or 80s (most retro tracks have stuck to those two eras). 'Mago' is almost entirely commercial in its intent, yet it is quite solid as a whole. The best thing in the track is the Gfriend elements still make it through the track.
Other than that, the disco elements hold the track together, and the girls each get their go at the material, and all of them use their chances well. The verses especially are solid.
I do wish the chorus used violins more, as they came in disco and strings are essential to the Gfriend sound. The song also needs a better climax, but other than that, it is pretty good, just oddly subdued.
An 85 isn't bad, but well it is what it is. I respect this as I also had a some sort of problem with 80s music even though I grew up with it. Well, the Critics' Circle is finished! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J8k9gF8KjE
ReplyDeleteNice winners! Most surprised at Drippin winning Rookie OTY, but I guess it garnered positive reviews :)
DeleteAbsolutely because of that many critics voted for DRIPPIN, so the media picked SSAK3, the critics picked DRIPPIN, I'm thinking who will the producers' pick? I guess maybe ENHYPEN or P1HARMONY. We'll see this Friday, November 20! KMPGA 2020
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