Hidden Gem Review: Bigflo - Fly
Year Released: 2014
Prior to finally gaining some attention for their participation in The Unit, Bigflo debuted without much attention in 2014. Despite this, I became a massive fan of the group during their debut itself. After I came back from a K-Pop hiatus around 2018 (started in late 2016), Bigflo was one of the first groups I checked out.
My favorite song from them is Deliah, which I really need to review someday. But today, we are talking about an early b-side of theirs, Fly. Back when they debuted, Bigflo was accused of cloning Block B. If that is true, Fly is a clone of Be The Light. I won't deny the similarities, but songs have a very unique interpretation of the same style. And, if I am honest, I feel Fly is the better written of the two, with clear vocals in the drive of emotion.
The song opens with Jungkyun's vocals flowing along with the driving, euphoric beat. High Top gets a great section to rap, before we are taken into the chorus.
Dreamy and euphoric, the chorus is filled with the heart and emotion lacking in modern music. High Top and Jungkyun both get to have some great lines.
The second verse suffers due to Z-UK and Ron being autotuned. Thankfully, High Top's rap over there is a fantastic moment. I love High Top's rapping, and this song is no exception.
The pre-chorus always has those dramatic strings, lifting the listener up with emotion. Z-UK is unfortunately autotuned here as well, but Yuseong shines at this moment with his surprisingly melodic vocals.
We then get the fantastic chorus again, this time with Jungkyun ad-libbing. One of K-Pop's most underrated songs of the last past 10 years, Fly deserves a look and more praise.
Rating: 9.25/10
Image Source: Koreaboo
Yes. Bigflo is amazing! Glad you reviewed them! You know ever since 2013, I've seen a lot of plagiarism accusations. Glad that in 2021 we finally have been able to minimize that mentality. K-Pop stans at that time were very obnoxious. Well, FLY is an amazing gem that needs more coverage and introduction.
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree, I find many people need to discover it.
DeleteOh reading a comment of yours in Hallyureviews was shocking. I didn't know you too were a Luhan biased! Well, maybe I've said this before on this blog but Luhan was the boy that made me go down forever in the rabbithole of Asian music (specifically K-Pop). He is my first ultimate bias. Ever. I'm so happy to meet a fellow one!
ReplyDeleteI re-read your Luhan review and I was careless to say that the whole Chinese music is a disaster. I'm so sorry for that. I shouldn't have said it, it is very xenophobic. I was just flabbergasted at how an amazing rapper, singer, dancer can be turned into something inconsumable.
DeleteAfter Junsu, Luhan might be my favorite K-Pop writer. He may have not entered me into K-Pop, but he kept me in there during the early 2010s.
DeleteIts okay, the modern C-Pop industry is in a mixed state. Hopefully, it keeps its current, slow, recovery.
I have to share you something if you don't mind my Top 10 Korean Songs of All-Time are:
ReplyDelete1. Rising Sun (TVXQ!)
2. I NEED U (BTS)
3. Sherlock (SHINee)
4. Paradise (INFINITE)
5. Seogyeokdong (Seo Taiji)
6. The Chaser (INFINITE)
7. Good Day (IU)
8. BE MINE (INFINITE)
9. Navillera (GFRIEND)
10. Callin' (A.C.E)
Is that bad. I know the list sounds dumb. But I am planning to make a Top 100 Songs of All-Time ever since I started. Well it's not yet done but I hope it will be.
Great top 10! We share our number one spot (anyone who has Rising Sun as their favorite K-Pop song is a friend of mine). I also really am happy Paradise made it into the top 10!
DeleteReally looking forward to your top 100!!!
Love that chorus! Very early 2010s.
ReplyDeleteGlad you think so, I was obsessed with it back in the day!
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