Review: GHOST9 - Up All Night
GHOST9 have made a name for themselves in the K-Pop world for their militant and rough idol songs, even if they lack the energy or emotion to make them work. They clearly have potential with that sound, and their first three singles all built towards a more streamlined form. However, it is now Summer, and this sound is no longer efficient. Thus, they have switched up to a more light-hearted summer song.
This light-hearted summer sound has been dominating this K-Pop summer. It is very debut-era One Direction, just in a more K-Pop fashion. This brass-kissed sound was done back in 2018 by Golden Child for several of their comebacks, and they arguably nailed it much better than most others. Astro also did this in 2016.
Up All Night's main trick is its brass-kissed, funky, and youthful chorus. It feels innocent and youthful, which is arguably the song's goal. When it first arrives, the production is fragmented over the melody, as a teaser, before it is revealed in its full glory. The call-and-response opening is complemented by the full-throttled tune in the second half.
The verses often end up being a little too throwaway to have any impact, at least the melody stays intact for the most point. The bridge, however, opts for an awkward trap breakdown to open it. It really is momentum-killing and may hurt this song's replay value. At least the song somewhat returns from that point.
In the end, Up All Night is not the best song in this style, but it works in its charm. I just hope that GHOST9 go back to their traditional style for subsequent comebacks.
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