Double Review: MIRAE - New Days & Don't Stop

After not really getting MIRAE's debut single for the longest time, I have finally appreciated Killa. The song's electronic groove is just unique enough that it stands out. Another helping cause is the overall dismal quality of MIRAE's latest single, Splash. Thankfully, the album has just enough highlights to justify a double review.

New Days

New Days pulls off an electronic dance groove with whistles. If this sounds similar, that is because the song is basically Dreamcatcher's Whistle; boy group version. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as I really enjoyed Whistle.

Unfortunately, like nearly every recent K-Pop song, New Days pulls back for a disastrous second verse trap rap, which does not fit one bit. This brief segment truly hurts the song terribly, from which it never fully recovers.

Thankfully, the chorus pulls forward with a solid, full-throttled hook. The whistles don't add too much conceptually, but they are a nice little touch. The dancing groove here is especially effective.

Rating: 8.25/10

Don't Stop

Don't Stop instead plays on an old-school groove. It sounds like '90s rap-rock. This is a genre I am quite partial to, and the production here is absolutely golden. From the flipping percussion highlighted in the second verse to the electronic guitar, Don't Stop always has a surprise hidden somewhere. The record scratches further improve the song.

MIRAE's performance is absolutely satisfactory, tackling each hook with loads of charisma. The verses are particular highlights, brimming with energy and youth.

The chorus, on the other hand, is a bit of a mixed bag. The rapped hook is not fully satisfactory as a central conclusion. A stronger chorus would shoot Don't Stop to the stratosphere, but it is solid nonetheless.

Rating: 8.5/10

Image Source: The KMeal