Review: WJSN - Last Sequence
With their win in the second season of Queendom, girl group WJSN have a genuine chance to reach the Korean mainstream. At the same time, with contract renewals nearing and quickly growing rookies under their agency Starship, there are also risks associated with the comeback. In a way, Last Sequence's commercial performance will dictate WJSN's ultimate fate. While I don't know if it will receive too much chart success, it deserves quite a bit, as it is one of the best dance-pop songs this year.
Last Sequence's verses are decent, with a few highlights, notably Exy's rap. Overall, there is nothing really worth writing home about here. That is also true of the song's typical love lyrics. In theory, the chorus should collapse, given its sing-talk delivery, and its lack of a central refrain.
However, the chorus blooms into one of the most fulfilling hooks this year. Part of that comes from the fact that the producers saved WJSN's best vocalists for the chorus, making sure the refrains feel full, rather than chopped up. This follows through to the bridge, where Yeonjung provides one of her best vocal performances yet.
Of course, the central tool at Last Sequence would be the fantastic synth-y club instrumental. It is IZ*ONE-esque in its arrangement, but pops with sharpness and acidity, best felt in the chorus drop instrumental, hitting you like a sledgehammer. There is something refined yet instantly over-the-top which makes Last Sequence a whole lot of fun.
Overall, Last Sequence is a fun little song. It is not anything incredible, but is certainly a highlight within the past few sleepy months, with the potential to grow on me.
Oh, you are so right about the IZ*ONE-esque arrangement. I agree – it's fun and it will probably age nicely.
ReplyDeleteI think the IZ*ONE-esque arrangement is certainly purposeful, it feels like a purposeful filling of a market gap. But yeah, that chorus is still fantastic about half-a-month later, let us see how long it can last!
Delete