In my eyes, GFriend are at the very top of the current girl group pack. They had two songs in my top five of 2016, and have built a strong, easily identifiable sound for themselves that feels more robust and powerful than many of their peers. Learning that new single Fingertip was composed by the Youngbae/Iggy duo (who have steered their career from debut) reassured me that we were in safe hands once again. And although Fingertip adds new elements to the girls’ oeuvre, its core sound is still GFriend, through and through.
Right from the start, Fingertip establishes its unique transformation with the instrumental’s wah wah guitar riff. It’s the opening salvo that ushers in the group’s most high energy synth riff yet, expertly blending 70’s funk, 80’s synth pop and 90’s techno anime bombast. GFriend’s productions have always been impeccable, but Fingertip‘s really steals the show. It’s a dense whirlwind of sound, hitting the listener with hook after hook without stopping for a moment to breathe. By the time the wailing electric guitar enters the fray, the song has been whipped into full-on disco frenzy, absolutely exploding during the climactic dance break.
Melodically, Fingertip feels like GFriend’s most instant release to date. The chorus isn’t quite as interesting as Navillera‘s, but follows-up on that song’s insistent build of energy. This is particularly apparent during the verses, which surge forward with a propulsive drive that brilliantly sets up the central hook. The girls sound less sugary sweet than before, opting for a harder-edged delivery that spotlights their powerful vocals. It’s hard to say whether Fingertip will maintain the same level of staying power as Rough or Navillera, but in the moment it’s an incredible blast of pitch-perfect pop music. GFriend has done it again.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.5 |
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Watching your review back make me feels sad about Gfriend at that moment… where when Korea(n)s did not like their transform after Navillera and slightly forcing Gfriend going back to Love Whisper’s “Strong Innocent” era. This should be their solid step ahead (or two steps ahead as well) to build more and more larger-than-life, iconic, rhythmic and strong chorus with those vocals in their team (loving Yuju, Eunha & Umji’s voice). I wouldn’t imagine what if Gfriend get a huge success with this transform, will they stay more of the J-Rock, funky style music (like Labyrinth, Tarot Cards, Eye of The Storm is all strong continent), or would they explore more 80’s retro style. Such a missed opportunity for Korean(s) to catch the waves, where Gfriend is truly ahead of their time.
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I’m one of the late Buddies. I found this song on Dingo’s Killing Voice.
My first impression of this song is that GFriend with their producers is a musical genius, they explore some genres and implement them into their own style. They are not only content with their safe zone or iconic genre like anime-ish soundtrack, but they also trying citypop in Three Cups, and 80s synth-pop like this song.
Some lines remind me to another songs, for example:
Eunha’s pre-chorus part is similar to: Katy Perry – The One That Got Away. But Eunha interpolates it with high notes in the end of her line.
And finally, other important lines reminds me of my childhood when playing GTA Vice City, it was an iconic 80s song – which GFriend use as a muse for this Fingertip song.
Chorus sounds like:Laura Branigan – Self Control, especially this (I live among the creatures of the night) part.
So, it’s a great song that can attract people from wide range of age, and good for nostalgia, without realizing it at the first time.
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