The release of a group’s first full-length album is a big deal, but the roll-out for SF9’s First Collection has felt simultaneously rushed and muted. Today was an especially confusing landmark, as we received the track list, highlight medley and music video all within hours of each other. And, the album’s not even out until Tuesday! Regardless, I’ll take new music where I can get it.
I think it’s safe to say that this groovy, deep house influenced sound is now officially a big trend in K-pop. Good Guy packs no new punches, but rides on the success of its funk energy. Its opening had me worried, as this kind of fractured synth backdrop tends to support way too many angst-filled boy group tracks. But, the instrumental soon comes to life as house piano and percussion are added to the mix. This culminates in the kind of beat drop hook we’ve heard a lot over these past few months. However, this is a musical turn that I’m not quite exhausted with yet.
From a production standpoint, Good Guy feels like something we’d find on a Seventeen or Nu’est album — a little brother to Love Me or Lucky. Even the vocal layering is reminiscent of the Pledis sound. Melodically, there’s not as much meat on its bones. The simple chorus works, but just barely. The verses are murkier. They’re well-delivered, but don’t spark with the kind of hookiness I look for in this style of a song. Luckily, the sprightly instrumental helps to cover these flaws, keeping the tempo high throughout the entire track. In a K-pop world of trap breakdowns and future bass lurches, this alone is enough to make Good Guy an early 2020 highlight.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Praying there’s not a lawsuit over the first vocal line being the exact same melody as Twice’s “Fancy”.
But I really like this! It’s like the sequel to Now or Never I’ve been waiting for. Shoutout to the sports in suits concept, I’ve never seen that one before. Those tennis scenes, especially, were gorgeous.
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Don’t have an account but the song you were thinking of was Feel Special, not Fancy
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Ah, you’re right. It’s the same as Feel Special.
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I love it personally. It’s the sonic sequel of “Now or never” that i have always wanted.
It’s just replayable because of it’s groove
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I love the deep house sound. It’s so nice that it’s trending!
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I thought it was just OK – not bad, but not great. The repetitive “good good good good guy, bad bad bad bad guy” chorus doesn’t do the song any favors.
Apparently, I have bought three SF9 songs in the past, so I guess I like them well enough for everyday listening (Now or Never, Enough, See you Tomorrow) , but not enough to remember who SF9 are. My bad.
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really hope you will be writing a buried treasure for this album cuz its honestly their most consistent release in terms of quality. “fire” should have been title track for a summer release tbh,,,
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Yes, this album is quite strong. My favourite is One Love, which sounds colourful and summery.
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As per usual with SF9 for me, the title track is very nice but the good stuff is in the B-Sides. The album has multiple gems. ‘Like the Hands Held Tight’, ‘Am I the Only One’, ‘Fire’, ‘One Love’, and ‘Shh’ are all top tier tracks for me.
Glad that after I cried for over a year about wanting a full album they delivered so much good content.
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