K-pop groups must stop unveiling their music videos before their album release. It seriously messes with my review schedule! To make matters worse, I had nearly finished my write-up for Kep1er’s Giddy when the song froze and contorted into a harsh sound of mangled metal. My computer locked up and I was forced to do a hard reboot. Kep1er crashed my laptop, taking my entire unsaved document with them. Make of that what you will.
So, here comes draft two. Sigh.
Personal complaints aside, it was probably smart for Kep1er to drop Giddy’s mv prior to IVE’s upcoming release. This gives both acts a moment in the spotlight. The most interesting thing about this track is how it attempts to steer Kep1er’s sound from one trend to another. Its nine (!) credited songwriters have clearly listened to some of 2022’s hits – most notably LE SSERAFIM’s Fearless.
Giddy draws upon the sleek bass heard in many recent K-pop tracks. It’s nothing new, but the arrangement works well. The verses are especially nice, aided along by shots of vampy backing vocals. The girls perform in a comfortable register that gives their sound a sleek makeover and helps the more bombastic pre-choruses stand out.
I’m less enthused by Giddy’s chorus, which takes a simple hook and drives it into the ground. I have a feeling this may grate with time. For now, it’s just kind of blasé. It’s certainly better than the post-chorus shout-a-thon – the song’s only concession to WA DA DA-era exclamations. Overall, this track is fine, but I’d recommend checking out recent Japanese b-side Together Forever instead. Now that’s a banger!
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I got FEARLESS too but unlike that song, the chorus isn’t as effective. it’s a boot for me
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I was gonna say something about the song but the video ends with Yeseo going full Attack On Titan on Chaehyun. I don’t know if there’s anything I can add to that. The song itself is good and I love Kep1er. Its catchy and cute. I like it.
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Maybe its because I’ve been in a disappointed mood lately but this song kinda became the best thing ever the more I listen to it. The rest of their EP is great too minus LVLY. I do not like that one at all. Take Me Back To The City more than makes up for me having to sit through LVLY though. Why and Happy Ending are also perfect. I also got their EP from Barnes and Noble on my way home and I got Hikaru’s photo card! She’s my bias. I’m so very happy about this.
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I got their Doublast EP. That’s an important bit of information to leave out. I did not unfortunately get an album that isn’t gonna be here for weeks. I wish. That would be cool.
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I still need them to get back to the stellar line distribution we got for ‘Up!’ but this was fun and with IVE set to gain a lot of attention for their first full album coming out in 24 hours getting their video out first was indeed a smart move. They don’t have a chance of winning any shows with the steep competition but at least they can gain a little traction with this head start.
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“To make matters worse, I had nearly finished my write-up for Kep1er’s Giddy when the song froze and contorted into a harsh sound of mangled metal. My computer locked up and I was forced to do a hard reboot. Kep1er crashed my laptop, taking my entire unsaved document with them.”
and this is why autosave is extremely important
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Indeed!
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painfully forgettable
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Yeah, this exists.
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It’s definitely a grower not a shower. With that said, I can still see myself playing this every now and then.
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Hahhhhhh 😕. I like the song but I do wish groups like Kepler and NMIXX found a solid concept to start off with from the beginning as in the 4th gen, it’s important now more than ever to distinguish yourself amongst the massive competition you’re up against. It’s not surprising the songwriters of FEARLESS made a FEARLESS 2.0 here but I do wish I found that purple and cosmic Kepler energy like I did in the other previous title tracks.
Also the “du-ru-du-du” in the pre-chorus sounds a tad bit too childish for me. Does anyone see that too?
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Probably the 4th gen group I like the least.
This release did nothing to change my mind.
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Wow “Together Forever” is good. Also “Back to the City” is a lock for Buried Treasure!
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Nine songwriters to make the most average girl group song ever.
The girls do a good job to perform it about as well as can be.
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I feel like there must be some sort of negative relationship between the amount of writers on a song and its quality.
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inversely proportional
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I’m following LYRE, the main team who toplined this, and from what I’ve heard this is made with one other group in mind. STAINBOYS send the background composition to Alina Smith who toplined most of it. After Kep1er’s team held onto it, the second verse was toplined by Elli Moore and Gino Barletta, and the rest with two other topline collectives.
Based on the topline, I predict this was made for either Red Velvet or Weki Meki in mind. Something about it screamed Red Velvet, especially that Bahiyyih rapping and that chorus.
Listening to the song, the Kep1er team seemed to imitate Alina’s timbre and enunciation to a tea: she has a smoky but airy voice that’s apparent on the entire song. Elli Moore’s lines seems to be on Hikaru’s verse since it fits her squeaky voice and melodic rap style.
I am biased for LYRE, but not ever song they’ve worked on is my cup of tea. I like this laid-back groove, however, and I would probably keep it in my favorites for some time.
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i think it is a cute song but ‘back to the city’ is far better and a bit retro too. ☆
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…no comment apart from how the hell is Back to the City NOT the title track???
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ikr? that song is a banger!
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I think im in the minority here that actually likes this song. Id personally give it an 8. The chorus is definitely stuck in my head even after a few days but I have to agree that Back to the City would’ve made a more compelling title track esp with summer coming soon.
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Whoever decided not to make Back to the City the title track was wrong. Plain and simple. Really curious what your review of it would be.
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Whoever decided not to make Back to the City the title track was wrong. Plain and simple. Really curious what your review of it would be.
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