The New Six (formerly TNX)’s era-spanning teasers for new single Kick It 4 Now have been very entertaining. Nostalgia is all the rave right now, and the guys did a great job recreating various pop music aesthetics from the 80’s and 90’s. The song follows suit, delivering a retro taste of new jack swing.
I’ll never say no to some new jack swing. It’s one of my favorite genres, even if its instantly-recognizable style tends to date a track. Kick It 4 Now blends the familiar percussion with more modern touches, avoiding pure pastiche. The song bops by with ease, demanding little from its listener but offering a good groove and a catchy, uncluttered hook. Its verses lose some of the energy and could do with stronger melodies and more dynamic production. But, the chorus picks up the slack. Like many recent K-pop tracks, it opts for “pleasant” over “show-stopping.”
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I like these freshened-up throwback pieces, but it left something to be desired. New Jack Swing as a genre creates dynamic, palatable-sounding songs. The verses in this song are unfortunately a bit static and awkward — A rewrite to make them a bit fuller would be pleasant.
Some replying chant in the past-chorus would be a good addition IMO.
(Nostalgia, deja vu (DEJA VU!) I’m coming back to you (BACK TO YOU!))
The length, though. This feels like a Eurovision-ised version of the song. I feel there’s a bridge and final chorus missing from the song.
LikeLike
its like the producers were gonna give the song a bridge but were like “oh wait, its 2023, we’re not allowed to go over 3 minutes”
LikeLike
I like how you have the replying chant part because I just checked out their comeback stage and it has exactly that call and response for the fanchant lol
LikeLike
Unfortunately their studio cuts don’t have these, it’d amp up the energy tenfold.
LikeLike
Bonus point for fully committing to the style and styling.
It is sorely missing the street swagger of classic New Jack Swing, the braggadocio. It is just playing it all too safe, too well polished.
LikeLike
TNX have impressed me since the last comeback but this one is more up my alley. I didn’t check out any teasers so I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the music video.
I’m always a sucker for more r&b and hip hop inspired tracks and I really like this one. From the video to the styling it’s great. It makes me reminisce about pre debut and debut VeriVery.
Also, I really love Hwi’s tone. I will always be impressed by his rap in Move.
LikeLike
the first thing I thought of when listening to this song was that I reminded me of ONE&ONLY by BOYNEXTDOOR.
I mean, the song is fine. Nothing too special but it gets the job done. 8.25 for me
LikeLike
This is such a redemption song for me after their last few singles. I vibe with this a lot
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d always prefer “pleasant” over “show-stopping.” I just need a song that I can easily listen to without demanding so much from my attention. Show-stopping usually wears me out, causing me to not listen to a “show-stopping” song for a very long time. “Pleasant” tracks tend to stay much, much longer in my playlist.
LikeLike
Ay, Verivery Ring Ring Ring played after this
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are song cousins to be sure. Nice enough, but doesn’t have the addictiveness of Ring Ring Ring. I love New Jack swing, tho, so it’s still refreshing.
LikeLike
This is a typical Kpop song and I’m all in.🤩 It’s fun, it’s catchy and the guys are doing a great job with it.
LikeLike