While fans wait impatiently for a Korean comeback (it’s going on four-and-a-half years, now…), TVXQ are back with another Japanese single. Lime & Lemon adds to their summertime playlist, offering a shot of uptempo dance music well-suited for the season.
This will always be a style that appeals to me, but it’s become its own trope within K-pop circles. Given this trendiness, basic building blocks like melody and production become super important. Lime & Lemon mostly aces the production side of things, delivering a thumping house beat during its choruses. Its verses’ more reserved production is a missed opportunity to go bigger, but the track races to its conclusion without any major roadblocks.
In this case, melody is a bit trickier. The hooks could be stronger and less-focused on an awkward repetition of its chorus. “Lime & lemon” makes for strange phrasing when placed as the centerpiece of a dance track and the pitch of the vocal feels a little uncomfortable. Changmin’s voice is a wonder of the world, but must be handled with care! Thankfully, the song’s breathless pace smooths over most of these misgivings. It’s a lot of fun.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The full version being here, all bright summery pop. I’m not overthinking it, I think it is grand. Also, wWe have a new way to accent the phrase, it now goes “lime an lem ON”.
But what I am really crushing on is the TVXQ (or Tohoshinki) song that autoplayed right after the above, “Ocean” from a couple summers ago, which is just all fun. I was skeptical with the opening lines, but once it settled into the regular song, it just bounces and cruises along with pure pop.
And somehow both are available on US itunes.
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