Review

Song Review: from20 – Beat It

from20 - Beat ItThey may not be on everyone’s radar, but from20 and Hello Gloom from The Faker Club are two of 2023’s most consistently solid artists. Their creative partnership is firing on all cylinders, resulting in music and videos that often eclipse the material coming from K-pop’s biggest agencies. Not bad for an indie label founded by a couple of ex-idol group members!

Beat It continues to grow the synth-heavy sound from20 has embraced since debut. It feels like a natural progression from Chemical and Bad Revenge, taking the genre to more explosive heights. The track has excellent build, steadily developing its tension until we reach the big beat drop hook. I love the single-minded momentum of the slapping percussion. It keeps me invested in the song the whole way through. The taut pre-choruses have an anxious energy that’s echoed during the song’s fantastic finale. from20 sounds best at his most impassioned, and these moments of vocal drama are addicting.

If anything, I wish Beat It lasted one chorus longer. Its finale feels like it should be a bridge, segueing into an ultra-cathartic final hook. I suppose it’s good for a song to leave you wanting more, but a sense of satisfying conclusion can also be an asset. Nevertheless, Beat It proves there is still plenty of life to wring from K-pop’s retro synth trend.

Hooks 9
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 9

Grade: A-

7 thoughts on “Song Review: from20 – Beat It

  1. Yass, from20, back to fine form.
    Nooo, damn streaming <3:00 habits. This song should have been a chorus or two longer, as it is sorely missing the "one more time this time with =feeling=" section.
    That said I'll take it, easily. Maybe high 8's from me.

    "Weol" from last year was also quite good and of a similar vibe, if you want to hear more from from20.

    Like

  2. Today I feel immensely grateful for artists like From20. Him, his partner, a few soloists, a few boy groups, and IVE have filled my playlist with amazing songs I can listen to on and on in 2023 and beyond.

    I may sound horrible but this song felt like a palate cleanser (after listening to the other big comeback that will break all the records in the world🙄).

    Just for that, I’d give it a 9.5!!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. This is great! Pretty gutsy naming your track the same as one of the most legendary pop songs of all time…..BUT i think kinda of homage it in a nice way. It’s not the same phrasing as MJ but the falsetto pop up is really really nice and feels like a move Michael might make.
    Enjoyed !

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Might be his best yet. I could have used another couple of minutes – seriously I hope he puts out an extended version.

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