Review

Song Review: n.SSign – Higher

Posted on by 10 Comments

n.SSign - HigherI never covered n.SSign’s pre-debut song Salty on the blog, but it’s quite solid and part of a standout mini album that features a few of my favorite classic K-pop producers. In fact, n.SSign’s producers are the main reason I’m interested in the group. Not only will their upcoming album feature a track from Sweetune (!), but they’re working with former SM mainstay Yoo Han Jin — younger brother to the legendary Yoo Young-Jin.

Higher is a pre-release track from that album, laying out its worldview and showcasing the group’s vocals. Its wispy, ephemeral rock sound is not the style I’d expect to hear from a 2023 K-pop boy group, which instantly earns praise from me. The more variety in K-pop, the better. With that said, I’m not sure the song itself is anything to write home about. It feels more like an extended album intro (which… I guess it kind of is?), but I’m loving the overall direction they’re taking.

More than anything, it’s nice to hear the group’s voices presented clear as a bell. Higher is characterized by lovely falsetto that builds to beautiful harmonies during its climax. If the group can hold on to this strength and tether it to more captivating material, they’ll easily stand as one of 2023’s strongest rookies.

Hooks 8
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 8
 RATING 8.5

Grade: B

10 thoughts on “Song Review: n.SSign – Higher”

  1. Yes on that “clear as bell” comment. That is what singing is all about. Effortless. As the song spirals higher and higher, the vocal gets better and better. The high descant harmony at 3:01 just kills me.

    I have a pet peeve about singers who feel the need to pull faces or dramatic poses when they hit a high note, doubled over to belt a line or something. Whyeee, it doesn’t help the music at all. Here, the high notes sound so comfortable, the listener is in turn comforted and led more into that world.

    The song for a mid-tempo is also at the right pace for the structure and flow of the composition too. Another pet peeve, other songs that are played slow for effect when the pace should be several ticks faster. In this song here, you can hear it in the pre-chorus when there are a few faster eight notes there, and again in the chorus when they sing full legato with held notes and then space allowed to reverb. Perfect pacing.

    Listening to these guys on this song is like watching Usain Bolt lift up a few meters too early holding his hands out wide to celebrate the glory. Wow.

    Well done, n.Ssign, another current gen to watch.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  2. I’d never heard of them before, but I’m so glad I clicked on this! I was not expecting this level of build-up in the way the song unfolds, this was so interesting. I think a song like this feels more like Infinite, at least based on my impressions of the group, than their own release today. Exciting to know about the producers involved with N.Ssign – the group’s caught my attention, and I’m looking forward to more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Felt like floating on clouds the entire song. With &team Firework, NCT Dream Broken Melodies, boy groups really slaying recently huh?
    really breaks up the monotony of sleep inducing songs this year in kpop

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. I was so excited for this and they didn’t disappoint. This group has continued to impress me and now I’m evern more excited for the title track.

    I’m just happy to hear singers actually sing. Also, these kids are just super talented and have taste, I read their profile and some of their favorite artists are BTOB, EXO, Infinite, and Roy Kim.

    I feel like the only thing that can get me more excited is ONF’s comeback.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.