I can’t believe it’s been two years since I last wrote about a Jeon Somi comeback! I had to look back to verify that, because 2021 seems like a lifetime ago. Thankfully, she’s returned with an upgrade. Producer Teddy is still in tow, but Fast Forward has a fashionable Euro-dance sound that makes for an exciting reinvention.
I’ve often wondered why K-pop acts don’t embrace the DJ-heavy dance sound that’s so popular globally. Although Fast Forward doesn’t team Somi with a notable DJ, its sound could easily have sprung from UK or Ibiza club trends. It’s generic in a satisfying way, culminating in an electronic drop with faceless vocal effects. This may seem like a criticism, but I happen to be a fan of this sound. So while Fast Forward isn’t a particularly great Somi song, it’s a very fun dance track and works well within that world.
Like many recent dance tracks, Fast Forward could improve with a slightly longer run time. It misses the opportunity to build toward a euphoric finale and ends somewhat abruptly. Instead, the track’s dynamic pre-chorus acts as a mini climax. A fun spoken-word second verse is also a highlight, and comes closest to capitalizing on Somi’s personality and charm. As long as we’re playing within this dance/DJ sandbox, I’d love to hear her team with someone like Sigala, who’d be able to ratchet up this sound even further.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
as a brit could def see this on the radio lmao.
also was wondering – what rating does a score need for you to add it to your playlist? 👀
LikeLiked by 1 person
*song not score 😭
LikeLike
Would August 2023 shape up to be the strongest month since august 2022 or even june 2018?? So many 8.5+ rated songs already!!
LikeLiked by 4 people
I feel like it’s going to be a repeat of last year with August being the strongest month music-wise.
But I’m glad that we’re getting so many great songs this month after a “mid” July.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not a bad song but it sounds awfully similar to Lady Gaga’s Rain On Me. Chorus is similar, production as well.
LikeLiked by 7 people
not just Rain On Me but it reminded me of the songs in Chromatica as a whole, especially the second verse when she sings in a lower key like Gaga did in some of the songs in that album. still a fan though!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh my gosh, this is exactly what it reminded me since the first listen. It also reminded me of What Are You Waiting For by Anda and R-Tee, which makes total sense since Fast Forward was produced by him. I would love to dance to it in the club just like Rain On Me.
LikeLike
Teddy should just stick to making house bangers like this because I feel like that’s where he excels at now. I think this could be a promising direction for Somi’s music to go to.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s too derivative and faceless for my taste, I don’t hear much of Somi in this. I’ll stick with tracks like Dumb Dumb and Birthday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Those are not my faves of her but I agree with your point.
LikeLike
Given how dynamic the pre-chorus is, I feel like what this could’ve used (if Teddy was a better producer lol) is what was done in Twice Got the Thrills/ChungHa Love Me Out Loud, Taeyeon No Love Again, recently with BBGirls One More Time where after the bridge the prechorus is essentially reimagined AS the chorus with a dance beat underneath. That would’ve a great payoff after two choruses of beatdrops for me personally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also Loona Singing in the Rain does this same concept
LikeLike
I think i like this song in theory because i usually love club beats like this but idk something feels almost TOO generic about this. Sounds exactly like something Lady Gaga would release and thats not a bad thing at all, it just makes it feel less Somi yknow. And I dont really like the empty chorus and I hate those vocal samples for some reason 😅 I think it could have just used something else for me to really love it
LikeLike
I don’t have much to add to all of the above as it sounds like a teen store in the mall, or a British high street. Solid, but within expectations.
Except that the spangled leotard looks very Katarina Witt. (revealing my age)
LikeLike
This is a freaking authentic HOUSE MUSIC.. what a tune! Truly miss this type of songs in the line of Galantis, Sigala, Duke Dumont.. Yes indeed, this was a breath of fresh air from oversaturated garage sound by New Jeans… Calling it right now, HOUSE MUSiC is making a comeback this year and its only going to get bigger next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
First reaction: house is back baby!
But then after listening to the entire song I’m like… this sounds more like a bside, especially given the vocal chops in the chorus. For a comeback title track after 2 years, where’s the SOMI? I wanna hear her in the chorus, not just chanting as an afterthought. Happy to enjoy this but I wanted more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the drop is generic and anti-climactic, it really blunts whatever musical development was happening and almost sounds annoying. Within the female soloist dance track genre, eunbi is this month’s winner. but the last chorus makes some interesting production choices which I would definitely have liked to see more of.
LikeLiked by 2 people
After hearing the album, this track is the one that has the least personality. I don’t feel SOMI in any of the verses and chorus. Sure it’s a generic club radio banger but after 2 years I would want to hear more of her in her own way. This falls in the same place as On The Ground production-wise for me. It doesn’t have a satisfying climax and just ends abruptly. But since it still kept me wanting for more I have no choice but to just loop the song.
LikeLiked by 1 person
they really tried to make a song for the girls and the gays this time
LikeLiked by 3 people
…..and succeeded mawma!!!!
LikeLike
At 1:28 I can’t stop listening to the “Greta Garbo and Monroe, Dietrich and Di Maggio, Marlon Brandon, Jimmy Dean on the cover of a magazine” XD
LikeLiked by 2 people
Also, the choreography borrows from “ tecktonik dance” which was very popular in Europe in the early 2000s in the techno dance club. Makes sense then to have the music that goes with it
LikeLiked by 4 people
For reference
LikeLiked by 2 people
surprised to see so many ppl disliking this song in the comments. idk what to tell you other than if you dont like like the dance pop, edm genre then this song isnt for you. i personally loved it. i think its funny everyone is saying its too generic because if it wasn’t y’all would complain it was too experimental. not every single song needs to be groundbreaking. it just need to have a good beat .
LikeLiked by 1 person
There there, you know it’s the same people who disliked Eve Psyche and Bluebeard’s Wife. Many such cases of boring people unable to enjoy gay club music. But you and I will be out there doing ketamine to this song and hopefully many others like it that get released this year.
(I was floored by someone saying this sounds like a Lady Gaga track as if that could be anything but an endorsement!! But then, I guess I am just an extremely gay person… the only thing I’d worry about is her possibly getting sued for the resemblance to Rain On Me 😭)
LikeLike
I think the music video and styling is great, however the sound feels very dated and uninspired tbh. Idk if it is a result of that “Yeah I am good and I am feeling alive” song that Guetta made 5 years ago, but went viral last year, but it sounds like it. Not my taste at all. I also wonder why club music is no where in kpop and attempts are normally only half way there. My favorite club kpop song is Sugar Free by T-ara.
LikeLike
I feel like I would have vibed to something like this back in 2013-14, but not in 2023 lmao. It feels so outdated.
LikeLike