Song Review: POW – Favorite | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion

POW may not be debuting for another month, but they’re following a recent K-pop trend by pre-releasing a track to familiarize audiences with their style. This tactic may muddy the waters a bit, but it feels like a good way to announce yourself with relatively low risk and start building a fan base before that all-important debut.

I don’t know much about POW, but I’m amazed by how quickly the emotional rock sound of Favorite has become a huge K-pop touchstone. I guess we can partially credit TXT for that? To my ear, a song like this plays in the same sandbox as other rookie groups like BOYNEXTDOOR. It’s high on sonic angst, emotive vocals and singalong melodies. Favorite is nowhere near the pinnacle of this sound, but it’s an interesting taste of where POW may go in the future.

I like the grittiness of this instrumental, even as I long for a more dynamic set of melodies. The chorus has a sing-song quality that compliments the energy Favorite is trying to express, but my favorite idol rock songs tend to be more cathartic than this. I’m missing a sense of climax and release, though that may arrive with the eventual title track.

Hooks	8
Production	8
Longevity	8
Bias	8
RATING	8

Grade: B-

3 thoughts on “Song Review: POW – Favorite”

I am old. So back in my day, our songs were full of angst and woe to bring relief to the tedium of daily life. These days, the kids listen to simpler fare to try to ease the weariness of daily living.

Tension. Many contemporary songs do not have tension. This one just plods along on the same old chords.

In any case, it sounds like leftover Bryan Adams. Cuts like a knife, but it feels so right.
‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZhSkREYBc
‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCBASt507WA

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Most of the times I’ll like rock sounds (pop, soft or hard) and this song is no exception. I think it is a great intro to the group and makes me look forward to their official debut. 8/10

On a different note, I don’t know who ABlue is but I heard this song yesterday and I liked it a lot. I think it received zero promotions because it came out a month ago🤯.

I feel really bad for these groups!