As K-pop’s boy groups rediscover rock music this year, Just B enters the fray with an advantage. Since their debut, they’ve traded in rock sounds — most notably on standout b-side Get Away. Their take on the genre tends to be a bit more bombastic than many of their peers, and that continues on new single Medusa.
Right from the start, Medusa invites us into its world with a stomping glam rock beat that moves the verse forward at a clip. This segment is quite compact, quickly segueing into a great power chord pre-chorus that could afford to be twice as long. The bulk of Medusa‘s running time is devoted to its chorus, an instantly catchy pop hook that aims for “anthemic” and mostly gets there. I’m worried it may be too repetitive for its own good, but the song’s ballsy energy wins me over in the end.
I’m especially smitten with Medusa‘s finale. An electric guitar solo brings us into the driving conclusion, which bolsters the song’s hook with additional firepower to send us off on a high. It’s brief and to the point, but there’s a sense of drama that will keep me coming back for more.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
Grade: B+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Love it. Thought the exact same thing about the pre-chorus, and thought you would mention it. It’s so good it makes me sad they didn’t make full use of it.
What did you think of the rest of the album? I was really impressed with the songs, and also the fact they self-produced half of them – lyrical, compositional AND production credits?!!! Rare stuff.
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Yeah, the album is very solid!
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It’s fine, but closer to a flat 8 for me. Sure for kpop, the instrumental is a bit more novel, but for the rest of the song, the structure is straight ahead kpop. And as the resident old person with a long experience of pop-rock across many generations of format, this one is rather milquetoast for me.
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Medusa is good (8/10) but I actually preferred Drama, Paper Plane, Coming Home, and the previously reviewed Camellia. Youth started great but the ending chant kind of ruined it for me.
I guess what I’m trying to say is the album is awesome.
I’m think I’m in a mellow mood these days because I’m liking slower, softer song🤷🏻♀️
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