Review

Song Review: Chuu – Underwater

Chuu - UnderwaterAs the LOONA universe continues to fragment, members are moving on to new things. We’ve seen the return of unit Odd Eye Circle and the debut of Loossemble. Now it’s time for a solo debut from member Chuu. She’s been a fan favorite for years and has a great chance of breaking out as a soloist. While we wait for her album, pre-release Underwater offers a taste of what we might expect.

This track is standard girl-group-member-goes-solo fare. It’s light and unobtrusive, offering a delicate pop beat and lilting vocals that are comforting and easy to enjoy. There’s not much to the song, nor does Chuu’s performance leave much of a mark. But as a pleasant showcase for fans, Underwater gets its job done. This Taeyeon-lite sound holds potential for her appealing, expressive voice. The rising energy of the pre-chorus best articulates this, offering the track’s most dramatic arrangement and melody.

Hooks 8
 Production 7
 Longevity 8
 Bias 7
 RATING 7.5

Grade: C

11 thoughts on “Song Review: Chuu – Underwater

  1. Yeah, actually pretty nice, maybe a high 7 to flat 8 for me.

    The part of the production that annoys me is that it sounds like it is spliced and diced from many many takes, some takes perhaps only a line or two long. Audible shifts that subtract from the listening experience. Also a note of concern, as when someone records it in multiple takes, how do they ever perform it live live all the way through. It will sound like a totally different song when and if she ever does sing it live all the way through. Where to breathe, where to build and swell and diminish. It is doing her no favors and like starting off as a soloist 10 or 20 meters back from the starting line.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. With how many tracks named “Underwater”, I think you should start a new feature where you rate all tracks with the same name and then add the one with the highest rating to a playlist just like what you did with b-sides. It will be very interesting to witness. 👀

    Liked by 8 people

  3. I think the production went absurdly anticlimactic. Would it be cheesy to have a ‘peace song’s choir moment at the final chorus? Yes. Would it be cheesy to have a belt of note before that? Yes. That’s what’s missing from this song, however – such lack of drama.

    Liked by 6 people

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