Song Review: Jessi – Gum | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion

Jessi can always be counted on for a fun, colorful rap track — no matter the agency she’s signed with. Gum is her first work since leaving P Nation and signing with Jay Park’s More Vision, but you’d never know it from listening to the track.

Gum is everything you’d expect from Jessi: energetic, a little silly, and catchy in a concept-heavy way. This isn’t always a winning formula, but if you can set your expectations just right you’re in for a good time. I’m not overly thrilled with Gum as a song (it needs a stronger hook), but it’s undeniably fun. I especially enjoy the production, which moves past obvious trends in favor of a throwback groove with plenty of exuberance in its rhythm.

This energy helps smooth over Gum‘s repetitive structure. If Young Posse’s debut Macaroni Cheese had leaned into a similarly upbeat groove, it might have been an equally campy success. Jessi’s the perfect ambassador for this in-your-face, cartoonish sound. Her force of personality drives the track, amiable and up for a joke. Her commitment is infectious, even if Gum is too slight to live up to her best material.

Hooks	7
Production	9
Longevity	8
Bias	8
RATING	8

Grade: B-

8 thoughts on “Song Review: Jessi – Gum”

Meets Jessi-level expectations. It will be a hit no matter what any of us think.

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I thought it was really fun. Kind of dated in its twerking theme though.

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Ana says:

October 28, 2023 at 12:35 am

I kinda like it. The theme’s not one I’d pick up usually but I find that it kinda fits jessi and her whole vibe

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I really don’t like her rapping style. 6 for me

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That’s considered a good song? Huh… 5/10

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Unfortunately what I think we’ve come to expect from Jessi, I was hoping the company change would bring something refreshing to her music. Maybe it did for others, but it didn’t for me. I’ll give it another handful of listens and see if it grows on me, that tends to happen a lot in KPOP for me. And despite me not caring for the song, my love for Jessi is unwavering.

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