With long-awaited returns from second and early-third gen boy groups SHINee, Infinite, EXO, Teen Top and U-Kiss, 2023 has been a dream for us older K-pop fans. Or rather, it would have been a dream if the majority of these comebacks hadn’t underwhelmed to various degrees. Seriously, I’m not sure how 2023 messed this up so badly. Now, one half of VIXX throws their hat in the ring with their first group comeback since 2018. Did they manage to beat the 2023 curse?
Well, I imagine fans of certain VIXX eras will be pleased. Amnesia feels like an extension of the moody fare the group has dabbled in post-2016. However, I happen to prefer their pre-2016 work, which married high drama to equally robust melodies and dynamic arrangements. Amnesia brings in plenty of satisfying elements (especially the distorted guitar), but the song itself is too dirge-like to ignite many sparks. It’s pretty rare for a song with this energy to appeal to me, and I realize that’s completely subjective. But without a unique and interesting melody, there’s nothing to compensate for the draggy tempo.
Amnesia‘s bright spot lies in its vocal performance. VIXX are currently down to three members (Leo, Ken & Hyuk), but they bring the necessary firepower. Even if the song doesn’t offer much for them to sink their teeth into, the guys relish every second and pull the most they can from the material they’re given. That’s a sign of an excellent group. Now they just need excellent material to compliment those strengths.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Selfishly, I looked forward to a VIXX that didn’t have to shoehorn in Hongbin and Ravi and could be all about the other four member’s unique vocal tones, but then we didn’t get N and we got this funeral march instead. Savage from the album is fun, though!
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Most of the VIXX songs I have on my playlist are from before 2016, even though I didn’t listen to kpop at that time. Actually, from second gen artists, them and B1A4 are probably my favorites.
I really liked this album. It showcases their voices and it’s a mature, yet not a boring sound, in my opinion. I agree it could’ve been bigger, more dramatic, fuller…but I don’t mind this sound at all. I find it very listenable. 8.25
I found myself replaying a lot of the second gen artists that had a comeback this year, my favorite being Infinite, followed by Vixx, TeenTop, UKiss, Shinee’s bsides, and EXO.
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I’m not that familiar with VIXX. I only know some of their big songs, so I have just those for comparison. The vocals here are just heavenly. The chorus is a little meh to me but on the whole it has the sheen of maturity.
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VIXX is back!!! This is playing a little too safe. It sounds like something one of the newer generation boy groups would put out, but I agree that their vocal performance elevates this a lot.
Hoping that they’re holding back a creepy, concept-focused banger for when more members are able to join. I feel like this and Infinite’s “New Emotions” are kinda playing it safe and trendy to wade back in, testing if they’re still marketable. I hope they’re getting a lot of attention on their return and their companies want to be more bold with their next releases.
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I feel the song is fine, but could use the Ateez or The Boyz rehular producers to amp it up. The energy is set at 8 or 9 when it could have been the full VIXX 11 factor.
Viz, The Boyz “Drink It” which is such a VIXX homage. Darling daughter plays this a lot. The part at 1:56 gets me =every time=.
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