Review

Song Review: ATEEZ – Crazy Form

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ATEEZ - Crazy FormThe other day, I looked back at my top ten K-pop songs of 2019 and realized how much of a slide most of these artists have taken since then. This is subjective, of course. As my interest has waned, they’ve all went on to have tremendous commercial success. I get that I’m probably in the minority. ATEEZ placed two songs in the top five that year, and went on to visit the top three again in 2020. Since then, I’ve struggled to connect with their music — even if many of its core charms have endured. I’m not sure what it is, exactly. Maybe the songs just don’t hit as hard anymore?

Whatever the case, a track like Crazy Form (미친 폼) repels more often than it engages. This style of “hype” track has become mainstream in K-pop, peddled by any major boy group you could name. ATEEZ and Stray Kids lead the genre, and for good reason. Their energy and intensity seem unlimited. No one is better at shouting and sneering and careening across a track like the world is ending and they’re relishing in the chaos. This is all appealing in theory, but so many of the actual sounds are so unappealing. The incessant grunting and posturing, the whiny vocal effects, the clitter-clatter of tinny percussion tied to vague, innocuous statements like “we’re changing the game.” How many different ways can you repackage this template before it becomes stagnant?

I guess at this point, it’s an acquired taste that I just can’t wrap my brain around. I’ve seen ATEEZ perform live multiple times. I’ve experienced the energy they inspire and the fervor they whip up from the audience. Crazy Form will be yet another shout-along anthem to add to their set and its earworm chorus will no doubt work its way under my skin eventually. However, this time there’s too many grating elements to endure and the good stuff isn’t strong enough to make the effort worth it.

Hooks 7
 Production 7
 Longevity 7
 Bias 6
 RATING 6.75

Grade: D+

45 thoughts on “Song Review: ATEEZ – Crazy Form”

  2. damn a 6.75 is NOT what i expected lmao. This song gives me wonderland vibes in a way? I prefer this over bouncy though since that song confused me the first time i heard it. With this track I feel like I could keep up most of the time. I think the biggest letdown for me was the chorus being so laid back. I wish they did something like fireworks where they use the outro of the song as a post-chorus something like that woud have elevated it a lot more. I give this an 8.5 atm I think?

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    • The thing about “Wonderland” is that it is enjoyable on so many levels:
      There is epic storytelling polished to a high shine with a compelling performance.
      There is the drop into a hip hop sea shanty chorus.
      The pinging depth charges quiet pinging moments adding fantastic sonic contrast of soft to loud.
      And (my favorite) the song is based upon Dvorak “From the New World” symphony. They actually did the mashup on one of those Kingdom shows, if you want to hear it clearly, just for us! starts at 0:57 ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uDitNeFO-I

      This song here by contrast has none of the above.

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  4. This just a mess of a song. I don’t like this at all. They’re leaning towards the crazy energy that they got attention for and I guess I don’t like that. It’s becoming TOO bombastic. I didn’t like ‘Bouncy’ from earlier this year either.

    I prefer their more anthem like title tracks. Those had more melody to them and each part had more cohesiveness. Just bc everything is obnoxious and has the same crazy level, doesn’t mean it’ll work well together.

    5/10 for me

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  6. I’m starting to wonder if Leez was the more melody-focused of the Leez & Ollounder duo. It feels like both Ateez and Dreamcatcher’s music has gotten much less melodic and enjoyable since he stopped working on their stuff. Comparing “Reason” and “Halazia”to “OOTD,” and “Crazy Form,” the difference feels night and day. Like, TRENDZ’s “My Way,” which Leez worked on, sounds much more like the Ateez I love than Ateez’s last couple of title tracks.

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  7. Became Ateez fan since Guerrilla. Halazia, Bouncy, all amazing tracks, same with the EPs.

    This? Wth was this? Can I please get my 3min 50sec of life back?
    Since it’s a fully album I want to give bside a chance, but I dislike this song so much I’m reluctant to even do that despite The World EP being my #3 this year.

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  8. One of the things I hate about this song is that there are so many templates of the genre/instrumental being a banger and they did just whatever on this on this song like they listened to fact check & lalala and thought atinys would like this as well??? I hope they flop this cb

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    • This is such an odd comment. What do Fact Check or Lalala have to do with this song? “They listened to Fact Check and Lalala and thought atinys would like this as well?” who did? Is “they” supposed to be Ateez? Why would two songs that aren’t there’s be a factor in whether atinys like THIS song? Why do you want Ateez to flop? Just because you don’t like the song?

      Just weird energy to this comment all around.

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    • love ateez and the last line made me laugh LMAOOO sometimes it’s really like that 😭 that one tweet that’s like “if i was an artist i’d release a song that’s sure to get my fans bullied on twitter”

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  9. 😀 I´ll probably be in the minority in the comment section here but I actually do like this song! And I´m not the type to force myself to like a song, just because I generally love the artist. I do think it´s one of those songs that you either love or hate. It sounds very Ateez to me but still not Bouncy 2.0 (or any other song they´ve done before) and although I loved Bouncy, Crazy Form is kind of easier to follow, it´s super catchy to me. It´s just fun in Ateez style. Maybe it caught me at the right time, I absolutely needed a song like that in my life right now lol I have to say though, my favourite from the album so far has to be Arriba, I cannot put into words how that song makes me feel!

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  11. yikes this is by far their worst title track. it sounds so empty, like something’s missing from the song. at least bouncy was high-energy and fun to listen to, even if it wasn’t very melodic

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  13. I can forgive songs for being bad……

    But I can’t forgive songs for being boring

    This was boring. It’s supposed to hype me up but just does not do that (atleast Lalalala succeeded there….) and it sounds like a rehash of rehash of a reject Treasure title track.

    Would rate this even lower, honestly.

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  14. It’s not crisp and bombastic like something like Cyberpunk or Wonderland and it’s not a glorious train wreck like Bouncy. They blow hot and cold with me, so I’ll check out the B-sides and then move on.

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  15. I feel dizzy while watching their music video and listening to the song. This combination is bad for my brain. The song may be suitable for dance performances, but it’s not something I can listen to frequently, not even twice.

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  16. I had a suspicion from their MAMA performance of this song that it was going to be bad and yeah, it is bad. It feels like a parody of their usual sound, very flat and one-note. They didn’t even take the opportunity at the bridge to try to get off the ground. It’s like dead on arrival. Even though Bouncy’s manic energy didn’t completely work for me, it felt more cohesive and catchy. Every year there is one Ateez song that I absolutely love, and I’m sad there will be none this year.

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  17. The song feels flat to me. Idk if it’s a particular genre of music that requires the song to go this way, but it’s not enjoyable to listen at all. And I’m not feeling the anti-drop either. It makes me feel bad tbh. I mean, the boys gave their best in this track, but even with their grunts and shouts, I find it difficult to feel the energy. The energy that is present in the last 2 TT of The World series. This song is not giving what needs to be gave.

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  18. Not my favorite Ateez track by any means but I like it! I think there’s multiple besides that would have been better title tracks but again, I don’t think Crazy Form is bad.

    I’m excited to see what direction they go now that the World series is over.

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  20. Ollounder is killing Ateez and Dreamcatcher’s music.

    We now know with 100% certainty that Leez was the mastermind behind both group’s sound.

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  22. When it comes to ATEEZ (and TXT), I’ve learned to be careful about my honest opinion because I have a rabid Atiny (and a Moa) living with me and they take no slander from anyone when it comes to their “ults”.🤣

    This is Ateez doing Ateez, the same way NCT and Stray Kids do what they do. Do I like it? Nope, but I can respect that they have a style. They cater to their fans and that’s that.

    Early Ateez was so interesting to me…songs like Answer and Wonderland still make me so excited when they play, but anything after that has been a miss for me. Bouncy and Cyberpunk were growers but I don’t go out of my way to listen to them.

    I think they are extremely talented with their vocals, raps, dancing, performing ability, etc…I’ve just learned to accept that their music is not made for me. I do wish them the best, because it is no small feat what they are achieving, especially coming from a smaller company🤩

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  23. I was really looking forward to this but yeah, it’s a letdown. I kept waiting for the chorus to save it… and then realized the first chorus had already come and gone, it didn’t stand out from the verses at all. Definitely a bummer since I do like many of their other title tracks

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  25. You guys are boring af. This was an absolute banger🤪.
    I just think you’re not into Ateez anymore Nick. Especially if you disliked Guerrilla and Halazia too.
    I for one am thriving! Their production and energy is insane. Last minute of all of their songs send me into a high, its brilliant!
    Its time you stop reviewing Ateez because you’ll probabaly just always be disappointed so its a waste of your time.

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    • Nick’s not going to stop reviewing ATEEZ just because he doesn’t like this song. I know deep inside he’s hoping for a song from them that can win him back over. For right now, I think it’s best that you just respect his opinion.

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  26. I love Crazy form with the entire album though and I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that is fine. I also feel they would go further through this come back and won’t flop like what someone said in the comments.

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  27. The World EP’s have been a wonderful journey for me.

    The World EP.1: Movement is the best album I’ve ever heard. Cyberpunk and New World were my top two songs of 2023. Guerrilla and Where Do I Go were up there too. Sector 1 was fun. I think this album was just insane… So many epic melodies and lots of EDM too! Follow this up with the crazy DnB and bombastic EDM of Halazia… Geez. I think the last minute of that song is the best thing I’ve heard in a while. THAT MV TOO THO!!??!

    The World EP.2: Outlaw was great too. Not as good as EP.1 for me but tracks like This World and Wake Up were awesome. Bouncy was fun, and DJANGO was stuck in my head all year. Dune was also a welcome surprise for me.

    The World EP.3: I’m a bit disappointed here. I like some tracks such as We Know, Emergency, and Silver Light. Silver Light is obviously my favourite, and Emergency’s instrumental during the first two choruses is dirty and cool as hell. FIN: WILL was awesome too, I teared up. But other than that, not much else stood out to me. I was heavily disappointed by Crazy Form, probably my least favourite title track by them ever but oh well! I can’t get everything.

    Overall, I’m so happy to have been part of this journey. Whilst I personally don’t think they managed to maintain that high standard they set with Movement, I still appreciate every moment.

    My Top 10 Song Rankings:

    1. New World (EP.1) – 10/10
    2. Cyberpunk (EP.1) – 10/10
    3. Guerrilla (EP.1) – 9.5/10
    4. Silver Light (EP.3) – 9/10
    5. Wake Up (EP.2) – 8.75/10
    6. Where Do I Go (EP.1) – 8.75/10
    7. This World (EP.2) – 8.5/10
    8. DJANGO (EP.2) – 8.5/10
    9. Emergency (EP.3) – 8.25/10
    10. Bouncy (EP.2) – 8/10

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  28. Wonderland, Crazy form, Deja vu, Say my name, THANXX, Silver light, Turbulence, Bouncy are my all time favorites.

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