In a period without many new K-pop releases, a few Japanese tracks from Korean artists are picking up the slack. First up is Yena’s DNA. Though it’s not her first foray into the J-pop market, this is the first original single she’s promoting there. Her pop/rock concept is well suited to Japanese tastes given the continued influence of rock music in Japan. DNA will be right at home next to various anime openers and closers.

Unsurprisingly, the video for DNA positions Yena as the frontwoman of her own band, guitar in hand. I had to search up an online profile to find that… yes… she can play guitar. Suddenly her rock sound makes much more sense to me! Ironically, going further in this “rock band” direction actually tempers the overall effect of DNA. Unless melodies are super strong in a rock track, I tend to prefer guitar-driven music when it’s bolstered by other unique elements. DNA  isn’t a bad song, but it lacks the character Yena is able to give her best work. It plays things too straightforward, which threatens to blend in with the many, many guitar-fronted groups already popular in Japan.

Grade: C+