NCT’s Taeyong has been positioned as the breakout solo star of the group, quickly crafting a quirky hip-hop sound that pulls in elements of many different genres. It’s an uphill battle for me, as I find his hyper-affected performance style a little tricky to get into. New single Tap follows suit, upping the eccentricities at the expensive of melodic variety.
Tap‘s percussion has a nice sense of playfulness. It’s a colorful sound, with drum beats that sound more like water droplets or bubblegum pops. There’s a lot of interesting vocal interplay, too. Much of the rap is bolstered by a complimentary melodic undertone. However, Tap‘s tricks wear thin quickly. “Tapping on me” is an oft-repeated phrase, said so many times that it grows more irritating than compelling.
Weird slang aside, there’s plenty going on under Tap‘s hood to make me wish this production had been paired with a different song. I’m especially fond of the synths and guitar that come in three quarters of the way through. The mix is quite funky and exciting. Too bad we’re still tapping and saucing all the way through it!
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I like this OK, but I miss the Taeyong of Yestoday, Light Bulb and even Long Flight. I expect it’s cheerful music for his fans and himself because he’s off to the military soon.
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Some of the album cuts do have some of that old flavor, so I’m cool with that.
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Honestly, I live for such weird-like production. “Tap” is weird, but not as weird as “Shalala”. Taeyong executes the eccentric sound decently, the only thing he lacks is making an equally addicting hook. I also admit I had a hard time finding the chorus— similar to “Shalala”, “Tap” too sounds like a long verse, except for the slowed-down bridge.
Though, I’d admit that “Shalala”’s “we got the bounce, wow wow wow wow” was quite an earworm. Who knows, this hook too ends up being an earworm, no matter how annoying it can be.
And rating’s the exact same for me as well 🙃
Currently listening to the rest of the album, and “Moon Tour” is beautiful I must say. Might update on the rest of the album soon I guess 🙃
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I love his music so much, but I can rarely vibe with his title tracks. The rest of the album though 👀 especially 404 loading and moon tour is so beautiful.
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Yeah I haven’t liked either of his title tracks too, but he has a lot of banger b sides. I feel like SM is pushing these title tracks on him, because they think it suits his image better. Like it really is crazy just how much better and more interesting the rest of the album is. I feel like they could’ve had APE be the title and it would still fit the image they want for him and it’s a much better song IMO.
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as an nctzen for a few years tbh I think SM pretty consistently choose bright/funny/unserious title tracks for Taeyong (whether he writes them himself like for TAP / Love Theory) or whether they’re written for him like Shalala, so in that sense APE does actually differ fom his usual SM ‘typecasting’ which has consistently been to the ‘light and quirky’ end of the spectrum
I actually like all those three songs and think they are still very much in his range and wheelhouse, but definitely the B-sides are always consistently more emotional and sober, even intensely melancholic, so to me there has always been a strong disconnect between his presented SM image and the vast majority of his self-penned discography
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#1 shalala defender speaking↩️
I thought it was fun and a good sophomore release after shalala I do agree with you i wish there was a bit more diversity in the chorus. the tap does get mildly repetitive but I will probably embrace that after a few listens. However this is definitely easier on the ears than shalala as a first listen. If you don’t like it at least give him the credit for always delivering something new/interesting
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better than shalala but not by much
7.75/10 for me as well
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Ehh
I can say I find this forgettable, Shalala was more eccentric, you couldn’t miss it. Although, it happened to me that I accidentally (yes) downloaded his first album the other day. And then I was like, yeah let me give it a try, and I was gagged by Ruby and 404, seriously it’s so nice to hear him sing.
On a side note can we get something from Taeil before he leaves? Please??? SM??? A cover would be sufficient even, I’m not even joking.
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Seconded!! Any new music from Taeil before he enlists would be SUPER welcome.
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🥲🥲
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The backing track is a lot of fun, but I’ve not been able to get into Taeyong’s rap performance style either, and it dampens my enjoyment of his music. The guy has a super nice voice and is an excellent dancer, and I always check out his stuff, because I love to listen to him sing unaffected when he does. This particular song I’ll have to pass on, but I have every intention of checking out the album it comes along with.
Also, just came off of Love or Die which was about the same length and didn’t feel like it was short. This one ended, and I thought, “Wait…it’s over already???” Felt like it had barely started somehow when it cut off.
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I’m gonna differ from everyone here…….because I CANNOT stop myself from replaying this over and over despite myself. It’s not objectively great or unique song even…..but *something* about it, maybe it’s the percussion or my utter addiction to his weird intonations….but, straight 8.75 from me.
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