I wrote a track-by-track review of Ryugujo’s new EP a few days after it was released, and I’ve only gone on to appreciate it more since then. It feels like Ryugujo’s music takes a quantum leap forward every time they release something new. This will be a hard feat to keep up, but it’s been a thrilling experience so far. Deep Wave is both the title of the EP and the song chosen for promotions. Initially, I wrote that it wasn’t my favorite on the album, but that’s starting to change (though the excellent Late Show will be nearly impossible to usurp).
Like most of my favorite songs, Deep Wave takes a few listens to fall in love with. Its repeated hook will stick with you immediately, but the unusual tempo changes during its centerpiece may take some getting used to. What kicks off as a sprightly dance track soon plunges into a languid interlude, incorporating new melodies before renewing its energy in grand, cinematic fashion. Member Haruku’s wonderfully raw voice takes center stage here, making the case for idiosyncratic expression over autotuned pop perfection.
As daring as this arrangement is, Deep Wave‘s biggest charms occur before and after that disorienting slowdown. The beat here goes off, ornamenting its house influences with rhythm guitar and a festival-like atmosphere that grows bigger and bolder as the track continues. The rap verses are as thrilling and catchy as the repeated melody, delivered with impish charisma that chews on the groove with relish. The transition back into the beat, just after the two minute mark, is one of my favorite musical moments this year. Then, apocalyptic sirens enter the mix to give the track an otherworldly tension. Deep Wave is very ‘push and pull’ all the way through, piercing its straightforward moments with left turns that keep your ear constantly off guard. It’s this blend of brilliant pop sensibilities and surreal exploration that makes the song so compelling. I can’t stop listening to it.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.25 |
Grade: A
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
“Chewing on the groove” is a really good description of what my brain has been doing with this song every time I’ve listened to it. I love the contrasts in the instrumental – muted funky bass and guitar against that dreamy, spacey backdrop. The textures are so satisfying and they’ve got a really good vocal blend.
Also, I LOVE the styling in the video! The whole thing is a visual-auditory feast, really.
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Yeah, I love when they all sing in unison. That’s probably one of the reasons Late Show is such a standout for me.
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I finally sat down and listened to the whole mini and good god, you were not kidding about Late Show!
Both songs have this effect where the different personality of each segment builds to make it feel like I’m listening to an 8 minute American Pie-style epic. It’s fantastic to hear while we’re in such an era of 2 minute interludes.
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People tend to say songs “go off” too often, but that one really GOES OFF.
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I’m just replaying this song over and over for that absolutely GORGEOUS instrumental break in the middle. Best synth arrangement I’ve heard since Bad Love. Well done, Ryugujo. Four out of four so far.
And off the album, yeah, just like you expected for anyone who enjoyed Mr. Fortune, I loved Seafood. I can practically SEE the choreography in my head……..but I just wish there was more of it 😭😭 two and a half minutes is JUST ENOUGH, GUYS. PLEASE.
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The production on the entire album is immaculate, even when it’s being intentionally confrontational/rough. Those distorted guitar jolts at the end of Seafood are ridiculously funky.
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Running back here after listening to the entire album properly, to say that even after your high praise of Late Show, you somehow still undersold it 😅………….I went in expecting an Alan Walker-style song and ended up with Miroh 2.0 instead. Like literally everything….the stadium-like chanting in the background, the ABSOLUTELY CLOBBERING drop, a single melodic line that serves as a throughline throughout the song………..
I have been waiting so long for a song like this.
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Yay! It’s SO good, and delivered with such gutsy energy.
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urrgh typo. just *NOT enough. i can’t believe i accidentally AGGRESSIVELY refuted myself…….
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Mr.Fortune was my #1 J-pop song last year. Having said that, nothing else from them has really clicked with me at nearly the same level. 2 Much is a good one, top 20 for me. But Mr.Fortune is like the best kind of one-hit wonder or novelty song that you know cannot be topped. I’ll keep giving the new EP a spin, but after a week or so, it hasn’t wowed me yet.
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I’m surprised Seafood hasn’t clicked with you yet. It feels very much like a “Mr.Fortune 2.0” to me.
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It’s definitely a similar sound; like the b-side to Mr.Fortune; I’m just not sure it’s a single like that one was. But I can appreciate it as such.
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holy hell this song is awesome
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I know!
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How is this not a 10?
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It’s a 10 in my heart. (but you know I never give 10’s right off the bat unless you’re Sexy Zone’s “Run”)
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I must thank you for making me aware of this group. If I hadn’t come accross your review of Mr.Fortune last year by chance I wouldn’t know this group exists, and they’ve been a delight so far.
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