SM Entertainment is in full swing this week, releasing a new NCT Dream mini album yesterday and a new single from K-pop legend BoA today. New BoA music is always something to celebrate, even if her promotions are usually more subdued these days. The sound of new single Emptiness (정말, 없니?) echoes this approach, harnessing a restrained energy inspired by Afrobeat.
Given Tyla’s global success, I imagine K-pop will be experimenting with Afrobeat rhythms more often this year. After all, the industry loves nothing more than a global trend! I wouldn’t have expected BoA in particular to embrace this sound, though it makes sense given her expansive discography that delves into pretty much any dance sub-genre you can imagine. As with a lot of Afrobeat music, I appreciate Emptiness‘s laidback vibe and expressive rhythms. BoA’s vocal performance is a touch dramatic for this style, but her tone fits nicely.
More than anything, I wish Emptiness had been bolstered by a stronger set of melodies. Apart from delivering a groovy vibe, there’s not much to hang your hat on. From verses to chorus, the tune tends to waft in one ear and out the other. It’s all delivered impeccably, but fails to leave much of a mark. The song feels very worthy and mature, like a nice piece of art to quietly admire in a dimly lit gallery.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I listened to this twice for first listen and chance for it to grow on my ears, but I have to say, I have to agree with your opinion. The song feels like a downgrade from Black https://youtu.be/WUIii9TD_NQ and Black is a chill song, but it doesn’t feel flat and I enjoyed it from first listen. If Emptiness had a clearer structure and melody (the song feels one-dimensional), I think I would enjoy it.
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The whole Afrobeats vibe, while obviously present, was not as overwhelming as I thought it will be. But it’s interesting what you wrote about melodies, because after teaser I thought this one is going to be vibe and nothing else, meanwhile the melodies here are very solid and I feel like they are the strongest part of the song (minus that rap part after first chours).
I also appraciate that the song, while fairly short, feels complete. She wasn’t in rush to end things after the final chours (I hate when that happnes, ugh). So yeah, I like this one a lot, much more than “Forgive Me”, even tho “Forgive Me” had stronger identity.
Grade: 8.
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The song is alright, I find I didn’t get bored a minute in like I do others.
Also didn’t peg you as someone who listens to Afrobeats, which songs of this genre do you like ?
Kpop borrowing from our genre without the ever considering us in their “world tour”
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I can’t say I’m deep enough within the genre to have any favorites (or really even know of any specific artists/songs), but it’s one of my preferred styles to pull up on pandora or spotify when I’m working on quieter things.
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Surely you know Rema’s Calm Down. That was a monster tune last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcIcVapfqXw And Tyla’s Water was right behind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoiOOiuH8iI Maybe my two favorite tunes of last year, tbh.
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definitely been seeing the Afrobeat wave quite a bit in k-pop over the last year or so and im all for it! NCT 127’s “Fact Check,” ATEEZ’s “Crazy Form,” LE SSERAFIM’s “Smart” (among others) and now BoA? can’t say im complaining, they’ve all been some of my favorite songs recently 🙌🏽
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