Review

Song Review: BOYNEXTDOOR – Earth, Wind & Fire

BOYNEXTDOOR - Earth, Wind & FireI may be showing my age here, but when I hear the phrase “Earth, Wind & Fire” I only think of one thing. BOYNEXTDOOR don’t strike me as the funk disco type, but they did begin to win me over with last year’s addictive But Sometimes. They’ve got a swaggering energy that feels more natural with each comeback. This new single continues that development with a gimmicky twist.

Even as pop music has slowed and subdued overall, “sped-up” versions of songs have become all the rage this decade. Earth, Wind & Fire injects that trend within the song itself. In a move sure to polarize, part of its chorus is intentionally sped up to create an Alvin & Chipmunks style calling card. It’s minimal enough to work and compliments the song’s rollicking energy. I almost wish they would have leaned harder into the madness.

The rest of Earth, Wind & Fire is pretty predictable. The chorus is fun but repetitive and a second verse rap breakdown mostly works. More than anything, the group is starting to sound like this decade’s version of Block B. Given their management, I guess that’s not surprising. But stacked up against that group’s many classics, a song like Earth, Wind & Fire sounds pretty slight. It needs at least one more standout element to flesh it out.

Hooks 8
 Production 8
 Longevity 8
 Bias 8
 RATING 8

Grade: B-

21 thoughts on “Song Review: BOYNEXTDOOR – Earth, Wind & Fire

  1. This is my favourite single/title track from them. I agree the chorus could have used a little more than just “earth wind and fire” but the post chorus made up for it imo!! Also I lost it at “so cheesy greasy freezy breezy”. I kinda wish the pre-chorus did not have that underwater effect on the vocals during the first half.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. This song made me smile at the chorus(in a good way). I am not a big fan of the sped up part, but it somehow fits within the whole song. Also, why can’t just people sing out loud in the chorus for god’s sake, it would have elevated the song so much. still, given the nature of boynextdoor, the song is pretty good.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. I’m still unsure how I feel about it but on first impression I like most of the song. the sped up part surprisingly works well imo.

    most of the album is what you’d expect from them based on their last two releases, except for So let’s go see the stars, which is new for them. it’s a cute little song and instantly my favorite off the EP.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Do you remember? I swear that “Let’s Groove” has been sampled into every disco funk remix ever. Every wedding DJ playlist ever. Every summer concert at Epcot ever.

    This song sounds like an old Teen Top without all the extra hype and fun. It is okayish. 

    For the kids here, boogie on down. Oh man, looking and hearing this just now, I am feeling early and mid Prince big time. 

    Liked by 2 people

  5. It didn’t cross my mind that the chorus sounds sped up, but that’s what annoyed me about it all along. This rating is about right for me.

    I managed to overplay the ep on the first day. Before this one I pretty much loved all of their releases, and this title track is the only exception. The other songs are a nice addition to their already developed sound, favorite for now is Let’s go see the stars, because this is something I expected to get from Day6 or Txt earlier, and we got it now at last.

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  6. My mind immediately went there too, but to a different and equally great song:

    But with them, it’s hard to stop at just one or two songs, it’s so addictive:

    Liked by 1 person

    • You’re a Shining Star, no matter who you are. Another fantastic one that has been sampled and played and replayed everywhere. A quick google says 39 hip hop songs from this one song alone. 

      Here’s another one heavily sampled, 387 times according to our AI overlords. Hubby has this one and a few others from Bob James on vinyl and plays it often with his old school records. 

      Liked by 1 person

  7. My favorite Earth, Wind & Fire song is September. Anyways, back to this song. I don’t know how to feel about it yet, but it might be a riser for me.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. This sounds like them but with a little twist so things weren’t too predictable. But Sometimes is far better imo but the natural way the members convey theirconcept make me get on board, and happily at that.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I like EWF fine, it’s frantic and fun. But Let’s Go See The Stars is pretty special. Wistful and hints at even better things with these guys.

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  10. Man, how I also wish this was funk inspired and something I could listen to while cleaning on a Saturday morning. My parents loved them some Earth, Wind, and Fire and I still listen to some of their music to this day.

    Now onto this sing, all I could hear was “Hip” by Mamamoo. I like BoyNextDoor, they’re engaging performers and I always appreciate boy groups who don’t lean into current trends. However, I don’t think i’ll listen to this song on its own. I’ll probably check out a few performances aince these kids are pretty engaging.

    I think my major or minor gripe with them is they can sound kind of whiney but I guess that’s the point. It’s better then shouting.

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  11. Missing that little extra, though I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.

    At any rate it’ still an easy 8 for me. What a fun and groovy song!

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