Kep1er’s future as a group remains unsteady, with activities set to end in early July unless their contract is extended. I’m not sure if we’ll get another Korean comeback before that point, but for now fans can enjoy a new Japanese album from the group. Some of their strongest material has been released in Japan — particularly this excellent b-side.
Straight Line gives Kep1er’s sound an interesting makeover. It has its sleek, mature moments, but the overall arrangement is stuffed with so many sonic switch-ups that it’s almost difficult to appreciate its strengths. What opens as a slightly Latin-tinged pop track soon segues into a grab bag of percussive breakdowns before smoothing into a sleek, brass-kissed chorus. Each of these elements is compelling on its own, but I’m not sure how well they gel together.
A second verse rap further changes things, at odds with the melodic refrain that preceded it. Then, we’ve got a 90’s hip-hop breakbeat bridge. You know… just for good measure! Straight Line isn’t billed as “mixx pop,” but it certainly feels like it. As always with this style, you want the song to feel like more than a fancy highlight medley. For me, this usually necessitates one or two core melodies that offer natural high points. Straight Line‘s chorus supplies this ingredient, though the hook could be developed even more. However, the song gets extra points for its willingness to throw everything at the wall.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
this is a good song with a decent beat, rating is about the same
anyway, ppl on twitter were pointing out newjeans and speed’s mv visuals were similar after min heejin went on a tirade which led to ppl discovering the BANGER that is body and soul
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I’ll have to give this a few more listens, because there’s a lot happening. But kudos for them for making a poppier MVSK as a title track.
Also, the early part of verse one is the most Y2K I’ve heard K-Pop go. It sounds like Brandy and Destiny’s Child, with that fussy guitar their songs had.
I think Kep1er have said that they’re releasing a full Korean album still.
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That 0:27 percussion transition to the pre-chorus is soooo awkward. It just doesn’t work. The prechorus also doesn’t work, as it feels like the chorus after that awkward percussion lead in. Until the chorus kicks in and then its wait what.
For the second time around, it skips both the percussion and the prechorus. (at 1:36).
Gotta be honest, if the songwriters stuck to the Twice “Feels” script they feel like they are copying in the post-chorus (1:00, 2:25), it would have been a better song.
I am just confused. Girls are fine. I wish them the best with whatever happens next.
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I personally would’ve loved if they had stuck with the sound the song had at the beginning, it reminded me of late 90s Destiny’s Child or Brandy songs, like someone already said. It also brought flashbacks of the Spice GIrls and their “Forever” era a little bit.
The track started off strong and I had high hopes for it, because this is literally one of the quintessential Y2K styles for pop-r&b. I feel like groups have been taking a bit of that sound here and there but have never delved completely into that sonic environment. For a moment I thought I’d get that in this song, which was exciting.
Then, the switch up at 0:27 came and it threw me off, I was like “oh, shoot, I guess I was wrong about this song.” It doesn’t sound bad but I feel like it’s really out place. Then, they picked up where they left with the pre-chorus (which sounds really nice) and then the chorus goes for a different style, although their singing would’ve fitted the first type of beat we heard.
I’ve never been a frequent Kep1er listener and I thought this could’ve been a start, but I guess not lol. The song is not bad but it feels to me like all of the different parts that put it together don’t blend well, like you said.
A 6 for me.
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I like it! That very beginning melody/verse reminds me of Enhypen’s Bite Me. Its funny how it never appears again.
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At first listen I felt that too many things were happening at the same time. I wanted to stick to the Latin-sounding guitar to connect with the song, but after a few seconds it had already changed and went more towards the sophisticated tone of MVSK, then that playful hip-hop at the bridge, so finally I ended up dissatisfied and confused. However, on the second listen, those changes that demanded a more active listener became attractive to me and held my attention throughout the song. Now it can’t get out of my head.
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