Pop music has been stuck in a retro romance for this entire decade, seemingly obsessed with referencing past eras rather than pushing forward to new sounds. This has caused genres like synthwave and synthpop to feel quite oversaturated, even if they’re styles I personally love. So, when it was announced that HYO would be drawing from this same well, I had my doubts. Thankfully, her Retro Romance is more rhythmic than expected.

HYO (SNSD’s Hyoyeon) has explored many dance sub-genres throughout her solo career with varying results. Retro Romance hearkens back to funky 80’s R&B, borrowing elements from new jack swing and electrofunk. It’s an appealing blend, augmented with enough unique spark to prevent it from feeling like a total pastiche. Half-rapped and half-sung, HYO’s performance has a sense of looseness that draws strength from her confidence. Few melodies stick out as highlights, but the energy is brisk and upbeat.

More than anything, Retro Romance succeeds by knowing which ingredients to use. Its squelchy bass, brass undertones and stabbing synths combine to forge a loving ode to the 80’s. All that’s missing is a talkbox. The song could have leaned even further into this groove, as it attempts to do during its brief bridge. The bass is too good to bury and deserves its own solo. I wouldn’t be mad at an extended four-minute version of the track.

Grade: B