A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
When writing about P1Harmony’s new comeback Sad Song, I mentioned how the group often picks my least favorite material to promote. I get that they want to expand upon the style they’re known for, but just under the surface there’s a rock-tinged energy waiting to break out. Some of their best work has been within this genre and Last Call keeps that trend going.
Last Call has a throwback energy, but not to the eras we’ve become accustomed to. Instead, it reminds me of the rock-music-through-an-EDM-prism that filled my playlists through the late 2000’s and early 2010’s. It’s actually not too dissimilar from what One Direction were doing at that time. A number of K-pop acts picked up on the style around 2012-13 but it’s become less prevalent over the years. P1Harmony turns out to be a great vessel for Last Call‘s nostalgia, bolstering the song’s generic leanings with personality that makes it feel unique to them. The melodies hit just like you’d hope, with the surging chorus a particular highlight. Compared to Sad Song‘s repetitive structure, this feels far more fleshed out and satisfying.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Man, this is so good. I definitely see this blend well in the early-10s era, maybe it would have gotten lost in the cluster of similar songs, but now, it makes a great standout. I hope P1H inject elements of rock into their TTs as well.
8.75 (9, 9, 8, 9) for me.
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I always find that bside in their albums that I prefer over their title track. Not that I don’t like their title tracks, because I do, but I’ll always prefer to listen to Follow Me, Before the Dawn, Peacemaker, Nemonade, Heartbeat Drum, BFF, Different Song for Me, and Countdown to Love.
Last Call is no exception 9/10
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One Direction is where all my boygroup fangirl tendencies started, so in a way they laid the groundwork for my journey into Kpop. I still love their discography (and even went to see Niall live on tour this year). All that to say, I will always like music that reminds me of them and of that time. It is a very deeply ingrained bias.
That said, I think this song does not ride on nostalgia alone. It also has meat on its musical bones. It feels fully realized. I like it a lot, thank you for highlighting it with this post!
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This is my favorite song on the album but I’m glad that they’re choosing to promote It’s Alright alongside Sad Song…the sound and choreo have a sophistication that I don’t really associate with them.
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yeah, a little dated one of my least favorite tracks in their ep, not like i would automatically skip it but not a vibe to be honest
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