It’s been seven years since I last got to write about new G-Dragon music. To call him foundational to my own K-pop fandom would be a vast understatement. From his work with Bigbang to his solo material, G-Dragon is K-pop for me. With an album set for release next month, he’s finally returned with pre-release single Power. And here’s where things get tricky for a K-pop blogger like me. How do you separate undeniable bias from the music itself? I had a similar feeling when Infinite made their long-awaited return last year.
Power falls into a similar category as that Infinite comeback. By G-Dragon’s sky-high standards, it’s a meager effort. I hope he’s saving his masterpiece for promotion of the full album. However, he has the benefit of being a composer. Even his slight material still feels foundationally him. Power is largely pomp and circumstance, celebrating the return of a legend with a brassy beat and shout-from-the-rafters hook. G-Dragon pulls off braggadocio better than most because you get a sense of pathos lurking under all the boasts. He’s a singular presence in an industry often build on archetypes, and that goes a long way toward selling a song like Power.
I’m not a huge fan of Power‘s repetitive centerpiece, especially coupled with the relentless instrumental. But unlike many recent K-pop efforts, the groove is grooving and doesn’t simply sound like a cut-and-paste loop from a computer. There’s so much life stuffed within Power‘s narrow frame and GD’s undeniable conviction buoys what could have been a silly bit of novelty. Like most of his songs, it will no doubt grow on me considerably over the next few weeks. Above all else, it’s incredible to finally have him back in the conversation. Here’s hoping he’s got another Crooked-level smash waiting in the wings.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
And G-Dragon sweeps in to save this month’s music!
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Totally agree!
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G-Dragon has such a vibe to all his songs, love it!
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Hm, well, I might be on the minority side as I say this, but I found it okay, not really 8.75-worthy imo. Unsure of how this song will age cause the repetitive chorus will probably end up grinding my gears after it.
Straight 8 for me for now.
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On second thought, I might lower it to a 7.75 (7, 8, 8, 8) cause ya know, the chorus. But I’m kind of swinging back-and-forth between 7.75 and 8. But 7.75 for now
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I really like it. And the new Weeknd song is quite left-of-center excellent as well. A good day new songs.
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As much as I love Sao Paulo, the mixing in that song was absolutely atrocious
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I didn’t really like it. Nice that G-Dragon is back though
7.75 (6, 8, 8, 9) for me
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This is nice, if a bit slight. I’d give this 8.25 myself, maybe 8.5 if I’m feeling generous. And yes, here’s hoping for something even bigger waiting in the wings!
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Thank heavens there is an actual song that actually challenges us as listeners. Not his best, but by golly gee I will TAKE THIS ONE over almost anything else released this year. It has a point of view. It has a style. He has a style (towel with hat?) Best of all it sounds like a song he wrote for himself because he wanted to write a song like this.
Its a Yes for me.
For quality should be mid 8’s. For saving Kpop’24 should be almost 10.
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Lol the last statement made laugh. Especially for a song like this.
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The beat saves the song for me. The verses are kinda grating and the “power” refrain is kinda ok-ish but also lame-ish.
7.25 for the song.
9.25 for the beat.
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B+, kidding, once again just a typical beat and no song as such. How many times he repeats POWER. No need for vocals, it seems this is the new trend!!!
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I like the beat, but he’s always had the kind of voice than can become grating if used in certain ways, and unfortunately I find that to be the case here. Still very eager to hear his album. I’ve always loved WHO YOU about as much as you love Crooked, so I’m always willing to tune in for him
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I don’t have the nostalgia Big Bang and much less for G-Dragon. To me this felt like nothing. Sure, you can appreciate the lyricism and how it’s personal to him, but to me it’s just sounds so flat and that it doesn’t go anywhere. If you told me [blank] 5th boy group released this, I wouldn’t bat a second eye (I can hear Xikers and literally any 5th bg releasing this and it being rightfully called uninspiring, monotonous, and so on). It’s not for me at all. I person would rate it in the mid 6s (the instrumental is so barebones too). Personally, it’s not that much better or different than that Baby monster song.
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When I listened to this for the first time I asked myself what everyone else is hearing here and am I the one in wrong here. For sure I will give this the benefit of being fresh and a few more days to go, and I understand when the bias is multiplied tenfold for something, but for me there is no nostalgia so I also say, this song is a nothingburger for me.
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This’s a very well done composition, but it’s a shame that the problem of the short length of the current songs wasn’t resolved here.
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Like so many people here, G-Dragon was a huge part of my first experiences with k-pop, and I have been so incredibly excited for his comeback!
Unfortunately Power also proves that I can never completely remove the critical filter through which I perceive the world. My first response was to feel underwhelmed. It’ s a brief, slight song that feels like it doesn’ t really go anywhere – or maybe it isn’t given the time to.
It is catchy though, the production has a very unique sound and the ‘don’ t waste your time it’ s gotta be me’ hook is anchored in my brain already. Bragging over a beat doesn’ t usually do it for me, but GD has earned his bragging rights multiple times over and a confident, upbeat vibe seems appropriate for the long awaited return of a music legend.
Since it’s a pre-release I’ ll happily take it, but after this reintroduction I can’t wait for him to show the rest of the industry how it’ s done.
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Yeah I think that everyone is way too blinded by nostalgia to see this song for the nothing burger that it is. It’s got some catchy moments but overall it’s a really disappointing comeback. I like braggadocious rap but this song doesnt go anywhere and GD barely says anything. It almost feels like a commercial jingle for a mario game more than the comeback single from a kpop legend after a 7 year hiatus.
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I am big GD fan but this is just too much with no substance. This wouldn’t fly even during his peak. Feels kind of try hard.
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This would be a much better listen if a different vocalist/rapper made it. The “power” repeated sounds kinda goofy – either because of the way he pronounces it or because of his tone. It must be his tone since the verses sound odd too. Overall, the powerful vibe of the song is dampened by the non-powerful quirky vocals.
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This song would’ve been better if had a bridge and an out-of-this-world climax. The biggest weakness of this track is its length. This is a type of song that needed to add more.
I’m mixed on the ‘power’ repetition, but G-Dragon has that charisma to pull it off. And the beat is quite fire, especially during the refrain.
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