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.
Though it won’t be topping any personal best-of lists, I must admit ATEEZ’s Ice On My Teeth is getting more play from me than any of their other recent releases. I’m kind of charmed by its stupid lyrics and definitely impressed with the production. However, there’s a stronger musical highlight on the album.
Many listeners have drawn attention to Selfish Waltz – a unique track that draws upon some of the group’s best musical hallmarks. Parts sound a bit like the synthy Take Me Home. Other pieces recall the chugging Cyberpunk. Selfish Waltz isn’t anywhere near as strong as either of those songs, but it’s the best thing the group has recorded since last year’s Silver Light.
I consider Selfish Waltz in two pieces. The first piece consists of the propulsive, synth-dripped verses and initial moments of the chorus. These segments offer some of the most engaging melody ATEEZ has delivered in years, especially as falsetto takes the lead for a slinky hook just before the tempo shifts. The song’s second piece involves this tempo shift. While I’m thankful the drop opts for funky keyboards over requisite trap beats, I’m still disappointed that the producers opted to scale back and pull down the energy rather than let Selfish Waltz build toward a natural climax. But taken as a whole, the track provides a compelling roadmap that the group would be wise to travel on future efforts.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s a nice successor of Take Me Home and Cyberpunk, although not as strong as those two. The instrumental post-chorus really tickles my brain in a good way.
8.5 (8, 9, 9, 8) for me.
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I’ve been mumbling “ice on my teeth” all week. So stupid! I want to like this one more than I do. It’s good, but it’s no Cyberpunk. Both GHs have severely underwhelmed although both titles grew on me through sheer goofiness and moxy, I guess?
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I also felt super whatever about “ice on my teeth” and thought the lyrics were stupid even for kpop (Mingi saying “hit that booty” will haunt me for the rest of my life) but it’s so unbelievably addicting and won’t leave you once it gets stuck in your head
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My ultimate pet peeve is when someone rhymes a word with that same word, and yet, “I’ve been playing like tennis/Grand Slam like tennis” won’t stop playing in my head.
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I think they just deliver it with such confidence you forget how dumb it is. (San’s “smack it!” kills me everytime)
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I don’t notice that until I watched the performance and saw he was up to his air smacking shenanigans again. Now it jumps out every time.
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the best and jongho are pretty much the only things that keep it going for me😭 rhyming tennis with tennis was a crime. but it is always in my head🧐
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the beat darn it
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That groove at the end with the humming is so satisfying. Especially with the choreo.
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hands down my favorite track on the album!! (although somehow man on fire has grown on me…) i initially described it as “cyberpunk’s sweet little brother” and I will stand by that. it’s definitely more low-key, but it’s my perfect kind of vibe. i also love enough!!
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Selfish Waltz is 100% the best song on Golden hour pt.2. It’s such an out of body experience in the most magical way. I will agree that the title track « ice on my teeth » was slightly underwhelming for me especially since I was expecting something « better » from its melodic and addicting beat. However, I’m not surprised to know that overall the album is of quality.
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