ICHILLIN’ released a couple great tracks early this year, but both ended up falling off my playlist much quicker than expected. They each felt more like production showcases than enduring melodies — an approach that often struggles in the long run once the excitement of that production wears off. I predict a similar future for new single Official, which takes the flat structural trend of many current girl groups and bolsters it with an exciting instrumental.
From the very beginning, Official‘s charismatic dance beat captures my attention. I love the filtered vocal loop that opens the track and the beat pounds with addictive 90’s club influence. It’s a more idiosyncratic version of what LE SSERAFIM delivered earlier this year and begs for an equally beguiling song to fulfil its full potential.
Unfortunately, this is where Official suffers. Recently, K-pop has learned an awful lesson that it’s okay to simply talk your way through a song if the production is good and you’re dancing your butt off. This may appeal to fans, but for someone like me who thrives on melody and bravura vocal performances, the trend has neutered so many potentially great songs. Songs like Official are exciting at first listen, but just like fast fashion they lose that thrill as soon as something new and shiny comes around.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The production reminds me of if Bite Me was on crack and had its tempo pumped up higher. Like how it keeps the song’s momentum throughout. Wish the hooks were more melodic, but the spoken chorus is fun and adds some nice harmonies in between (although it’s just the “getting bored” part) and we got some nice notes in the last chorus. I loved Bite Me and Demigod, both in high 8s for me, and Official sits comfortably in between the two. Thank you ICHILLIN’ for saving this month! (:
8.75 (8, 10, 8, 9) for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apparently this genre has become fashionable again. Whenever a K-Pop act throws out a new idea other acts take advantage of the hype, I mean, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, after all, I still prefer it to ‘easy-listening’ sounds like ILLIT’s Tick-Tack
I give the same rating to this one
Speaking of Tick-Tack, Ava Max joined the song and improved it… in my opinion
https://youtu.be/xiWrbnnRKWQ?si=4zbHWkTYmq-BOxnQ
LikeLike
I couldn’t disagree more about the Ava Max version. It neutered every part about the song that I liked.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, so interesting how different people’s tastes are. 🙂
LikeLike
The instrumental reminds me of “yes, and?” by Ariana Grande
LikeLike
yeah I feel like it was a direct starting point for this song
LikeLike
This song is so good even my Mum loves it. The beat reminds me of like a more glittery version of what Aespa has been doing. This is easily one of my top gg song picks for year.
LikeLike
I actually think the talking in the beginning would’ve been fine if we got a sung chorus. The “this is my official ” is cute but it’s a secondary hook. I’m so frustrated with all these songs that could’ve gotten me if they just made (to me) obvious songwriting changes
LikeLike