The title of EVNNE’s new single practically begs for a snarky review. The quotes write themselves, but the truth is K-pop songs are rarely hot messes anymore. The industry has become too streamlined and safe for things like that to happen. This Hot Mess also feels safe with current trends in mind, but it’s still a reasonably fun time.
EVNNE’s last Korean single took an anthemic pop/rock approach, forgoing the heavy dance floor drive of earlier work. Hot Mess continues to indulge in guitars but takes a quirkier approach, melding its power pop riffs to a chanted hook and general sense of rambunctious energy. This is a well-worn boy group template and can be a lot of fun if given the right song. Hot Mess is definitely fun but the song is a bit repetitive for my taste. Despite its excitement, the chorus spins its wheels without hitting any notable peaks. And at under two-and-a-half minutes, the song isn’t given space to develop beyond its novelty.
On the plus side, I’ll always be up for this style of bright energy in K-pop. I like the percolating percussion underlining the track and there are a few promising guitar riffs buried at the start of verse two before the track pulls back. This is a nice direction for EVNNE and makes for an enjoyable addition to their discography. However, it doesn’t push their music forward in any way.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Reading the title I got horror flashbacks to aespa’s Hot Mess but thankfully this is an infinitely better and fun listen…it doesnt do anything revolutionary but i like it more than i was expecting to
Just wanted to share two songs frm this artist called Blanks that i recently liked
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kT3E4HpJd_k&si=56quJYhanmnQNRgg
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=0qiPrOE4VpU&si=bljSS9JgRbvVr-wK
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Thank you for those recommendations! I liked both songs, and “Where Did the Time Go” speaks to how I’ve been feeling lately. I’m going to check out more of Blanks’ music.
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Aside from the cowbell and whistles I think this is a pretty fun song. I like that they chose a different style yet again for the title track. From the album Love Like That is similar to Badder Love and Crown is like Trouble/Ugly, so they have all their bases covered.
It’s funny, compared to ZB1 I feel like ZB1 has had much higher highs (Good So Bad) and much lower lows (Feel the Pop) but EVNNE’s songs all even out…everything sounds a little generic but still a cut above what you would expect for a 2nd-tier survival show project group.
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it’s in the name 😭
I personally thought their debut was horrible, but everything after that is good.
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Baby be my hot mess!
I agree, it is nice that the kpop industry still populates the discographies with happy clappy songs like this. We all need more joy in our lives. However, ever boy kpop group has a song Just Like This, or even one of this on every album, so at this point I don’t have any more room in my hand for another one. If this fits yours, great, go for it!
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Unfortunately,this might end up being Evnne’s last Comeback,as the group will only last 1.5(18 months)
this was a pretty satisfying and enjoyable song,and my favorite from them so far.
8.25/10(9;8;8;8)
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I meant to type “1.5 years”😭🙏
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Unfortunately they still hasn’t disclosed their contract length yet and they didn’t give any sign of disbandment. The rumors is fake and might be slip-up bcs they still have concert and festival performance after their “supposed” disbandment date. I think it’s better to enjoy this comeback and their song just as it is, not as farewell song.
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Thank God😭🙏
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the best
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Oh, this song is fun.
It’s like if Boynextdoor and Xikers had a baby.
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Sound the alarm, SHINee is releasing music this year!!!!! I can’t explain how much I’m looking forward to it. Also, these days, I’ve been contemplating on the title of Infinite’s upcoming album ‘Like Infinite’. Is it clueing us to say, that the soundscape of the album will be something that one would express ‘This is so [like INFINITE]’. Like the signature sound they are loved and known for? Anyways, I’m waiting with bated breath to see if we get a confirmation of Sweetunes producing any of their material.
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It sounds good. Fun even dare I say. But that’s all in the music video. Kept cringing throughout the video whenever they’d use English lyrics. The korean was already not understandable but just adding English lyrics made it stick out like a sore thumb. Considering the title, well, point well made.
Might consider check out other MVs but other than that
Hard 7/10.
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Why, what’s wrong with “it’s so fun delulu” and “got me heebie jeebies” and “won’t you be my hot mess sweetie” 😔
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my only problem was the “Got Me Heebie Jeebies”,which made me cringe HARD.The other lyrics are pretty tolerable.
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Good thing I don’t pay attention to lyrics!
It’s fun, a bit of a hot mess for sure, but it ticks all the marks. Short but somehow it feels complete to me (verses/rap/choruses/bridge/outro). Maybe they could’ve done a bigger/better outro, or insert a dance break like other groups are doing. I definitely appreciate that they shortened the second chorus, otherwise it may have been too repetitive for me. As it is, I’d give it an 8.25
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Exactly what I’m thinking. I can appreciate switching up genres but Trouble/Ugly have the sound and vibe they excel at. I’d also argue they’re not as convincing with brighter concepts.
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I would’ve preferred Crown as the title track, since it’s similar in sound to Trouble and Ugly.
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