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.

For the second time in a row, ZEROBASEONE have delivered a no-skip album. And for the second buried treasure in a row, I’m featuring one of their songs. Pre-release Doctor! Doctor! has grown on me immensely and all three unit tracks are very enjoyable and energetic, but the funky Devil Game impressed me most.

The chart success of RIIZE’s Get A Guitar and Boom Boom Bass has seemed to usher in a new era of funky sounds from K-pop’s boy groups. None have risen to the legendary heights we saw back in the heyday of EXO and SHINee, but this is a style I can never get enough of and Devil Game hits all those pleasure centers. I love the chunky bass, splashy synth and nimble rhythm guitar that forge its instrumental. And although the hooks could be stickier (especially during the verses), the chorus has a nice off-balance charm, beginning and ending with a kiss of falsetto that gives it nice texture. The bridge is also a standout as impassioned solo vocals unite for an exciting power note. As with most ZEROBASEONE tracks, Devil Game would improve with just a bit more oomph during its finale. There’s no reason the final chorus shouldn’t be twice as big and twice as long.

Grade: B+