No matter what I may have thought about any ONEUS single at any given time, one thing has stayed consistent: main vocal Seoho has an incredible (and often underutilized) voice. He’s responsible for many of my favorite parts in the group’s songs, so a solo track is a welcome proposition. Unfortunately, Hatchling also comes along with a military enlistment, meaning it will probably the last we hear from him for awhile.

With this in mind, the song is more of a tease than potential fulfilled. Its trendy rock-tinged sound doesn’t offer much opportunity to showcase his voice. It’s easy to imagine almost anyone singing Hatchling in much the same way. It’s cute and mildly catchy and offers small hints of Seoho’s prowess as a performer, but its most dramatic moments tend to come when the melodies are at their most repetitive. I suppose we can be pleased that it’s not some drippy enlistment ballad, but I would have loved to hear something a bit more ambitious that fleshed out his artistry to a greater level.

Grade: C