As someone who doesn’t keep up with Xdinary Heroes’ schedules, it seems like the band are making comebacks with incredible regularity. That may be more of a sense than a fact, but they’ve quickly developed a hearty catalog of music that sees them exploring various aspects of the rock genre. New single Beautiful Life embraces multiple sides of that spectrum, mixing pummeling energy with more dramatic turns.
Listening to the first few moments of Beautiful Life won’t give you the full picture at all. The track kicks off fully-charged. You may be ready to jump right into the mosh pit. However, about a third of the way through, the track morphs into something else. Big, Queen-like refrains take over as the instrumental slows to a more anthemic style. This becomes even more distinct as we reach Beautiful Life‘s climax and the arrangement takes on an almost baroque quality. I’d love to hear Xdinary Heroes go full-on Bohemian Rhapsody, but the inspiration here feels more 2006-era My Chemical Romance.
As far as touchstones go, that’s not a bad one. I admire Beautiful Life‘s ambition, even if I’m not sure the song gets there in the end. It’s a fascinating take on idol rock, attempting to deliver more than most of these songs even conceive. For that, I salute Xdinary Heroes. Beautiful Life needs much stronger melodies to bolster the pomp surrounding them, as its ambition often get the better of it. However, I hope the band continues down this road and develops their own rock opera in the future.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Damn, I love me chaotic, going-all-out songs, especially with rock, which this song does amazing! The song’s super ambitious (I mean, it’s another 4 minute-long song, gotta respect that!), and I agree that the hooks could use more bite to it, but I’m really impressed with its ambitions and how fleshed out the song sounds.
8.5 (8, 9, 8, 9) for me. I hope they continue down this or Break the Brake-esque path.
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The album isn’t as catchy as their last one.
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Speaking of MCR, XDinary’s cover of black parade is quite good! I have no idea how MCR does this song with one vocalist, he’s gotta be absolutely tanked at the end. XDinary gets to use multiple vocalists to sidestep this.
I don’t think the cover can touch the passion and flair of MCR’s lead singer, but they come close and do an absolute bang-up job with the drumming (pun-intended), especially with how difficult that is.
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Rock on Xdinary heroes! I think it is great that they are finally settling into themselves. The debut songs were fine, but seemed put upon them.
… … there is a meme going around about the state of North Carolina motto “Esse Quam Videri” “To be rather than to seem”. These days with all the stuff going on, people are flipping it “to seem rather than to be”. All sorts of other motifs are in the background.
This song here, is the proper way, being not seeming. Being.
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We are lightyears away from MCR…
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The song is definitely an 8,the mv is 10. They delivered
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I can definitely hear the Queen and MCR inspiration. Been listening to this new album on repeat since it came out, love how these guys are always experimenting, so many different sounds to their songs. I hope you decide to review one of the b-sides, especially George the Lobster it’s my favorite from the album.
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Fair enough,I love how they always try to make full songs unlike kpop groups that keep going less and less every comeback. With Xdinary Heroes,you’re sure to get those 4+ minutes to get into it, always a plus.
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Best thing they’ve done. I’m really impressed.
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