Girl group UNIS were one of a handful of survival series spawned groups who made their debut last year. Their two title tracks were solid but unspectacular. If you were to ask me to hum either one of them today, I don’t think I could do it. New single Swicy aims to lodge itself in your brain with its memorable title alone. I had no idea this was actually a word, but apparently it means ‘sweet and spicy,’ which is a pretty good description of this song.
Opening with plonky percussion, Swicy soon bursts into a a robust instrumental supported by electric guitar and twinkling keys. In this way, the arrangement reminds me of currently-popular girl band QWER. While this might be a bit reductive, it’s a smart move that distinguishes UNIS from most of their peers. The insistent rhythm feels like a sped-up oompah beat. I’m not a huge fan of this sound during Swicy‘s more skeletal moments, but it works very well when the guitar comes in to provide more bombast.
It’s refreshing to hear a group harness this kind of energy on a title track. Swicy is far from the best example of this style, but paints a way forward for UNIS that could result in awesome music down the line. For now, it’s their strongest title track yet.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Justice for Curious! Their last single became the ultimate gym song for me. I think it was smart to follow up with Swicy, which is a different enough sound that keeps the electric guitar throughline (from Dopamine to Curious to Swicy). Great video too!
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Its reviews like this that prompt me to wander over to the Gaon (Circle) chart to see what is really happening in Korean music in Korea. Yes, QWER. Still fairly high on the everything-but-Global Kpop charts, with songs from last year.
Meaning the group that so few of us here in the global kpop sphere have even heard of, well, we are going to hear That Sound more and more from the other little groups trying to be popular just like QWER. If there is a truism in kpop, it is that trends will get beaten to death.
For me, this also sounds like girl group kpop circa about 2018 or so, the Cherry Bullet Rocket Punch GWSN WJSN type, except EXCEPT switch up the instrumental a bit (now with electric guitar!) and speed it up by a good 10-20% more than prudent. I don’t mean the tempo, I mean record it normal, then speed it up. Try it! Click 0.9x in youtube and it sounds like normal again.
I think it is fun, it is bright, it is poppy, it is on trend inside Korea. So, well done, Unis!
(Also noting in passing that Akmu “How can I love the Heartbreak” is still remarkably high ranking for a 6 year old song. And Bang bang bang is back on the charts in the noraebang (karaoke). Woodz “Drowning” is really high too across all the charts, and I hardly remember that song.)
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“Drowning” has had crazy longevity that I wasn’t expecting, speaking as a huge fan of Woodz. I’m super happy about it considering it’s popped off while Seungyoun is in the military— very organic popularity with the GP that bodes well for when he finishes enlistment.
I also really love QWER’s sound, so I’m happy with this trend as well!
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No, Curious was infinitely better. I don’t like this one.
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Damn, half this group is barely 15…
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waddyumeam? Only Seowon the Maknae is 14 everyone else is 16 or older.
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A little like a harder-hitting Lovelyz track. I like it.
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Their previous songs weren’t bad, but they just didn’t catch my attention as much. When I heard their new songs, though, it felt like I had unlocked a new world. It really suits my style. Others may still prefer their earlier music, and that’s okay — it all comes down to personal preference.
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I really like this song, and as I’m looking at other stuff I’ve let the rest of their album play and I like several other tracks as well (added “ddang” and “from a seed” to my library too). UNIS have never caught my ear before, but I think they’re going in the right direction with this EP. Very fun energy.
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Actually I really like “Spring Rain,” making “Good Feeling” the only skip on the EP for me. I’m very impressed!
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Meh, not for me.
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a few months later and this song is super addictive now. The production is so complex I love it
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