Review

Song Review: TWS – Countdown!

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It’s no secret that I’ve found the past few weeks of K-pop releases dull, uninspiring and – in some cases – outright bad. All the while, one name loomed at the edges of my mind. “TWS. TWS. TWS.” My top rookies of last year placed all seven of their promoted tracks in my top 50 countdown. They haven’t put a foot wrong yet, and knowing their comeback was on the horizon shone some light at the end of this murky tunnel.

The way I see it, becoming a fan of a pop act is like signing a mutually beneficial contract. In exchange for support, interest and money, an act owes their fans a certain level of musical satisfaction. Part of that involves building (and more importantly, sticking to) a musical brand. A year into their career, I know what a TWS title track sounds like. Three out of four of them have built upon the same sonic ideas. Some may find this approach repetitive or formulaic, but I look at it more like the score of a film. TWS have their melodic themes and these themes reappear in slightly different guises depending on the scene. Most of my favorite K-pop acts, from Infinite to GFriend, managed a similar strategy in their debut eras. The best of the best find a way to eventually find a new path forward while maintaining their existing fans, but I wouldn’t expect or want that at this point in TWS’s career.

New single Countdown! (마음 따라 뛰는 건 멋지지 않아?) takes the familiar themes from last year’s hits Plot Twist and If I’m S, Can You Be My N and pumps them up to “11.” The song opens with a sentimental version of what will soon become its chorus, anchored by resounding drums and stabs of electric guitar. This arrangement is so satisfying that any time the track shifts into a different mode (verse two), Countdown! nearly breaks its contract with the listener. Thankfully, this chorus is one of TWS’s best, taking full advantage of their refreshing, belt-it-out brand. An instrumental break and eventual chant add further bombast. This arrangement is larger than life and I could have done with another minute of it. This brings me to my only real gripe with the track. It’s just too short, and on first listen feels like two-thirds of a song. I felt this exact same way about last year’s Plot Twist at first. That song ended up becoming one of my biggest 2024 highlights, so I’m not overly worried. However, I can’t help but imagine what they could have done with a bit more time. It’s ironic, given the song’s English title!

Hooks 9
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 10
 RATING 9.25

Grade: A

60 thoughts on “Song Review: TWS – Countdown!”

  3. I’ve tried so hard to get into them but we don’t seem to click and I find most of their songs sound very similar( minus last festival which I love! ♥️) this one just honestly sounds like plot twist 3.0, the production and Hooks are there but I’m not😢

    7. 75/10❤️

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  4. A heavily biased rating, just an 8.5 at best. The main hook is by far their most blatant (the upbeat instrumentals can’t make it sound any better), with a bonus for the slow start of the second verse (one of the most iconic, yet terrible, issues in K-pop in recent years)!

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  5. plot twist is only 2 seconds longer, but that song had a bridge. though I understand that their producers probably wanted to take things from that song and make it different.

    I like it, I do not have any strong feelings about it. imo, SN is still the best song among their 3 bright songs.

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  6. Is it another Plot Twist? Yeah, and honestly, it’s kind of hard for me to listen to this song as a distinct piece of music because all it does is remind me of something else. Is it good? Yeah, it’s a nice song. Is it my preferred genre? No, and I guess that’s why I gravitate more towards TWS’s b-sides than their title tracks. Honestly, I feel that they’re somewhat afraid of exploring outside of the sound that made them popular (it’s not that they stick within the same genre, but stuff like the melody and instrumentation is at times so similar it feels formulaic). I guess Last Festival was an exception, but when they said they were ’graduating’, I thought they would go into Golden Child ‘It’s U’ territory or even Seventeen’s ‘Adore U’. Anyways, for me it’s an 8.5-8.75.

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    • Yes absolutely this! It feels soulless and corportate almost. It lacks the emotional punch Plot Twist or The Last Festival had. It feels like a nice enough filler track.

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  9. I don’t know if I can get over the fact that it is too similar to SN and Plot Twist. I was so confused I actually had to check if I hit “play” on the wrong song. It’s not bad, I like those two songs, but it feels lazy😭. It’s a 7.75 right now

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  10. Like I said in another reply, I understand that this blog is biased, but even then I feel like there is a point where it’s getting pretty heavy. There’s a fine line between establishing a style/sound and simply regurgitating the same sound over and over again. It’s not a bad sound, but it’s nothing new.

    Perhaps in the context of other music being released right now, it stands out as “exciting” simply because it’s different, but I don’t know that that will really hold up over time. Does the fact that they have a brighter, almost brassier sound make their music “better” than contemporaries, or just more nostalgic? Right now, I’d almost rather hear something “bad” and novel than the same music they’ve been putting out for a year. Nostalgia and fun is great, just maybe not all the time. There is really only one season for their music and it’s summer — maybe spring with a stretch.

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  11. As my first time leaving a comment and a rather young and new fan of TWS, I personally loved this song despite its similarities to their previous work. It definitely feels more like a signature sound than a copy, and the song’s more nostalgic tone (especially with the intro) does enough to set it apart. Also, a “copy” of catchy melodies and fun textures would just be another good release for me. Of course, the song’s length is a lost opportunity, but the “dreaded second verse breakdown” still maintains the energy well possibly because of the members’ faster flow. Maybe I have a more similar mindset to OP in that I listen to music for an accessible energy boost or window into another world, so I could never see myself getting tired of this sound. Just wanted to add my thoughts to balance out some of the more disappointed comments in here! Also, GO BACK’s funkier vibe and Now Playing’s fresh energy are highlights for me in the album!

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  12. I read Nick’s review before checking out the song myself, and after listening, I have to say I agree with most of the comments here. It’s a good track, but definitely not deserving of a 9+ rating. It sounds a lot like Plot Twist (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) but I had the same issue with that one too. Something just feels like it’s missing.

    I was hoping they’d take a different direction after the response to Plot Twist, but instead, they played it safe and followed the same formula, even the length is the same. It feels like they’re stuck in their comfort zone. The song is still enjoyable, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’d give it a solid 8.5/10 at most.

    You know, there’s so much you can do with pop music and I believe TWS has what it takes to explore that even more.

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  13. I think this is inferior to Plot Twist and S/N, enough so that it’s distracting to me, and I kept thinking “I’d like to listen to S/N right now.” I found it to be lacking something. It’s not a bad song at all, but if they’re going to do such similar material then it needs something special to help it stand out.

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  14. It’s a very cute track! I appreciate the lively production and the throwback vibes it has. I can imagine it reminds people of second gen groups, but I’m not very knowlegeable about those. To me, it brings back memories of GFRIEND and ASTRO’s earlier material, in the sense that’s really sweet and their delivery has this charm that you don’t see as often in K-pop groups today.

    I feel like they’re definitely nailing the “signature sound” aspect, and are also very different to what most boy groups are doing. Having said that, I don’t really see myself returning to this track at all. As cute as it is, I find it a little bit corny and this song is most likely not made to appeal to someone in their early 20s like me lol.

    As per the “it sounds too similar” to their debut argument, cut them some slack. Even me, not liking their music so much, can give this group a little more grace. I think they haven’t even released an album, and they still got some time to explore other genres and kind of grow up with their music. Often times, younger acts tend to have a very similar sound across their first two or three albums. Possibly, as they get into their early 20s, they’ll switch things up a bit.

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  15. I also thought I heard an alt melody to N/S for the opening. But then again, as most (all?) of the lyrics are in Korean, I have nothing to distinguish one from the other, this or the other or the other other other than flavors and brightness and snips of melody. It reminds me of peak GFriend days when I had such a hard time distinguishing their songs from each other.

    As far as Nick fanboy-ing crush on TWS, who am I to interrupt someone else’s joy. His blog, his score. There is so much going on in the world, a little levity and clapping along is great!

    For me, possibly mid-8’s.

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  16. This song severely lacking things that could make it feel complete, but k-pop has just been so dry that I’m just glad this song got released now, overall an 8.5 for me

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  17. Dang, half the song wasn’t even the song. It was just getting started. It’s cute but felt like filler, and somehow the chorus didn’t quite chorus. I kept expecting it to develop a bit more and then it didn’t which was the aural equivalent of feeling the impending sneeze that never happens.

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  18. honestly not as good as their past songs, but still great. sadly most of the songs this month is pretty mediocre 😦

    8.5/10, could possibly grow a bit though

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  19. Aaannd…one more time with feeling! I’m so ready for them to move on from this sound. However, the b-sides are pretty good, especially Lucky to be Loved, which they also performed in their showcase so hopefully they’ll promote it as well.

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      • I would love to see them move on to a big, theatrical sound with symphonic elements like their remix of “hey! hey!” at last year’s KBS Gayo or their cover of After School’s “Bang!”

        That’s probably not going to happen given K-pop’s current climate, so the next best things would be:

        1. Move further into rock (ie: hey! hey! or some of &TEAM’s 2024 stuff)
        2. Seventeen-style funk (like “Go Back” or “Comma”)

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      • I think hey!hey! was a step in the right direction—angsty rather than bright but still sounding very much like them. My problem with Countdown, S/N, and Plot Twist is that they feel like they are running on parallel tracks rather than showing growth or the evolution of a sound, which I think is the most exciting thing about following a Kpop group, even if there are missteps along the way.

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  21. I agree and disagree with the comments here. I think they’re right for pointing out that this song does hit a little too close to their previous title tracks. And it definitely should’ve been longer. But when was the last time a K-pop group has nailed down a niche so blatantly and obviously? So many acts nowadays jump from one style to another leaving their music behind as a second thought, they would rather make it look good than make it sound good. Many songs sound like they’re demos. And though Countdown could’ve been made longer and tweaked, this is a song that is carving out an audience for itself and knows what it’s doing. And that’s okay. It’s how I see groups like NJZ: No matter if I love it or hate it I see the vision and hope they continue their artistry.

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    • Don’t get me wrong, I really love TWS music in general and I’d be happy to hear more in the vein of Plot Twist and S/N. But while those tracks are similar, they’re distinct enough from each other, whereas this one is not distinct enough and pales in comparison.

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  23. Wait what? This is like a watered down, inferior and boring version of all their past tracks. I even yawned halfway in because it does not particularly go anywhere unlike their previous songs- there is no real pay off.

    I feel like you are biased in your review because you really want to keep liking them since they offered you hope when you were feeling disillusioned by a lot of kpop. But quite honestly, if this song dropped and it was not by TWS would you heaping the same amount of praise?

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  25. I for one am happy that they’re sticking to the bright poppy songs still, but the trouble with Countdown being so similar to Plot Twist and S/N is the fact that it just makes me want to go back and listen to those directly instead of this. I can’t find anything that makes me instantly latch on to this one as much as I did with their other releases sadly, because at each turn I’m just overwhelmed with the nostalgia factor of their other songs which were so good that I’m still into them. I love that they have a consistent sound, but I’d like for them to give each of these songs a more unique twist/part that can help set them apart further and develop the songs themselves further. Last Festival had that in comparison to their first two title tracks, so I’m hoping they continue to push themselves further because they’re capable of so much.

    That said, I really enjoy the album as usual and I think these guys are such charming performers that they can pull anything off. There’s no Hey! Hey! but I’m quite liking Lucky to be Loved and Go Back in particular.

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  26. Pretty sure on more repeat listens it will stand tall with S/N and plot twist, but if not as great that is no problem! I love that they are sticking to a core sound for a title, while also playing around more with their b-sides. That’s how you are supposed to do title tracks and b-sides…

    I give it 7,9,9,9 = 8.5

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    • Mid to ur mid ears. Sounds good to us.

      I don’t believe HYBE given up on TWS. They literally gave them the best promotion for TWS so far this cb.

      And no need to bring on other groups. We don’t have any beef with other groups.

      Owh btw, didn’t know if u noticed but TWS just had a GRAND SLAM OF MUSIC SHOWS with this ‘mid’ song. Can’t really say the same to ur faves probably.

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      • My favourites, SHINee and IVE, gap this group in every way imaginable.

        Grand slam when the scene is literally dead, lmao. TWS is the only group with a physical score.

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  28. I disagree entirely with this comment section lol. God forbid a group establishes a unique musical brand that stands out from all the cringe noise songs most boy groups do. I think this is what I hate most about kpop groups. The typical way I discover kpop groups is I listen to one of their songs and end up really liking it, only to find out the rest of their discography is just random slop that had no influence from their initial sound in the first place, or there is a lack of growth and they usually end up jumping from genre to genre without notice. I rarely feel that disappointment with western artists. I could never get behind the way kpop fans talk about “concepts” because it ends up becoming superficial and fake, compared to how most musical artists develop their music and image overtime.

    Tbh, this is why I like groups like NewJeans/njz, aespa, or Redvelvet. When I listen to their music, I know exactly what I’m in for but still am surprised with each release, and I also never feel let down even if certain songs aren’t my cup of tea. It’s the artistry and creativity that matters the most to me. This is how you create music with longevity and a loyal fanbase organically, without any gimicky tactics. When I think of these kinds of groups, including TWS, I can already imagine their music/brand in my head, rather than some amorphous kpop blob a lot of other groups stick to.

    I can understand if this song sounds similar to other songs they’ve done (it still sounds different to me and has it’s own original aspects), but it’s not like their previous songs were bad lol. They were so good and I think they know to tap into this niche sound that is working and establishes their brand well, while still providing other songs on the album that elevates their musical identity while not straying too far from it for it to be so jarring.

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    • U really said it ! I can’t word it any better!

      To me they’ve established their own MUSIC IDENTITY and BRAND. Whenever people talk about TWS, they can expect what kind of sound they’ll deliver.

      Some of these people being bitter probably felt grudgy coz our admin here have bias towards TWS and giving TWS high points while their faves got low points.

      Or maybe some of these people just can’t grasp what TWS are trying to do here. I believe TWS are doing concept based on their age, and we can expect their growth and variety of concepts as time went by. So for the time being, I’ll really enjoy their refreshing, youthful, high energy, friendship heavy vibes concept from them. I love it so much I want it more actually.

      P/s: Their literal group name is 24/7 with us.

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  29. Ik I wasn’t the only one that thought the recent titles are variants of plot twist. They’re different enough but it’s like the same melody chords are being used? It’s on brand and consistent which I’ll give them but we’re getting to that point where people want something else. What that something else is…time will tell.

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  30. No offense but is this not…the same song they’ve released at least three times now? I think it’s cute but definitely not as longevity as plot twist. Definitely a nice song but not something I’m into!

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  31. I honestly thought I listened to this song before so definitely feels like treading the same ground.

    Last Festival felt like something new (and great) for them so them going back to this is disappointing.

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  32. I wouldn’t rate this song 9.25 but at the same time i think most of the comments are slightly overreacting. I liked the song, it’s fresh, youthful and has a nice melody. The members are selling it and I love their vibe. Most importantly it makes me want to keep an eye on these guys for future, hopefully more substantial releases. In other words, I see a ton of charisma and great potential. The youth concept and the music video gives me strong BTS vibes (HYYH era, particularly their MV for “Run”) which I love of course. It is a little too merry/joyful for my taste, which takes a little from the authenticity of the feeling they try to convey, but it still works.

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  33. You’re taking the bias part of this blog to your grave it seems.

    Honestly,it’s a nice song.It’s bright,fresh and energetic,but other than that,it isn’t doing anything for me.It just feels like another Plot Twist or SN-although those are great songs,I wish TWS explores a more diverse range of sounds because this vibe is kind of getting repetitive.

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