After a long-fought battle, Highlight have finally reclaimed their original name (Beast/B2ST) from their former agency. Even so, it seems like they’re hanging onto the Highlight moniker for promotions. They’ve promoted that way for over seven years now, which is longer than many entire idol careers. With this in mind, I guess it doesn’t make sense to rush right back to “Beast” immediately.
As an original fan of second-gen groups like Highlight, I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to expecting these groups to match the quality and excitement of their best work during their latter day promotions. That’s just not how pop music operates except in the most unusual and extraordinary circumstances. With that said, I can’t say I’ve been thrilled with a new Highlight song in years, and new single Chains is no different. The track is fine, but highly forgettable and not even close to their most iconic work.
On the plus side, there’s much about Chains that feels quintessentially Highlight/Beast. That’s largely down to their instantly recognizable vocals, which are as strong and welcome as ever. However, the actual song plods along without much purpose. Dull verses segue into a too-slow pre-chorus before the beat drops for Chains‘ main hook. This segment could use more bounce to highlight its funkier instincts. Instead of thrilling listeners or eliciting an emotional response, the track simply moves through its pieces with a studied professionalism that feels more like an obligation than a pleasure.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
have you heard the bside ‘dreaming’ by loveone? it reminds me of gfriend a bit, mostly summer rain. https://open.spotify.com/track/18yZ09RjIQcuh3dSLT2H4k?si=TGgowFiySreXskYLfBzLhw&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Adreamin%2Bloveon
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i’m sorry but it’s not even close. it sounds more like a 2nd gen song to me
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Yikes, this is not a good song.
They can do so much better.
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can i ask what’s the difference between hooks and chorus? im new to the blog
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A hook is the main musical idea. Sometimes its an instrumental line, sometimes its a vocal line. Some songs have two or more that intertwine. Some have the instrumental and the vocal doing the same hook within the same song. Usually short. Though some songs have entire lines choruses that are memorable, a hook is usually that one brief line that is quintessentially That Song.
Though sometimes it is just a short hook, the hook usually gets developed into more complex harmony and rhythm and variations to make the song more interesting to listen to.
Examples:
a-ha Take on Me, that synth line. The hook comes and goes in the song like it is turned on and off, and doesn’t have much to do with the melody, but everyone knows the song for that hook and the hook for that song.
Michael Jackson “Don’t stop til you get enough” = everything about that song is built around and serves that one line. Tension comes and goes, until it is punctuated by that one line.
Queen “Another one bites the dust”, the bass hook starts the song then Freddie sings the same for the chorus. But that bass winds its way around variations, and Freddie throws his own on top too.
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Off-topic but I’m curious to know your thoughts on Chen’s new digital single (if you’re not planning on reviewing it)? 👀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXfqzAEHJqQ
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You know, I don’t think there’s been a single solo song by Chen that I’ve continued to play beyond the listens needed to write a review. Gorgeous voice, but he makes some very fuddy duddy music imo. This has a bit more bite to it, but not enough to pique my interest.
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As someone who got into kpop through beast, this song’s just another reminder that the industry’s latest releases aren’t for me anymore 😔
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