Boy group Omega X has had a tough go of it, wrangling free from an abusive agency before briefly trying their hands at self-management. Now, they’re with new agency IPQ and seem to be stuck in a hiatus of sorts. You is the first new music we’ve heard in awhile and comes courtesy of sub-unit OX:N, consisting of members Jaehan, Xen, Jehyun and Yechan. With the odds stacked against them, You offers a refreshing reinvention but doesn’t go far enough to establish its own personality.

Justin Timberlake’s 2002 album Justified has become a major touchstone for K-pop’s male acts, with BTS’s Jungkook the most notable act to reference its sound. You‘s strumming, rhythmic guitar has more than a little Like I Love You coursing through its veins and that’s not a bad thing. This sound is always engaging and usually provides a solid backdrop for strong, funk-influenced melodies. Stabbing guitar strums give You‘s verses plenty of drive and are joined by equally punchy synths during the chorus. This production turns an otherwise lightweight track into a bit of a jam.

With this said, the song could still do more to distinguish itself from the pack. It’s a fine example of this specific genre, but lacks the individual touch that would push it to another level. OX:N’s vocals are smooth and suitably rhythmic, yet become one with the instrumental in a way that smooths out character. With this in mind, I don’t know that You will become the boon Omega X is likely searching for, but it’s a pleasant time capsule that’s hard to dislike.

Grade: B-