Girl group RESCENE enjoyed a bit of momentum with last year’s single Love Attack, but their agency has been unable to capitalize on this so far. Title track Glow Up came and went with little fanfare earlier this year, and the buzz around new single Deja Vu also seems to be muted. The public clearly hungers for Love Attack‘s big pop chorus, so I’m not sure why The Muze Entertainment isn’t trying to replicate that.
Instead, Deja Vu takes a very familiar tone. It’s the latest in an endless line of skittery, muted girl group K-pop. Let me repeat this with full voice so every fledging K-pop agency can hear me: YOU WILL NOT BECOME POPULAR BY SIMPLY COPYING OTHER SUCCESSFUL ACTS. A group like RESCENE needs to stand out, and Love Attack‘s propulsive chorus did just that. Deja Vu seeks to do the exact opposite. Its subdued sound seems targeted to fade into the background. The instrumental is already painfully familiar, and without any notable hooks over the top the track simply evaporates.
To be fair, it’s difficult for me to be objective about a song the moment I hear those murky faded-watercolor synth tones that open Deja Vu. I’ve moved past being sick of this sound to having a visceral reaction to it, and it takes a really special set of melodies to win me back. Deja Vu‘s hooks are absolutely fine, but their stuttering nature never leads to any real sense of payoff. It’s style without substance, and RESCENE have already proven they can deliver both at once.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Honestly, I like this one better than Glow Up, but less than UhUh, let alone Love Attack.
I like the house beat with the twinkly/bubbly synths and paired with the girls’ sweet, wispy vocals, it’s a sweet, pleasant listen. It’s like the feeling of feeling the cool air and smelling grass after rain for some reason.
8 (8, 8, 8, 8) for me.
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I didn’t really like “glow up” at first, but it still got a lot of listens from me. I like “deja vu” better from the jump.
The chorus is easier to get behind. Unfortunately “deja vu” gives more b side than title track, there should’ve been some instrumental flourishes or a unique synth. Then “mood” is even more b side coded….
The music could be better but they’re still above their peers imo. Maybe we should start sending , the muze letters lol
This is the trajectory is kpop has been on. So I’m not gonna lose my head over it, especially when it’s coming from a 5th Gen group
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Unrelated, but ICHILLIN’ also came back today with Glass Heart (it sadly doesn’t has a MV for a review), what do you think? I think it’s the best out of the three songs today and prolly one of their strongest works https://youtu.be/5MK1eJ30Isw?si=SNXDwGrbzOFtvOt1
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Don’t let your bias skew the facts, Pinball and Glow Up were decently successful as well.
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rescene’s titles (uh uh, love attack) had a unique charm that helped them stand out from the 2020s gg music trends. kinda sad they fell into the new jeans/illit trap, but also not surprised because glow up was relatively successful and the album solidified their musical direction. like so many people were tuning into them because of the excitement for glow up. BUT, it’s funny that love attack had the biggest resurgence recently in korea. the people know what they want!!
i am biased towards rescene though since i really like them and their dream-scape music. their music has always felt a little loona/red velvet adjacent to me, especially with the layering and production. the airy siren call motifs and use of harmonies have been kinda genius?? rescene has a solid vision behind them but they just need more promo and music that makes them stand out. deja vu will most likely grow on me over time, but i really wish they brought back their infectious bombastic style.
random, but since their concept is evoking memories/experiences with scents, i guess the concepts are this:
– uh uh = roses or flowers blooming (very izone-coded, very theater musical-coded)
– love attack = marine or sea, love attacking you like an ocean wave during summer (very accurate)
– glow up = laundry or soap, freshening up or bubbling up for a glow up/growth. it has a squeaky clean feel.
– deja vu = dewy rain or grass. it’s kinda nostalgic but idk if it’s cause this kind of music style has been associated with high school nostalgia and imagery the past 2 years? thank you ditto?
if we look at it this way, then yes rescene is successful with the concept + scent-association.
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How does yoyo factory into that?
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