Cube Entertainment’s NOWZ (formerly Nowadays) are in the middle of a reinvention. And while I initially dismissed last month’s pre-release Fly To The Youth as too lightweight, that song has dug its talons into my brain and emerged as a stealth summer highlight. The group’s new title track Everglow continues the rock soundscape from Fly To The Youth, placing it in more aggressive context.
A rock sound has been one of the year’s most persistent trends, so while Everglow doesn’t give NOWZ the unique musical perspective they may need, it’s in good company. Those looking for an angsty, shout-along anthem will find plenty to enjoy here. The song seems designed as a vessel for catharsis, building to an explosive chorus that grows even fiercer with a headbanging post-chorus that sees the guitar distortion turned up to “eleven.” I quite like this. At the very least, it’s a memorable jolt of energy.
Trap beats continue to be a challenge for my ear. The tinny percussion cheapens an otherwise widescreen atmosphere and I wish the producers had chosen more robust beats to give Everglow an even bigger sound. If we’re going to do rock music, let’s pull out all the stops and make this as bold as possible. Everglow‘s best moments (ie: the chorus) capitalize upon this bombast and offer just enough adrenaline to make it worth slogging through the song’s less-inspired segments.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Ooh, I love the angst throughout the track. It doesn’t do much when it comes to a unique perspective, but also gets a few points when it comes to a compelling melody and having some bombastic moments. Love this one and I expect it to age better for me with time.
Rating’s the same.
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The problem I have with this (and it is probably just me because it’s quite specific) is that this song feels sort of angsty especially in the trap parts and the lyrics but I don’t actually feel the angst in the music. It is too joyous and bombastic to be truly angsty, especially in the chorus. Of course not every rock adjacent kpop song needs to be overly sad or emo. But I personally tend to prefer this type of song to go all the way with the angst, and I weirdly find that more cathartic and uplifting.
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(The return of unnecessary trap. Aigoo!)
They are pulling a Dreamcatcher here. Early Dreamcatcher. As in, it sounds like rock, but really the construction is straight ahead kpop with the instrumentation swapping synths out for some session musicians. Have the singers “sound heavy” to “sound more like rock”.
It’s fine. This flavor of rock is an underserved niche in kpop. If this scratches your itch, fine. Me, I go back to my Metallica.
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If Everglow came back with a track titled NOWZ, to me would be an ultimate 10 out of 10 for both of them.
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My usual complaint with rock in Kpop is that the guitars aren’t turned up enough…this song doesn’t have that problem, but the post chorus feels like overkill to me. My favorite Kpop song of this kind is still the Glen Check remix of Love or Die by TNX (which was originally trap).
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July is getting me out of my kpop rut because I’ve enjoyed almost everything that’s come out in the past 2 weeks🤗. This song is great…love it 8.5
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I now get why this song had such a high rating. Thankfully, I felt catharsis and enough emotion in the song. This is definitely a welcome surprise in July. Also 8.5/10.
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