In a year already stuffed with competitive boy group debuts, it’s time for another new act. idntt (pronounced “Identity”) is the brainchild of Jaden Jeong, the man behind LOONA, tripleS and ARTMS. The group follows the same interactive system as tripleS, with twenty-four members split into sub-units based on fan input. The agency is also letting fans decide which of idntt’s three debut title tracks becomes the “super title track,” meaning all three music videos have dropped today. I’ll give each a separate post, which might as well be considered my “vote” for the victor.
Like You Never Met, BOYtude is an EL CAPITXN co-write. This guy is on a roll this year! From the initial teasers, it was hard to discern much about this track and now that I’ve heard the full thing I understand why because there’s not a whole lot going on here. BOYtude is a groovy mid-tempo hip-hop/R&B song — the kind we often hear as a b-side on a boy group album. While it gives the guys room to showcase their vocals, the song itself doesn’t do much for me.
Truthfully, this is how I’ve often felt about Jaden Jeong projects. The music is always fashionable but rarely pulls me in on a personal level. This is why I was never able to get into LOONA the way so many others were. This song is stuffed with familiar (ie: copied) hip-hop phrasing and centered by a mumble-chant chorus that does little to inspire excitement. Its best moments come during the melodic pre-choruses, but even these fail to deliver memorable hooks. I appreciate the 90s synth running through the chorus, but that’s not enough to make this a highlight.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It sounds like a b-side on every boy band release these days.
I do nott vote for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I assumed they’d be the male counterparts of tripleS musically as well, and they are in some ways. Part of JJ’s success was intriguing concepts and stories, “lore.” It’s a bit disappointing they don’t have it, following 5th gen trends instead. I think JJ’s team likes to create hypnotic, daydream-like songs, so it feels repetitive and simple often.
LikeLike
These songs are the same reason why I can’t warm up to projects by Modhaus. It always feels it’s not really about the song, but more about the style/groove, like some kind of commercial. I need killer choruses or extremely out of the box songs/productions, else it feels like one of these songs AI can churn out in 2 minutes.
The other reason why I am put off recently is that I found out that Modhaus sells these “objekt” versions of the album which are so discounted that basically the album is given away for free. I’m not sure how Komca doesn’t have regulations about bundles when the rest of the world does. But anyway.. this obviously pushes the sales enormously up, hence all these big sales Triples (and now idntt) are getting. But as a music lover, I wish they invested more in the music and less in whatever else comes with it.
LikeLike
I’m not sure if I like it or don’t like it, if it will get better or worse over time, or if I will bother to give it another chance or not.
I guess I’m giving it 7,8,7,7 = 7.25 as well?
LikeLike
I’m surprised to see your comment about the Jaden Jeong–era LOONA releases. I think that “+ +” and “X X” are really anything but fashionable and “cool.” They’re full of simple, restrained, tasteful, melodic songs. At least, they’re nothing like the arty ARTMS or the foggy, groovy tripleS.
LikeLike
Count the 2016-2018 pre-debut era there. I’m actually in my pre-debut rabbit hole right now, and a lot has impressed me, from solos to the units. Nick actually ranked their pre-debut songs!
LikeLike
I was just talking about (full-group) albums. But yeah.
LikeLike
It’s all too safe. The production is good but where’s the fun? the campiness? The cheesy English lyrics? The silly components that end up being iconic? Why does the energy feel low and the pace never seem to pick up? The production feels so clean it’s almost sterile. Sometimes I want a song to punch me in the face or have at least one standout moment that gives the ride more bumps. The drink goes down a little too smoothly
LikeLike
It’s a great song for me, i listen with a tears in my eyes. This song is fun and feels like i was in the middle of air on puberty .
Feels like breeze waving at me and going through strand of my hair, refreshing yet endearing
It does feels youth dream and memories
LikeLike
Rather than talking about concept and stuff this song is good enough to listen on daily basis
LikeLike