I know I don’t speak for all K-pop fans, but I am tired — so tired of being yelled at by overly aggressive boy groups shouting alongside cacophonous instrumentals. Previously, ALL(H)OURS found a nice middle ground between noise and sleek structure, delivering the standout singles Shock and Gimme Gimme. But with new track Ready 2 Rumble, it feels like we’re back at ground zero.
Look, I’m not against noise. In fact, I wish most K-pop songs in this generation were bigger and bolder and louder. But too often, songwriters sacrifice the vital building blocks of a great track for pure bluster — as if that bluster alone is compelling enough to compensate. Ready 2 Rumble‘s verses are solid (especially the more melodic second verse). They’re derivative and fail to deliver any memorable turns, but at least they move the song forward.
From here, we crash into pots-and-pans territory. The hulking instrumental feels like a headache waiting to happen, as if the producers searched their sample library for the most abrasive, annoying loops they could be fine. This would be salvageable with a killer hook thrown over the top, but instead we have the guys repeating “we’re ready to ruuuuuuummmmmmble” over and over in a monotonous vocal fry. Okay, K-pop composers. I guess we just don’t write choruses anymore? How’s that working out for you? Because it’s a pretty sorry state of affairs from a listeners’ perspective.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
Grade: D+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This reminds a lot of their b-side Psycho Mantra from last year, but that song was more successful in terms of its production and how the hooks were executed. This one is… alright, a bit disappointing given they had a good streak of Shock and Gimme Gimme.
7.25 (6, 8, 8, 7) for me.
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Oh gosh. KSHMR needs to come out with new sample packs, pronto, because the current set is worn out. I looked it up – KSHMR vol4 was 3 year ago. Seems like forever ago.
There is a kpop youtuber I just found called “kpop stuffs”. They link song after song after song in one video is a certain style, or using a certain sample, and they are not wrong. Almost exhausting actually to hear song after song after song in the same exact style, and you realize fully oh my god my life has been a waste. I don’t the one for “every shouty boys song ever” but there should be one. This song here today wouldn’t even make that mix. It would on the cutting floor somewhere, forgotten to time.
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what a huge disappointment compared to gimmie gimmie
7.5 (6, 9, 8, 7) for me)
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(btw current thoughts on the new upcoming Gorillaz album btw?)
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Haven’t heard it. Is it good?
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hasn’t actually released yet but their latest album (cracker island) was good
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There are some pretty vocals buried in there…
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Wait, the album intro is good tho with those synths
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that song is the weakest one on the album. Do It is so much better and so much fun.
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even the clangy songs have a little more verve than the title.
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