MEOVV scored their first long-lasting hit with this spring’s Hands Up — a track that rose to the top thanks to its sheer catchiness and verve. It’s no surprise the group would seek to replicate that sound, and new single Burning Up enlists their usual squad of producers to craft a similar energy.
Like Hands Up, Burning Up puts much of its focus on the beat. A steady pulse keeps things moving amidst a somewhat fractured arrangement. There are flashes of brilliance, most notably during the melodic pre-chorus that recalls excellent Teddy-produced works of the past. I keep waiting for Burning Up to latch onto a melody as grand and classic as 2NE1’s I Love You. Instead, much of the song is chanted or simply spoken. This approach forces it into a similar lane as so many other recent tracks, making Burning Up feel like a copy of a copy.
Within this sub-genre, Burning Up is charming enough to work — but just barely. The girls sell the energy, even if that energy could be turned up a few notches. A series of limp switch-ups during the song’s second half do it no favors, but the first half holds a lot of promise. Overall, this group has so much potential. I’m waiting for them to get a song as strong as their ability.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Rest in peace to that beautiful pre-chorus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
why is everything SO short? the verses could be longer, that pre-chorus has so much potential if it was longer, and the chorus ends before you know it.
LikeLike
Three half ideas shoved together to approximate something called a “song”. To quote another quote-unquote “song”, “sheesh”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it, it’s easily one of their better songs. It’s also nice that Anna is first in line distribution for the first time (she’s always last or second-last). She has a soft, but silky smooth voice, that I hope she develops further, reminds me of Mina. The song’s structure and Jersey club banging is done very well, the usual YG big finale is also done really well. I also can’t stop thinking that this is something I expected Nmixx to come up with for their album title. They would have elevated this and executed it better. Oh well.
LikeLike
Missed opportunity at its finest but I see what the producers had in mind. The energy, again, almost feels like it can flatten entirely and there’s quite a lot of sing-talk in here. Overall, Hands Up lowkey wins here but let’s test the waters first.
LikeLike
The chant in the end feels so soulless and tired. This song needs energy!!
LikeLike
I so love the general sound, but as said – it feels somehow unfinished or undercooked. It is as if it is made for a cool commercial or such, so no need to make it listenable as a full track on itself. Frustrating.
LikeLike
i really enjoy the genre they’re going for here but the verses, pre choruses, and choruses should all be longer, i enjoy the second half beat switches more than you do, but the producers should have added a third chorus before the chanting section to add some fullness to the empty sounding second half
LikeLike
It’s mid.
I’m also too old to see 16 year olds behave like that in the MV.
LikeLike
This is how I felt watching Smart… (to both of those statements)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the song, but not as much as Hands Up.
LikeLike
They’re sooo close to getting it. The pre chorus is great but the chorus is too jarring and empty.
LikeLike
i really like this sound for meovv and im a HUGE fan of hands up, so i appreciate that the production went back in that direction, however i have to echo the other comments that this one just doesn’t hit as hard. i’m actually a fan of most of teddy’s songs despite their shortcomings but it is a little frustrating that it takes like five comebacks for him to nail a sound for a group, and then no guarantee he’ll follow up. i have a soft spot for meovv so i still do enjoy the song, probably an 8 for me
LikeLiked by 1 person