This is a repost of my “buried treasure” write-up for this song since it’s now been given a music video and extra promotion. I don’t always repost these, but given BABYMONSTER’s popularity it makes sense to push this back to the top of the blog. It also gives me a chance to re-evaluate the song, if necessary. In this case, I don’t feel too different about Psycho and my rating hasn’t changed. It’s still well-within my preferred sound for the group and I love its crunchy electro textures. I feel like they really missed an opportunity not promoting this before Halloween, though!
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I’ll confess that I haven’t given BABYMONSTER’s albums much of a chance. Most of their songs have been promoted with music videos and few of them have appealed to me, so there’s not a lot drawing me in. However, new b-side Psycho captured me with its sound, drawing upon several elements of past K-pop generations.
After an unpromising intro, the song jolts into a big electropop banger. I love how it interpolates the iconic strings from the Psycho movie to give the track spooky energy. But most of all, I’m charmed by its big, crunchy synths. It’s so nice to hear this sense of propulsion in a K-pop era that doesn’t usually appreciate it. Psycho is at its best when thumping with full power. A second verse breakdown is unfortunate, but the song quickly rights itself and keeps chugging along toward a fun finale. When it comes to YG song structures, climactic switch-ups have become so predictable. However, this one works. It feels natural and exciting. I think we need a Halloween-themed music video before the month ends!
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I thought by reposting, you meant editing the publishing date of the original Buried Treasure post, haha! But yay to music video!
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Sometimes I do that too if my thoughts have changed enough to warrant it. I don’t really have anything new to say about this one, though.
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Tomboy by i-dle if it were good
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First of all, agree on the Tomboy reference. However I would put Tomboy above this one here, because even though I haven’t listened to Tomboy in over (checks date) three years, I can sing the chorus refrain and a few other parts and an certainly pick the song out. This song here came out just last month and I find the construction so pedestrian that I don’t remember a thing about it.
Tomboy was obnoxious but memorable. Psycho is obnoxious and unmemorable.
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Ooh, I missed this as a buried treasure, so thanks for the repost. This is fun!
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This is what I wanted out of BABYMONSTER. It has the mix of rap and vocals like in “FOREVER” but just fits the group’s concept more (even if “FOREVER” is still the better song.)
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they really are on a roll these days…8/10 ☺️
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Not bad. Honestly, I don’t think it plays to their strengths of strong vocals, and lyrically it’s kinda shallow and repetitive, but it’s fun.
7/10
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