The apostrophe-averse Baby DONT Cry debuted earlier this year with two promoted songs and a fun, upbeat sound in need of development. Several months later, they’re back with the defiant I DONT CARE. Music aside, it’s become clear that the group’s management doesn’t care about the rules of capitalization and punctuation. I’d love to hear a song about that!
Thankfully, they do care about big synth riffs, and I DONT CARE is anchored by a bounding loop that helps craft an exciting centerpiece. We’ve heard a surplus of icy synth in K-pop over the past five years, but it still packs a punch if used well. I DONT CARE is mostly a catchy pop/rock track, but that added texture gives it a welcome sheen. However, when I hear an instrumental like this I really want the entire song to match its scope.
This is where I DONT CARE falters a bit. Apart from its big chorus, the track follows predictable lines and often sputters into a lower-than-anticipated energy. Contrast can be a powerful tool in a producer’s repertoire, but that’s not what’s happening here. Instead, the song simply segues into verses that are dull and (surprisingly) overlong. But, that’s the great thing about a chorus. They repeat often, and each time I DONT CARE‘s hook comes around we’re back in business. Next time, I hope Baby DONT Cry find a way to extend this exciting spirit.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This could’ve been great. I’m actually mad at all the wasted potential. First, if it was sung by 2NE1 or Sistar, that would’ve been an automatic boost. I feel like the song needed more powerful and charismatic performers. I agree that the chorus it’s the obvious standout. Also, why did the instrumental so muted? Sometimes it was barely audible. Which confuses me, because in the teasers the instrumental was heard so loudly. I also question the choice for such muted verses. If you’re trying to make a sing-along or a more propulsive pop song, why hamper it with verses that are boring and lack character. Man it’s so frustrating. I rate it an 8
LikeLike
VVN and other Black Label folks wrote this one (as opposed to their IDLE Soyeon-penned debut) and it’s all the better for it. Sounds like IZNA meets Kiiikiii, in the best way.
LikeLike
super sold on that one, as I was on Kiikii’s summer song 🙂
LikeLike
apostrophe averse 😂 they really DONT care about grammar
LikeLiked by 2 people
They really DONT!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I think actually its a pretty good song writing. I think the production lets it down.
I am hearing debut-era Twice, like “Cheer Up”, “Ohh Aah”, and “Knock Knock”. Those have pretty punchy productions, very vocal forward with clear synth lines with clear purpose.
Here, its all so muted and mushy. Bring the bass louder and more forward. So much 80’s pop depended on the bass line. The chorus is overstuffed with just synth mush. Pick one, brighten it, delete the rest. The handclaps are so fun, but how about trying real hand claps that then the girls can do as part of the dance, choose where to put them and where not to because right now they pop up eeeverywhere.
LikeLike
Real hand claps would be great, these are no better than my $100 keyboard’s hand clap setting.
I actually like the verses. They build up chorus anticipation really well.
Louder and more forward bass, def agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I agree with everyone here that the writing is great, production just needed more. HOWEVER, his felt like listening to a rock version of What Is Love (that I DONT CARE is right on rhythm). There are a lot of things that this does right, but it does hinge slightly on being a bit deriviative.
Straight 8. Might look into more of their discog from here.
Also warning, tripleS is releasing 4 singles at once on a Monday and I do not think that’s going to be a fun time based on those teasers.
LikeLike
Yeah maybe I’ll just let Chat GPT take care of those reviews…
haha just kidding! I would never do that.
And YES on “What Is Love”! That’s all I’ve been hearing since they started teasing this song and I’m glad I’m not the only one. We need a mashup 🙂
LikeLike
never listened to this group but i actually really like this pop rock vibe! makes me want to check them out
LikeLiked by 1 person