Recently, idol groups spawned by survival series have subverted corporate expectations and developed signature sounds that give them a unique identity in the K-pop market. AHOF, Close Your Eyes and NouerA all come to mind as great examples. However, CJ ENM and their label WakeOne Entertainment are as corporate as it gets and watching season two of Boys Planet felt more like a gauntlet of market branding than a genuine discovery of fresh new talent.
Now, we have the official debut of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, who have predictably become million-sellers on the very first day of their album’s release. Time will tell if they develop into a group with music that warrants this automatic success, but for now Freak Alarm does not bode well for their musical future. Like their pre-debut Formula, the track sounds like a boy group… well… formula. The producers inject a funky bounce to the instrumental, yet the song completely lacks a sense of funk. Instead, it builds to a truly awful sing/shout chorus. I hate this hook. The tone, the lyrics, the delivery… it’s all like nails on a chalkboard — made worse by how generic and predictable it is.
This centerpiece makes it difficult to appreciate the rest of the track. Sure, the verses are more melodic and certainly less grating, but they don’t spark much interest. The members have nice voices, but no single tone stands out as compelling enough to salvage the track. I just don’t see what they’re bringing that we can’t hear a million other places.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
Grade: D+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
A massive disappointment given we had AHOF, CYE and NouerA last year, this is such a downgrade from those three (and on a somewhat related note, where is the NouerA comeback??)
7.25 (7, 8, 7, 7) for me. Also, I like the switch up in the 2nd chorus but that’s pretty much it.
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All I have to say is: Disband❤️❤️❤️💖🥳(This music generally pissed me off because who okayed this in the studio!? 😃
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They just debuted, don’t wish for them to disband already. I know their music isn’t the best right now, but that’s what comebacks what for, a chance to take feedback into consideration and come back with a possibly different sound.
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It may be the ZB1 anger in me💔😭
I’m so sorry I take it back💔😭
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Anger over zb1s disbandment💔
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Bro, it’s not that deep. I understand people may hate this song but that doesn’t imply that you should give a “fuck you” to the group.
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Look at the response above‼️
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it’s very generic boy group but I don’t think it’s that bad. although, the two new b-sides (Raw Flame and Cinnamon Shake) are much better.
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Oh no, they are “burning it down” (0:58). For hitting a freak alarm, they look rather ordinary in plain white t-shirts.
Basic boy band song, with extra hip hop drum sample, and that synth overlay on top. Actually the song can be divided into two parts: the parts that have the drum and synth overlayed which is okayish, and the parts without them which are mid.
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It’s not terrible by any means but it’s way too plain.
Flat 7(7,7,7,7) for me, will probably forget it by the end of this month
Also forget about 9 rated songs, are we even going to get any 8.5-8.75 rated songs at this rate?!?
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With what we have on January’s schedule so far, I’m not sure who those songs could come from, but I’d be happy to be surprised!
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tbh formula grew on me immensely but i came into this debut extremely worried. i will say this wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but the problem is that its just that – nothing great or even good, just kind of a relief. i think its a little too standard/generic to rate anything higher than a 7.5-7.75 for me. im ecstatic to see arno officially debuted so im hoping the group gets something with more substance in the future. this didnt really showcase any of their skills
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To me, the problem is not necessarily the song, but the fact that they are debuting with this kind of sound.
It just buries them among a whole bunch of new and old groups, instead of standing out.
The past year (or two), have shown us awesome debuts from big and small companies with great success just because they gave us something “different” (BND, Riize, TWS, CYE, Ahof, among others).
As for the song, it’s fun and well executed, but not very original. I’ll say maybe a 7.75
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This is better than Formula but that’s not saying much. I think the bar for WakeOne is so low that this knockoff of a nugu boy group’s knockoff of NCT comes as a relief. Hopefully this group’s 6-year contract as opposed to ZB1’s 2.5 will allow them to explore their individual talents. I thought Raw Flame was going to be the standout on this album but Cinnamon Shake is weirdly winning me over.
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I dont think it’s that bad, definitely better than Formula. I also don’t have any problem with the chorus – I was expecting something grating – which is pretty catchy.
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This sounds like a textbook example of a Boygroup song. I actually kinda enjoyed it more than I expected to but it is nothing that can be called a solid debut.
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can’t help but make the comparisons between zb1 and ald1… zb1 came out with an instant infectious melodic banger. they have the vocal skills and unique tones to carry the music. i can’t say the same thing for ald1… even the simple vocal parts is kinda ehhh. just proves how limited your music can be when you don’t have capable vocalists…
ngl this song sounds like a zb1 b-side (a little slam dunk x road movie).
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I think their vocalists are fine, they’re just not shown off at all on this nothing track. They could be doing zb1 tier music…. They’re just not.
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Why is the company making them look like jerks? They look like they are trying so hard to be cool; however, in return this song sounds like it was made by those try-hard wannabes. They look and sound like bullies. A bit harsh eh?
If they want this group to act cool and stuff, maybe they should take a look at RIIZE or NouerA. Their materials are sooo much better than whatever this is.
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*sees everything else he reviewed today* Damn, this is a rough one for Nick.
*sees this title* Oh dear god…
Long story short, NCT exists. Listening to that will get you the same result as listening to this. And you don’t have to hear them trying to hit the Freak Alarm. Also A.D.O. does not have the range to pull off those high notes in a good way.
5 (5,6,5,4). Honestly, could not finish because of the vocals.
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That atonal clinking noise activates my misophonia like crazy I literally can never listen to this again. It doesn’t even fit with the beat what the hell is that. And I really love some of the boys having watched bp2, this is just unforgivable to me
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Oh I guess that’s supposed to be the titular “freak alarm.” Brother I’m hitting snooze
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