LNGSHOT is the first idol group to launch from Jay Park’s MORE VISION record label. They made a pre-debut last month in the midst of all of my year-end countdowns, so I wasn’t able to write about that song. However, they’ve made their full debut today and I’m ready to dive in.

I grew up steeped in the Jackson-style pop star, so calling any new song Moonwalkin’ instantly piques my interest and sets up unrealistic expectations. Those of you hoping for some funky 80s pop should immediately push that from your mind, because there is no MJ-style moonwalking here. Instead, the track is a very modern trap-R&B track. It follows a melodic hip-hop structure where the melody lines flow rhythmically rather than forge a pop sound. I’ve never been a fan of this approach, as it lacks the elements I love about both hip-hop and pop music, ending up in a murky middle that does little to interest me. Add incessant vocal effects and a very limited melodic range and the song feels like one idea repeated over and over.

There’s no doubt that LNGSHOT’s performance is smooth and I hear great potential in their vocals. I’m also interested that, as an idol group, they’re attempting to make music that sounds more like Jay Park than your typical idols. But when it comes down to it, this is simply engineered for a different audience than me. It sounds like a more subdued CORTIS, which means people will probably love it.

Grade: C-