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.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Meh, the vocals are pleasant but that’s pretty much it. I was bracing myself for a FaSHioN-esque autotune-heavy rage trap (or maybe without the “rage” and it’s them slurring and mumble rapping, idk), but thank god it’s not 😭😭
7 (7, 7, 7, 7) for me.
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It just sounds so 2020. Autotune melodic intonings over trap. For some reason the bass sounds like it should be coming from That Car in traffic near you vibrating the whole pavement, but here the producers actually dial it back. (I suppose I should cheer that, saving our ears.)
Its not a horrible song or performance, just not something I am craving in 2026. So let’s see what they come out with next.
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thats what i thought too! it sounds pretty dated to the point that halfway through the song thats all i could focus on
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i really dig this song and the fact that it’s almost 4 minutes long is phenomenal. another group to look out for.
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Nick, Michael Jackson is one of my all time favorite artists, and his work made me first fall in love with music. I’m curious what are some of your favorite MJ tracks since I see you’re a fan!
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I mean, there’s no arguing with his peak late 70s/80s albums, which are all nearly perfect in my mind, but I also have a big soft spot for his 90s work and songs like Black Or White, Scream and They Don’t Care About Us tend to me my most replayed these days (probably because they’re not as incessantly played on radio and in culture).
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Oh absolutely, Off the Wall to Thriller to Bad has got to be one of the best pop album runs of all time. Definitely gems from the 90s era as well. I personally think the Blood on the Dance Floor mini album is severely underrated!
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I agree with “subdued cortis” here. But I still want to give them a chance given how I am a sucker for r&b, and am excited about a kpop group going all in on the sound.
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Hmm, well I’m sold on them right now, I also love a KPop group going all in with R&B, as often times we just get a few hints and doses of the genre in many songs but it’s great to see a group/song taking the influence seriously.
I agree that it sounds a bit dated, like it’s from 2019-2020, but I can’t ignore how nice their vocals sound. These guys can actually sing for real, and Jay Park is letting them do that on the studio so that’s awesome.
I understand the comparisons with CORTIS, but I think the similarities begin and end with the use of trap influences. Both groups use it for different genres, with CORTIS focusing on rage hip-hop and LNGSHOT going for the R&B/pop route. Not to mention, CORTIS influences for their most recent music are probably Travis Scott, Playboi Carti or Don Toliver. LNGSHOT’s influences sound a lot more like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande or even Jay Park himself.
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I actually enjoyed this song, though I understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Still, I’ll be looking forward to more music from them in the future.
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oh boy. another uninspired trap song! my favorite!
7/10 (7, 7, 7, 7) for me
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