Though XG are technically a global group based in Japan, their music has necessitated full song reviews on this blog because it’s so beloved by K-pop fans. I’ve found their output to be a mixed bag and generally prefer when they take a dancier approach. That happened last year with their excellent single GALA and thankfully continues on Hypnotize.
Hypnotize comes from the group’s first full album and crystallizes a certain high-energy house sound that has characterized some of their past work. House music is nothing new in J-pop or K-pop, but I’ll always embrace a chugging 90s piano beat. Hypnotize is happy to satisfy lovers of the genre, going full-on nostalgic with its production. The tempo remains high throughout and is at its best when the production layers on the sonic goodies. This helps compensate for a relatively undercooked chorus, which combines chanted hooks with a simple melodic refrain.
As always, I’d love to hear more from the song’s topline, as I think it would help Hypnotize stand out against so many other global dance tracks. However, its energy is upbeat and pleasant enough to have me bopping in spite of my misgivings. Hypnotize isn’t as interesting as GALA or as transportive as a classic house track can be, but it does a nice job showcasing XG’s various charms in a tight, enjoyable package.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I love the production, it’s beautiful, mystical yet also engaging. But like you said, it suffers from lack of standout hooks and imo, a shorter arrangement as well, like if it has a compelling hook like Chisa’s pre-chorus in Gala, it could do a lot better, but the “hypnotising~” hook is also engaging and beautifully arranged and executed, just as not strong as Gala’s. And as for shorter arrangement, the outro is a bit too short, and could have had a fun instrumental outro or a stronger last chorus, and this might affect its longevity. But overall, it’s a great song from them.
8.5 (8, 9, 8, 9) for me.
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I was thinking three things at the same time while I was listening: 1) sounds like a lot of fun 2) I don’t know enough about house music to know how unique this is because it does not sound unique but it still sounds like fun. 3) no score from me because I have no idea how to grade this but it still sounds like a lot of fun.
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This is just GALA but more vocal works. Is it good? Hell yeah
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GALA is still their best but this one is good too. love the 90s house beat. I much prefer TAKE MY BREATH on the album though and I hope they promote it after.
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The visuals tho holy sht.. no one else like them.
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Pretty solid track! I do like the general club-track trajectory they are on, but I think the weakness here is that some experimentation, sonically, is sacrificed for that sound. It’s a good one, but not really an untested one? I will say this, that ending leg (sung part of the bridge especially) is really good, although my biggest gripe is the fact that there isn’t some big outro to follow on that last chorus. An ending dance break would have really serviced this track.
Straight 8. It’s good, although I feel it’s missing some things that can be satisfied with a good remix.
P.S. unrelated, but if you really liked underscore’s Do It, there is an Yves remix unleashed today that’s also pretty good.
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