Along with his work in One Pact, Jay Chang has had a side career as a soloist. This makes sense given his talents as a vocalist. Not many idols can effectively drive an entire song on their own, but his voice has the polish and weight to make any material compelling. He’s already tried his hand at a few different genres, and new single Higher takes him into groovier territory.

These kind of bass-driven, midtempo tracks are a dime a dozen in K-pop — especially from male soloists. I tend to lose interest by the second verse simply because I’ve heard this exact template so many times. One element that makes Higher a bit different is its steady kick. This is largely due to the backing of an actual band, which fills out the percussion beyond the usual slinky sample we usually hear. This alone buoys Higher‘s prospects and Chang’s smooth vocal further heightens the song’s appeal. It’s an example of so-so material being elevated by its execution. I don’t know how often I’ll return to this, but I’d still call it a success.

Grade: B-