Yves’s solo career has been marked by collorations with buzzy global artists. When last we saw her on this blog, she paired with PinkPantheress — an artist with outsized influence on the current state of K-pop’s girl groups. For new single Nail, she’s teamed up with American singer Lolo Zouaï. The song doesn’t stray too far from the hyperpop-adjacent work Yves released last year.
I’m pleased that Yves has found a consistent sound that’s working for her. There’s much to be mined from the more experimental side of pop music and Nail plays with some interesting percussion. Its central drum loop is resounding and persistent, lending the track an almost incantational energy. The lower end of this instrumental is pretty awesome. But me being me, I wish the whole thing moved at more of a clip so that we could take advantage of the embodied thrill a dynamic bed of percussion can provide. Instead, Nail unfolds in a far more threatening way. The song feels as if it’s ready to pounce at any moment, whispered vocals and all.
This approach adds tension, but (me being me, pt.2) I’m craving the payoff this tension seems to promise. It’s okay for energy to be left unresolved, but this has become such a touchstone in modern K-pop that a damn good payoff would feel ballsier than this constant tease. What we end up with plays more like an appetizer than the main course. It’s a beguiling mood, but the glutton in me feels hungry for more.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I really wish we got more of what we heard in the trailer/chorus, that part is so addictive to listen to, i’m a bit disappointed by the emptiness in the verses
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As a big hyperpop fan, I’ve been following YVES closely. Loved White Cat and Viola but since I found her music a bit too muted and relying on western sounds/ collabs. NAIL gives good album track rather than single, I feel BREAK IT is the true single on the EP.
production flawless as always.
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Completely agree. I’ve had break it on loop all night. The melody and instrumental are exceptional.
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I do think Yves would benefit from going more out there. I feel like that’s why artists outside of the direct KPop sphere like Sumin (Miniseries 1/2, Oo Da Da, Sichimi) have really stuck with me for a while. Something grounding within the more airy herpop Yves’s been doing or some new characteristic for her music would help a lot. I don’t dislike this, but I get what people are saying.
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love yves to death but her music is usually more miss than hit for me; as always im glad she has the freedom to execute her vision but i think her releases have been getting less and less substantial with every cb. there’s not really a lot to work with here
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If you want a greater Yves track from this year, I think you might like her “Do It” remix with Underscores. I think that’s still my favorite song from this year omg.
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I’m very intrigued and interested by the work Yves put out this time. I’ve been following her since Soft Error, and I think this progression is just right for her. You can just tell by her social media activity and involvement in her music that this really is the direction she wants to go for in her career.
Not to mention that she also seems to be a student of the influences she and her producers are pulling from for this EP. I really enjoyed how you can tell Oklou and FKA Twigs were inspirations for this project but she’s putting her stamp on it as an artist.
As per this song, it is not very immediate but it caught my attention thanks to its production and atmosphere, much like FKA Twigs and Oklou do in a lot of their music. I think that for a more melodic track there’s It or Break It on her EP, but regardless, this song is masterfully produced and I’m slowly becoming a fan of hers.
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Well I’m not bored. Creepy, threatening and queer. I’m here for it.
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idk i’d give it a 9/10
it’s something new and not the same thing i’ve been hearing over and over from other female soloists which I appreciate
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