All of a sudden, it feels like a certain type of EDM has taken over K-pop — or at the very least taken over HYBE Corporation. This isn’t an unwelcome development in my eyes (anything to kick up the industry’s tempo a bit!), but we haven’t yet arrived at the anthemic, melodic, euphoric early-2010s EDM that worked so well for K-pop in the past. Maybe we’ll get their eventually. For now, we have a surplus of oontz oontz techno beats and attitude-heavy sing-talk.
To their credit, LE SSERAFIM have upped the intensity a bit with moments of clobbering hardstyle throughout new single Celebration. Though I haven’t loved (or even liked) every song this group has released, I do admire that they take big swerves. Last year’s Spaghetti felt like a joke at first but ended up worming its way into my heart with time. Much of that was due to its sense of completeness, which is the exact opposite experience I come away with after Celebration. I enjoy the energy this song is giving, but there’s not much to it besides energy.
I know some readers roll their eyes when I inevitably compare new K-pop with older K-pop, but while listening to Celebration my mind couldn’t help but flash back to a song like T-ara’s 2014 hit Sugar Free. After all, they’re both chugging club tracks with big beat drops. Listening to these two songs back to back is a trip. Whereas Sugar Free has build and crescendo and story, Celebration is one limp siren call repeated over and over in a detached style that sacrifices the great drive fueling its instrumental. Yes, it sounds stylish, but there’s not much substance under the veneer — melodic or otherwise. The song is in desperate need of a counter-melody… something to break up the repetitive monotony of its structure. What a missed opportunity!
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
There are songs with much better effort in this style.
7.75 (7, 9, 7, 8) for me
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the verses are actually very stunning especially verse 2. i feel like we don’t often get verses where they just SING. this is like a party version of ash. it’s just way too short and is missing the extra length and production to jettison it into GREAT territory.
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all in all, it’s another performance song. i’m kinda curious what the album will sound like.. could it be different styles of edm?
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i mean yeah I completely agree w this sentiment but also the fact that one of the biggest groups in kpop is releasing a full blown hardstyle song is honestly incredible n I genuinely excited to see where it goes if this becomes a new trend in kpop
(but also i feel like aces 1st 2 singles would be a much better comparison to make)
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It reminds me of Smart, always stuck in one gear. We need more hooks and a more dynamic song. The producers were playing it way too safe!
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The song felt so fleeting, like it just came and went. Even with that short length it can be much more memorable, there a few Eurovision hardstyle songs that leave more of an impact than this one.
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I sadly agree. Somehow it just feels similar to like how many modern AAA games are relative indie games; more looks but less creativity. Like they are just too stupid, or even scared, of taking risks. Like the songs are customer-averaged investments or something. All the wasted potential is so frustrating.
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i like how the drop didnt even match the rest of the song. what a super uneventful song for a title like “celebrate”
(also thoughts on chrocktikals newest single? I liked it. I think their guitarist is supper unappreciated considering the riffs he pulls off in their songs)
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