Amidst the hottest artists of the moment making comebacks today, we have a K-pop veteran in the mix. Rain hasn’t released new material in awhile, but his name still carries weight within the industry. He’s even been able to rack up a viral hit every now and then, though it’s been some years since his last notable release.
For new single Feel It (너야), Rain goes back to what he does best. The song is smooth and soulful, placing his husky voice over a brass-kissed R&B beat. It’s music made by and for a different generation, limiting its chart fortunes. And within this nostalgic genre, Feel It doesn’t do much to distinguish itself. The song is a gentle balm with enough swing to get your shoulders moving, but its ambition is decidedly low. Rain’s performance is similarly subdued. His voice is still a force to be reckoned with, even if the song doesn’t give him much to do. If K-pop had an “adult contemporary” station, Feel It would be on rotation there. There’s nothing wrong with that, though I doubt I’ll remember this song in a month’s time.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
First time commenting here! The new Rain song is a little flat for me. In the video there’s NO smile with no colors either, all that gives me is a bland impression.
For a song that says to “dance” and “shake” there’s not any instinct to MOVE AROUND to the energy. Also the voice has no hype to go with those instructions, where is the background shouting for fun?
For comparison please listen to Disco no Kamisama by tofubeats and then Love Is Waiting by Kylie. Those are a party compared to Feel It.
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Rain’s ‘It’s Raining’ was the very first kpop MVs an old friend of mine made me watch back in the day, so Rain is a foundational idol for me. Even if he’s seldom been my favourite, he’s still a favourite, and he was absolutely everywhere in 2007-2008 when I was first getting my bearings in kpop which I understand makes me sound very old but too many have forgotten or just don’t realise what a force he was back then.
In my opinion he’s at his best when he sounds, looks, feels imperious – It’s Raining, Rainism, Hip Song, 30 SEXY, I’ll even (happily) put LA SONG in this category (and will not entertain any comparisons between it and Gang!)
Feel It is so smooth it glides past almost without notice and that’s probably by design. I knew from the teasers exactly what to expect and that is exactly what we got… -30db SEXY. The cynical part of me thinks he’s belatedly trying to undo the damage Gang did (weirdly not all viral is entirely good viral) or at least put a stop to the jokes and memes it unleashed lol. And you know what, whatever, he can do whatever he wants, he’s earned it. I feel like with legacy artists, you reach a point where you can’t ask anything more of them other than to stick around (if they actually want to) and I don’t ask anything more of Rain these days, other than maybe another Waterbomb appearance.
He’s still one of the most dynamic, charismatic live performers that kpop has – go watch his episode of Take 1 on Netflix for recent, easy proof. Or take yourself all the way back to 2013 MAMA for much, much less recent proof. This song is inessential to the point it’s disposable. Rain isn’t.
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while I agree with you there’s something about this song that I enjoy. It has definitely made its way onto my playlist. Maybe it’s nostalgia 🤔
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Oh yes the nostalgia is strong in this one. Rain. Or should I say RAIN!!!
Y’all think the kpop Hallyu wave in the US started with BTS or perhaps Gangnam Style. Nope, it was Rain. Or should I say RAIN!!!
The back story: There was an internet competition for Time 100 Most Influential People. Stephen Colbert was winning until the Rain fanclub showed up to vote, and how. This went on for weeks. Rain and whatever his fanclub are called of course won. Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert is concluding his current late night show next week, so who knows, maybe RAIN!!! will show up (…. probably not).
Fortunately with the web these days, someone saved this one for all of us. Thanks web people!
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Bonus clip: JYP himself on Conan, ft Twice and Wonder Girls, back when.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2mqrzKHb3w
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