Japanese mega-girl group/collective Sakurazaka46 recently released a few stunning singles, which got me thinking about what a 20+ member group can sound like. In my mind, the music should be as immense as the configuration, and I haven’t often felt that way about tripleS’s output. Their songs feel too small for their concept, and I keep waiting for them to blow their sound wide open.
We inch closer to that moment with new title track Baby Flower, which takes them down a propulsive, rock-infused route. The song boasts more than a little of the “powerful innocence” concept re-popularized by GFriend a decade or so ago, which isn’t surprising given producer EL CAPITXN‘s involvement in the track. His work with AHOF has pointed toward a fondness for the sounds of K-pop’s mid-2010s, and I would love nothing more than that kind of songcraft to make a resurgence this year. Baby Flower isn’t up there with the best of the genre (that’s a tall order to fill!), but it tries its heart out and that’s a very winning formula.
So many K-pop tracks these days function firmly in the “I”. “I’m the best. I’m your bias. I’ll make it lemonade.” In contrast, Baby Flower feels like a good old fashioned “we” song. “We can do it. We’ll get ’em!” I’ve always preferred this approach and I admire the musical ambition on display here. The song climaxes with a few high notes that feel uncomfortably executed (24 members and you couldn’t get them to sing together?), but overall this is good, rousing fun in a classic, anthemic style.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Nothing for me to complain about here, definitely their best release as a group thus far. Though I wished it had a more GFriend-esque sound to it.
8.75(8,9,9,9) for now
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It’s a welcoming sound for these girls, for a big group, we really could use an operatic-esque sound, like go crazy, put in some genre-switches, a grand finale with all members singing, but this is not bad!
8.25 (8, 8, 9, 8) for me
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Dreamcatcher and Girlfriend would be proud. Finally TripleS delivered a banger! 9/10 easily
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Idk I liked the high notes😌
8.5/10😌
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Agree with others its very GFriend adjacent by way of the AKB48-style franchises. I think the production could have been tighter, the vocals less processed and samey-samey sounding, but on balance it’s a solid kpop song.
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I hate how they keep going with the we thing while insisting on giving 24 members 3-second lines instead of letting them sing together… Their voices already sound thin as it is, stack them together so they sound fuller.
(An issue with a lot of Modhaus tracks–vocals always seem to miss the mark somehow.)
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the fact that they dont sing together or harmonize more often is my biggest gripe with tripleS’ management. like, you have so many choices and options to see who sounds the best together and somehow the best decision is to *still* make them sing individual parts? personal stuff aside, i like the hook and production! 8.5 from me as well
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I love it! Wouldn’t have expected tripleS (which already is my current favorite group) to do a GFriend-esque concept, but they executed it so well! They also still retain their own color and the signature la-la-la-s.
As for the high notes, I enjoyed them myself. Dahyun did a great job, imo, and it gives the song a clear highlight.
8.75-9 for me right now, but I’m pretty sure it’ll still rise.
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the best one among today’s ggs comeback
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These girls really like to use ‘la la la’ too much. I know it’s their signature thing to do, but I still wish they would take a break. Otherwise the song is a 7.7 to 8 for me. I hope the rest of the album is good.
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