If you hang around K-pop fandom long enough, you’ll know that some truths are absolute. For example, when an agency announces that a boy group is showcasing a “new” sound or image, it almost always means they’re doing some form of dark and/or braggadocious hip-hop. It almost never means they’re doubling down on melody or opting for a brighter energy. That’s just how it is with agencies and their limited musical imaginations. This is all to say, Treasure’s newest mini album didn’t go down the route I’d hoped for (it’s pretty much all dark and/or braggadocious hip-hop), but I’ve found myself warming to title track If I anyway. What can I say? The little synth squiggles that interface with each chorus tickle my ears in a pleasant way.
Following If I, the guys have unveiled a music video for sub-unit HYUNHAYO, consisting of rappers Hyunsuk, Haruto, and Yoshi. This happens to be the other song on the EP I enjoy, even if just a bit. At its best, Nally-Na has the swaggering silliness of an old Block B track. This boisterous energy goes a long way toward selling a song called “Nally-Na” and if you turn your brain off and surrender to the clobbering, cumbersome beat you’ll probably have a good time.
The real shame is, Nally-Na grows much stronger during its final moments when a contrasting synth texture arrives to break up the monotony. I wish more of the song stretched its palette in this way. A repetitive “Nally-na, we like to party” hook is nothing to write home about. Like most of the song, it’s about as obvious as can be. But if all we’re doing here is reheating tropes, these ones are mildly satisfying in the right frame of mind.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
It’s silly, fun, but nothing interesting. Not their best unit track (in their defense, G.O.A.T and VolKno are too good lmao)
Rating’s the same and a little correction but Jaehyuk’s not in the unit, it’s Yoshi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn google search! 😅
LikeLike
This song is so dumb, I love it. Can’t wait to see them open a year-end show with it.
To be fair, Jaehyuk makes a cameo at the end of the MV.
If I has also strangely grown on me, mostly because of the wiggle choreo they do during the synth squiggles.
LikeLike
Oh, they are going nalina. It’s been a while since everyone was going crazy making nalina songs. This one reminds me of an alt-Block B Nalina if that song were made today.
LikeLike
while i do prefer sing-songy treasure over rap/hip-hop treasure and was surprised by them going the hip-hop route for their whole mini album, it was a pleasant surprise! IF I has been stuck in my head, and i fw Nally-Na so hard! such a fun head banger of a song to just turn up loud and have fun with. i do wish the other members had more lines overall in the album, but imo, def a great showing from them overall.
LikeLike
I was excited for a bit because I tricked myself into thinking it was a Nalina cover. The frat bro energy and that chorus is certainly dragging it down for me, but it at least has some earnest dedication to the time period its referencing (2012-16 Block B style stuff). I can also have this in its authenticity through the exact groups they are riffing off of.
7 (6,8,7,7) Not the worst thing I’ve heard all month.
LikeLike
While the title never grabbed my attention, this one was an instant like. They seem to be selling fun with it and I’m buying it!
LikeLike