For every exciting sonic statement of intent from Jennie, we seem to get at least two dull tracks that attempt to shoehorn her into current pop trends. The trouble is, “current pop trends” tend to be incredibly beige these days. I recently had a revelation about the pop industry as a whole. Rather than take its overriding gestalt from big, dramatic performance-based artists of decades past (Madonna, Janet, Britney, Gaga, etc), we’re living in the post-Taylor Swift pop lineage of “relatable,” lyric-and-vibes driven material.
To this, I posit the following questions: “Aren’t you bored? Isn’t this boring?”
Less Than A Lover is pop music on Ambien, designed to make absolutely no noise but instead settle its way into your airpods and streaming algorithms. I’m sure the lyrics will be relatable to someone, as vague and generic as they are, and the song’s gentle, atmospheric strum will offend no one. The repetitive hook is meant to be an earworm but instead feels like a recurring visit from the sandman. At about two and a half minutes, Less Than A Lover passes by before you know it, though by this time you’re likely half asleep already so it could last for about twenty minutes and you’d hardly register the difference.
So, I return to the core question: “Aren’t you bored?” I sure am. This isn’t pop star as virtuosic, untouchable inspiration. This is the absolute bare minimum, produced with monotony and indifference in mind yet delivered like it’s the most artistic statement you’ve ever heard. As listeners of pop music, we deserve more than this. In fact, we should demand it from those at the top of the pop pyramid.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 6 |
| Longevity | 6 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6.25 |
Grade: D
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
nick i think u rated this song wrong, is it supposed to be a 6.75 or 6.25?
oh yeah i was supposed to talk about the song? is there really anything to talk about something as fucking boring as this?
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Ah, thank you! Trying to do too much at once with three bad songs to write about in quick succession…
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Sometimes pop music is just vibes. I like it.
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If only it were just sometimes!
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I am afraid that not even jennie godly visual could stop me from yawning while watching the video or saving this whole dull uninspired song.
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It is just not very remarkable, it reminds me of Irene’s album from earlier this year or CHU’s latest output as well. I would say they all share the fact that they’re just ok music but there is not much to latch on to. I don’t mind a breezy or simplistic production, but the song could’ve used some more work with the melody so that it didn’t fall short in the way it did.
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I’m a massive Reveluv so I’m very biased. But there’s really nice gems hidden on Irene’s album, Like Face to Face and Black Halo. So please listen to them! I enjoyed the album! And regarding Biggest Fan itself, there’s a lot of vocal layers in it which I really appreciate and really made the song interesting
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I think the thing about kpop artists trying to go the “Taylor Swift” route is that they dont understand u actually have to write lyrics that are of substance for a song like that to work. Tell us a story, be specific, make us care. If the production or the melodies aren’t going to be as strong, then the lyrics better be interesting.
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I 100% agree with you on this one. Jennie seems to like being mysterious, so I think that’s why she went with vague lyrics. If I don’t watch the MV, honestly so boring. I don’t mind Jennie. If anything I came to like her more recently, but it is quite disappointing. Definitely music these days are no where near back in the days, but still are so popular.
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did you guys see that she tried to steal credits from the director and writer.
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Did you guys see that she tried to steal credits from the director and writer….
On the teaser everything is directed, written and music by jennie alone, but at the end of the music video, the director is entirely someone else, and writer is also someone else and it is produced by someone else as well.
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Speaking of pop, Nick, what’s your rating on Ariana’s album petal?
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I’ve only listened to samples but that was enough for me. I’ve never been much of a fan and even less so these past few album cycles (though Eternal Sunshine was pretty good). The subdued, angry/complaining vibes aren’t for me
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