This year, I’ve been pining for a musical highlight that captures the summer energy while also being… you know… a good song. Those have been very hard to come by the past few weeks, but there are a few active groups who have a track record of releasing nothing but bangers. And, dangling off in the distance has been the promise of TWS’s second Japanese single Soda Soda. It feels like they’ve been teasing this song for years now and if I had my way they would’ve released it at the beginning of the season. Thankfully, we’ve finally reached its digital release day.
Soda Soda retains the group’s trademark fresh energy, running it through a city pop lens. Modern takes on city pop can often be a bit too reserved for me, but true to form TWS injects the sound with plenty of verve. There are musical hallmarks throughout that capture the summery aesthetic I’ve been craving — mainly the splashy synth brass that buoys each chorus and hits a welcome crescendo during the addictive post-chorus hook. Soda Soda opts for easy-listening over bombastic centerpieces, which means it will probably play better over the long run than it does on first listen.
Another aspect I’m very thankful for is Soda Soda‘s length. We get a full song here, complete with a bridge. This does wonders for its overall flow and sense of completion. And as we’ve come to expect from TWS’s music, the melodies are bright and well-written, allowing the guys to belt out plenty of moments with full panache. If I’m trying to be completely objective (which is difficult with a group I appreciate so much), Soda Soda is perhaps a touch slight compared to their bigger and bolder singles, but I’m already expecting it to raise up to a “9” once I’ve had more time with it.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
Grade: B+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Given the songs that comes out this year, i think this is a very much a good song. Probably 8.9/10 for me.
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So cute and I really appreciate this energy but I have a slight problem😭
It may be because I’m fresh of anxiety meds but some of the parts of the songs really make me cringe like part of the intro and the part after the chorus😭
Also I feel this really reminds me of surf by nct wish which I love!
8/10😍
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You’re so right! It does have a very similar vibe to Surf!
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funny you say that because Soda Soda and Surf have the same composer, parkmoonchi!
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Omg thats so funny! It’s like a city pop version of surf! 😂
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As bright and as bubbly as its namesake! Definitely got a breezy summer feel to it. I don’t think I’m too big on these types of songs, but given how this summer in K-pop has been going so far TWS’s spin on this sound does leave me feeling refreshed.
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TWS songs never disappoint, the choreo, song theme *chef kiss. 9/10 from me. probably my top summer music alongside boy meet girls nct wish 🙂
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love love love this. it flows so well, the chorus hits just right. this is classic pop songwriting.
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To think that half of TWS members made songwriting (composing) debut for this song.
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they’re being taught well!
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This song mogs “You, You” to death. It’s easily a 9!
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tbh sodasoda > you,you 😭
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Dang u’re right. In hindsight, You You was such a flop and disappointment.
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not that flop, they should make ATP as the tt not you,you
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Fair enough. The song felt not much impactful compared to their previous ones. Neither here nor there. ATP should’ve been the tt like u said.
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Don’t even stan TWS but I’m so glad I gave this a listen. I love the hints of falsetto and layers that aid the groovy beat. This was so pleasant and I could feel the happiness bursting from their vocals. I won’t lie when I say that TWS’s discography is really consistent compared to their labelmates and 5th gen peers. Only time will tell if I truly stan them but I’m definitely adding this to my playlist
9(9,9,9,9)
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I really like the production here, it sounds really nostalgic like a Japanese 90’s commercial – which is definitely a compliment because I like this kind of feeling.
I would say the intro is totally the highlight as it arouse a lot of feeling in me.
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will you ever do a career in song ratings for TWS?
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Yes! I’ll probably start doing a few early-2024 debuts soon.
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i predict TWS to be in the legendary category. or at the very least, very high 8 average
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I can’t think of a TWS title track that’s below a 9, so I would guess the average will be 9+!
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does anyone know what that kind of sound is at 1:45 – 1:48, I hear that kind of thing in other songs which sounds great but I don’t know what it is exactly..
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You’re so right! I didn’t even really notice it before, but it’s in so many kpop songs. It sounds like a synth of some kind doing a descending chromatic scale!! I don’t know if it has an exact name though…
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if you find any more songs that have something similar to that, please lmk!
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Oh TWS you never miss 😮💨 love this and it’s perfect for the season – wish they released this earlier in the summer! The MV is also adorable 🥹
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The mv is one of their best imo. I wish they’d film a full-on coming-of-age drama because that’s what videos like this remind me of!
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Oh I’d love that so much! And yes, they’ve basically mastered the coming-of-age themed MVs! This is one of my new favourites from them too, and it’s also 5 mins long which was a pleasant surprise too 🙂
Not to mention this MV is also quite refreshing during this current landscape of AI slop MVs terrorizing K-pop… 💀
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The good old T-ARA drama ver. MV type would suit this. Just make it a 16 minutes short film, TWS!
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this is awesome! The long, melodic chorus plus the addictive post chorus is so sick
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TWS really can never go wrong with bright and cheerful songs. Its like they were made for this this kind of image. Let’s hope they never fall to the dark side of boygroups noise music like NCT and Stray Kids.
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Im pretty sure this was always the image for them! jihoon said he had to remove all his piercings for the debut and he didn’t understand why but when they saw the group concept they understood why!
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Really cute song, bright, poppy. Pure spun sugar fluff. It’s hard to not at least like this song if not love it.
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this is actually unrelated but so funny, but there is this near unknown group https://youtu.be/ZXaj6swgTGs?si=QVdO3tBUtN6GaO-cthat like i’ve never seen before and randomly stumbled upon them, by no means extraordinary but it was funny to find
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It doesn’t immediately jump out as a classic but their discography is A1 so we naturally all have higher standards for them.
I really enjoy the adlibs in the bridge into the final chorus. TWS really know how to end a song. When I hit play on their singles even if I’m not enraptured from the start I’m always happy by the end.
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On the other hand the b-side “Palm Tree” is among the worst TWS songs, but hey, it’s easy enough to ignore lol
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Palm Tree sounds worse when they sang it during tht special showcase but upon hearing the audio version i really liked it. Not my type of songs ofc but i get the vibes. 7.75/10 for me.
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Nick , would u make a buried treasure for Palm Tree too? It sounds really good too. Although im not sure it’s the type tht u like or not .
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Omg jinx, kind of. lol
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Maybe! I think I like it more than most do, though I have my issues with it as well.
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Understandable. I really liked this song. However i cant help but think the intro sounds like all those Persona 4 ost. Not that i complain tho, i really love those Persona osts.
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You literally won them another stream with this lol this actually makes me like the song more… yesss I can feel it im at Iwatodai station or whatever ahhh it feels so good. Need the instrumental version fr lol
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On another note, Hanjin got so much lines in this single. 21 seconds in Soda2 , 20+ seconds for Palm Tree, and 10+ seconds for SN (This has always been his most title track lines so far). Nearly a minute for a 3 songs single. Glad Pledis has finally giving him chance.
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