A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
After my first listen to Palm Tree, I was left with a few questions. First, why are TWS shouting “P-p-p-palm tree!” at me? Second, is “palm tree” some sort of dirty euphemism? Because that’s pretty out of character for this group. Several listens later — against all my expectations — I can’t get enough of the song.
Yeah, I’m sure some of this is down to bias, but the combination of TWS’s specific x factor and their colorful collection of vocal tones sells even the kind of song that would have me cringing in the hands of other groups. Rather than coming across as posturing or trying too hard to be clever/catchy, TWS’s natural goofiness turns a song like this into silly, shout-along fun.
I’m obsessed with the loungey vocal sample that opens and carries through much of Palm Tree. The house beat that follows has a drowsy, off-kilter appeal echoed by the strange series of hooks that form the track’s chorus. There’s plenty of singing surrounding Palm Tree‘s spoken bits, but its centerpieces tend to wander around rather than get straight to the point. This causes the song to lack climax, but each hook is weirdly addictive in its own way and I appreciate how the groove never fractures even as the songwriting does.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This song is so quirky it feels like it belongs in a katamari damacy game, especially the vocal sample.
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Great reference point! And now it makes me wish there was a Katamari level that involved wreaking havoc in a lounge/club with this playing on top of it all.
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I was expecting a cunty track from the opening but I still like what we got, it’s a very fun listen
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Potent palm tree energy 🌴🌴🌴 8.25
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the song initially annoyed me when they revealed it at the showcase bc of the shouting. it has grown on me a lot though. it sounds so much better when you’re playing it while working out or doing smth active. lol the palm tree hook has been stuck in my head since
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Idk why this song makes me feel so scandalous and slutty but I love it😍
8.75/10😍
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Look at this palm palm palm palm palm palm tree! is quite the lyric.
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Like some others, I too felt annoyed by the shouting during their special showcase. However upon listening to the audio version I really really liked it so much! But I can’t help to ponder tht their opening sounds like all those Persona 4 oats. Not that I’m complaining tho coz I really loved those OST.
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I like it and I agree that somehow in TWS’ hands the song feels more fun than shouty but I still can’t help but laugh when I hear “look at this PALM PALM PALM PALM PALM PALM TREE” hahaha
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Guess it’s just a… Palm Palm Palm Palm Palm Palm Treeeeeeeee…..
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Idk why it’s fun when they said that.
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LMAO this song kinda niightclub vibe, and drunk vibe too. maybe i will ask DJ to play this song when i go to the nightclub KEKEKE
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The group is free to experiment with their B-sides and Nick is right that this kind of song ultimately come down on bias. I know nothing about the group dynamic and the members personalities so I did not really connect with the song although I liked many of TWS past songs. The groove is alright, but I did not find anything noteworthy to be categorized as Buried Treasure. Well its good as long as it entertained you well bro
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