After being formed on MNET’s Steal Heart Club, hrtz.wav made their debut earlier this year. I didn’t think much of that title track, though the band showed promise. Thankfully, their new album sounds like a major upgrade and Alive offers proof of their evolution. They even secured RIIZE’s Sungchan on the track (which feels very random!).
Alive isn’t all that different from Nineteen in spirit, but it’s bigger and bolder with a better hook. Its ascending chorus hits the sweet spot when it comes to “I want to sing along with this in my car” and offers the shot of catharsis you’d expect and hope for from a song like this. Hints of electric guitar add granduer to the arrangement while Sungchan’s second verse rap brings a different texture to the group’s soft rock sound. Alive is not seeking to reinvent any wheels nor is it likely to make much of a splash beyond the group’s core fanbase, but they’re definitely moving in the right direction.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B
Sweet spot indeed. It’s very sweet sounding, an easy 8 for sure!
LikeLike
I dunno, it sounds like another long form ad for just about anything. I suppose this is what passes for a solid pop song these days.
It could use a key change to brighten it right after the break. (Or even better, a mid-line key change like Jung Seung Hwan sometimes throws out there.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Released a couple months too late but still nice and sweet.
8
LikeLike
I think this song is wonderful! I also think a RIIZE feature is a bit random, but I actually enjoyed the rap section there, giving the song a nice switch up. I enjoyed their debut Nineteen and the b side Highlight, and I really enjoyed this song and their b side Mind.
Now now, does anyone here know what’s the deal with the drummer?
LikeLike
When I listened their debut EP earlier last month, I was afraid that their sound is too “vanilla” for me, but this album actually put them in a better sound direction overall. I enjoyed other tracks in this album more than their previous one, especially Sunday Morning and Thinkin’ Bout You.
LikeLike
It’s a very sweet, but cheesy and muted song. The chorus part is what I find most cheesy, like just the melody and the lyrics… Their vocals too are kinda so-so for me personally. But I’m only here for the Sungchan feature anyway and it satisfies my need to hear him rap longer verses in RIIZE songs. He really raps well and has a great tone – I love the little switch to a slightly more vocally melodic part.
LikeLike
It’s funny you mention the vocals because I feel the exact opposite. That’s one of the elements that’s won me over here. They’ve very clear and straightforward, which would not normally be a compliment from me but works very well for this genre. I found myself drawn to the singing and vocal arrangements throughout the album, actually.
LikeLike