Repackage Albums are a lost art in K-pop and are more likely to be called “deluxes” if they happen at all. BOYNEXTDOOR are bringing the form back with an expanded edition of their June album Home. I really liked that album’s three promoted tracks but didn’t care much for the b-sides. New title track Animal brings a completely different energy to the table, tackling the industry’s favorite trend of the moment: talking over a club beat.

With Animal, the group has attempted a sound closer to hardstyle, offering a clobbering beat that starts at an “11” and never really lets up. This production goes a long way toward selling the song… which isn’t actually much of a song at all. This is an excuse to get loud and rowdy, released just in time to kick off the group’s upcoming global tour. I have no doubt the song will be fun in a live setting (I’ll get back to you after I see them in November), but I wish the music offered more to sink my teeth into when it comes to structure and payoff. It’s like one long freakout without the connective tissue that makes the explosive highs worth it.

Because of this, I can’t help but hear Animal as an interlude or intro instead of a complete song on its own. Its short runtime bears this out in a frustrating way and too much of the song is given over to forgettable, formless sing-talk that seems designed to fill time rather than stand as a highlight of its own. It’s a frustrating listen because this could have been excellent.

Grade: C