JYP’s NiziU have straddled the line between Japanese and Korean promotions, finding the most success in the former market. In this way, they’re almost the opposite of fellow Nizi Project winners NEXZ. Title track Sour Grapes is their latest Korean work, spearheading a new mini album.
This song repaints NiziU with a chic aura, easily standing as their coolest sounding Korean track yet. From its production to vocal phrasing, it dutifully follows current trends, which results in a song that could have been delivered by just about any of their peers. However, it’s a decent iteration of these trends, placing its sing-talk hooks over a propulsive dance beat. As per usual, the instrumental is quite muted, delivering on the tempo but not so much the energy. This dulls Sour Grapes‘ appeal, but what can you do in a market that’s currently allergic to risk?
My main issue with Sour Grapes is that it feels like a short music clip repeated on a loop. I’m all about songs that have progression. I want music to feel almost like a narrative — not just one catchy TikTok sound on repeat. Sour Grapes doesn’t really go anywhere, which means unlike a great narrative you lose interest as the song is playing. That’s the exact opposite of how song structure should work and results unfullfilled potential and a track that feels more like style than substance.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
Please listen to the b-sides this time around. They are very good
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Instrumental had potential with its nice stomp and drive, especially during the bridge. However, the chorus ends up being a bit too abrasive and annoying to the ear.
7.5(7,8,8,7)
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It sounds like an NMIXX song that just didn’t fit that group for whatever reason and so JYP re-assigned it. There is a lot going on sonically and yet it sounds very lightweight. Like they tried to be too clever with the beeps and boops just to have clever stuff happen. Or maybe I am just overthinking it.
I might give it a flat 8.
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I believe there is no need to make this an almost 3-minute track when the song already exhausted all its idea trope in less than one and a half minute. Other song in the album like emoji or into the dawn was more interesting for me.
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