With their new album, Close Your Eyes have taken the unlikely move of fusing jazz with K-pop. It’s not that this has never been done before, but it’s certainly outside of current trends. So far, this approach resulted in the very strong Open Your Eyes, which really leaned into the concept. Title track Drop That! is more hesitant to go full bore, keeping one foot furmly planted in expected boy group tropes.
In this case, that means melding jazz samples with an old-school hip-hop beat. While I appreciate the influx of energy, this sound is more familiar — and thus, less interesting — to me. Much of this is due to Drop That‘s monotonous hook, which is essentially the kind of chant-rap we hear from so many other acts. Without its ear-catching samples creating a unique backdrop, the song itself is quite generic and very lacking in memorable melody.
For me, Close Your Eyes thrive most when given incredible melodies to work with. I don’t see them as a hip-hop group and maybe that’s my fault, but their singing voices (and harmonies) have such unique appeal that it’s disappointing when they’re not taken advantage of. And unlike other chant-heavy CYE songs like SOB, the instrumental here doesn’t do enough to compensate for the lack of songwriting imagination. I’m afraid this is a case of the pre-release far outshining the title track.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
Their worst title track so far, and it’s the same given how fantastic their singles run have been up till now.
7 (6, 8, 7, 7) for me
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Completely agree on the review. Rating same. Seems to be another case of brainrotted TT choices, cuz the rest of the album is quite strong! Reminds me of the debut.
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this is sadly a chop. it’s so unmemorable.
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The whole album feel so light weighted, as if the water flow without any splash. I can’t say I dislike it, but I wish they could go all out in jazzy approach.
I still in love with their Jazz remix full album teaser:
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There is possibly a good song buried in here, but it is all obscured by bad sample choices. The vocal line is actually pretty nice in parts of the verses – maybe someone has already isolated just that and dropped out the hip hop beat and That Creepy sample. The chorus is mid.
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i kinda like this more than open your eyes because i prefer jazz inspired boom bap over aimless ‘ain’t i so cultured’ jazzwankery but it’s not a favorite. still as a group who is very hit or miss for me due to their first titles welding their sound to some of my least liked trends this album does set a path that could lead to much better songs in the horizon
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This is what they chose to promote!?! It feels more like an intro to an album than a fully realized song. Beat remains relaxed and not as dynamic as Open Your Eyes. I enjoy the 90s throwback feel but this song leans too much on vibes.
I was hoping we would get a song similar to Suju’s Black Suit as that is how you do a throwback sound correctly. Still I’m curious to see what’s in store for them in the future.
7.75(7,8,8,8)
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It’s not bad, it’s just little bit unmemorable. Hopefully they will get better material for their next comeback
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Why do I feel like I’m listening to something by idntt? Sadly, from the teasers I suspected this was going to veer into traditional boy group territory. Slowly Bleed with its lush instrumental is the highlight of the album for me.
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This is just another boring hip-hop tune sprinkled with a bit of jazz tune. Without any colorful melody variation or strong beat to anchor the song, it just sounded so tedious to listen. Hardly any gems worth mentioning in the album except the pre-release track too.
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