Back in May, we watched as the previously nine-member ZEROBASEONE splintered into two different groups and re-debuted. Both acts released very strong material that co-existed well and made me believe that there was room enough for each to be successful. The newly-reconfigured ZB1 has yet to make their next comeback as a five-piece, but today AND2BLE is back with their second mini album and title track French Kissing.
Producers LDN Noise are having something of a renaissance this year. Their name pops up most often when I think of K-pop’s mid-2010s — specifically work from SM acts. However, they’ve composed a string of bangers in 2026. Despite this, French Kissing sounded like the least interesting track on this album’s highlight medley, mired in the kind of mid-tempo moodiness that’s smothered so many boy groups before. I thought the same about AND2BLE’s debut from its teasers, and ended up loving Curious over time. I’m hoping the same will happen with French Kissing, but I’m less optimistic.
This is a style of boy group fare I don’t tend to enjoy that much. From the lurching synths to the tinny percussion and repetitive hook, it’s the track boy groups pull out when they want to attempt a “sexy” concept, and thus feels more like a concept in search of a song rather than the other way around. The truncated melodic lines allow for plenty of singing, but not in a way that connects them in service of a narrative build. It’s a string of individual peaks in search of a larger payoff. Hopefully the album delivers in a more compelling way because AND2BLE are some of my favorite “rookies” of the year.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
1.Haunted
Analysis: This track carries an Imagine Dragons-esque feel, especially with that skittering percussion element in the chorus. I can see what they were aiming for with a spooky, Halloween-inspired theme, but I ultimately find it a bit lacking in execution. That said, the distorted vocal effects in the bridge were a really nice, atmospheric touch!
2. French Kissing
Analysis: LDN NOISE has certainly been busy this year! While they craft incredible beats nine times out of ten, this particular production feels slightly step-below tracks like KickFlip’s “Kick Off the Wall,” ALD1’s “Born Dire,” or KiiKii’s “404.” The beat feels a bit dry to me, and we unfortunately don’t get to hear their vocals shine as prominently as we did on “Curious.” The chorus also feels a bit dry and doesn’t quite come across as genuine, though the bridge does offer some nice, refreshing dynamic shifts.
3. Potion
Analysis: A house-infused track that shares a similar energy to ZEROBASEONE’s “Exotic” from earlier this year. However, I didn’t quite love some of the stylistic choices made here—most notably the somewhat empty-feeling chorus that relies on repeating vocal grunts.
4. Beautiful
Analysis: Another LDN NOISE track on the very same EP?! Much respect to them for their work (and a heartfelt thanks for giving us classic gems like Shinhwa’s “Sniper” and f(x)’s “Rude Love” over the years!). Unlike “French Kissing,” this one carries that fantastic, relentless drive characteristic of 3rd-generation EDM hits. The bridge truly brings the entire track to life, paying a wonderful homage to that era while painting the group in a fresh, creative light. It actually reminds me of f(x)’s 4 Walls album, where LDN NOISE crafted a B-side that surpassed the title track. This might just be the absolute highlight of the EP!
5. Worth It
Analysis: This makes for a slightly stronger album closer than usual, brought to life by a sleek rock sheen that wraps up the project nicely.
Final Thoughts
I can tell this group is still in the process of discovering their true musical color, and that is perfectly fine! Art is a journey, and not every artist finds the sound that clicks right off the bat. The key moving forward will be finding that sweet spot between a strong vocal showcase and compelling melodies. On “Curious,” we heard their vocals loud and clear with a distinct sense of direction. On “French Kissing,” however, the members’ personality got a bit lost under a draggy production flow.
It simply takes time and patience, and I look forward to seeing them release some singles in the vein of “Beautiful.” They clearly possess all the vocal talent capable of conquering the dancefloor. May they continue to grow in their gifts!
Overall Album Rating:8.15)
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Imagine Dragons is such an apt description. That’s exactly why Haunted sounds so dated to me.
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yeah this is not good 😭 it’s the weakest track on the album (which is thankfully stronger than their debut). Beautiful is an amazing early 2010s-inspired EDM track, which could easily be my favorite track if not for Worth It. it’s very NCT DREAM, it sounds so beautiful (pun unintended) and makes me emotional, and I’m always down for that in my pop music.
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