Over the past few years, JUSTB have been playing around with hyperpop, reinventing themselves as an alternative to K-pop’s mainstream idol groups. Now, they’ve returned with a concept album of sorts, and that concept is K-pop itself. This reminds me of the early-2000s group that was actually called “K-pop” (not a great SEO choice!). For new single Party Time (난리나), JUSTB don’t travel that far back into history, but they do deliver an ode to early-2010s electro excess.
I’m cautiously optimistic that this era will provide a major touchstone for the next year or so of K-pop releases. The trend has bubbled up slowly but surely and the massive, out-the-gate success of A2O Lite’s Neon may be the crack that finally bursts the dam. Party Time takes a somewhat less commercial stab at the sound. The song retains some of JUSTB’s hyperpop edge. You can hear it in the way the instrumental is cobbled together. The heavy production and incessent focus on the mid-range is very much a product of the internet era. In this way, it’s a reference to its inspiration rather than a full re-creation.
Because of this, I’m of two minds when it comes to Party Time. I’m about the biggest fan you could find of the material it’s referencing and that makes me extra critical. The song’s bones are sturdy, cycling through a melody that captures freewheeling energy in a real “hands in the air” fashion. It’s instantly familiar yet goes beyond simple pastiche. On the other hand, the entire track feels as if it’s been run through a blender with a generous heaping of studio effects thrown into the mix. From vocals to instrumental, there’s a highly processed texture that removes much of the urgency and human drama that are key to the success of this kind of song. These competing interests make it difficult to fully surrender to a track that wants you to lose your mind on the dancefloor.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B
It feels like the energy is set too low for its ambitions, like an 8 rather than the 10 it should be. But I like it, might grow on me.
Rating’s the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funfact: A20 Lite is not available on US Itunes yet. Alas. … … waiting patiently.
I actually like this song, like with a small ell.
To me, it sounds like the song has been eq’d within an inch of its life. All the points hit at exactly the same intesity. Also dental drill sounds in the headphones at times. Rating is about right. This is a good example of when the production and choices in the booth let the song down.
There are parts of the synths that have flavors of Teen Top’s classic “Rocking” – for the kids here go listen for how Teen Top’s producers alternate intensity levels. Also, the dance. Back in Teen Top rocking day, the idols had to dance and sign live live, so the dance is structured for slower and faster moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvEYguzOVNo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fellow iTunes user! A2O is in US iTunes, it’s just credited as A2O & A2O LITE. I had trouble finding it at first, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I finally found it by searching “NEON Kpop” and scrolling through song names.
LikeLike
I’m wondering if there’s something wrong with the mixing because I feel like I’m listening to the party next door…
LikeLike
It’s decent! And probably another one that’s fun to see live. But yeah, agree that the production tempers something that could’ve been greater.
I listened to the rest of the album, and I hope they release Ring Ring Ring as a single. That feels more like the fulfillment of what they’re trying to do here (hyperpop mixed with electro beats that made 2nd gen so fun to listen to).
LikeLike
Now that 2nd gen throwbacks are officially a trend we’re now reaching the issue of all nostalgia based trends which is that it’s all well and good to recreate a sound that’ll hit all the nostalgia levers in the brain but if you don’t actively make something new with that sound and put your stamp on it what’s stopping anyone from turning off your song and putting on the songs you’re clearly inspired by. Aka the student of pop dilemma. Unfortunately Party time falls into this category and altogether I’m disappointed in it and the ep for basically coming across as an unaltered greatest hits compilation of every mid tier boy group’s title tracks circa 2011 with little of the hooks and personality their 2025 fare showed they have.
LikeLiked by 1 person
listen man the closer kpop gets to jane remover-ificiation the happier i get. i mean no one in the gp rlly gives af abt cortis anymore were already making great progress. but ofc we still need more cortis endings regardless so a stream on this would be greatly appreciated
LikeLike
ok in all seriousness this song actually reminds me a lot more of frost children if we want an immeridate point of hyperpop (?) reference. specifically their more bonkers moments like this
LikeLike
I enjoyed listening to both this song and the album. My favorite is Narrow Gate, but for now, I added all the songs to the playlist.
LikeLike
It’s still perplexing how it wasn’t Supernova but Whiplash which had the largest impact on the k-pop scene, even though it was the former who was more commercially successful. Hopefully it’s different with Neon.
LikeLike
It sounds like they threw a wet blanket over top of a banger! 7
LikeLike