RESCENE have had one hell of a 2026. Their 2024 single Love Attack enjoyed an unexpected resurgence to the very top of the charts, which alone would have been a huge achievement. But even more impressively, this success doesn’t seem to be limited to one hit. The group’s entire discography has seen a similar resurgence, suggesting that RESCENE aren’t simply being carried by casual listeners but have developed a core (and large!) fan base. Proving these claims further, new title track With rocketed right to number one upon its release.
Those assuming RESCENE would try to capitalize on Love Attack‘s sound will be surprised — and perhaps disappointed — by With. Rather than aim for the bright pop jugular, With is a more muted affair. It still features prominent singing and melody, but the overall vibe is reserved. The percussion is sprightly but soft, offering a fast tempo not so dissimilar from TWS’s Call My Name just yesterday. Drum and bass patterns lend the track plenty of propulsion, building to a climax during the chorus.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this chorus. An extended runtime allows With to fully develop its centerpiece and build toward a rousing finale where everything comes together, but the hooks themselves rely on short, repetitive lines that lack the punch I hope for in a song like this. I much prefer the moments when With stretches out its melodic structure and achieves a greater sense of lift.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B
Gosh they’re just the biggest thing in Korea right now huh? Rescene is my favorite gg, so I was really happy for them and their unexpected success, but I’m crossing my fingers it doesn’t lead to a dip in quality in favor of following trends. Thankfully this song is still very much authentic Rescene. On first listen, I’m sold on everything but the chorus melody haha, which is good and bad. As I keep listening, I’m sure it’ll grow on me, it’s just not as strong as some past singles. As always, the build into the developed final chorus and outro is a treat. 8.5 (8,9,8,9)
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Though I wished RESCENE came back with the style of LOVE ATTACK, I am not surprised that they chose With as their new release.
But I do like this one better than their other subdued but very soothing songs. I really appreciate how the drums skitter accross the beat and lead to a grand chorus beat.
The thing I like best is how vocal and sonically grand it is. I am a sucker for ad libs and this song has a ton of it. My favourite is Liv’s head voice in the final chorus.
It was a good listen for me.
I would rate the same.
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I think it is a good step for them to remain their status in Korea’s chart with this easy listening release, but such a missed opportunity to develop a better and stronger songs here.
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It’s pleasant and catchy! I kinda wish it was performed by Nmixx though, as I think it would be better served by a group that’s stronger vocally. I also wish the breakdown before the final chorus had either been longer or led into a key change. But definitely solid overall.
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1. Finest Thing
Analysis: This is so wonderfully chill and peaceful in the best way possible. I could easily picture a group like ILLIT releasing something with a similar atmosphere, but RESCENE adds their own distinct, lovely touch to this sound that I really enjoy. The vocal layering throughout the chorus works so well, too. If they had turned up the tempo just a bit, this could have developed into a really fantastic house track!
2. With
Analysis: Say what you will, but this carries a vibe very similar to TWS’s “Call My Name,” and I think I might actually like this just a tad bit more! That is likely because it runs a little longer, giving the arrangement more time to truly shine. The production sparkles during the chorus, where their soft vocals complement the melodic rise so beautifully.
The beat presses forward gracefully without any dreary stoppages before returning to that wonderful chorus. My absolute favorite part is the last 30 seconds, where everything unleashes—from soaring high notes to an extra push in the production—to cap off a truly compelling track. It has quickly become my second-favorite RESCENE song after “Heart Attack,” and it is dangerously close to surpassing TWS’s latest release in my book. We will see which one stands the test of time, but what a sweet blessing it is to have so much good music to enjoy!
3. Inside Out
Analysis: This track features such a nice sense of movement, sounding like a charming blend between old-school hip-hop and modern R&B. It definitely has a pleasant “mall background music” feel, but it doesn’t do anything jarring or distracting. It simply flows smoothly from start to finish, which I genuinely love.
4. Meme
Analysis: I never would have expected them to explore a gospel and soul fusion! There is a slight coffeehouse warmth here, but its simple appeal keeps it from ever feeling tiresome to listen to. It is actually wonderful to see their producers craft straightforward tracks for them that feel intentional rather than just standard album filler. They retain real character and stay grounded throughout.
5. Dragon
Analysis: The title led me to believe we might be getting a strong, powerful anthem. Instead, we are given another simple, chill song to wrap up the project. It is what it is! I certainly don’t dislike it; it is just very simple and modest in its scope.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I was a little nervous for RESCENE following their breakout success over the summer (“Heart Attack” still stands as their absolute best single!), but they truly made things work here, especially with a standout track like “With.” I enjoyed a great deal of this project, and I pray this release helps them maintain their wonderful momentum, stay in the public eye, and continue growing toward becoming household names.
For their next comeback, I would love to see a single crafted in the vein of KARA’s “Umbrella,” or perhaps a fusion between the signature styles of WJSN and GFRIEND. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have the talent for it, as the main thing holding them back right now is how simplistic their arrangements can feel. If they upgrade their production layers and unleash that inner 3rd-generation K-pop flair, they can truly take their music to the next level!
Overall Album Rating: (8.30)
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I was looking up the Gaon charts recently too, and had my own wait who moment, and had to look up Love Attack again too.
It’s another solid uncomplicated pop song from Rescene. Hits pop touchpoints and some familiar sounds while sounding fresh. No posturing or posing or fancy high fashion or ear challenging jarring sounds or boring lazy moods. Just pretty girls with pretty voices doing pretty pop.
I don’t know how to rate it, but I can hear and see the appeal.
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Honestly I am not quite sold on the song yet. Sure, the vocal performance was solid and the finale chorus was exceptional. However, the production & arrangement were a bit too barebone & simplistic in nature. The title track reminded me of Oh My Girl golden era discography just with less engaging melody and less powerful centerpiece moments from vocalist of Seunghee caliber. A low 8 rating is justified as it got some replay value.
The other B-sides were just okay with some interesting bits from Finest Thing and Inside Out. It seems their music development efforts has not been able to caught up to their rising stardom yet. It is understandable as they came from a bonafida small label.
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