1. We Up // 2. Call My Name // 3. Heavy
HEAVY
I’m not usually a fan of English lyrics in K-pop, but the right lyric, used sparingly, can be very effective. Heavy is probably the most direct manifestation of this single album’s healing concept and was completely misrepresented by the short clip we heard a week or so ago. I went in expecting some gloopy ballad, but instead got a very interesting arrangement that brings in propulsive rock influence and many unexpected melodic shifts.
This is the longest song of the three and benefits from that extra space. Honestly, it could stand to be even longer because there’s so much going on here. After a bright synth intro and tease of the song’s post-chorus, we rush into a driving indie rock beat that blossoms into an extended, ascending pre-chorus. I definitely wasn’t expecting this kind of dynamic structure, but things get even better from there. The chorus has a brilliant sense of lift with such a satisfying resolution. I love the high notes here. It’s so nice to hear a chorus that feels narratively complete.
I’m less enthused by the way the second verse tempers the energy. I’m not sure why this has become such a touchstone in K-pop songwriting, but I really prefer second verses that build on the energy rather than deflate it. However, this is a small concern for an otherwise excellent track that delivers on both sentiment and ambition. I think Call My Name still edges Heavy out and was the correct choice for promotion, but I imagine this song will enjoy a very long shelf life — especially given the continued relevance of its message.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
Grade: A-
This is my favourite song from To Us.
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the timing of this review couldn’t have been better. I’m not from the US but the blue tsunami today (last night? for Americans) made me feel so hopeful. The world indeed don’t gotta be so heavy 💙
I’d give it the same rating 🫶
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Singing “heavy, heavy, heavy” on an trio of rising falsetto notes is so smart. They’re not just saying “The world don’t gotta be so heavy,” they’re proving that out in the music, almost lightening the load of the listener. My favorite TWS song, easy.
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Now this is the type of song I think of when TWS comes to my mind (as a new listener of their music). This one song is just sweet, bright and to the point. It has a little bit of late 2nd gen/3rd gen charm to the way the vocals are performed, which is great.
Call My Name is stil the standout in the whole project, and as Nick says, the right choice for promotions. Still, Heavy is a great EP track and I’m definitely happy with this style for them. Hopefully they’ll continue going with this type of sound as they grow older because the “badass” type of boy group song isn’t really their thing, they don’t sell it well. This, on the other hand, is just what I come to TWS for.
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The “heavy” chorus goes a bit overboard for my taste, but it’s not a deal breaker. It’s more distracting/amusing than annoying. It’ll probably grow on me as a guilty pleasure. I really like it otherwise, so I’ll give it 8.25
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The heavy heavy heavy rising notes is the whole story of this song, leveraging the guys naturally higher placed tenor voices.
What I struggle with is this song feels like a Good++ song lifted by lovely vocals. We are dazzled by the mood and tone and timely theming, which hides that the song underneath is just fine. The verses beat and melodies just don’t lead naturally through the chorus to the postchorus. The verses could be from another song. The prechorus, what is it doing? The chorus meets expectations. Then the postchorus hits, and woo ahhh there it is, the moment. The Moment. The song flows because they make it flow, not from its nature.
If this does it for you, fine. For me, I prefer nSsign “Higher” which has a similar flair but flows better, to me. It moves my shoulders in gentle sways. I focus on the higher not on the heavy. I look up not down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9il3k3sf0Y
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