A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
I don’t like messing with established tracklists, but in my own music library I took AHOF’s Sugar High and moved it to the end of the album so I’m not forced to listen to it. And, anyone who cares about the art of track sequencing (a lost concern in the age of streaming) would do the same because the rest of the mini fits together so seamlessly. I like all four of these tracks (Run To You has already grown on me), but Just Say Yes boasts the best chorus.
There’s a familiarity to the melody here, but the way the chorus soars up and glides back down has such a satisfying symmetry, charging forward with anthemic drive as if you’re spreading your arms wide in a declarative style. The vocals are also really resonant — particularly Park Han’s. Like the tracks around it, Just Say Yes doesn’t reinvent any wheels or grab attention through bells and whistles, but it’s a very solid pop/rock banger built well. This should guarantee a level of timelessness that’ll sound just as good in ten years as it does today.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
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