Nothing has been more depressing than watching the slow downward drift of Woollim Entertainment. They've long been host to my favorite K-pop artists and an A&R team who reliably selects top tier songs. However, the agency hasn't released more than a three-song single album since November 2022. I'm not sure what's going on, but their resources are clearly depleted, meaning artists have only been able to make one comeback a year. It's finally time for DRIPPIN to make their long-awaited return, nearly a year after the underwhelming Seven Sins.
New single Beautiful Maze gives their music a brighter makeover, but doesn't do much to set itself apart from the pack. It's an extremely safe release, harnessing trendy synth textures and a driving beat that stays constant all the way through. It's a pleasant mix of elements, but squanders the ambition that highlighted DRIPPIN's excellent "Villain" series. From production to melodies, the song feels like a flat line, never daring to journey from its base elements.
If you're going to relegate your artists to one release per year, it's even more important that this release says something. As enjoyable as Beautiful Maze is on a surface level, it feels more like an obligation than a pleasure. It keeps the DRIPPIN ball rolling in fine fashion, but does nothing to expand or define their discography. They would have been better off going back to the well and releasing the excellent Reach Out Your Hands or Silence as an overdue title track.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
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