One huge difference between the K-pop and J-pop markets is the presence of rock music in idol culture. Obviously, there are rock groups in Korea that perform on weekly idol music shows, but the genre is far less present in the mainstream. Because of this, project group QWER's sound feels much more Japanese. They even count a former (Korean) member of NMB48 among their ranks!
T.B.H (고민중독) is a jolt of upbeat quirk-rock, if such a genre exists. It's a bit cute, super boisterous and generally a good time all the way through. Strip away the band elements and it might have fit on an old Lovelyz album. It's got that classic melodic touch that recalls earlier eras of K-pop. I'm most impressed by the rugged electronic distortion that infuses portions of the track with surprising grit. I'd encourage QWER to push even further in this direction, imbuing their sound with elements we can't find elsewhere. This is a good start!
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Grade: B
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