The J-pop industry is slowly beginning to reach out to international markets, most often with the assistance of K-pop agencies and corporations. XG are one of the most notable avatars of this approach. Yes, they're an Avex-managed group, but they're based in South Korea and have been part of global events like KCON. Like many before them, they've leveraged the power of hip-hop to garner international attention.
I've struggled to embrace XG's discography because I tend to prefer hearing the unique sounds of a country's musical culture rather than music targeted for export to other countries. In other words, I'm more likely to seek out a weird underground J-idol act than a globally popular group catering to Western tastes. However, XG have clearly captured the attention of many and having watched them at last year's KCON I can attest to their power. Woke Up is their most rap-focused single yet, essentially doing away with the idea of a melodic hook.
This narrowed focus works if you're inclined toward this sound. Perhaps with a more interesting beat, I would be inclined as well. The song is good showcase for XG's rap line, but its meager hook doesn't do much to distinguish it from similar efforts. And apart from a traditional sounding flourish looped throughout the instrumental, the beat simply lumbers along without much punch. I'm hardly a hip-hop head so this should be taken with a boatload of salt, but nothing here strikes me as compelling or clever enough to get lost in.
Hooks | 7 |
Production | 7 |
Longevity | 7 |
Bias | 7 |
RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
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