Twice's Nayeon made her solo debut in June of 2022 with the splashy, addictive Pop. Now, almost two years later to the day, she's picked up where she left off with the even splashier ABCD. There may still be room to grow, but in this era of flattened, fluttery earworms it's refreshing to hear something this unabashedly old-fashioned in its showmanship.
ABCD has the driving force of a Crazy In Love. Or, to put it in K-pop terms, it sounds like something Ailee might have unleashed during the first few years of her career. Nayeon clearly enjoys this sound and revels in ABCD's breathless blend of bombast and swagger. It's a stitched together string of highlights, from the charismatic hip-hop of the central drop to the explosive brass that follows. Not every moment is equally engaging, but there's always a peak waiting around the corner. Nayeon ties it all together with plenty of attitude, wrapping her vocals around a variety of rhythms and tones.
ABCD's audio version cuts out an excellent dance break, which is a shame but inevitable given the demands of streaming culture. However, even at under three minutes the track manages to take us through a variety of segments without feeling slapdash. I like how we finish with a repetition of the breakdown, but wish the production indulged in those rhythms for longer. I could easily lose myself in an extra minute of percussion, dismantled and reassembled with renewed funk. The song calls for a major jam session and we just don't get that. But that's me wishing for something that doesn't exist. ABCD is compelling on its own and a welcome burst of fresh air.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
Grade: B+
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