Boy band Aimers have been kicking around since 2022 — one of those underrated, underknown groups who somehow manage to come back each year despite never breaking free of the dreaded “nugu” label. I have a soft spot for groups like this, though no Aimers song has hit me hard enough to be anything more than a casual admirer.
Most of Aimers’ work has been solid but lacks the individual stamp that helps brand a group. Instead, they’re perfectly able conduits for lightweight pop music. New single Called Game is another fizzy, pleasant bop, skipping along without a care in the world. The vocals are very nice, the subdued swing beat has pep in its step and the melodies harness a sense of nostalgia that serves the song well. But when combined together, these pieces somehow blend into a forgettable whole.
My diagnosis? Called Game needs a sharper melody during its chorus and its instrumental should be heightened at least two to three times more than it is now. The bones of this song are not unlike what composers Nthonius and KZ give The Wind, but those arrangements have much more life to them. Sadly, I don’t see myself remembering Called Game in even a few weeks’ time.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
