ARTMS’s trio of Odd Eye Circle members are set to release new singles one by one and first up is Kim Lip. She asks us the very pertinent question: “Can you entertain?” Almost every idol or group can release their version of a trend or a trope, but actual entertainment involves more than simply tracing established lines. Fortunately, Kim Lip has chosen excellent lines to trace and brings enough star power to make them her own.
The lines in question involve 80s R&B, pioneered by artists like my all-time fave Janet Jackson. In K-pop terms, a closer reference could be Wonder Girls’ iconic Reboot album. Can You Entertain would fit snugly on that project, though it probably wouldn’t be a standout (an extremely high bar, admittedly). The track is driven by percolating percussion and a squelchy bass loop that injects an instant sense of funk. Kim Lip effortlessly flits through this arrangement, adding plenty of verve to each moment.
Can You Entertain‘s chorus is a bit simple for my taste, offering a rhythmic highlight rather than a melodic one. However, it matches with this style of song and keeps momentum chugging along. I’ve always thought that late-80s new jack swing and freestyle are perfect genres for K-pop to tackle, so I’d love to hear more artists pick up the baton and do even more dramatic things with the sound.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
