There have been a few acts this year who have subverted my expectations in great ways. Leading that pack are NOWZ, who rebranded from “Nowadays” earlier this year and have finally been given great material. Both Fly To The Youth and Everglow were fantastic summer highlights and converted me into a fast fan. Now, they’re back with another sonic switch-up in the form of boisterous EDM banger HomeRUN.
I had high hopes for this one, not only because I love high-energy EDM but also because the teasers had boldly unveiled the addictive chorus. And though I do like the song overall, it’s not quite what I hoped it would be. The chorus is as massive and bonkers as expected, flitting between extended power notes and staccato rhythms. Even the heavy vocal effects work well here, giving the hook a claustrophobic sound. Unfortunately, these effects extend to the verses until the entire track feels overly processed. Worse yet, HomeRUN‘s moments of connective tissue often pull down the tempo in a fitful arrangement that refuses to allow the bounding beat to simply… bound.
Even though HomeRUN is a bit of a mess, I’ll always be a proponent of big, madcap energy in K-pop. So while I crave a greater sense of melody (and purpose) to everything surrounding the song’s chorus, I can’t be entirely mad at HomeRUN. At least it tries to grab your attention rather than fade into subdued nothingness. With that said, I hope the guys can find another dynamic Everglow-style track. That was a real breakthrough for them.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
