Debuting in early 2019, ONEUS are inching toward that all-important seven year mark when contracts will be up for renewal. Their presence in the industry has felt more muted these past few comebacks, churning out solid but inessential material that hasn’t quite lived up to their most enduring work. Now, after a series of solo singles, the guys are back with a new mini album and title track X.
For this song, the group has taken on a new sound: groovy pop rock with a slight new wave vibe. Opening with its chorus, X immediately stakes its claim with its catchiest melody. This tune winds in a cyclical fashion, instantly memorable but potentially grating after too many listens. I’m more impressed with the pre-chorus where the song opts for a more dramatic turn. X is so insistently bouncy that these spikes of interest are needed to keep the track from feeling too repetitive.
Overall, X strikes a nice balance between fresh and cool. Its vibe is upbeat and fun but feels mature enough for a group of ONEUS’s stature. It’s nice to hear a bass-driven track that doesn’t fall into some underwhelming, slinky anti-drop chorus the way so many of these songs do. Instead, X is laser-focused on its execution. There is not a moment of fat on its agile frame. It arrives, hits its mark, and exits — all in less than three minutes. You have to admire the efficiency.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
