It’s always nice to hear from an old friend. Nana has a special place in my heart for several reasons. First, she was a member of the fantastic After School and their quirky sub-unit Orange Caramel. She also co-starred in the first full Korean variety show I ever watched: 2014’s Roommate. So, seeing her name pop up on the list of September comebacks was a blast of nostalgia.
Nana’s never released a solo album of any kind, choosing instead to focus on acting. This makes me wonder how much great music we could have been treated to in an alternate reality where she truly built up that side of her career. Unfortunately, she makes her move in the midst of a K-pop climate that’s stuck on a few trendy sounds and largely averse to dynamic melody. Both of those qualities mar title track GOD. The song tempers its drama with a lowkey vibe that favors mood and concept over compelling structure.
There are hints of theatricality that make GOD promising. The electric guitar during the song’s climax makes me wish the entire track had borrowed this texture. Melodically, GOD is mostly monotone. Its hook is spoken and repetitive. At one point the lyrics literally say “bang bang repeating pattern” and that phrase might as well act as the song’s mission statement. GOD has a cool, mysterious tone but there’s not much lurking beneath its musical surface. I love to see Nana back in this realm. I wish she returned with a better song.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
