It’s taken awhile, however artists and companies have found out the way to stay momentum going as idols make their necessary army enlistment. It was exceptional to ship “new” content material right through those prolonged hiatuses, however now it’s turn into common to report track or even movies for long term unencumber right through enlistment. ONF controlled to drag it off as a complete staff again in 2022, and HYBE is surely making the most of the means with BTS participants.
It was transparent from V’s 2023 album Layover that his solo occupation would pursue a extra muted sound palette, and FRI(END)S seems like a herbal offshoot from the ones songs. It’s sung totally in English and has reasonably extra generic radio enchantment. It follows the fad of what some have known as “diary pop” — songs that aren’t specifically formidable or authentic however encapsulate an SNS-friendly observation wide sufficient to connect to a large swath of listeners, but too imprecise to depart a significant mark.
Regardless of the language, I’m a lot more considering how the track itself resonates. In this entrance, FRI(END)S is a murky bore. V already has a distinctly foggy making a song voice (now not a foul factor… it lends him persona!) and the association additional filters the tone till the music turns into nearly weightless. Stomping percussion gives a counterpoint, however trudges along side no definable persona or power. I’m certain legions of lovers might be thrilled to obtain this sudden musical reward right through a time of little BTS task, however FRI(END)S is caught in a tools this is surely now not for me.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
