Mea Culpa: NMIXX’s “KNOW ABOUT ME” & INFINITE’s “Dangerous” both aged well

What’s important to remember about the ironically-named Mea Culpa feature is that I never get things wrong, it’s just that I just have so much wisdom to share that some of it comes through a bit delayed is all.

Yes, yes.

======

NMIXX – “KNOW ABOUT ME”

Initial Impression: Honestly? There were indications all along that I liked it, because if you’re wrestling for days with a song and listening to it over and over, you probably at least think it’s pretty good.

I wrestled with this one a while, and I’m still a bit on the fence, but after a week it became apparent that the languid R&B vibes were the biggest takeaway. That said, the wobbly bass intrigued me, the vocals are obviously a highlight, and there’s uniqueness in the trip-hop section during the bridge, so it’s still a quality song and the arrow for them is still pointing up.

Where Things Went Awry: Probably too easily lumped it into the well-worn-by-now laidback vibey category for girl groups, underestimating the elements that set it apart and made it unique. More importantly, after listening to “High Horse” before this, I kinda had this expectation that it would also revolve around vocal dynamism and it sorta didn’t.

Current View: Honestly? I didn’t have a drastic change of view on “KNOW ABOUT ME“, it’s just that weeks later I still found it strangely addicting whenever I heard it, and it became apparent to me that its groove had an undeniable hold on me.

Still not the biggest fan of K-pop idol groups doing R&B, but there’s an undercurrent and drive to “KNOW ABOUT ME” that separates it from the pack, with the production responsible for most of that, as the members flow effortlessly over the wobble bass in the verses, which gives it this liquid-sounding element and makes the “dive with me” pre-chorus impressively appropriate. Of course, the rhythm of the chorus is what ultimately proved most addictive and memorable, but touches like saving Lily‘s more expansive vocal for the second pre-chorus — along with shortening the second verse — were particularly apt choices, as that helps the song feels like its still moving and growing despite the tempo. For something chill like this, the off-kilter bridge was honestly a pleasant surprise as well.

I still don’t necessarily fault any listener who wanted something a bit more ambitious — especially considering I’ve been complaining about the lack of that myself all over the site — but “KNOW ABOUT ME” has at least proved to be a highly-listenable and memorable addition to NMIXX‘s discography.

——

INFINITE – “Dangerous”

Initial Impression: Okay, I was somewhat negative about this for some reason.

Nice, safe, funky pop song that ultimately ends up as a forgettable return for a group of their stature.

Where Things Went Awry: Think this just comes down to the expectations that I had for INFINITE since this is was a regular comeback and not some special occasion (anniversary/reunion/tribute). It’s indeed a bit on the lighter side, and most of their elite-level stuff is dramatic and epic, so when I didn’t get that from “Dangerous“, I probably had a mental pity party of sorts.

Current View: I got a bit of a blind second listen thanks to putting on a random playlist while I was working out, and I realized it was just quite catchy with a great groove. A reminder to actively try to free yourself a bit from hype and expectations and all that from time to time.

That said, I wasn’t really wrong that “Dangerous” is relatively safe and not one of their very best. But their very best are some of the greatest K-pop songs ever, and there’s nothing wrong with just enjoying a bright and fun rhythm guitar-centered pop song with a “tonight, get a little bit dangerous” hook that’s easy to tap your foot along with. Additionally, the back half of the chorus with the “say ooh” call-and-response was a nice touch that brings it all together. Songs like this basically entirely revolve around whether the centerpiece is addictive and melodic enough, and “Dangerous” eventually got to me, so that’s basically that. It also didn’t hurt that INFINITE’s playful vocals are a step above what we hear from a lot of groups these days.

======

I’m definitely trying to avoid grading on a curve — if a song is good, then it’s good regardless of whether the music/trend of the year is mid — but these are the ones that stood out. That said, god knows the slump of quality in K-pop has made me reconsider others as well.