Song Review: NOWZ – Achilles

NOWZ’s struggle has not been one of quality but one of momentum. They were on a nice roll last summer with a few solid back-to-back singles, but Cube Entertainment seems to have a problem scheduling comebacks because it’s been almost nine months since we’ve heard from them and all the agency has to show for it is a digital single. Fortunately, Achilles is a winner. It’s so nice to hear something a little different in K-pop this summer. Disco grooves are not unheard of and had their big heyday a few years ago, but Achilles‘ synth-powered production feels quite fresh today. Even more so, the song’s reliance on vocal melody wafts in like a fresh breeze on a murky day. These melodies are not particularly dynamic, but are so much more addictive than the monotonous sing-talk we’re hearing from so many other acts. Even within disco tropes, Achilles‘ textures feel new to K-pop. The production is much more Daft Punk influenced than these songs tend to be. The synths are chunky and ear-catching, adding real presence to the track. NOWZ’s vocals float over the top with ease, bringing a different character than the usual boy band bluster. It’s a confident sound — the sound of real confidence ra...