Tune Overview: ATEEZ – Lemon Drop

I do know that the majority (all?) followers would seemingly disagree with me, however my most enduring ATEEZ tune stays 2019’s Wave. That observe is under no circumstances indicative of their total sound — particularly post-2020 — however has such an important construct and glide that targets all my pop music pleasure facilities. Due to this, a brand new summer-themed ATEEZ comeback is an thrilling prospect. It will be unfair to count on Lemon Drop to ship the precise thrill of its predecessor, however the tune’s sluggish burn sound has its personal attraction.

Proper from the beginning, Lemon Drop‘s synth-heavy beat deposits us again within the mid-2010’s when this type of club-ready hip-hop loved an actual second within the highlight. It’s a refreshing sound, however what actually issues is the tune constructed on high of it. Somewhat than hit listeners over the pinnacle, Lemon Drop performs issues fairly flat. Its refrain is kind of reserved and never notably catchy, counting on its evocative beat to do many of the heavy lifting. And in contrast to Wave, it doesn’t even attempt to construct towards some euphoric crescendo. It’s extra of a unfastened vibe, tracing the perimeters of the rhythm with out ever going for the jugular. This method could play properly in the long term, however feels a bit disappointing on preliminary listens.

Nonetheless, I presently have an enormous longing for something remotely summer-coded and I’m completely satisfied to listen to ATEEZ have a little bit of enjoyable after a couple of extra severe ideas. Whereas Lemon Drop feels removed from a discography spotlight, its groove is addictive sufficient to supply a pleasant soundtrack for the season. And pleasantly, the tune grows stronger because it goes. Layered vocal melody joins the combination, making for an efficient — if delicate — finale. Typically delayed gratification works wonders and it’s prompted me to kick up my grade a notch in anticipation of this reserved method taking part in properly over the subsequent few months.

Grade: B