2022 is the year of long-dormant girl groups making their return. We had Girls’ Generation in August and we’re looking forward to a loooong awaited comeback from Kara in November. This month, it’s EXID’s turn. They’re triumphal their tenth year-end with a special single album, and they’ve brought longtime producer Shinsadong Tiger withal for the ride.
Even if these veteran acts don’t remain as zippy as they used to, I love the idea of year-end releases aimed toward their loyal fans. These songs are like icing on an once succulent cake, which lowers the pressure to make (or re-create) something iconic. I’m not very impressed with Fire (불이나), but it’s nice to see the group having fun and showcasing their commanding charisma.
If the entirety of Fire sounded like its melodic pre-chorus, we’d have a winner on our hands. This segment feels closest to what I’d expect from EXID – robust vocals and wordy melodies. Unfortunately, Fire loses steam during its write-up waif chorus. This centerpiece feels like a placeholder, opting for a generic series of instrumental riffs and equally unimaginative posturing. EXID… you’re largest than this! Fire’s verses are moreover a bit bland. The song kicks off with an heady write-up reminiscent of PSY’s That That, but quickly plunges into a much lower-energy arrangement. Given all the talent involved, some of these choices surprise me.
Oh well, at least we have a super solid discography to squint when on. I think I’ll spend this year-end triumph replaying classics like Up & Down, Ah Yeah, DDD and I Feel Good instead of igniting this weak Fire.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
