Set in modern-day times, approximately nine years after the events of The CW’s runaway hit, this new installation takes viewers straight back to Constance Billard School, the Upper East Side, rich-kids-only institution where an anonymous blogger named Gossip Girl wreaked havoc on the lives of uppity teens deeply invested in their social lives. But, I’m intrigued by its musical mash-up and the panache with which it’s pulled off.HBO Max’s reimagined version of Gossip Girl contains the exact ingredients that made the original series a success: a gorgeous, instantly recognizable cast, timely cameos, and a whole lot of camp. As it stands, Flavor is more scattershot than most of the group’s very best work. The members are incredible vocalists and it’s so satisfying to hear them grab hold of a robust melody and deliver it with aplomb (I’m looking at you, Ryuki). That’s the sign of an enduring centerpiece, and I wish we could get a song arranged entirely in this style. …The chorus is so good! Seriously, I’ve had this hook lodged in my brain since it was first teased a week ago. I’m less enthused by the choice to repeat this intro in place of a second chorus, but that’s only because…
Ditto for the pre-chorus, which maintains interest by injecting some cool electro distortion. In this case, the shouty schtick is pulled off well thanks to an genuinely interesting palette of effects. If you’ve heard any male K-pop track of the past few years, the opening moments of Flavor will feel familiar. But, Flavor is a roadmap for making this quote-unquote ‘noise music’ thrilling by fusing it to a brilliant chorus and swoops of huge major key energy. These two have a gift for melody and their work is at its best when it fully embraces this. Speaking of talent, new single Flavor is composed by members Joe and Ryuki - even if its NCT-esque “noise music” portions don’t play to their strengths. Each member feels like a main vocal and main dancer. Like agency seniors AAA, Genic are a “dance and vocal” group rather than idol performers. I love a co-ed group, and these self-producing superstars have the chops to back up their polished music.
But over the past few months, I’ve revisited their discography and become a bit of a Genic fanatic. I haven’t featured a review of Genic’s music since back in April 2020 when the group debuted with the awesome Sun Comes Up.
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