A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
It’s summertime OST season, with TWS and ZEROBASEONE releasing similar songs within days of each other. Like ZB1’s effort, Brand New Day is an upbeat pop/rock offering stuffed with good vibes and buoyed by an exciting chorus. One of the reasons I’m so completely affixed to the TWS train is their diverse set of vocal tones. I love when I can instantly pick out the singers of an idol group because it adds so much character and transforms otherwise generic material into something special.
I don’t find TWS’s music generic at all, but this OST certainly leans in that direction (as is the case for most OSTs, honestly). The fact that TWS and ZEROBASEONE could easily interchange their songs isn’t lost on me, but the vocals here give Brand New Day that unmistakable, fresh TWS stamp. This is especially evident during the song’s buoyant chorus and brilliant, building flourish that closes the track. While not quite as good as their fantastically bouncy Bloom from a few weeks ago, it retains that song’s optimistic drive and makes for a nice summertime pairing.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
