Buried Treasure: Lucy – Halley

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.

I may never have heard this OST had a reader not mentioned it in the comments section of last week’s K-pop round-up. OSTs can be hit or miss and I don’t always give them a listen, especially when coming from a group like Lucy who are quite prolific in this area. However, new track Halley is my favorite kind of Lucy banger. To me, their best album is still 2021’s Gatcha, which experimented with a more synth-focused sound. And judging by the highlight medley of their upcoming album (out next week), I think Halley is going to eclipse those tracks as well.

I tend to love rock music with an electronic edge, particularly when that comes in the form of shimmering, crystalline synth. Halley opens with a cascade of electronic bliss that forms the backbone for much of the track. It’s the sound of soaring through space with a colorful Lisa Frank aesthetic (if that makes sense). Better yet, the song’s melodies remind me strongly of classic Sweetune. Something about their construction feels uniquely Korean and they make the perfect conduit for Sangyeop’s rich vocals. This is easily the strongest the band have sounded in some time.

Grade: B+