[Review] LAST PARADE – BAMBAM (GOT7)

It has been months since BAMBAM made his solo comeback with the single LAST PARADE and mini-album BAMESIS. I am finally reviewing the title track today, ahead of a future album review post focusing on the mini-album. It is the first solo Korean release of BAMBAM’s since early 2023’s Sour & Sweet comeback.

LAST PARADE sees BAMBAM venture into a much darker vibe than ever before. I like the idea of exploring a new side of the artist when it is done well, and I think LAST PARADE is a good example of it being done well. LAST PARADE opens up with some anthemic choir before settling for a hip-hop-centred sound. But the song catches you by surprise. Instead of a punchy or upbeat production, the track holds itself back – maintaining a sparse instrumental and allowing the tension to simmer and build rather than explode. It is an intriguing way to approach things, but this does give LAST PARADE a memorable to let the song linger in my mind once it is complete. But while the instrumental remains sparse, LAST PARADE does allow itself to turn into a dynamic piece via the electronic follow-through of the choruses. The rush of energy in this part of the song contrasts nicely with the rest and feels quite a satisfying release of the tension mentioned above. BAMBAM does well with his rapping and vocals, with the pre-choruses standing out the most to me. The only part of LAST PARADE that I didn’t like was how it ended, which made the song feel incomplete and unsatisfying.

The music video is split into three chapters. The first chapter features BAMBAM as a leader of a city, in an almost dictator-like manner from the looks of it. He has complete control of an army that defends the city. The second chapter features BAMBAM as the leader of a rebel group who isn’t happy with the leader BAMBAM. The third chapter features the rebellion, where both BAMBAMs meet and fight. I am unsure of the intent of the third BAMBAM, who we see at the start of the video yielding the same flag as the dictator version. But he is definitely away from the action and is very blase about what is happening above him at the end of the video. Perhaps he is a more evil ‘all-knowing’ character who tempts the dictator version of BAMBAM to do his dirty work? Aside from that, I really like the epicness of the city, the darker and creepy vibes channelling through the video, as well as the Hieronymus Bosch presentation style of the music video. Put all this together, and you get a cool music video.

I really like the performance. The verses and first part of the choruses really build intensity in the routine, similar to how the song does the exact same thing. But then, when it comes to the second part of the choruses, BAMBAM and his dancers release the pent-up energy to create a powerful waacking-like piece.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.1/10