[Review] PLUTO – Xdinary Heroes

Xdinary Heroes made their comeback way back in October 2023 with Break The Brake and the mini-album Livelock. Since then, the band was awarded the Best Band Performance in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. I am preparing to review the mini-album (one of the last album reviews for 2023 for now, so I can make a start on 2024 albums). But in order to do this, I will need to review second track from the mini-album that got the music video treatment – PLUTO.

I am trying to rack my brains and remember if I actually have listened to Livelock at all since its release. And I am not sure if I have. I put that down to being overworked and stressed throughout 2023. And if I did listen to the album, I am utterly disappointed in myself for not remembering a song like PLUTO. PLUTO is by far on of Xdinary Heroes’ best tracks thus far. Xdinary Heroes tackles an almost pure pop-punk track head on, giving us a very refreshing and impactful side-track on the mini-album. The pop-punk direction that PLUTO heads in is definitely head-banging worthy. The vocal work is superb, for the most part. Jungsu and Jooyeon sound so blissful in PLUTO, especially when we get to the chorus where they push themselves vocally and the rock instrumentation surges us forward. This momentum feels fitting, as the song’s lyrics expresses the feeling that there is nothing in between another, even if they might be as far apart as the distance between Earth and PLUTO. Now, there is a caveat in the vocal department. I am not a fan of Gaon and Ode’s rapping. The change-up here didn’t feel needed, felt awkwardly executed, and didn’t add any value to the song. Their vocals (even Ode’s autotuned singing) was fine. It is just the rapping that gets to me. Other than that, PLUTO would have been a perfect song.

I wished the music video was a more than just the band performing PLUTO in a room. It feels incredibly plain, despite the camera work and lighting helping make the video feel a little more dynamic to complement the song. Despite that, I think the video highlights that head-banging potential that PLUTO has. Also, Gaon in those shorts and boots was a little distracting for me. His legs are fine, it was more so the combination of the two. 😀

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 6.5/10
Overall Rating – 8/10