Song Review: A.C.E – Anymore

We rarely hear K-pop groups promote ballads anymore, usually making them a pre-release (if they’re released at all). A.C.E have a history of this approach with their excellent 2020 track Stand By You. They definitely have the vocal firepower to pull it off, and special single Anymore takes advantage of this skill.

Rather than Stand By You‘s anthemic heft, Anymore opts for a sparse arrangement. The song is little more than acoustic guitar and vocal, performed mostly in English. And when you compare it to the robust tradition of Korean OSTs, Anymore shares more in common with pop music you might hear on the radio in Western countries. The track has a specific aim and executes that well, but for me to fall in love with a stripped back sound like this, I need either an incredible, novel melody, affecting lyrics or a uniquely compelling performance. Anymore plays things pretty safe, though it’s a nice showcase for a more subdued version of A.C.E.

Grade: C