Song Review: AtHeart – 3!4!

When in doubt as a nugu group, it’s never a bad idea to release a song K-pop fans already know. AtHeart’s 3!4! is a cover of the 1996 hit by co-ed group Roo’ra. Come to think of it, AtHeart’s (presumably young) fan base may not have heard this song at all, giving them a chance to repaint it as their own addition to the K-pop canon.

I’m all for first-gen covers, as the technology back then didn’t afford artists the crisp production of today. You can really do a lot to update these tracks, and AtHeart’s take on 3!4! works well. Rather than a first-gen pastiche, this sounds more like early-GFriend to me. We’ve got a perky new jack swing beat supporting the sing-song melodies that were such a hallmark of that K-pop era. It doesn’t sound particularly fresh or cutting edge, but doesn’t come across as overly dated either. The group’s vocals fit this aesthetic well, adding a nostalgic touch that’s quite pleasant.

Grade: B-