Song Review: Bang Yedam – O-HE

Since departing Treasure, Bang Yedam has released several solo singles. Most recently, he featured on a duet with aespa’s Winter. Now he’s back with his second mini album Good Vibes and title track O-HE. The song takes advantage of his natural sense of rhythm and a vocal flavor that recalls K-pop greats like Jay Park and Taeyang.

O-HE won’t win any awards for ambition, but the track is a bit weirder than it first appears. The production has bite, delivering a mix of rumbling bass and interesting percussion. The groove is fitful and almost robotic in places, but captures its own sense of funk that makes a satisfying backdrop for Yedam’s smooth vocals. This production compensates for a song that — on its face — is pretty straightforward. The chorus is simple and repetitive, climaxing in a chanted refrain that’s easy to sing along with but ultimately quite predictable. Yedam’s unique inflections tease out the more engaging twists and turns of this melody, proving his prowess as a performer.

Grade: B-