Song Review: BoA – Hohaba

When thinking about my “Career in Song Ratings” feature, BoA was the most intimidating artist to approach. She simply has a wealth of material stretching over twenty five years. Such a vast catalog guarantees a wide variety of quality and sounds, from ballads to thumping dance tracks. New Japanese single Hohaba (歩幅) fits within the former category but distinguishes itself with rock textures. BoA performing a rock ballad should be a knockout. She has one of the best, most distinguishable voices in K-pop and easily carries this track. Because of this, she needs (and deserves) material that’s equally as compelling. Hohaba is pretty much your standard J-ballad, trussed up with strings and guitar that give it the air of importance. With material like this, I listen most closely for melody. Does the song deliver a narrative that holds attention? Does it resolve in a way that feels notable and satisfying? Hohaba is pleasant all the way through and I dig its rock guitar solo right before the climax, but sadly the melodies don’t do much for me. Yes, we get a striking power note leading into the finale, but by that point most of my excitement has tempered. And at nearly six minutes long, the...