Song Review: Chungha – Sleigh

I’m shocked a K-Pop group hasn’t already repurposed the word “sleigh” into the homophone “slay” for a holiday track. With so many groups peddling bratty attitude, this seems like an obvious (though cringey) decision. This lyrical twist is present (see what I did there?) on the chorus of this new Chungha single, but thankfully she’s softened it with a subdued winter energy.

Apart from a generous dose of sleighbells, Sleigh‘s mid-tempo R&B sound could have been released at any time of the year. Chungha sings in a softer tone and this is a fantastic match for her voice. What the song lacks in compelling melody it makes up for in range. She flits up and down the scale, often reaching airy highs that give Sleigh character.

With this said, Sleigh is simply not my kind of track. It succeeds in its approach, but when I’m thinking of the holidays I’m seeking something warmer and more melodically rich. This feels more like a series of beautiful vocal runs and riffs — an impressive performance buoying a less-impressive song.

Grade: C+