Song Review: DKB – Irony

K-pop’s super producers are largely retired, inactive or relegated to working with artists outside the mainstream. This is such a shame, as the industry needs its individual songwriting voices. Few K-pop comebacks these days have a signature sound because most are cobbled together by song camps using the same samples and loops. I miss the days when you could spot a producer’s sound a mile away and that’s why I get excited when I see a name like Brave Brothers on a new track.

DKB’s Irony is far from the most memorable Brave Brothers track, but its melodic structure and choice of sonic textures have a familiar flair that’s comforting. The group has tackled a rock sound this time, though the track itself unfolds more like a dance song. Last time we heard from DKB, they delivered the brilliant Flirting X. Irony is a definite step down, mostly because it lacks an exciting killing point. However, it exists in the same musical universe and maintains the group’s overall appeal.

Though Irony is an enjoyable burst of energy, its hooks need more punch to stand out. While I find joy in Brave Brothers’ cyclical way of constructing melodies, this approach has always had the potential to lack dynamics. Once you’ve heard Irony‘s central refrain once, there aren’t any additional surprises to enjoy. I would have loved a secondary hook or even a new instrumental loop to lend Irony more variety.

Grade: C+