Song Review: G-Dragon – Power

It’s been seven years since I last got to write about new G-Dragon music. To call him foundational to my own K-pop fandom would be a vast understatement. From his work with Bigbang to his solo material, G-Dragon is K-pop for me. With an album set for release next month, he’s finally returned with pre-release single Power. And here’s where things get tricky for a K-pop blogger like me. How do you separate undeniable bias from the music itself? I had a similar feeling when Infinite made their long-awaited return last year.

Power falls into a similar category as that Infinite comeback. By G-Dragon’s sky-high standards, it’s a meager effort. I hope he’s saving his masterpiece for promotion of the full album. However, he has the benefit of being a composer. Even his slight material still feels foundationally him. Power is largely pomp and circumstance, celebrating the return of a legend with a brassy beat and shout-from-the-rafters hook. G-Dragon pulls off braggadocio better than most because you get a sense of pathos lurking under all the boasts. He’s a singular presence in an industry often build on archetypes, and that goes a long way toward selling a song like Power.

I’m not a huge fan of Power‘s repetitive centerpiece, especially coupled with the relentless instrumental. But unlike many recent K-pop efforts, the groove is grooving and doesn’t simply sound like a cut-and-paste loop from a computer. There’s so much life stuffed within Power‘s narrow frame and GD’s undeniable conviction buoys what could have been a silly bit of novelty. Like most of his songs, it will no doubt grow on me considerably over the next few weeks. Above all else, it’s incredible to finally have him back in the conversation. Here’s hoping he’s got another Crooked-level smash waiting in the wings.

Grade: B+