Song Review: KARD – Back To Life

KARD have taken the unusual approach of announcing their disbandment alongside their new album, giving fans one last victory lap before the race is over. This co-ed group debuted with much fanfare all the way back in late 2016, riding K-pop’s tropical pop wave to great effect during their first few years. Since then, their material has been more of a mixed bag. Smartly, their final single Back To Life recalls their best work without sounding overly maudlin. As disbandment singles go, this is quite upbeat and celebratory. It ticks off all the boxes you’d expect from a good KARD track, utilizing each member well and building toward a rousing centerpiece. I love the percussion throughout, which gives Back To Life a steady pulse guaranteed to get your head moving. The instrumental post-chorus is also satisfying, adding a spike of interest just where the song needs it. This aspect I appreciate most about Back To Life is its texture. Abrasive electro production is in trend these days, but this instrumental resounds with more depth and weight. It feels fuller in this way, adding to the song’s emotional appeal. I doubt it will be setting any charts on fire, but as a piece of self-referenci...