Song Review: Primrose – Steal Heart

When last we heard from Primrose, they teased us with a Nordic title and imagery only to deliver the same cacophonous stomp favored by many of their peers. Freyja was a letdown, for sure. However, they’re back with yet another new sound. Steal Heart is a far funkier effort that puts great focus on their vocal skill.

Many K-pop songs nod back to 90’s R&B, but few get the bounce exactly right. Steal Heart manages better than most, capturing the moment when new jack swing ceded ground to other pop trends, losing some of its unique bite but imbuing the sound of the 90’s with insistent percussion. Steal Heart‘s production is addictive in its nostalgia, down to the specific drum samples and touches of gangsta rap synth. Better yet, this arrangement gives Primrose space to unleash a confident performance during the song’s layered chorus.

Vocal harmony abounds within Steal Heart, adding a sense of drama to every moment. At its best, the song reminds me of early Red Velvet. There’s a very classic SM Entertainment sound throughout, which makes sense given the 90’s influences. More than anything, Steal Heart reminds us not to discount K-pop’s nugu groups. This underknown quartet released today’s best song by a comfortable margin.

Grade: B