Song Review: Vanner – Automatic

Ever since Peak Time game them a second wind, Vanner have been releasing the kind of classic, second-gen inspired K-pop sound many of us oldies hold close to our heart. Both mini albums have been super solid, led by dynamic title tracks that took advantage of the group’s experience. Automatic is another triumph to add to that list, bringing a healthy dose of funk to their oeuvre.

Automatic‘s specific sound has been delivered many times before, but it’s always welcome. Sleek verses give way to a sinuous, understated hook before building back to a more effusive chorus. The guys power the entire track with a series of confident vocals, whether they’re belting it out of offering slinky falsetto. The instrumental follows suit, underpinning their performance with a robust bed of percussive elements. I love the rugged electro textures and chunky bass. They utilize just enough distortion to give the production edge without sacrificing Automatic‘s lithe structure.

I’m also fascinated by the spoken-word intro, which seems ripped from another song entirely. Further developing this segment might have given Automatic more individual flair, but there’s already a lot happening within the track’s tight frame. Still, a few more unique touches would push this from a very high “8” to a “9.” It may get there either way after I’ve had some time to sit with it.

Grade: B+