Kiss of Life, a five-member girl group under S2 Entertainment, released their first single album, Midas Touch, on Apr. 3, including the title track of the same name and a B-side track, ‘Nothing.’
This single was a success, climbing the ranks on the Melon TOP 100 chart the morning after.
I will say that it is nice to see a different K-pop group climbing the ranks. Groups under bigger agencies like HYBE and SM Entertainment will usually rank well, regardless of the song’s quality, thanks to their cult following.
From the beginning of their debut, their presence and songs stood out as more unique, taking on a more mature side of K-pop. This was very refreshing to see, especially with more and more groups debuting 13 and 14-year-olds. This single is no different, bringing a more exciting sound to the industry.
Right off the bat, I could tell that ‘Midas Touch’ was heavily influenced by the 90s and early 00s, using more sharp and unique instrumentals. It’s clear that the group isn’t trying to follow current trends but trying to revive and start new trends.
Their sound is very reminiscent of the second generation of K-pop, which lasted from 2001 to 2011, which is very nostalgic for me. I spent most of my childhood listening to K-pop with my brothers, so this kind of sound reminds me of my childhood. But I’m excited to see how their sound evolves.
