REVIEW | MelodyDay’s “Restless” is a sweet and melodic summer jam

Release Date: June 29, 2018

Recommended for: Those who are willing to appreciate a different approach to K-pop summer bops; those who like soft, jazzy music; anyone willing to give an unpopular girl group a chance; RnB fans

NOT Recommended for: Those who are more more inclined to rap and hip-hop, pop (electro, dance, house); anyone looking for a heavier hitting summer song

MelodyDay has flown under the radar, despite consistently releasing quality content. Should they follow their usual formula, ‘Restless’ just might be a standout track. However, will quality be enough to make an impact in 2018’s packed summer schedule?

The opening synth instantly grabs the listener’s attention, promising a sweet yet unique jazz jam. The opening verse is simple yet delivered in such a way that augments the soft instrumental. The backing vocals also make the vocalist stand out. I am not too familiar with this group and so I do not know who is singing. It almost sounds like the same person sings throughout, though, as the tone and inflection does not change. I like the addition of a rap verse here. It serves its purpose well and prevents the track from becoming monotonous.

The vocals are absolutely breathtaking, with the group’s vocals being the main standout. This is not surprising, as jazz usually does better with great vocals. They really live up to their group name because the background vocals and harmonies really add to the dynamics of the verses and the chorus. The instrumental itself is nothing to write home about, although the piano-synth is interesting in some parts (mainly the chorus). That’s where the vocals come in handy. They elevate a rather simple instrumental to something sweet and enjoyable.

This is the type of track that would hit big in South Korea. A lot of the top singles that come out each year have the same coffee-shop-house feel. The only reason why “Restless” is not killing the charts right now is because MelodyDay is, quite unfortunately, an unpopular group. Otherwise, “Restless” is reminiscent of Heize‘s hit “Don’t Know You” or even Bolbbalgan4‘s massive hit, “Galaxy”.

I am not a fan of the group, but they have always impressed me with their quality. “Kiss on the Lips” is the summer hit that never was and I was waiting for them to give us something similar. However, I do appreciate that they decided to do something other than the heavy-hitting summer pop track that we have come to expect from K-pop’s girl groups. “Restless” is definitely something that I would listen to while driving down a long road on a calm, windy day. This is a great effort and it deserves way more recognition that it is currently getting.