[Single Review] B.A.P 'Hurricane'
The first third of the song sounds like the "Lucifer"-eraSHINee (if they were hip-hop inspired instead of R&B/dance). The rhythmic melody and tight harmonies are not far off from an updated version of "Ready or Not". The verse simmers just under the surface over sparse percussion before and a thrumming bass-line that sounds suspiciously like it may be played on a traditional Korean stringed instrument (there are a number of them, so it's difficult to say which one it might be). B.A.P included traditional percussion instruments in "No Mercy", so if this is another traditional instrument, it makes for an interesting recurring theme in B.A.P's music. Things kick up a notch going into the chorus, with bigger vocals and the addition of some staccato, laser-like synths, which melt into a funk baseline in the post-chorus before breaking into the rap verse. About two and a half minutes into the song, everything stops and switches to a slower, clattering beat smothered under skittery record scratches, which slowly builds speed until it breaks back into the chorus for a strong finish.
There are bits and pieces of "Hurricane" that sound a little like things that B.A.P has done before, but as a whole, the song is something new for the group and it stands on its own merit. It wouldn't make a good lead single, but as a hype song it serves as a good reminder of where B.A.P has already been, as well as an indicator that there's still more left for them to explore. It also begs the question- since "Coffee Shop" was entirely new territory for B.A.P and "Hurricane" feels like home turf, what could they possibly have in store for us next?
