Our last song before we hit Top 40.
Rounding out our bottom 10, we’ve got our lone entry from A.C.E.: “Under Cover.” A.C.E. stands for “Adventure Calling Emotions.” Okay… They are a 5 member group that formed in 2017. They gained popularity busking around the Hongdae district of Seoul doing dance covers, so good for them being go-getters! I’m just sharing this little background about them because I honestly knew next to nothing about them prior to doing this rate.
I'm pretty sure that I've only had the (dis)pleasure of listening to A.C.E. songs when they've appeared in previous boy rates, and "Under Cover" might be my least favorite of their songs I've heard yet? I'm quite baffled that A.C.E. were allegedly forum darlings for a while? In doing a little research, "Under Cover" peaked at #9 on the May 2019 Charts, besting groups like NCT and GOT7. In fact, according to Slicey's data, up until that point, all 4 of their singles were Top 10 KPJ entries. ..... WHAT?! You kids always keep me guessing.
"Under Cover" served as the title track to their 2nd mini album of the same title, with songwriting credits by BIGTONE (빅톤) (KOR), Onestar & ESH (ZBS) and production credits by MADFRESH (ZBS) & 이영준 (Chief206). So it seems like I have them to blame ddd. It's not that it's produced "badly," but this stadium rock electric guitar sound generally does not do it for me. There's too many gun shot sound effects and angry rapping, it's all giving early Stray Kids when I used to not like them either. *shrug*
I was wondering why I hadn't heard their name in a minute, but it looks like all 5 members staggered their mandatory military enlistment starting mid 2021, with only member Wow having finished up this past summer. I imagine once they all return, so will the music, and they can terrorize our charts again.
The video, on the other hand, is fairly entertaining. I don't really understand why they are at a craps table in what looks like an empty pool or bathroom ddd, but the stark colors work, especially the red uniforms against the white backdrop. Pretty cool choreography as well. I also love the fact that the closed captions have each member's name with the lyrics -- VERY HELPFUL. I wish more groups did that as well. Byeongkwan is an immediate standout in the group. The definition of "Why am I the only one serving cunt here?" Great titties and abs. Jun also has some fairly good vocal moments, I just wish it was over a better song.
eatyourself made me cackle: ”Demi Lovato.” Lord. Demi doing rock versions of all of their old hits really let them get away with all of their worst instincts as a vocalist. All talent no taste. Anyway. Christopher isn’t buying the facade: ”Oh my, listen to that guitar, aren’t these fellows SERIOUS? Lol.”
Despite this not leaving the bottom 10, most of the commentary though is fairly positive! Salami also calls out what makes the video great: ”Amazing choreography, it made me like the song more.” Watching the live stages to this one was fun to see the whole package, because it is some cool chore. Glitterizer invokes the queen of Pop Punk: ”the 2018 songs really are kind of a struggle overall but i think i can rawk œut to this.” It’s giving more Nickelback that Avril but that’s a convo for another day. Untouchable Ace says ”Rock through a Britney Spears lens.” I see the comparison, though I don’t think Britney should really be touching Rock either ddd. (Not all the pop girlies can so effortlessly glide into Rock like Queen Janet, for instance.)
MmmDani is simply a fan: ”I really liked the vocals and rapping here! The “I want you to be mine” melody is super addictive.” And Slice of Life goes hard for this song in a way I wasn’t quite expecting fff: ”You know, songs like that, they are stories that people can identify with. You know what I mean? Anybody, children were singing this song at graduations, at weddings, at funerals. Ok, maybe the last sentence is a lie but this is just so, so good that I can’t help but be hyperbolic just a tiny bit.”
Viewing Material
