These days, there’s been a plague of member hiatuses and departures for causes that really feel comparatively minor. Tempest’s Hwarang is presently sitting out group actions as penance for… visiting a dance membership. Look, there’s quite a bit I like about Ok-pop (clearly), however this foolish micromanagement of its artists must cease. It’s reached a stage the place netizens can damage careers over arbitrary issues and the thought of forgiveness appears fully alien. We should keep in mind that many of those performers are basically youngsters. Individuals make errors and so they (hopefully) develop from them. That’s a part of life, and any “idol” ought to characterize life.

With that out of the way in which, I knew I’d take pleasure in Tempest’s new single as a result of they’ve established a seesawing sample of releasing “banger, disappointment, banger, disappointment, and many others.” After final yr’s troublesome Vroom Vroom, we’ve now cycled again to “banger.” New single Lighthouse is a rousing, vocal-focused punch of feel-good pop. Its adamant stomp and inspiring, anthemic melodies remind me of Golden Baby’s wonderful 2021 hit Burn It, which is excessive reward on this weblog. Lighthouse‘s association isn’t fairly as magnificent, however I admire its willingness to construct to a satisfying centerpiece and maintain that surging power going in the course of the verses.

Most of all, I like how the track employs full-throated singing as its largest attraction. There’s no shouted onomatopoeias to be discovered right here. As a substitute, the refrain crests with a dynamic melody that takes benefit of the instrumental’s optimistic surge. It’s a considerably generic sound, however stands out in a Ok-pop market that’s largely moved on from songs like this. And at three and a half minutes, Lighthouse offers itself sufficient time to unfurl for max impact.

Grade: B+