Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
In a July that has seen an unprecedented amount of downbeat, forgettable comebacks so far, DAY6 have returned to inject some life into the month. We last heard from the band in December, when they released the excellent “Days Gone By.” December releases tend to fade from memory this time of year, but “Days Gone By” still casts a long shadow to overcome. New single “Time Of Our Life” can’t quite match its same melodic heights, but its rollicking rock energy is a great match for the summer.
With some help from longtime JYP Entertainment composer Hong Jisang, the guys have crafted one of their most anthemic pieces of power pop yet. “Time Of Our Life” wastes no time getting going, heralded by piano and skittering percussion before the raucous guitar comes in. From here, the energy rarely lets up.
The straightforward verses remind me of guitar-fueled pop anthems of the past, driven by an inexhaustible beat and soaring melodic lines. This isn’t anything we haven’t heard before, but it’s been a great deal of time since K-pop has opted for such an uncluttered, widescreen approach. The song’s driving chorus feels more standard for DAY6, guided by heavy drums and a forceful vocal. I love the chanted post-chorus hook, though. It ties everything together with a hefty surge of pop power. I have a feeling that this is the kind of song that will only improve on further listens. It’s an instant boost of vitality during these summer doldrums, and that’s enough to make it an easy July highlight.
