Korean Rock Recall: Why The 2014 Solutions Single 'Movement' Cuts Across Musical Genres [VIDEO]

With a combination of six-string textures and dance floor indulgence, South Korean pop band The Solutions are one of that nation's new acts bridging the gap between worlds both old and new.

Formed in 2012, The Solutions's latest single "Movements," released back in May, proves that the ecstasy of an anthemic chorus can cut across dance or rock music idioms.

This band seems to be out to prove that exciting musical moments know no stylistic boundaries.

"Movements" comes from the album of the same title. The duo of vocalist Park Sol and producer Naru are seen in the song's video flanked by a Marshall amp, a bevy of guitars and a glut of instrument cables running in every which direction (in other words, stock rock video paraphernalia). Yet, the music moves with a propulsive bounce that isn't too far removed from radio-friendly, electropop.

The mixture of signifiers both modern and vintage suggest that The Solutions are students of older, analog styles but are happy to work in a more contemporary, digital format.

It's telling that the song's drum sounds are meant to sound like an acoustic trap kit, but are performed on a sampler. Again, the worlds of live music and electronic sound are brought closer together.

What successfully brings these two elements into total communion? The chorus.

An early detractor of rock music called it "repetition spiked with hysteria." The same could be said for dance music, which pushes each verse to its breaking point before erupting into a frenetic payoff.

The Solutions are studied experts on this sort of payoff, if the chorus of "Movements" is any indication. It's a moment of pure id, an aggressively fun four-on-the-floor moment that is designed to invoke movement in the listener.

The title can't be a coincidence.

Sol's voice drives the chorus' melody and the group's apparent rejection of Auto-Tune makes his vocal prowess all the more impressive.

Meanwhile, Naru's subtle guitar playing recalls U2's the Edge in its ability to skirt the verses' turnarounds, offering a harmonic boost and simultaneously providing textural as well as percussive energy.

While mildly syncopated verses in "Movements" are engagingly tense, it's all about the chorus. When the dance beat kicks in, its crowd-pleasing energy is admirably irresistible.

Mission accomplished, gentlemen.

Watch the music video for "Movement" by The Solutions RIGHT HERE

 

Jeff Tobias is a writer, composer and musician currently living in Brooklyn, New York. As of late, he has been trying to develop a stretching routine and studying arcane tuning systems.

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