A.C.E was formed in 2017, right before the 4th generation of kpop, by Beat Interactive. Their name stands for Adventure Calling Emotions, hence the name of this review. They have five members: Kang Yuchan, Lee Donghun, Park Junhee, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kim Sehyoon (who’s also known as Wow). 

Here are my credentials: None. I don’t know much about A.C.E to be honest, which is becoming a theme on this blog, and honestly, I think we’re all the better for it. You might think that it’s good to start with a basic level of knowledge about a band, but going in “blind” in a way means that you don’t start with preconceived notions and you judge the work in and of itself. Anyway, rambling aside, let’s get into it!

Single #1: Cactus

Cactus starts off with a bang, or with a rushing, light footed piano as the case may be. There’s no words at first, but it’s an engaging intro. The piano keeps speeding up, before spiraling into a full-throated chorus that I honestly really liked. I’m not sure whether to classify the instrumental breakdown as an anti-drop, but I wasn’t really a fan of it. Most of the song may be forceful, but it just felt harsh on the ears. Overall, though, Cactus really surprised me by how much I enjoyed it, especially the way it blends 4th Gen boy group tropes that I usually dislike with something much more unique. It’s a great start.

Single #2: Callin’

Callin’ is more “usual”, I suppose, in terms of k-pop songs…at least at first. It’s synthy and understated in its verses, but once the chorus hits, there’s this slow shift of something that gives you the feeling of “not right”. The instrumental shifts to being off-kilter and everything becomes twisted. My favorite part was probably the two part bridge, which does a great job building anticipation for the final chorus. I think I liked Cactus better as a whole, both because it felt more unique and because this music video seems like it was designed to trigger a seizure, but this is a worthy follow-up.

EP #1: Adventures In Wonderland

While both of these first singles were on the darker side of boy group songs, Take Me Higher is almost aggressively bright—in a good way. Its video has this quintessentially kpop humor that’s always a joy to see on screen, and reminded me a bit of Onew’s Dice or Yesung’s Pink Magic. Its verses are good, sure, but I loved the way the choruses blend synths with a hefty dose of funk. I even liked the rap-focused bridge, which is normally a pet peeve of mine. It honestly surprised me how great this song is, especially considering that I’d never heard it before.

From this first EP, I enjoyed the wispy, beachside sound of Dessert and the slowly rising vocals of the ballad 5TAR.

EP #2: Under Cover

With Under Cover, we’re back to a darker sound, and I honestly can’t believe that this is the same group as Take Me Higher. I have to confess that I cringed when the song started, anticipating the kind of in-your-face, I’m-cooler-than-you boy group music that I’m painfully used to on this blog. And I still stand by that feeling for the first verse. But the rest of the song proved me wrong, from the lovely, vocal heavy pre-choruses to the quite well developed hook and bridge that blends trap and rock in such a great way. It reminded me a lot of BTS’ golden age, with songs like Danger or War Of Hormone. Side note, that black and yellow coat that Byeongkwan was wearing? Please tell me where I can buy that.

From the EP, I enjoyed the surprising catchiness of Do It Like Me’s hook, the synth-meets-funk sound of Mr. Bass (my hidden gem), and the soothing vocals of If You Heard.

EP #3: Under Cover; The Mad Squad

Savage is kind of a continuation of Under Cover, right down to the EP title. Its verses are, again, understated, relying on intermittent synths and flashes of percussion, but the song does a great job of building tension in the pre-chorus. I think that so far, this is their weakest chorus, and the one that veers closest to an anti-drop, but I’m happy to say that it’s still more developed than your average one. It doesn’t feel like a cop-out, or like laziness, and I’m not mad at it, if that makes sense. So, it’s not a bad song, but it’s just not for me. Side note, that dance move where they jump into the air with their legs crossed? God, my knees hurt just looking at it.

From the EP, I enjoyed the twinkling piano of So Sick and the bombastic brass-meets-synths of Holiday (my hidden gem).

EP #4: HJZM; The Butterfly Phantasy

Goblin was the only song of A.C.E that I’d heard even a bit of before this review. While their other songs combine k-pop trademarks with genres like rock or funk, this one uses traditional Korean instruments. It’s strange, that’s the operative word, not having a usual song structure, instead gleefully skipping on your expectations and twisting them into something far more interesting. The final minute, from the more traditional bridge to the last chorus led by the background vocals to the outro was just fantastic. Also, the MV is so beautiful, with the painted backdrops, the crosses between hanboks and modern clothing, and the warring red and blue lighting. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was blown away; I literally clapped.

From the EP, I enjoyed the tense, string-and-trap-led Golden Goose, the easygoing beat of Clover, and the heartfelt acoustic guitar of Stand By You, the last of which was easily my hidden gem. I mean, that acapella final chorus? Just great. This is a great EP in general, by the way. I might add it to my favorites list.

Single #3: Down

Like Under Cover after Take Me Higher, Down is nothing like Goblin. Shot to look like an iPhone video on Instagram, it’s almost aggressively modern, all pastel colors, filters, and relaxed clothing. It has a similar kind of humor to Take Me Higher, that somewhat self-deprecating, down to earth, delightfully bizarre kind that I always think of as “kpop humor”. It’s led by a chill piano and acoustic guitar, and seems made to be played in a coffee shop or while you’re studying. I don’t think I’m being quite fair to it with how much I loved Goblin, but this sound has never really appealed to me much. That’s not to say that they don’t do it well, because I enjoyed it more than I usually would, but I’m not going to go out of my way to search it out.

EP #5: Siren; Dawn

Higher’s operative word seems to be ethereal, a mix of the magical feeling of Goblin and their more EDM heavy singles like Under Cover. Its verses take a light footed approach, with only a piano for accompaniment, and the chorus does too, even as it moves into a synth led sound. I really liked how expansive it is, not skimping on quality for timing reasons. The bridge may be my favorite part, with its lovely vocals and the great way it blends into the final chorus. This is another gorgeous music video, by the way; all the combinations of nature and paintings were so cool.

From the EP, I enjoyed the ominous chanting of the intro, the blend of strings and EDM in Atlantis (my hidden gem), and the video-game-like sound of Chasing Love.

Single #4: Changer

Changer takes from several of A.C.E.’s previous singles; it takes Down’s down to earth music video, a bit of the ethereal quality of Higher, and just a touch of the funk that drives Take Me Higher. It both succeeds and suffers from this, basically inviting comparison to very good songs but also improving in some spaces where those were weaker. I’m not the biggest fan of the chorus in this one, but I think it’s still pretty solid. I have similar thoughts that I did to Down, although I definitely think that this one is more fun: it’s a good song, just not something I want to go out of my way to listen to.

EP #6: My Girl; My Choice

Effortless is the first of two singles from this release EP, coming out a few months before its counterpart. Its synthy beat tiptoes along at the start, before it starts to build and build…and then not…quite deliver? I’m honestly a bit confused by its choice of chorus, since the song’s overall very understated and would benefit from more of a statement as its hook. It’s not an anti-drop, exactly, but it is disappointing. As it stands, Effortless doesn’t really go anywhere, which I suppose befits the name. It seems to be more of a vehicle for dancing (which is lovely), but doesn’t make it as engaging just to listen to.

My Girl is the second single, and though it’s also set in a city, its retro color palette and vintage clothes are a world away from the moody nighttime setting of Effortless. I feared it would go the same way as that song did, having  somewhat similar verses, but, like they’ve done in every song so far, A.C.E surprised me. The chorus keeps the retro influences, going for a relaxed but synthy sound with a bit of funk weaved in. It was a pretty good combination, though I wish it was a bit stronger. I have absolutely no idea what was going on in that music video, though.

From the EP, I enjoyed the sweet lyrics and gentle piano of Angel.

Single #4: Piñata

I admit it, I’m almost always partial to a “we’re back” intro for a song, and so the first lines of Piñata got me to smile. However, I’m afraid that that’s where my smiling ends, because the song’s main hook is the worst kind of harsh-on-the-ears, agonizingly long sing-talk that just makes me want to throw my computer across the room. There are little spots of enjoyment, like the second verse, the great buildup in the pre chorus, or the Busby Berkley esque aerial formations, but that’s what they are: spots. I’m a little disappointed that they went this route, to be honest; there are enough NCT 127 clones out there, and A.C.E are strong enough on their own to not have to follow that.

From the single, I also liked the dramatic strings and operatic vocals of the intro, Recuerda Recuerda (Remember Remember in Spanish). I wish more of it inspired the single.

Verdict: TL;DR

I’m glad I did this! I had never heard of A.C.E before this review, but I had a great time, not only listening to their music but learning about them as people. I watched a few videos, including their interview with Fox Seattle (for some reason?) but I think my favorite was probably “The C in A.C.E stands for chaos”, which I came across on YouTube. I laughed so hard.

My Top 5 songs were Goblin (Favorite Boys), Higher, Take Me Higher, Mr. Bass, and Under Cover, with Atlantis as an honorable mention. A.C.E gets an 8.5 out of 10 from me. I know! I’m as surprised as you. I confess that when I started this review, I was expecting to find just another 4th Gen boy group who rely too much on hip thrusting and anti-drops and end up being a subpar clone of NCT 127. But I’m very happy to say that I was proven wrong. I was genuinely so surprised by how much I liked their work. They change genres so often, but it never felt like trend chasing, instead just a natural evolution of their sound. Their choruses especially were a favorite of mine; I hadn’t realized how much I crave expansive, full-throated hooks in my songs, but they really delivered on them. I’m giving them the score I did because I think that, on the whole, their EPs aren’t as strong as their titles, but otherwise, I really didn’t have many complaints.

Next time, we’re onto a re-do of one of my absolute favorite bands. Tschüss!