Over the past few weeks, there’s been a ton of K-pop releases embracing bright dance pop sounds. This has been a boon to my playlist, as I tend to flock toward this energy during the summer months. Jo Yuri’s music has shifted style with each release, but Taxi lands her right in the K-pop roller rink alongside many of her peers.
Taxi is pretty generic, but its brisk beat and effervescent vocal performance give it an edge. The chorus pinwheels with a breezy, effusive energy. The melody is repetitive but effective, and would have benefitted from a secondary hook to shoot it to the stratosphere. As is, the bombastic synths carry the brunt of the work, crafting a centerpiece worth waiting for.
Taxi‘s verses are also a ton of fun, employing a call-and-response conversation between sung vocals and chanted replies. The tempo remains high during these segments, ensuring the track never loses its bubbly through-line. This is easily my favorite Jo Yuri track since last year’s Love Shhheven if I can’t stop myself from hearing SNSD’s immortal Mr. Taxi every time I read the song title!
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
