Song Review: Super Shy by NewJeans

For those who have been reading my blog since its inception, it is no secret that I am a big fan of NewJeans and their music. ‘Hypeboy‘ was my favourite K-pop song of 2022, ‘Ditto‘ sneaked into the top 10 in spite of being released merely 2 days before I started writing the Best of Kpop 2022 post, and their only songs which I’ve rated below 9 were ‘Hurt’ and ‘Cookie’.

Unfortunately, even though there is plenty to love about ‘Super Shy’, I think it falls short of the best NewJeans has to offer.

If there is something that NewJeans never fails to deliver, it is with their vocal delivery. The sheer compatibility NewJeans has with their songs is almost unparalleled within the K-pop sphere. Every single NewJeans song so far was clearly written with the members’ vocal ability in mind, and never have they ever experienced the problem of having songs that are too difficult to sing, or simply out of their comfort range. (side eyes Itzy’s producers) ‘Super Shy’ continues this trend, and it really works. Within ‘Super Shy’, a special mention to Hyein for her vocal delivery, which honestly, makes the song as good as it is. She captured the sheer essence of the song completely, and it is no surprise that she got the most lines within the song as well as most of the memorable parts. This is her era. The other girls also did really well, particularly in the falsetto line which is extremely pleasant to listen to. They absolutely nailed the ‘easy-to-listen-to’ signature sound with their vocal delivery. The way the song was delivered is really a huge reason to why it is as effective as it is.

However, while I do like the production of ‘Super Shy’, I think the producers struggled in finding the balance between keeping the signature ‘NewJeans’ sound while still adding things that make the production stand out from the rest of their songs. The most notable change made within the song starts at about 2:07 where a unique and surprisingly groovy rhythm enters that has my heading nodding with interest. Simultaneously, a strange vocal effect was employed which filters NewJeans’ voices and makes them sound almost vocaloid-esque at times, but I honestly don’t mind it as it is a welcome change from the previous 2 minutes. However, besides that, I honestly don’t have much to note about the production that has not been done in previous songs. The percussion remains prominent and effectively used. The vocal mixing is crips, clean, and forward. But it is not something they have not done before. Still, it is undeniably well executed. Perhaps for their upcoming title track, I’d welcome something more interesting. ‘Zero’ was interesting. ‘Ditto’ was interesting. I wouldn’t call ‘Super Shy’ interesting.

The hooks are quite effective and generously repeated, but I think it is not within their best melodies in their discography. The first half of the chorus is slightly dissonant and flat, and resolves at the end to induce the required satisfaction and effectiveness. It should work in theory, but something about it does not feel as gripping as their previous hooks. Perhaps my opinion will shift with time, but for now, it is not in the same level as the rest of their songs.

Overall, ‘Super Shy’ is another strong addition to NewJeans’ discography, but I don’t think it will age to be one of their best. For now, ‘Hypeboy’, ‘Attention’, and ‘Ditto’ still remain to be my favourite NewJeans songs and some of my favourite K-pop songs of all time. I will continue to play ‘Super Shy’ on heavy rotation and see if my opinion evolves, but I cannot deny that it did not strike me the same way previous NewJeans songs have.

Hooks – 8
Production – 9
Vocal Delivery – 10
Overall – 9