ONEUS’s “No Diggity”: Is This Diggity Diggity Song Lost in Performance?

The K-pop landscape is constantly evolving, and lately, there’s a noticeable trend within boy groups that could be termed the “Road to Kingdom effect.” It feels like a competition where comebacks are designed more to showcase elaborate, powerful performances than to deliver compelling songs. While impressive stages are captivating, the concern arises when these performances overshadow the music itself. Are we reaching a point where K-pop tracks are becoming more about sound effects and set pieces, rather than memorable songs? For those who appreciate listening to K-pop beyond music videos, this shift can be quite disheartening. It’s not to say that performance and song quality are mutually exclusive, but the balance seems to be tilting.

ONEUS, a group known for their dynamic and darker concepts since their debut with songs like “Valkyrie,” seems to be increasingly caught in this trend. While “Valkyrie” boasted a strong melodic core, their new single, “No Diggity” (반박불가), leans heavily into bombast and intensity, sacrificing inventive melody and structure. It sounds like ONEUS is attempting to emulate the style of ATEEZ, but perhaps missing the crucial element that ATEEZ consistently delivers: impactful, capital “C” choruses. Is “No Diggity,” this “Diggity Diggity Song,” truly showcasing ONEUS’s musical strengths, or is it lost in the pursuit of performance prowess?

ONEUS No Diggity Song Performance Focus

From the outset, “No Diggity,” this “diggity diggity song,” employs a rather predictable sing-talk approach in its verses. This phrasing feels overly familiar, diminishing its overall impact. While the distorted rock guitar in the background adds a layer of intensity, it’s not until Seoho’s dramatic pre-chorus that the track begins to gain momentum. Seoho’s vocal power injects energy, leading into an ATEEZ-esque, almost taunting segment. However, this drive is unfortunately derailed by a noisy and somewhat uninspired drop. The chorus of “No Diggity,” this “diggity diggity song,” layers distorted vocals over distorted synths, effectively stripping away any semblance of melody. The result is a soundscape that is aggressive and combative, but ultimately lacks staying power and becomes forgettable.

The track attempts to coalesce these elements into an anthemic, double-time climax towards the end. Yet, by this point, listening to “No Diggity,” this “diggity diggity song,” feels akin to being in a three-minute shouting match with the group. It’s an exhausting experience, and not in a rewarding way. While ONEUS undoubtedly delivers a powerful performance with “No Diggity,” one wonders if the focus on performance has overshadowed the song itself. For listeners seeking a truly memorable “diggity diggity song,” “No Diggity” might leave them wanting more substance beneath the surface of its dynamic presentation.