Ramp Up for Summer with Golden Child’s “Ra Pam Pam”
It’s been a long time coming, but Golden Child has finally made their comeback with “Ra Pam Pam.” Almost eight months after January’s “Burn It,” the group’s most successful release to date, the boys have kept up the momentum with one of their most impressive albums yet—an album aptly named Game Changer.
Following a series of steamy teaser photos from each member, it became clear that the group was opting for a more mature image this time around. This image sees fruition in the form of the sultry, moombahton-influenced “Ra Pam Pam,” a song in which, perhaps unsurprisingly, the beat takes the spotlight. Underneath the percussion, the song is carried by a deep bass that can only be truly appreciated through headphones. The repetitive chorus and lilting vocals give the song an extra enticing edge—all things that make a practically perfect formula for success. In my opinion, however, the biggest strength of “Ra Pam Pam” is the utilization of the rappers.
Golden Child has always had a reputation for flawlessly intermixing their rap verses; very rarely, if ever, do they sound out of place or forced. Any K-Pop fan knows that rap is a staple in nearly every K-Pop song, but sometimes, it just doesn’t feel natural or needed. That has never been the case with Golden Child, least of all with “Ra Pam Pam.” In a track where the beat is the focus, it’s not shocking that the percussive verses of the rappers take the song to the next level. Aided by a surprise Bomin in the first verse, Jangjun and TAG’s parts show up throughout the song, as opposed to K-Pop’s usual designated second verse rap. The sprinklings of rap gives the song that last hint of spice that really makes it work. And boy, does it work.
The video for “Ra Pam Pam” follows suit of “Burn It,” with the boys entering another cinematic universe, this time as they try to survive a post-apocalyptic, dystopian society. It’s another chance for the boys to show their acting chops, but the video grants them more performance roles this time around—and thank goodness it does, because the choreography is a perfect match for the track. On top of being musically impressive, Bomin and Janjun’s shared part is made even better in the video as they come together in tango-inspired choreography—a theme which is present in many of the moves. Joochan is another scene-stealer in the video; on top of his already stellar adlibs, “Ra Pam Pam” has his charisma shooting off the charts.
Game Changer opens with the ominous-sounding track of the same name. Although the intro is only an instrumental track, it quickly sets the tone for the rest of the album and the new image the boys have adopted this time around. EDM is the name of this game, to say the least, which flows seamlessly into the title track “Ra Pam Pam.”
“Bottom Of The Ocean” is about as unexpected as can be. On top of a pop-rock influence, the song is also a full English release—a sound that is a surprisingly natural fit for the boys. The English release does feel a little out of place amongst their discography, but it’s hard not to enjoy Golcha’s infectious enthusiasm all the same, regardless of what language they’re singing. Like the album title promises, “Fanfare” is a true game-changer of a track. The song keeps the upbeat energy from “Bottom Of The Ocean” going, but kicks up the dance beat, adding in disco elements for that extra punch. It’s the kind of song that matches Golden Child’s talents to a T, allowing their vocals, playfulness, and dynamism to show through (especially the vocals. Joochan and Y’s adlibs in this one are out of this world).
From there, the album breaks off into smaller unit tracks, with the first being a duet between Joochan and Bomin called “Singing In The Rain.” Much like the famed song of the same title, this duet has a vintage touch, pulling from jazz elements as the two vocalists harmonize against a soft piano. The flow changes quickly with “GAME” by TAG and Jibeom, a track with a sprightly beat that showcases Jibeom’s clear vocals alongside TAG’s spitfire raps. The group comes back together in “Spell,” a fast-moving cut that incorporates guitars alongside dance beats. Keeping with the theme of genre-jumping, leader Daeyeol is the stuff of K-Drama OST dreams with his solo pop song “Out The Window.”
Jangjun and Y team up for “POPPIN’” which is a song that allows both to expand on their talents. In the group, Jangjun and Y have some of the most recognizable voices, but “POPPIN’” allows them to explore their registers, with both artists hitting lower notes than usual. Seungmin, Donghyun, and Jaehyun join forces for the light-hearted song “That Feeling,” a track that suits their honeyed vocals. It wouldn’t be a proper Golden Child album without an emotional ballad, and in Game Changer, that track is the closer, “I Know.” Between dramatic builds and swelling vocals, the boys sing their hearts out in another song that’s sure to be added to every Goldenness’s sentimental playlist.
Be sure to check out Golden Child’s latest comeback, and if you haven’t made the choice to stan yet, be ready to have your mind made up for you.