Music Monday #253: Big Ocean - BLOW

[hitokage]

Obviously as soon as this appeared on my radar, I knew I was going to have to make it the feature. Abuela's S-pop babies getting their first major music video? Of course I have to post about it everywhere! It's a big deal!

Song: BLOW
Artist: Big Ocean
Release: Jul 2024
Genre: Kpop, Spop
cw: bright/aggressive flashing

Watch on YouTube

It's summer bop time and everyone is getting in on the action, so no surprise that Big Ocean's sophomore single is also a summer dance bop. With a quick syncopated bass and three voices in harmony, it may be a pop standard type of song, but it's still that something special. The initial lines are done solo, but after the first chorus, most of the lines are done in two to three part harmonic in a way that makes my ears almost giddy. Partly for the satisfaction of those harmonics and partly because I know they've had to work extra hard to learn that.

At first blush, the video doesn't seem like such a big deal - for the narrative of the story, Big Ocean are a three person janitorial crew working night shift in an office building and taking a bit of a break to pretend they're pop idols instead, dreaming of doing a music video of their own. As such, the video is almost entirely focused on them actually performing in their signature style that combines sign language with street dance moves. And really, given that sign is a huge part of Big Ocean's mission, so to speak, them shooting a music video is hardly surprising, except... Except this is the first video from a brand new company and that makes it a big deal. Music videos are expensive, even if you're shooting in your own company offices. Even a short video can take all night and night shoots cost extra, so call this both a big deal and a sign of commitment to Big Ocean's continuing future success. Abuela couldn't be prouder.

"BLOW" is available now for streaming and/or digital purchase on most if not all the major digital Kpop services. They also have a full ASL version with hardcoded subtitles (meaning I could actually understand the Korean parts, too, if I knew ASL) and no flashing lights.


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