Review: f(x) – “Red Light” is a Treat for the Eyes and Ears

If there was a problem for f(x) heading into its “Red Light” comeback, it was that the group was increasingly becoming one note. And while that sort of branding may have helped the group establish itself when it was debuting, over time the same-sounding electro-pop anthems blasted over a stream of neon-colored dance-in-a-box sets started to become predictable. Last year’s “Rum Pum Pum Pum” displayed f(x) at their creative lowest – a misguided, sparse summer snooze-fest overlaying a video which may as well have been pieced together from other f(x) releases. Luckily, it’s a new year and “Red Light” is a fairly major corrective course for the SM Entertainment quintet. “Red Light” demonstrates that even a group with an MO as established as f(x) can release something that is both refreshingly different AND wholly within the group’s wheelhouse at the same time.

The most surprising thing about “Red Light” is how it manages to make a tightly composed beat sound utterly anarchic. The beat takes the standard f(x) electronic instruments and proceeds to work them tirelessly. Claps to start have an added electronic grind placed over it as newly introduced elements keep add on top of each other until a real rich and substantive lower register is solidified. Lyrical entrances alternate between being purposely hollow and double tracked (a trick which is employed quite well throughout) to give some depth and balance the spastic electronic wail and thumping bass. The approach to each chorus uses the proper amount of build up, preparing the listener for transitions while never overextending their welcome to the point of dulling their impact.

As for the chorus themselves, they’re pretty fantastic. The synths gleefully bounce in every direction while the vocals are blended together into a smoothie of synthesized glory. The bridge perfectly transitions to a slower and more subdued mixture of low keys and bombastic vocals before going for the final killer chorus. The vocal performances in the verses themselves aren’t particularly noteworthy or distinctive but for a song like this, it barely matters. As far as integrating f(x)’s sound into the current K-Pop trend of having plenty of seemingly incongruous transitions between varying beats, “Red Light” knocks it out of the park.

Then there’s the music video, which should be regarded as a shining beacon of hope for the poor “dance-in-a-box” concept. “Red Light” shows that with enough smart editing and imaginative direction, even the most basic of concepts can come alive. Sure, there are still the solo shots interspersed with choreography shots and establishing group shots. For an SM Entertainment production, those things are as essential as the idols themselves. What really makes “Red Light” a great video is how those things are employed. Lighting filters are used ambitiously and without much constraint. Dark and heavy filters are contrasted with bright kinetic strobes to give all the group and individual shots a sense of artistic foreboding that plays well with the music. Choreography shots are sometimes framed in the same style but more often a wider angle and clearer lighting are used so that the intricacies of the group’s positioning and dance movements can (gasp) actually be seen and appreciated.

The styling and wardrobe of each member is another added layer which shouldn’t be underrated either. Every member is styled very distinctly from each other, which helps emphasize the purposeful controlled chaos that “Red Light” aims for. One can immediately tell Krystal from Amber from Sulli by silhouette alone (another thing which gives f(x) more latitude to play with lighting effects without losing any clarity). Like the sets of the video itself, f(x) simultaneously looks remarkably well put together and on the verge of dilapidation. The group is pretty (Luna and Victoria, good lord), but like every other component in this production, it’s a prettiness with a distinct and recognizable point of view.

“Red Light” could have tripped up at so many points that it’s worth praising it for simply not falling on its face. The fact that it’s actually very good as a whole is a small miracle. The song understands how to make something seem unstable while never losing grasp of sound pop structure through its mixture of layered beats and processed vocals. The video captures the intensity and insanity of the feverish techno-beats and manifests it as a kaleidoscope of imagery that successfully skirts the line between a psychedelic high and a bad trip. “Red Light” takes the standard f(x) package and throws it up against a carnival fun house mirror and somehow the group’s reflection comes out looking better than ever.