There’s nothing better than a surprise treat. That’s what “APT.,” a suddenly announced single from unexpected pairing Rosé and Bruno Mars, feels like. Rosé revealed in a recent interview that her songwriting inspiration came from the Korean drinking game Apartment. A little bit silly, a little bit flirty, and a whole lot of fun, “APT.” indeed captures the buzzy brightness of a late night, possibly booze-fueled, escapade.
The MV for “APT.” sticks to a single, instrument-filled set, seemingly a recipe for boredom. Instead, it proves to actually be a stroke of genius. For one, the band setup allows Rosé and Mars to pantomime singing and playing bits of the “APT.” This integrates the song’s pop-punk musicality directly into the MV’s visuals, which especially for a song this catchy, is a great move.
Additionally, and even more importantly, the space proves to be the perfect playground for Rosé and Mars’ delightfully goofy chemistry. Whether playing the titular drinking game, dancing their hearts out, or taking turns banging ferociously on a drum set, the pair have a relaxed and playful rapport. Take note, all you K-pop MV directors: Sometimes when you let two duetting artists into the same physical space and have them actually interact with each other, it is fun!
The MV also works because its sole set is far from mundane. This is not your typical grungy or industrial band aesthetic. “APT.” is an eye-catching riot of black and pink, leather and plaid. The MV also draws from 50s, and specifically pop art, styles, employing distinctive camera lenses and angles, and dabbling with inserted text and animations. These little touches, like white sparks flying up as Rosé and Mars play the drums, or adorable bobble-head inserts to emphasize certain musical beats, make every frame of “APT.” a surprisingly intricate delight.
That attention to detail also comes through in the songwriting. Musically, this can be seen in the expert blending of Rosé and Mars’ voices in their joint parts, her high and slightly raspy tone and his lower smooth tone ebbing and flowing above and below each other as appropriate. Lyrically, “APT.” tells a typical back-and-forth flirtation story. However, a few small decisions, in particular the choice to pronounce the titular “APT.” as per the Korean pronunciation “apateu,” lend the track just the right amount of bite:
Don’t you want me like I want you baby?
Don’t you need me like I need you now?
Sleep tomorrow, but tonight go crazy
All you gotta do is just meet me at the
Apateu, apateu, apateu, apateu, apateu, apateu
Breezy without being slight and light-hearted without succumbing to laziness, “APT.” is an absolute blast. As a collaboration, it’s a blueprint. As a pop song, it’s a witty and stylish standout. And as a pre-release single to Rosé’s forthcoming studio album, designed to attract new fans and raise anticipation for what’s next, “APT” is an unequivocal triumph.
(Instagram, Vogue, YouTube. Lyrics via Genius. Images via The Black Label.)
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