In late 2013, INFINITE‘s Hoya told Billboard that he and bandmate Dongwoo had begun preparing new tracks together as INFINITE H earlier that year. The long wait is over for the rap-focused splinter duo who show evolution with their sound and style in their new single “Pretty.”
The first introduction to the act came via the hit lead single “Special Girl” plus “Without You.” With old-school DJ scratches and an early West Coast hip-hop sound, both tracks showed INFINTE H harnessing the feelings of nostalgic, ’80s- and ’90s-inspired rap. This time, the guys go for a more modern sound with peppy synths and finger snaps, but keep a certain throwback feel with a funky bass line running throughout the track.
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While both of their past releases featured an established rapper or singer on the track (perhaps as an attempt to up their credit in the rap world?), “Pretty” is just Hoya and Dongwoo. The boys handle the verse’s raps and the chorus’ croons, all of which are dedicated to how in love they are with such a beautiful girl that they even hate it when she looks away from them.
The music video doesn’t exactly hit on the same romantic feeling as the song, instead showing the pair playing a prosecutor and lawyer in a court room interrogating and vying for the attention of their “Pretty” female co-star. The pair recount embarrassing “cases” with the girl that includes the guys getting into a car crash and spilling coffee on their love interest. There are some major fashion hits throughout the vid (Hoya’s Keith Haring varsity jacket, for one) along with misses, but the playful looks and shiny video sets make it one of K-pop’s most delicious visuals of the year.
“Pretty” is the lead single off INFINITE’s sophomore EP Fly Again. While the duo’s debut EP Fly High mostly featured respected MCs like Dynamic Duo’s Gaeko, Zion.T and Bumkey, the guys mix it up with Fly Again including R&B vocalist Yang Dali, producer DJ IT, Soojung of new girl group Lovelyz and more. Listen to the official preview for the EP below: