"APT.," a duet between Rosé and Bruno Mars, debuted in the Hot 100 top 10 on the week of 11/2/24. The song is a masterclass in strategic chorus development. Each of its four choruses builds on the previous one by recycling and modifying material from earlier choruses and/or other sections, all while retaining its core hooks and infectious groove. These techniques not only make it an unforgettable earworm but also keep listeners engaged from start to finish.
Chorus 1
Following the spoken, “game-starting” intro, the first chorus introduces the song’s two main vocal hooks: the rhythmic and repetitive “아파트 (apateu)” song title hook and the nonsensical sung “Uh, uh huh, uh huh” hook. These hooks sit atop an infectious drum-and-clap beat reminiscent of Toni Basil’s 1981 hit “Mickey.” Together, these perfectly interlocking elements create an irresistibly fun breakdown groove while leaving room for further development in subsequent choruses.
Chorus 2
Building on the foundation of chorus 1, chorus 2 incorporates distorted synth and guitar stabs that accentuate the downbeats. This blend of recycled and new elements enhances the section in several ways:
- Heightening interest and energy while reinforcing the chorus’s core hooks and groove.
- Strengthening the song’s cohesiveness by recycling the stabs that were initially introduced in verse 1. However, the swells leading into the stabs are unique to the chorus, adding freshness.
- Creating vocal and instrumental contrast with the preceding pre-chorus, allowing the chorus to stand out more prominently.
- Amplifying the track’s electropop/synthpop aesthetic.
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