Summer season is a scorching season for Ok-Pop music. Amid an amazing variety of new releases and contemporary debuts, it is tough to face out, however some teams have been round lengthy sufficient to be taught the methods of the commerce.
Eight-member boy group ATEEZ got here again with their twelfth mini-album, GOLDEN HOUR : Half.3, on June 13. The only from this EP, “Lemon Drop,” earned them their first Billboard Scorching 100 entry at No. 69.
Now, they’re losing no time through the begin of the North American leg of their world tour, after information dropped that every member renewed their contracts with KQ Leisure for seven extra years.
The repackaged model of this launch contains a brand-new English title observe and eight solo tracks – one for every member to point out off their distinctive influences and writing types. Beneath is a rating of those solo tracks after my first hear, though I am positive it’s going to change inside a number of days.
8
NO1
Hongjoong
Hongjoong, ATEEZ’s captain and rapper extraordinaire, wrote and composed an atmospheric solo observe that drops listeners straight within the heart of a late-night rave crowd. It is an unapologetic celebration of the success he is led his staff to attain that invitations followers to rejoice with them.
Hongjoong co-produced and co-wrote six out of the eight members’ solo tracks.
The title itself straight references one among Hongjoong’s tattoos that states “NO1LIKEME,” a motto he is come to dwell by. Whereas his solo wasn’t my favourite after my first few listens, I cherished the temper he created in simply over two minutes and thirty seconds.
Personally, I hoped for one thing extra rap or vocal-driven from the captain, however he is proper: there is no one like him.
7
Legacy
Yeosang
Admittedly, I had no thought what to anticipate from a Yeosang solo. For years, followers have begged and pleaded with their manufacturing staff to let him shine in additional than only one iconic line each few comebacks. Now, ATINYs lastly have three minutes of nothing however Yeosang’s sturdy vocals and a sound worthy of his underappreciated star energy.
“Legacy” seems like one thing off the soundtrack for a futuristic motion film or a layered online game. Its epic instrumental fills the soundscape on the excellent moments whereas additionally pulling again to permit his vocals to shine entrance and heart between choruses. That is one which took me pleasantly unexpectedly and one which I am positive will rise in my private rating time beyond regulation.
6
ROAR
Mingi
Within the final couple of years, Mingi, ATEEZ’s different important rapper, has developed such a definite solo sound in his YouTube unique releases and freestyles. “ROAR” was co-produced, organized, and co-written by Mingi, and it is clear that he left his fingerprints throughout each second. The heavy bass and EDM instrumentals praise his deep tone extraordinarily nicely.
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I am a serious supporter of Mingi’s autotuned verses, so I used to be crammed with pleasure the second he began rapping. I’ve additionally been ready for him to actually go in on those that look down on ATEEZ, and “ROAR” gave him ample time and cause to do exactly that with out limitations.
5
To be your mild
Jongho
At any time when Jongho releases a solo observe, there’s by no means any doubt about how nice it’s going to be. He is participated in quite a few Ok-Drama soundtracks already, and “To be your mild” seems like the proper music to accompany a romance drama that will doubtless rip out each viewer’s coronary heart with out regret.
There is not any denying Jongho’s place as ATEEZ’s important vocalist, particularly once you hear him do what he was born to do for over three minutes straight. The instrumental provides a dreamy component underneath his attractive vocals in what may’ve simply been simply one other ballad. As a substitute, Jongho attracts listeners in and provides you goosebumps someplace alongside the best way as per common.
4
Creep
San
There have been two routes San may’ve taken along with his solo observe: the candy love music or the sensual music made for the stage. “Creep” falls into the latter, tapping into the stage persona that ATEEZ’s sickeningly candy lead vocalist adopts with each efficiency. That is additionally the one solo observe on this album that is absolutely in English.
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The lyrics dissect the darkish methods wherein want typically comes by way of in a single’s actions. His vocals place listeners underneath a trance that is solely deepened by the guitar solo that drives the music’s bridge. Altogether, “Creep” makes for an unexpectedly darkish solo debut that locations San alongside tracks like “Spider” by Hoshi of SEVENTEEN and “PARANOIA” by Kang Daniel.
3
Slide to me
Yunho
Equally to Yeosang, Yunho is an extremely underrated vocalist in ATEEZ and in Ok-Pop as an entire. His solo observe, “Slide to me,” makes it instantly clear simply how a lot potential he has to draw Ok-Pop followers from all throughout the map.
The groovy bassline and rhythmic guitar make for an addictive mixture alongside Yunho’s feathery mild vocals. General, the music exceeded my already excessive expectations from the preview video. It is a music match for ATEEZ’s important dancer, who will undoubtedly make it much more spectacular on stage.
2
Sagittarius
Wooyoung
When Wooyoung launched the efficiency video for “Sagittarius” on YouTube in February, followers shortly flocked to induce their staff to add it, together with the opposite members’ well-loved solos, to streaming companies. After seeing the tracklist, I used to be shocked that he was the one one to not obtain a brand new solo, however now I would not need anything from him.
Evidently this darkish, fallen coronary heart
Has discovered its mild once more
Solely when I’m headed in the direction of you
I float by way of the sky day by day
You’re my solely cosmic clue
I will be right here for you
This music is a ravishing illustration of how followers convey mild to his life, but in addition of how he hopes to offer that very same mild again in return. Along with lyrics that might make any ATINY nicely up, Wooyoung’s vocals attain new heights. “Sagittarius” is the solo he is deserved for years, and I hope he continues to achieve alternatives like this.
1
Pores and skin
Seonghwa
Once I envisioned the sounds every ATEEZ member would possibly ship of their first full set of solos, I pictured one thing darkly sensual for Seonghwa. His vocal vary is never captured in its entirety on only one ATEEZ observe, however “Pores and skin” reveals precisely what he is able to. Ethereal falsettos are accompanied by full belts and heavy murmurs inside 30 seconds, however it works.
As ATEEZ’s eldest, Seonghwa was greater than deserving of a observe like this. He cleanly lures listeners in with the pre-chorus, attracts out the anticipation, and pulls you in deeper within the post-chorus prefer it’s nothing. The instrumental breakdown on the finish is simply the cherry on prime of an ideal observe for somebody who was made to ship this idea.
