ENHYPEN‘s sequence of albums have detailed the septet’s street to changing into an arena-filling boy band with 4 entries on the Billboard 200 after simply two-and-a-half years collectively. The outcomes communicate to the connection the Ok-pop stars have made with followers, inspiring a magical musical expertise for his or her newest launch.
As a substitute of taking instantly from their skilled and private lives, the Ok-pop stars to look at used the vitality from assembly their followers—affectionately often called ENGENEs—throughout their Manifesto World Tour to ship an elevated emotional expertise for DARK BLOOD, which entered World Albums at No. 14 final week and is predicted to make a significant splash on the Billboard 200 subsequent week after the bodily album dropped final Friday, June 2.
“Whereas our earlier albums have been largely influenced by our private experiences, DARK BLOOD takes our expertise and feelings of getting met our followers in particular person by way of our tour a step additional by incorporating fantasy-like components to reinforce the enjoyment of ENGENEs and listeners alike,” explains group chief Jungwon.
The six-song EP is closely influenced from ENHYPEN’s fantasy novel/webtoon sequence DARK MOON : THE BLOOD ALTAR, which stars vampire characters primarily based off the seven group members. Described in a press launch as “a brand new roadmap for Ok-pop,” DARK BLOOD rolls ENHYPEN’s rising artistic world and IP into its musical, visible and dance world.
“It’s really a delight to see ENGENEs absolutely immersed in DARK MOON : THE BLOOD ALTAR and genuinely having fun with the story,” Jake displays. “With many connections between the webtoon and our album, listening to these elements will certainly make the listening expertise extra enjoyable.”
Sunoo provides, “Seeing characters primarily based on ourselves was actually cool, and it felt like we’re the precise characters within the webtoon. This type of expertise doesn’t come round typically, so it’s been a enjoyable and refreshing alternative for us to attach it to our album and produce one thing new.”
As new of an expertise DARK BLOOD marks for ENHYPEN’s profession, the band can also be taking the time to recollect the place they started.
To rejoice the EP’s launch, ENHYPEN held a “particular showcase” live performance for followers in Seoul, the place they carried out “Into the I-Land,” the theme tune of the boy band competitors present I-Land that finally created the group. Alongside their new single “Chunk Me,” plus tracks “Payments” and “Karma,” the efficiency acted as a reminder that ENHYPEN is as grateful for the ENGENEs with them from the beginning as these with them in the present day.
“It was a really particular efficiency that served as a reminder for all of us to remain grounded and always remember the place all of us began,” Ni-ki says earlier than Sunghoon provides, “We knew how a lot our ENGENEs needed to see this tune carried out stay, so we particularly ready it only for them; form of like our method of claiming ‘thanks.’”
ENHYPEN will proceed to pay it again to followers after they head out on their upcoming FATE World Tour, kicking off subsequent month in Seoul earlier than touchdown Stateside in October. Within the meantime, the blokes inform Billboard that they’re exhausting at work prepping their largest present but whereas additionally maintaining a tally of which songs followers are utilizing throughout their accounts.”
“I’m on social channels fairly typically so I actually take pleasure in seeing how our music is obtained by the broader viewers in addition to our followers,” Jake says. “It’s enjoyable and rewarding to look at our followers participate in our challenges or use our music to create their very own content material.”
Ni-ki is bound to say that “We’re set to start our second world tour ‘FATE’ this coming July with exhibits in Seoul and we can be persevering with to Japan to host dome concert events an’s full d our U.S. leg features a stadium venue, so we’re very a lot wanting ahead to assembly a much bigger variety of ENGENEs in a single place this time. We’ll be giving it our all to organize, so please look ahead to it!”
Learn on for ENHYPEN’s full track-by-track breakdown of DARK MOON together with studio tales, tune reflections and extra.
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“Destiny”
JUNGWON: “Destiny” serves because the narrative spine of DARK BLOOD. Via our narration and vocals, this monitor takes you thru the story of the cursed boy and the way he comes to grasp his destiny. It captures the essence of DARK BLOOD in a nutshell.
JAY: [Recording this song] was memorable for me as a result of it was my first time narrating in Korean.
JUNGWON: When it got here to narrating, I discovered myself needing to get within the zone much more so than recording a tune. So, I bear in mind turning off all of the lights and even closing my eyes when recording my half—it helped me absolutely immerse myself to ship the feelings I needed.
JAKE: Because the opening monitor of this album, it units the tone and temper for the songs to return. Whenever you hearken to the entire album, you’ll discover how every tune is intricately linked, significantly when “Chunk Me” seamlessly follows “Destiny.”
SUNOO: Beginning with this fourth mini album, ENHYPEN will attain new heights and obtain better feats. Let’s make this “destiny” of ours come to life collectively!
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“Chunk Me”
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture JAKE: “Chunk Me” is somewhat totally different from our earlier lead singles, nevertheless it does the right job of capturing the essence of DARK BLOOD. It reveals a contemporary facet of us, and lyrics like “Simply come kiss me and chunk me” ship the message of a fateful blood-bond in an easy method.
HEESEUNG: I aimed to make the spotlight of the tune stand out in order that ENGENEs could be utterly captivated and targeted on the members throughout that second.
NI-KI: If that’s the case, I’d say he nailed it. HEESEUNG is aware of the strengths of every member very effectively, so his vocal instructions introduced a contemporary and distinctive perspective.
SUNGHOON: He actually paid consideration to the small print that we had not seen earlier than, and it made a big distinction in upgrading the tune’s high quality.
JUNGWON: HEESEUNG displayed his professionalism throughout that second, going past being only a member of ENHYPEN and taking up the function of “Director HEESEUNG.” His professionalism made it simple for us to completely focus in the course of the recording course of and provides our greatest.
SUNOO: It was so thrilling to see this new facet of him for the primary time! I can solely think about how difficult it should have been, however he dealt with it like a professional.
JAKE: And I at all times knew that NI-KI is a natural-born dancer, however this was the primary time I noticed him taking up the function of a choreographer. I knew he had a robust want to discover these areas, so I gave him my full help.
JUNGWON: I utterly agree. NI-KI is undoubtedly one of many strongest dancers in our staff, and I’m very grateful that he used his abilities to reinforce the standard of our efficiency. As at all times, his dance abilities left me in awe.
HEESEUNG: It was one more testimony to his unimaginable expertise, not solely as a dancer but in addition as a choreographer.
NI-KI: As quickly as I heard the tune, concepts began flowing by way of my thoughts, and I knew I needed to create one thing distinctive and in contrast to something we’d proven earlier than. I needed to raised ship the lyrics and seize the vibe of the tune much more by way of my choreography.
JAY: It actually exhibits! NI-KI’s choreography completely enhances the general temper of “Chunk Me” and makes our efficiency extra charming to look at.
JUNGWON: And dealing alongside such famend musicians and producers [like Cirkut, David Stewart, Jason Evigan and more] was a one-of-a-kind expertise for us. It was an honor to collaborate with them, and all of us labored even tougher to ship distinctive outcomes. I actually like “Unholy” by Sam Smith [produced by Cirkut]!
SUNOO: We have been really honored to work with extremely acclaimed people within the trade, and their involvement has led to a lovely final result. We’d be thrilled to have a possibility to work with them once more sooner or later. There are a lot of songs that come to thoughts, however I need to say that my absolute favourite is “Dynamite” by BTS [written by David Stewart].
SUNGHOON: Me, too!
NI-KI: It undoubtedly was a terrific honor and I’m grateful for the chance. [I pick] “Dynamite” by BTS.
HEESEUNG: “Get Ugly” by Jason Derulo [written by Jason Evigan] is such a bop. It’s an thrilling alternative to collaborate with somebody whose work I like.
JAY: For me, “Sugar” by Maroon 5 [produced by Cirkut] has been on repeat for some time, so I’m very honored to work with the identical producer for our personal tune as effectively.
JAKE: Their producing and songs have introduced this album to a better degree of perfection. This chance has additionally been a invaluable studying expertise for all of us. I actually like “Die For You” by The Weeknd, a tune produced by Cirkut.
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“Sacrifice (Eat Me Up)”
Picture Credit score: BELIFT LAB SUNOO: As expressed by way of the title, it’s a monitor that guarantees the last word sacrifice and dedication for one’s future. It does a superb job of exhibiting the id of the general album and what we needed to painting. I actually hope everybody likes it as a lot as all of us do.
JUNGWON: I attempted to think about myself as the primary character within the monitor to completely specific it whereas singing.
NI-KI: I completely cherished the low notes within the bridge. It’s somewhat TMI, and never essentially concerning the recording, however I discovered the choreography for this tune to be fairly difficult.
SUNOO: Being the one to open the tune, I undoubtedly felt a little bit of stress to set the correct temper. Nevertheless, I’m actually comfortable and happy with the end result.
JAKE: Personally, this tune jogs my memory of “FEVER.” I feel each songs have that form of alluring R&B vibe that pulls you in.
SUNGHOON: I feel the darkish and alluring traits of the vampire goes very effectively with ENHYPEN’s distinctive shade as a gaggle. Many elements of DARK BLOOD draw inspiration from it and “Sacrifice (Eat Me Up)” sings of sacrifice for one’s future, so I feel our listeners will have the ability to really feel an analogous vibe to “Chunk Me.”
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“Chaconne”
:SUNGHOON: “Chaconne” is my favourite monitor due to its melody. I perceive that “Chaconne” originates from the Seventeenth-18th century and has been known as “music to resurrect the lifeless.” As per its that means, our monitor has a darkish really feel and tells a narrative of a boy who turns into utterly consumed by his personal self and dancing, ultimately dealing with his downfall.
SUNOO: This monitor has plenty of low notes so I went into recording with plenty of apply beforehand.
HEESEUNG: And I attempted to include extra of my vocal shade into this monitor to make it extra dynamic.
SUNGHOON: It is a monitor I attempted writing lyrics for, and though they weren’t included within the last model, I bear in mind instantly falling in love with the melody and going into recording with plenty of pleasure.
NI-KI: And It’s well-known within the group that hip-hop is HEESEUNG and JAKE’s favourite style, however I additionally take pleasure in listening to hip-hop music and the [soulful hip-hop feel of “Chaconne.”]
HEESEUNG: “Hitman” Bang [Si-hyuk] takes the artistic lead for our albums, which is basically a collaborative course of between the members in addition to quite a few producers and studio administrators. He helps information us within the respective path for every of our albums and undoubtedly performs a job in our progress as artists.
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“Payments”
JAKE: That is my favourite monitor from the album as a result of it’s an easy-listening tune.
SUNOO: It’s my favourite due to its lighthearted and refreshing really feel.
NI-KI: It’s only a nice monitor that’s tremendous catchy.
HEESEUNG: The monitor is basically a love tune that displays the feelings that observe a breakup, however “Payments” is a metaphor for the remorse and value one pays after letting a cherished one go.
HEESEUNG: I used to be within the studio for lower than two days for this monitor and felt very comfy in my very own pores and skin all through. The monitor felt effectively suited to me and my voice so I feel that contributed to the graceful recording course of.
SUNGHOON: I bear in mind making an attempt to not make this monitor sound an excessive amount of like a ballad, however extra so mirror the temper of it.
SUNOO: I did my greatest to deal with the that means of the lyrics and put myself within the sneakers of the protagonist of the monitor whereas recording.
JUNGWON: I feel the most important “invoice” to date [as ENHYPEN] was for our customized mics and in-ears.
SUNOO: With the big variety of members and the workers mixed, the invoice provides up once we all exit to eat collectively.
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“Karma”
JUNGWON: “Karma” and “Payments” are two of my favourite tracks from the album, but when I had to decide on one, I’d go along with “Karma” because it has extra of a enjoyable efficiency facet to it.
JAY: My favourite monitor is “Karma” due to its cool and refreshing sound. It’s a monitor that tells the listener to always remember the one you might be linked to by a future predetermined out of your previous life. To us, ENGENEs are our future and this energetic monitor is supposed for us to sing alongside collectively and really feel linked.
JUNGWON: The considered performing this monitor in live performance made me put much more effort into the recording course of. I couldn’t cease smiling within the studio imagining singing it along with our ENGENEs.
HEESEUNG: It’s an uplifting tune, so the recording course of was additionally enjoyable and lighthearted.
JAY: I used to be fairly hyper all through the recording course of to match the vitality of the monitor.
JAKE: I bear in mind having essentially the most enjoyable recording this monitor.
SUNGHOON: I attempted to mirror the rock sound and temper by way of my voice whereas recording.
JUNGWON: And I’m a believer in karma—I consider good issues come to those that do good.
JAKE: I feel I consider in it considerably?
NI-KI: I feel I consider in it. Just like JUNGWON, I feel you possibly can obtain good with good intentions.