SEVENTEEN’s present second looks like one which’s in transition. In Might, the Ok-pop boyband celebrated their ninth anniversary and far of their exercise as and since they entered their tenth 12 months collectively has been break up between trying again and shifting ahead, utilizing their previous to drive their future. A month earlier than they commemorated their debut, they wove parts of a few of their earlier singles, like ‘Oh My!’ and ‘Worry’, right into a triumphant ‘Maestro’. Their newest world tour ‘Proper Right here’, which kicked off in Goyang this weekend (October 12-13), dives deeper into their again catalogue than current stints on the highway, making a multidimensional recent take a look at the SEVENTEEN story to date.
On their twelfth mini-album, ‘Spill The Feels’, they proceed that development. It’s most evident on ‘1 To 13’, a brilliant piece of Miami bass that takes moments from their previous. It’s suffering from references to songs and moments which have made up their journey thus far, from nods to their debut (“After I first met you / Since Might, all my seasons are solely you”) to their 2018 and 2019 EPs ‘You Make My Day’ and ‘You Made My Daybreak’. For SEVENTEEN, gazing backwards has a objective, although, and right here, they use their reflections to strengthen their dedication to instances but to come back. “Simply keep by my aspect / I’ll present you every thing,” S.Coups vows.
That spirit continues to be embedded within the document, even when the 13-member group aren’t in self-referential mode. Over its six tracks, they pull from life classes and experiences to solid new visions and intentions for what comes subsequent, whether or not that’s prioritising what’s most vital and fulfilling over issues the world tries to distract us with, or persisting via tougher moments by letting positivity information your path.
The buoyant DJ Khaled-assisted ‘Love, Cash, Fame’ tackles the previous, pursuing love above all else. “I don’t want cash or fame,” DK and Seungkwan sing within the refrain. “To me, that don’t imply a factor / I simply want your love, that’s greater than sufficient.” ‘Sweet’, in the meantime, a fantastic, twinkling ballad delivered by the vocal unit of DK, Seungkwan, Joshua, Woozi and Jeonghan, is gently defiant. “Perhaps love is supposed to be bitter / I don’t prefer it, what ought to I do?” DK shares as Jeonghan sympathises: “As a lot as turning into an grownup / Love is hard, too.” Their decision? To “love like sweet / In order that even a small phrase could make us really feel good”.
That juxtaposition of unfavorable and optimistic isn’t new in SEVENTEEN’s existence, one the place they’ve repeatedly acknowledged life’s struggles however maintained an encouraging, optimistic power all through. April’s ‘Cheers To Youth’ discovered gratitude for “little issues that made me smile”, clinging to hope regardless of our “suffocating world”, whereas 2022’s ‘Shadow’ discovered them accepting their true selves and elements that may in any other case keep hidden “as a result of even my darkness will shine brightly”. ‘Eyes On You’, a bouncing home collaboration with British DJ and producer Shift K3y, continues that thread right here. “Inform me extra about your self / Give me your first scar,” they ask, searching for to develop one thing significant and long-lasting out of open and sincere communication, even when meaning not glossing over ache.
Typically, we discover the boyband at completely different factors of that journey to acceptance. On ‘Spill The Feels’, the efficiency unit’s – Hoshi, Dino, The8 and Jun – ‘Rain’ continues to be within the midst of looking for its means out of the darkish. “I’m standing alone in a forest of individuals / On the lookout for somebody to know my coronary heart,” The8 sings over the observe’s noirish disco strut earlier than Dino admits: “The brilliant day brings me no pleasure at evening / I sat in an empty room with the lights off.” Because the rain pours round them, they ask not for it to be stopped however for it to proceed and wash away their confusion.
On the reverse finish of the spectrum, Mingyu, S.Coups, Wonwoo and Vernon’s hip-hop unit have already arrived at their vacation spot, their cups operating over with supreme confidence. “I stand on oceans / I stroll on water, you’re floundering,” they declare, in full management. Quite than accept the facility and place they’ve already earned, although, they’re nonetheless pushing ahead for extra: “I’m taking on / Nonetheless I’m thirsty.”
‘Spill The Feels’ marks SEVENTEEN’s first launch of their tenth 12 months and a brand new period for the group that’s already seen them carry out the largest reveals of their profession and break new boundaries for themselves and Ok-pop as a complete. However, whereas it packs the thrill of one thing recent and in fixed evolution, most significantly, it doesn’t deviate from the very core of what makes SEVENTEEN them – an unwavering dedication to spreading hope, pleasure and love, all through addictive and affecting music.
Particulars
- File label: Pledis Leisure
- Launch date: October 14, 2024
