As mentioned in yesterday’s review of MOVE, I am keen on reviewing TREASURE’s newest release sooner rather than later due to the likes of the pre-release single MOVE. Well, that review comes today as TREASURE makes their official comeback for the first time in nine months (that last comeback being HELLO and The Second Step: Chapter Two) with BONA BONA and their second studio album, REBOOT. It is also the first official comeback of TREASURE as a 10-member group, following the withdrawal of Bang Yedam and Mashiho late last year.

Right off the bat, the synth selection for BONA BONA is very cool and reminds me of the 00s pop tracks. It really sets up the song super well and an opening like that is sure to attract many listeners. The verses in BONA BONA (and bridge) maintains that impression with great vocals and rapping, along with a nice nostalgic touch with the synths and the 00s direction. Then comes the choruses. They feature intense brass and marching drums, which gives BLACKPINK’s Kill This Love vibe. While I did question the change in direction from synths to marching band vibes at first and am still unsure if the intent of this was to draw us back to Kill This Love, TREASURE does manage to make it their own and create a high-octane and intensity centrepiece for BONA BONA. In true YG Entertainment fashion, the final chorus of BONA BONA is substituted out for an electrifying and anthem-vibe ending. Personally, I am into the presence of the electric guitars riffs in the background and how well it fits in with the rest of the song. The members really give it their all in terms of energy and this creates a very satisfying, strong and epic ending to BONA BONA. While I personally don’t think BONA BONA necessarily exceeds the bar that was set by MOVE, it is still a very strong comeback nonetheless, full of energy and vigor.

The music video starts off with what looked like a scene that could have been lifted out of MOVE, with the members donning suits in a blue-grey metallic set and Junghwan as the centre of focus. The sets start to expand from there with the black and white styling and blue-greys coming through, but it feels very different in this video vs. to the pre-release video. I did note that the set for the first chorus really felt similar to the Kill This Love set that was blown up (i.e. the stone walls/structure etc.). The only new set that felt original for this music video is the ship deck at the end of the video. I also like their more casual outfits for this scene and the summery vibes that feels a bit more fitting for the current season than the likes of the dark and confined sets we see at the start of the video.

The choreography, as you would expect, was intense and powerful, just like the song. The marching and air drumming just makes so much sense. Similarly, the energetic ending was just right for that part. The group also looks super focus and are very much in the zone, which helps makes the rest of the routine (from what I can see in the music video) super engaging to watch.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10