SEVENTEEN brings their A-game in some form whenever they make a comeback. For their October 2023 comeback with God of Music, their A-game came in the form of practically everything, including their 11th mini-album, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN. For example, in addition to the title track. the three unit tracks that are featured on this mini-album were an absolute knock out. And these tracks collectively helped bump up the overall album rating for the album. Continue reading to find out what I also thought about the 3 songs on the mini-album that have yet to be mentioned, as well as what I thought about the home runs on this mini-album.

1. SOS – SEVENTEEN starts off strong with SOS, an all-English pop rock track produced by Marshmello. The verses of SOS doesn’t necessarily have a tinge of rock to them, opting for a more EDM aligned backing. But things change in SOS once we get to the pre-chorus, where the synths are stripped away, some light guitar work comes into play and we see some really good vocal moments emerge. From there, the chorus features a heavier rock presence, as well as the raspier and rougher vocals that helps give off a grungier exterior. I particularly like how hard they go for the chorus, which takes SOS up a notch. The bridge was the lacking moment for me in SOS, as the inclining repetition of lines felt a little unpolished and muddy. (8/10)

2. God of Music (음악의신) (Title Track) – Click here for the review for God of Music. (10/10)

3. Diamond Days – Diamond Days throws it back to Shining Diamond from their debut album thanks to the ‘Slippin’ into the diamond life’ sample the song features. This makes for a great start and end to the song, especially for fans of the group since day 1. Unfortunately, Diamond Days doesn’t really follow through with this beginning/end. Personally, I felt the chorus was the weakest link of the song. While the EDM instrumentation was dynamic and vibrant, the repetition of the same words ‘Dia-Dia-…-Diamond Days’ and ‘Diamond’ was quite one-dimensional and became a bore quite easily. The verses were more engaging, with the EDM instrumental exhibiting a subtle funky profile and meatier vocal and rapping deliveries are present in the verses. (7/10)

4. Back 2 Back (Performance Team) – We remain in EDM territory with Back 2 Back. Performed by the Performance Unit (which is made up of HOSHI, JUN, THE8 and DINO), I really liked the dynamic flair that Back 2 Back carried. There was a lot going on, but nothing disappointed. In fact, every part felt engaging in its own right. Even the vocals and rapping throughout the track was super prolific and addictive. You can definitely see the amazing performance that the quartet will undoubtedly put on with such a strong song like this. (10/10)

5. Monster (Hip-Hop Team) – We need to remember that this mini-album was released prior to Halloween, so Monster was actually highly appropriate at the time of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’s release. The Hip-Hop team (which consist of S.COUPS, WONWOO, MINGYU and VERNON) had amazing delivery throughout the track. I like the variety of playful rapping and vocals we get from the unit in this track, which works wonderfully with the eerie, creepy keyboard or piano melodies in the background (which to me actually sounds very familiar, but I just cannot seem to place where I remember it from). Their flow and energy are superb, and I liked the little details such as the screams we hear throughout. Best part, for me, has to the lower toned pre-chorus. (10/10)

6. Yawn (하품) (Vocal Team) – The Vocal team turns down the dial of this mini-album a lot with the ballad Yawn. To say it is a beautiful song is an understatement. We hear JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, WOOZI, DK and SEUNGKWAN show off their beautiful vocals in Yawn over an equally stunning classical instrumented backing. And this backing get better as the song progresses, evident by the building momentum, which ultimately peaks in the bridge. The melodies make me sway along to the song, which you know I love out of a ballad. In terms of intent, the working theory (from what I have read about the song thus far) is that WOOZI wrote Yawn for SEUNGKWAN, whose close friend (MOONBIN from ASTRO) passed away in early 2023. (10/10)

7. Headliner – The final track on the album brings the 13 members back together again. And it is a really nice sentimental track to end SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN on. The vocals and background harmonies were really well done, while the instrumentation takes on a pop-rock sound profile. I particularly like the idea of the latter, as it gives Headliner some bite as opposed if it had gone down the ballad route. The melodies were also quite calming and soothing to enjoy. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10