[Album Review] ROMANCE: UNTOLD / ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- (2nd Studio Album / Repackaged Studio Album) – ENHYPEN

ENHYPEN is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Pop Song for Sweet Venom, among other categories, in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support ENHYPEN and Sweet Venom by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes later at 11:59 PM AEDT 31 January 2025 (today!!).

It is time to review ENHYPEN’s 2024 album releases – ROMANCE: UNTOLD and ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-. The former was released in July 2024 and features the title track XO (Only If You Say Yes), the secondary promotional track Brought The Heat Back, the English version of the title track (featuring JVKE) and 6 side tracks. The album was then re-released as the latter in November 2024, featuring 2 new tracks, including the title track No Doubt. This series follows their ORANGE BLOOD album release in November 2023.

Altogether, the ROMANCE: UNTOLD series is a very strong showing from ENHYPEN. Both title tracks are great, and the side tracks have been fantastic to listen to. Most tracks were unskippable in my books, and this has helped make the albums standout releases of the past year. The rating wasn’t high enough to be eligible for Best Album in my KPOPREVIEWED Awards, but definitely notable enough. Continue reading below to see if you agree with me.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD Tracks

1. Moonstruck – Kicking off the studio album is Moonstruck. This is a R&B number that features a sensual vibe from the members. I remember thinking this opening track was sluggish, but Moonstruck has grown on me since. I enjoy it quite a lot now. The “Just the two of us, moonstruck” line in the chorus is memorable. I also like the infusion of rock towards the song’s end. (9/10)

2. XO (Only If You Say Yes) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for XO (Only If You Say Yes). (8/10)

3. Your Eyes Only –The mid-tempo beat reduces the appeal of Your Eyes Only. But its the members that win me over. HEESEUNG’s “You & me, yeah” in the first verse and JUNGWON’s equivalent line in the second verse (in its entirety) were memorable moments. The other members brought solid vocals to the song, particularly JAKE and SUNOO, who shared the choruses. The “Ya Ya … Ya Sugar talk” hook and the “Read more” refrains were also quite catchy. (9/10)

4. Hundred Broken Hearts – We move into upbeat R&B territory in Hundred Broken Hearts. The synths and the autotune vocal processing used in the song give off old-school vibes that make this song attractive. I did wish there were more memorable elements apart from the instrumentation and nostalgia the song brings. (8/10)

5. Brought The Heat Back – Click here for the full review for Brought The Heat Back. (8.5/10)

6. Paranormal – Paranormal introduces drum ‘n’ bass into the album. While this brings some refreshing notes to the R&B heavy album, I wished the song tapped more into the grungy guitars-like synths (?) that it uses in the background. It is a missed opportunity to have them in Paranormal, but not used effectively. The members’ vocals are good in this track but would better suit a grungy or more substantial rock-influenced song. (7.5/10)

7. Royalty – Royalty sees the guitars as the instrumental’s forefront. The guitar riffs opt for a contemporary vibe. And in combination with the rest of the instrumentation, Royalty feels summery and beachy. SUNOO is the standout member in this song, particularly with how he starts the song. The choruses opt for a shoutier motif, the loudest we have heard from the members in the album. But as a mechanism to get your attention, it works effectively and I find myself vibing with Royalty. (10/10)

8. Highway 1009 – Highway 1009 is another pleasant track that hits the right spot. The track features a pop instrumentation that sounds clear and crisp. The same thing can be said about the vocal work that ENHYPEN outputs. The best part of Highway 1009 is the chorus, which has a stunning melody that makes the track standout and brings a smile to my face. (9/10)

9. XO (Only If Your Say Yes) (ft. JVKE) (English Version) – Refer to my review for the Korean version of XO (Only If You Say Yes) above.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Tracks

*ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-* Album Cover

1. Daydream – Daydream does have a separate track video (embedded below), but it features three-quarters of the song. The actual song is only 2 minutes long, so I am unsure why the video limits the song further. Anyhow, Daydream is definitely an intriguing song. A prominent presence of whispery raps makes the track engaging and complements the lowkey minimalistic bass instrumental. The track does build on these whispery vocals to fuller volume vocals, but those are definitely not the main star. I liked the balance Daydream finds in all of this while maintaining that alluring uniqueness. (9/10)