[Album Review] UNEXPECTED (3rd Studio Album) – THE BOYZ

It is almost a year to the day since THE BOYZ dropped their amazing VVV title track and their 3rd studio album, UNEXPECTED, which was released alongside it. And it is finally time to review the album. The album features 9 songs (including the already mentioned title track), serves as the final album to feature JU HAKYEON (who was removed from the group a couple of months after the album’s release) and follows on from their late-2024 Trigger comeback.

As already mentioned, the title track was an instant hit for me and was nominated for Best Pop Song at the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. VVV was also nominated for Best Dance Performance (Male Group) of 2025. It also ended up serving as a strong indicator of what was to come from the rest of UNEXPECTED (I have rated one song 10/10, while 2 earned 9.5/10 ratings – the rest are ranked between 8 and 9). I won’t spoil which songs got which rating at this stage of the review, so continue reading to find out.

Since the release of UNEXPECTED, the group has gone on to release their 10th mini-album, a;effect, and the title track, Stylish, in July 2025. An album review for a;effect is on the cards for later this year.

1. Feel The Bass – Performed by JACOB, JUYEON, KEVIN, SUNWOO and ERIC, Feel The Bass kicks off the album with a hip-hop track that features a really cool beat during the chorus (and pretty much the rest of the song) and sleek lower register vocals from all 5 members of the unit. But it is the rapping that really grabs my attention. Both SUNWOO and ERIC do an amazing job on their rap parts in the second verse, with awesome flow and energy that make the track easy to remember. (9/10)

2. VVV (Title Track) – Click here for my review for VVV. (9.5/10)

3. Starry Night – THE BOYZ turns to R&B for Starry Night. While it’s pretty much your standard track, I enjoyed the sway Starry Night’s melodies have. I also enjoyed the smooth vocals in the track. I wonder if the producers considered some brass alongside the guitar work in the background. This would have given Starry Night a more romantic feel. (8/10)

4. Ain’t Salty – The orchestral soundscape for Ain’t Salty is epic and dramatic. It felt like an instrumental piece fitting for a battle scene in a movie. It also made for an amazing backdrop to the members’ equally amazing vocals and rapping. It does feel a little funny when you consider the fact that it was paired with the English line “This love ain’t salty”, but the epic and dramatic nature does fit well with the Korean lyrics. (9.5/10)

5. Rose – The album returns to the R&B genre for this romantic track. It features a dreamy background that pairs well with the melodies from the members’ vocals and rapping. SANGYEON at the start of the bridge was quite impactful, while the vocal layering and harmonies that followed throughout the bridge and final chorus were beautiful. I quite liked this track. (8.5/10)

6. Rock and Roll – Unlike what the title suggests, Rock and Roll continue the venture into the R&B genre. In Rock and Roll, the group goes down a groovy, sensual path that they pull off quite well. I really liked the heavy, emphasised guitar riff in the chorus, which gives the track some nice punch and heftiness, as well as the soft ping-pong synth that sneaks through. (9/10)

7. Nothing – It’s the vocals that make Nothing appealing to me. THE BOYZ use a lot of their lower register and raspy textures, allowing them to sound more serious and bring forth an emotional tone as they sing about a breakup. These elements just allow Nothing to hit a little harder. I am not sure if we needed the writing sound effect at the end – it catches me off guard very now and then, particularly when I find myself immersed in the song. (9/10)

8. Miss Demeanor – We come back to the groovy and sensual atmosphere first heard through Rock and Roll. But in Miss Demeanor, the instrumental and their vocals play into more of a disco retro groove, which is honestly quite unique. This makes Miss Demeanor quite appealing, and with THE BOYZ sounding so good throughout the track, this just pulls me into the track even more. (10/10)

9. Cross Over (Love! 우린 이미 선을 넘었어) – Last up on the album is Cross Over, a song dedicated towards their fans. The synth work in the background keeps the track upbeat, whilst the members are reflectively singing about crossing the line from tough times to happier moments, with thanks to their fans’ never-ending love. It is a cute song, and I am sure fans are touched by it. (8/10)