[Album Review] From Real to Surreal (6th Mini Album) – HIGHLIGHT

The next album up for review is HIGHLIGHT’s 6th mini-album, From Real to Surreal, which was released a year ago. It is a short one, with just 4 songs making up its entirety – one of them being the title track Chains. Overall, this mini-album is fair but not their strongest effort to date.

Their last album release was Switch On from 2024, led by the single BODY.

1. Chains (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Chains. (7/10)

2. Endless Ending (없는 엔딩) (Pre-Release Track) – HIGHLIGHT liken a past relationship to a completed movie in Endless Ending, where the story and ending of the movie is unchangeable, but the members are unable to let go and pondering on what could have been. The mid-tempo ballad sounds bittersweet with you consider the lyrics and emotional tinge featured in their vocals. Endless Ending was also released under their original name, BEAST, after getting the rights to their original name back from their previous company. This has led to fans theorizing that the song is a reflection upon their journey thus far. That story, particularly where they had to say goodbye to some people, is also fixed and they wonder what the alternative ending would be like had the story been different. (8/10)

3. Good Day To You – Next up is a dreamy, jazzy R&B number. I liked the brass elements and piano in the song, which just give Good Day To You such a golden and sultry vibe. HIGHLIGHT sound so nice throughout the track, with their vocals and the melodies they bring to life give the track its smoothness and velvetiness. Overall, Good Day To You gives off very sophisticated vibes. (8/10)

4. Follow Me – Follow Me is the type of song that I have been drawn toas of late. The energy from the rock elements in this pop track feels bold (relative to the rest of the mini-album) and dynamic. However, I personally would have liked for the chorus to go all out. I get a sense the producers held back, and so Follow Me wasn’t as explosive as it could have been. I think they did this to complement the slightly softer vocals and harmonies that HIGHLIGHT brought to the song. Nothing wrong with that, I just love the idea that HIGHLIGHT could have really delve into the pop rock genre. (8.5/10)