Tag: THE BOYZ

Following VVV from earlier this year, THE BOYZ is back with their new single Stylish and their 10th mini-album [a;effect]. It is also their first official comeback without JU HAKYEON, who was removed from the group following controversy last month.

Unfortunately, even after a few listens, I still find Stylish to give off the same first impression I got when I checked out the song yesterday – ‘overwhelmingly disappointed’. The new single attempts to create a trendy, sultry atmosphere through a moody hip-hop trap-based dance track. ‘Attempt’ being the keyword here. The majority of Stylish is delivered in a rap-speak manner that dulls the song and strips THE BOYZ of the personality they have built through their other releases; the instrumental is also unexciting by today’s standards. It also doesn’t help that the lyrics are very abstract, with the chorus building on the line “Even gibberish is Stylish” by following up with the song’s hook “Guap Guap … Shot, Shot … Bubble Gum Bubble Gum Pop“. Also, Stylish remained very neutral and consistent for over 1:30 minutes, sounding all very similar for this length of time, even during the approach to and the actual chorus during this time. Given that the song was dull and unexciting from the get-go, this isn’t great for Stylish. There was a minimal shift in energy at the start of the song’s last minute, but it is short-lived and definitely not enough to recapture my attention or develop Stylish in any way. I’m not sure why we have gone down this path for THE BOYZ, but I am not a fan of it.

The music video does a much better job of showcasing the song’s stylish side, which it doesn’t capture that well in the actual song. We are shown three sides of the group: a hip-hop industrial side, a more casual and urban side, and a charismatic model-like side. I prefer the last of the three styles, as that is what I think of when it comes to the word ‘stylish’. Other than that, the music video keeps to a minimalist concept, which helps emphasise each of these looks during close-ups and choreography scenes.

Based on what I can see in the music video, the choreography captures more of that hip-hop style than anything else from the song. I liked the confidence and attitude that is exuded from the routine. I also get a sleek vibe from the routine. Not sure if any move sticks out yet, as we haven’t seen a performance for Stylish just yet. If anything jumps out at me, I will come back and update my review.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 6.2/10

THE BOYZ made their comeback at the start of the week — their first since moving on from IST Entertainment. The group has since signed on with One Hundred. Earlier this week, as mentioned, the group returned with their third studio album, Unexpected, led by the single VVV. This release follows their ninth mini-album (yet to be reviewed) and title track of the same name, TRIGGER.

From the many opportunities I have heard VVV this week, I have emerged from the song thoroughly enjoying it each time. There is just so much to like about VVV – I am unsure if there was even a bad or weak part in VVV. From the first second, VVV intrigues with their take on the old-school crowd sound before hopping into engaging vocals and rapping. I like the cohesiveness of the two forms of delivery throughout VVV. Still, I particularly liked the rapping, especially as it dips between vibrant fast pace or deep tones at different moments in VVV. When it comes to the choruses, I loved the nostalgia and smooth melodic touch featured, making for an excellent centrepiece for VVV. The start of the chorus feels comforting, and I love replaying that moment of VVV. The “Oh Oh Oh” post-chorus hook was very catchy and just felt perfect following on from the choruses. Most of the bridge was satisfying, especially the ‘Watch me dash, watch me dash‘ lines and the tinge of attitude it carries. I also enjoyed that final add-on of the chorus at the very end of the song, allowing VVV to feel complete. Finally, the synth-pop instrumentation was quite a dynamic piece, as well. It brightens everything up, yet it also feels robust for this comeback’s rapping and performance aspects. Overall, VVV is a very strong and refreshing release from THE BOYZ.

My best guess about what is happening in the video is THE BOYZ are infiltrating some sort of secret society, which explains the boxing concept they have going on, to spread their music within and beyond. It explains all the scenes of the music (in the form of an electrical current) moving internally through speakers and the whole choreography scene where the members are performing within the speaker. Some of the roles the members played were a little unknown to me, and I am a little confused about HYUNJAE’s presence at the end of the boxing match that JUYEON won (maybe recruitment?). But overall, an equally refreshing music video for this comeback.

I am impressed with the intensity of the performance, which matches the dynamic material of VVV. But to keep it bright and vibrant, the members smile throughout the performance, adding a light-hearted tone to the routine. The boxing concept emerges in the routine at the very start between JUYEON and HYUNJAE, with KEVIN serving as the umpire. I also like the twists and turns that form part of the post-chorus routine.

Song – 9.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10

Now, I skip back to the start of the week when THE BOYZ returned with their 9th mini-album, 導火線 (TRIGGER). Their lead single also shares the same name. This is their first release since March’s Nectar, which was part of their PHANTASY studio album’s third and final part.

Over the last few weeks, I have delved into the world of theatric and epic instrumental music. This type of music helped me power through my long and tiring day. THE BOYZ’s TRIGGER has the same vibe as the theatric and epic instrumental music, and I can imagine it fitting in neatly into those playlists. TRIGGER’s EDM instrumental has bouncy elements that remind me of SuperM’s Jopping‘s instrumental. It also gives the verses a funkiness, an interesting and trendy dynamic in this otherwise dark dance track. The pre-choruses in TRIGGER switch the EDM for some classical instrumentation, changing gears to build momentum to the song’s choruses by slowing things down. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the producers and THE BOYZ handle it well. They used the short sequence well to simmer TRIGGER’s intensity in a concentrated manner to successfully bridge the EDM in the verses to the epic vibes in the chorus. The choruses double down more on the classical instrumental side, with some trap elements peeking through. This gives the instrumental excellent pompous energy but allows THE BOYZ to deliver their dance performance. I commend THE BOYZ’s delivery throughout the track. They matched the power and energy during each section of TRIGGER, ensuring the cool or epic vibes are carried through. SANGYEON and JACOB’s high notes were amazing. To be honest, vocally and rapping wise, I think this is THE BOYZ’s best effort. They really pulled out all the stops for this comeback.

The music video references the Greeky mythology of Prometheus, who stole a flame from the Gods to give humanity knowledge to develop their civilisation. However, humanity takes the fire and burns the world with it. This angers THE BOYZ, who disagree with humanity’s misuse of the flame. This triggers them, resulting in the events in TRIGGER’s music video. I am not sure if they are agents for the Gods or are humans who are looking to lead a rebellion against the rest of humanity for their misuse. However, I am leaning towards the former based on the imagery we saw towards the end of the video (the lightning might be a reference to Zeus, who was clearly not happy that the flame from the Gods was stolen by Prometheus. I also liked the addition of technology to the video, making it modern and futuristic.

The choreography for this comeback carries through that epicness I mentioned earlier. While there isn’t a standout move, I was in awe watching their performance last night on Music Bank. During the verses, the members show a chic and cool demeanour. As for the choruses, we get intense moves that give off angst and aggressive energy that THE BOYZ pulls off well.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

New week means new comebacks. And we start off this week with a big day of comebacks. One of these comebacks is THE BOYZ’s return with the third (and final, I believe) part of their second studio album PHANTASY. This portion of the album is more specifically titled [PHANTASY] Pt.3 Love Letter. Leading the third part is the title track Nectar. This comeback follows on from LIP GLOSS and WATCH IT, the lead single from Pt.1 and Pt.2 of PHANTASY.

In a previous THE BOYZ review, I made a comment that the group tends to switch between dark and bright comebacks. And I feel this album fuels this pattern, with Nectar bringing us back to the brighter sound that LIP GLOSS channeled following the darker and serious tone WATCH IT. While Nectar isn’t as vibrant and upbeat as per the former track, the track does opt for a softer and more pleasant tone compared to their more recent release. The instrumentation for Nectar is ‘mid-tempo pop track with sentimental guitar sounds’ (taken from SOOMPI) and some prominent synth work that turns Nectar into a blast when we reach the choruses. The group backs up the instrumentation, particularly that sentimental vibe, with easy on the ear and tender vocals that fit the realm of pop music. Even the rapping was toned down to be more complementary to the sound profile of Nectar. This also helps push the song’s warm and comforting messaging about ‘putting the past behind and running toward a radiant future’ (also taken from SOOMPI). The melodies were great. I also think the hooks turned out good, but I feel like the shoutier motif (relative to the rest of delivery in the song) muddled the potential for it to really feel clean and crisp, which could ultimately have taken Nectar to the next level.

What I really want to touch was the music video, which I felt embodies the song’s messaging mentioned above. But the approach the members take is a bit unconventional. The video begins with a cult-like vibe, with the group performing a ritual to take themselves back to the past (I think). I also think the time they chosen to return to was a time before some sort of tragedy struck the group, based on how there were a little memorial earlier on in the video. In their own way, they are moving away from past (i.e., when the tragedy struck) towards a brighter future (i.e., their life before the tragedy). But their approach goes against the convention that time is moving from past to future, and can only go in that one direction, as mentioned in the books we see early on in the video. With that in mind, I think the video implies that there is implications to their movements in time – such as Hyunjae donning clothing similar to the outfits the members were wearing when they were performing that ritual at the end of the video and why there were some scenes where some of the members were members are pensive or emotional during their high school days. I guess it implies that the past is still part of you no matter where you go. Anyhow, that is my personal take on the video and I would love to read about other theories you may have about the video above.

[Updated on 22/03/2024] Despite it being a softer song than usual for THE BOYZ, the choreography for this song still manages to strike a balance to showcase a little bit of intensity, but not enough to overpower or overtake the routine. This is in addition to its graceful feeling, which definitely complements the song. While there really isn’t a memorable move in the routine, II still quite enjoyed the choreography as a whole, per usual.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10 [Updated on 22/03/2024]
Overall Rating – 8.6/10 [Updated on 22/03/2024]

THE BOYZ has been nominated for Best Male Group, Best Male Dance Performance (Group) for ROAR and Best Music Video (for ROAR) in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. If you want to support THE BOYZ and your other favourite artists, songs and performance, click here to vote today.

THE BOYZ kicked off this week with the second part of their PHANTASY studio album, with this instalment titled Sixth Sense. It features the title track WATCH IT and follows on from the Christmas in August instalment, which was lead by the single LIP GLOSS. While the comeback does feature all members of THE BOYZ, member Ju Hakyeon will be sitting out of promotions due to a back injury.

Now, this is one cool and sleek song. When I first checked out WATCH IT on Monday upon its release, there were two parts of the song that really stood out to me – the melody in the vocal parts of the pre-choruses and Sunwoo’s “Hi hello, My name is what you want it to” line in the second verse. I was instantly reaching for the replay button to relive those two segments. Further listens has helped me identify the bridge to be another highlight of WATCH IT, especially with Jacob’s high note that just blows me away. All of this sets the bar up quite high, and the rest of WATCH IT follows through quite well. I really like the subtle funkiness in the instrumentation, but also the rough synths and bass that is present in the background. This all puts WATCH IT into the realm of dance music, but the producers did a really great job of making it alluring and mature-sounding. The low-groan deliver of the chorus is very interesting, but works with the subtle funkiness and low bass that is going on in the background. All of the rapping brings the sleekness that I mentioned earlier, forming a very prominent feature in WATCH IT that needs to be touched on somehow. I like how the vocal segments help spreads everything apart. And as mentioned above, the vocals serves us with some of the best parts of WATCH IT. All in all, I am very impressed with the likes of WATCH IT.

I feel like the music video is probably the weakest link of this comeback. And it comes down to a pretty small detail, if I am being honest (relying on what I got out of the video that is). What we saw in terms of visuals, choreography scenes and styling was pretty much top-notch and amazing. The members looked very fine throughout the video and the choreography shots all looked very polished. But it is the plot line that I think is in the music video somewhat that left me a bit confused. We went from a shady jewelry store front to a truck explosion, and I am not entirely sure what this is all about. The cat and something in Juyeon’s blood vessels also leaves me scratching my head. And I feel like the music video was lacking a fair bit in between to really tell that story. Or, I could be missing a prequel video and that might fill in all of the gaps, or I am overthinking what could just be what is supposed to be a “cool” set of scenes. Happy for you to point me in the right direction or to comment on any theories that I should know about.

The flow of this choreography, especially with moves across the stage (such as the slow glide during Sunwoo’s “Hi Hello” line in the second verse), brings that sleekness featured in the song to the choreography. And like all THE BOYZ performances, I am in awe with their showmanship and skills that they show off in the performance on stage. I would have liked to have seen a more defining move during the chorus, but this routine is already pretty fantastic as it is.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10