SF9 are back with "Without Wings," the Afrobeats-rooted title track from their 10th anniversary album TENACITY, and we're giving it an honest review across the song, the music video, and the performance. We break down whether a breezy summer groove was the right call for a decade-milestone comeback, how the "soar without wings" concept plays against the laid-back sound, the wing-inspired choreography, and the Afrobeats-in-K-pop question, then hand down our Keep or Cut verdict on the title track plus a quick radar on the rest of TENACITY.
SF9 (Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Hwiyoung, and Chani) are promoting this comeback as a six-member lineup, with Zuho and Yoo Taeyang currently completing their mandatory military service. The group debuted in 2016 under FNC Entertainment and is marking ten years with anniversary concerts at KBS Arena in Seoul. Fan-first, editorially honest, no gatekeeping.
Timestamps:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 0:25 - “TENACITY” Info
- 1:07 - “Without Wings” Song
- 5:25 - “Without Wings” Music Video
- 9:50 - “Without Wings” Choreography and Performance
- 15:45 - “Without Wings” Rating
- 16:20 - “TENACITY” Album Discussion
References:
- “Without Wings” MV https://youtu.be/w54M18oEv8k?si=3FoNr3JkodkFAnZj
- “Without Wings” [it’s live] https://youtu.be/J-mspHAPDpU?si=a0_hr608clTofRPm
- “Without Wings” Live at Music Core https://youtu.be/gtdiL4Uxm4s?si=2UtoDVfn1vJDkhXn
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 Okay, so boom.
00:00:01 --> 00:00:06 One of the last third gen K-pop boy groups just released their latest single for their 10th anniversary, and we're going to talk about it.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:14 This is CCTV, the nonstop pop show where we provide our unfiltered, honest opinions on global pop music.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 Yes, and one of our first listeners and Patreon members, Lily, is a huge SF9 fan.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:25 So of course, we have to discuss their 10th anniversary title track, Without Wings.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:34 So SF9 dropped their second full-length album, Tenacity, on August 26, 2026, with the album title both referencing their 10th anniversary and also persistence.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:40 Unfortunately, members Zuho and Taehyung are both completing their mandatory military service.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 So this comeback only features six members.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:46 We have Youngbin, Insong, Jaeyun, Dawon, Huyung, and Chani.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:54 And so we will now dive into the production, the vocals, the music video, the performances of the title track Without Wings and drop our individual ratings.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 So definitely join us.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 You want to hear what you think of the song and the video and the performances as well.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 But beware!
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 Viewer discretion is advised.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 Your fave will be criticized.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 Darn toot and rasputin.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 So let's talk about Without Wings.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:16 And this was done by Han Soho, Slyberry Rapid, Christopher Johnson, and member Kui Young, contributing lyrics.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:25 And the concept of the song is that the group believe that they lost their wings, but realize that they are not confined and that they can soar again even without them.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:31 All right.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:32 Ooh, I mean, fantasy.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 You could be their wings, girl.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 You know, you are the wind, but he's my wings.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 I think sonically it captures summer nights.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:42 Also, the end of a hot season.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:43 Totally.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 Released in August, like latter half of August.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:47 People are going back to school.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 Like, what are you doing?
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 But we do need a cool down track.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 And the release does make sense with the timing.
00:01:55 --> 00:02:00 Also, the voices, the guys, or men now, their voices have matured nicely.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 And this is a comforting track about hope.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:22 fully equipped with a string section in the latter half of a song and i would say it is a switch up in terms of sonics with the whole like we'll we will overcome sound without sounding like a struggle anthem you know like it's not yes it's so important because yes you can talk about how hard you work without making it sound like
00:02:23 --> 00:02:34 you know we were in the trenches yes stomp stomp clack you know and this is this is on brand for them it's smooth it's sleek you know so i do appreciate the uh the efforts put forth by the
00:02:39 --> 00:02:44 I think Chani had described his album's visual overall as the group being trapped inside of a birdcage.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 And I was watching like they're behind the scenes for it.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:51 And it was a beautiful crystal glass looking birdcage.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 So I thought it was cool.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 And it's true.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 The whole like Wings imagery is it stands out.
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 It's a really good title.
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 I like the concept of it.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 But it is interesting that this was the comeback track.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 You know, not comeback.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 Yeah, comeback track and anniversary track.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 The lyrics are about doomed timing and being alive despite that and swearing to never die again.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 It's beautiful conceptually, but I don't know how I feel.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 And my only question is why did Huyang mention Duff?
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 He says, I'm real, like Duff.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 Did he mean it like Simpsons beer?
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 Because the only other uses for Duff is designated Duff.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 the slang for that movie.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:35 I'm not going to say it.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 I don't think it's nice.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 But the point is, I wonder why he said Duff, like the beer.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:42 So, you know.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 Huh.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 Right.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 I don't know how to answer your question.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:49 So fans, let us know if you know why the word Duff was used.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 Please.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 But yeah, I have a similar note to you about the production.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 It has a great feel to it.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:59 It feels like you're relaxing by the pool on like a really hot, humid day.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:00 Yeah.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 And as we get to the video, you kind of get that as well.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 Yeah, the whole production feels very lush.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 Like there's beautiful strings on there with this kind of Afrobeat situation.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:14 The whole execution is quite breathy and relaxed overall.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 Of course, with In Sung kind of belting a little bit as well.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:40 yes i do like the ww post chorus like that is catchy it's interesting um i think them having no rap is interesting oh yes right i mean zuho has a really signature sound i know he hasn't been there for the last few singles but it is interesting him not being there um or not having a rap at all as well for this group
00:04:41 --> 00:05:05 but yeah the song's not bad it's not the most impactful like i think if this was on kind of a summer playlist i'd be like all right cool cool um but there's nothing in it that really grabs my attention yes that's valid yeah so for 10th anniversary it does feel a bit muted i would say um but i do think the lyrics make sense like i think you know we know they've kind of gone through a lot you know they've had members leave they've had kind of
00:05:05 --> 00:05:30 weird interlabel situations as well um so i feel like they've gone through a lot and their success has also kind of gone a bit up and down too so i think it makes sense that for them it's it is empowering to kind of just be like you know we still want this yeah yeah we still want this and we know we can still do this together yeah oh valid super valid yeah yeah what'd you think of the video oh yes i forgot there was a video okay
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Listen, before anyone says, how do you forget?
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 It's I like SF9.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 I have followed them for many years.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 When they had... Oh, I thought it meant more like, oh, I forgot to watch it.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 Oh, no.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 I watched the video.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:44 I just forgot.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:52 Because honestly, I've been an SF9 fan for a while when they had Burning Sensation as a title.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 Okay?
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 I never liked the title of the album.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 That was a terrible title.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 Burning Sensation is not the best.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 If I'm not mistaken, it's called Burning Sensation.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 Not the debut album.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 But I was like, I don't think they realize what that means.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 It's the first mini album.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:06 Yes, it was.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 God dang it.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 So my thing is...
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 I've been around for a while.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 And I have to say, this is probably the most uninteresting video for them.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:21 At least for a screen with the whole, like, you know, they were dancing on the basketball court.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 They look delicious.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 Like, they look really nice here.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:24 Okay, I will say that.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 I don't want to, like, objectify them.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:33 But in terms of storyline, it was just them looking kind of sad and somber and just hanging out together and kind of looking like, you know how you see guys.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:38 Okay, if you guys are from the city, there's always, like, a group of guys just sitting there on the stoop doing nothing all day.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 Like, you wait inside to eat dinner or lunch, and you come back out, and they're still there.
00:06:42 --> 00:07:04 like that's the vibe i get that yeah it doesn't mean i hate them it doesn't mean i hate them it's just i just don't like that the direction was just like we're gonna give them action shots don't get me don't get me wrong they look good like the the military has done the older members very well okay okay forced military yeah oh yeah my bad sorry i should not be making light of it i'm so sorry wow
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 Yeah, I agree with you.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 It does feel very grown.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 Like, it does feel like we are men now, right?
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 You have them, like, working out and stuff.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 Yeah, very buff stud muffins.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:15 They're like buffins.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:16 Yeah.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 And like I mentioned, it does feel very humid.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 Like, they're sweating, you know.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:22 Yeah, hardworking.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 And then you get that relief of the water at the end.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 Yeah.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 So that matches the feel of the song, at least.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 But I agree with you.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:33 It wasn't the most entertaining video to watch.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 At least they were outside, though.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 We'll give them that because they're in a studio.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 That's true.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 You know, like giving perfume ad.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 But this is like not perfume ad.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 This is like.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:41 Yeah.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 I mean, I do think there are some cool angles here.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 Like I like the shots of them facing different directions doing the choreo.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:47 Yes.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 Or even those shots where all of them are kind of just modeling.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 And then there's one person kind of dancing on the side.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 Like I thought those were interesting shots, at least.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:55 Yeah.
00:07:55 --> 00:08:00 It kind of it felt like they were kind of doing this whole like, oh, we don't need to try too hard kind of.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:20 energy which i'm not mad at it's like their season now like it's their 10th year like they don't need to prove themselves right as much i don't think i needed the cgi solar eclipse or fireball situation like we could tell it was hot you know what i mean like we could tell it was the sun was going like we didn't need the cgi like why does there have to be cgi
00:08:21 --> 00:08:21 It's a metaphor.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 Their world could be ending, but they have each other.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:24 Yeah.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 I know.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 But that's why we use the budget for that, you know?
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 Right.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 I don't know.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 It just didn't add anything.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 You were right, though.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 It doesn't do anything for you.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:33 It is valid.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:34 I get it.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 The ball kind of just comes like a hot Cheeto puff.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 Yeah.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 Yeah.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 I get it.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:45 I will say, though, watching them, it does make me miss Taeyang a lot.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 Oh, why is that?
00:08:46 --> 00:08:51 Because I think he is so important to them visually and performance-wise.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 And he's so signature for them.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 Okay, yeah, yeah.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 It's weird without him for me.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 Aw, Corv members, we love it.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 But yeah, all jokes aside about me objectifying their bodies.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 I love the dance shots the most, I would say.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 So I hope the choreography version, if it isn't out already, comes out.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 Because a lot of it had great lighting.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 I love when Talon's in the front and doing his little arm wave.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 And the guy's arm pop out.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 They're half shaded, half in the light.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:23 And that kind of put on the like, again, it's one of those things where if you're the director and you're storyboarding, that lighting means so much.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 You're just watching.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 It just looks cool.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 But it's giving juxtaposed like, you know, life and death vibe.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 And I'm like, ooh.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 So you're right.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:37 A lot of the scenes have like the fan dirtying up the shot or like little objects kind of in the corner of the screen.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 But yeah, the members in some focus.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 So I agree with you.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:44 They look like very, very artsy, fartsy buffins.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:58 yes so then the choreography what'd you think okay speaking of okay i didn't want to jump ahead because usually i go like yeah talk about the dance we haven't talked about the video or anything um i am so glad
00:10:00 --> 00:10:10 They don't have anything complicated really to do because these guys are known for doing hard, complicated, intricate body weight choreography.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:14 And then eventually they evolved into like this smooth, sad, sexy thing.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 You know, this one is...
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 It's just sad.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 And now that they're older men, it's just naturally sexy.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 So it's like, oh, yay.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 So it doesn't feel like they're forcing it too, too much.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 Here, it's super smooth and controlled.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 There are some glides.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 There are a lot of moves where they're milking a lot.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:36 If you're not a dancer, milking is when you kind of like see the arm float and you kind of move around like,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:40 like a lava lamp essentially for lack of a better description right now.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 But yeah, they're milking a lot more.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:55 I do appreciate the choreography here because they, whoever choreographed it, heard that there was Afro beats or at least rhythm here in the track and did not throw in random Afro related moves like a shaku shaku or a guara guara.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 Like, Oh my God.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:03 That irritates me because that's because the music sounds like it doesn't mean you have to do it because it's nothing to do with the lyrical content.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:09 As opposed to here, they say something about like dying and then there's like a hand motion for like a pew pew, a little pistol hand.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:13 Or, you know, when they say without wings, they don't flap their arms.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 They kind of do like a low shoulder motion.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 And I'm like, thank you for not being so literal.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:22 This choreo is the kind I like for my boy band.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:25 It gives the solo singer a moment to stand out.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:30 And there's striking pictures instead of powerful choreo throughout.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:30 Yes.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 No, yeah, I agree with you.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 I think the choreography is great for this.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 There's a lot of grooves.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 It matches the music well.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:43 I think there are a few kind of dance hall inspired moves, but it doesn't feel too forced in the way that you kind of mentioned it.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 Yeah.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 Lots of kind of loose bounces.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 Yeah.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:52 It does mention that it keeps that same kind of relaxed vibe that the video had that we don't have to try too hard.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:59 There are some big movements, though, and they did a great job, like, kind of hitting every angle.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 Like, they're on the floor, and then they're hitting this corner, and then they're back at this corner.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 So it's very dynamic, at least.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 And there's a lot of level switch-ups and formation switch-ups as well.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:11 I will say in the performances, Dao On is so funny to me.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:11 Oh, yeah?
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 He really sexes it up.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 Oh.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 And it's his moment.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 Oh.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 You know, and the others don't really do that.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:23 So whenever he comes forward, it's just like very funny to me.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:26 For those who don't know what he's talking about, I'll give you an example.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 Yeah.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 He's like, his head.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 No, I totally see it.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 Because him and Taehyung are the hot ones, I would say.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 Yeah.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 Taehyung does it too.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 Yeah, absolutely.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:40 But without another bookend.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:40 Right.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:44 Giving like, and everyone else is like.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:46 Right.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 Umber.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 Yeah.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 Don't get me wrong.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:52 He's a great performer, but it's just very funny because it just stands out a lot.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 One Hill was like that.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 One Hill was always like that in Monster X.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:59 It was like sexy sad instead of just being sad and just being hot while sad.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 Yeah, I get it.
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 But I think it's effective, for sure.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 Yeah, yeah.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 I think it's so much.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 That's so funny.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:11 I mean, vocally now, not just talking about the whole overall performance.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 Vocally, they performed it on It's Live.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:16 And I think it's interesting hearing the rappers sing that.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:20 Because Chani, I think I've always beefed with him in our reviews.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 Mm-hmm.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 Because I'm like, why is he rapping?
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 He's like, he's so uninterested.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 It's because he's probably a better vocalist.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 Like his tone.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 Right.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:38 There are times where in K-pop groups, I'm not sure if a lot of fans know it or not, but based on how you look and your whole aura, you get placed in a position.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 Right.
00:13:38 --> 00:14:04 yeah and then you have to sit there and stay with it like you could possibly sing but they're like no you feel better as a rapper so we're gonna work on that and i think chani can rap yeah sure sure but every time i've heard this man vocalize he sounds good even hui young he has a weaker tone i think in terms of singing but he holds the chorus down i'm proud of him so everyone's working on it less less vocal effects which i appreciate um jayyun in song oh my gosh
00:14:05 --> 00:14:05 Yes.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 Gosh, great vocalists.
00:14:07 --> 00:14:15 Like this, I feel like in terms of third gen, they're like a dying breed because they would actually have more vocalists than they would rappers.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 Yeah.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 And sub vocalists.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 It was like, hey, can you sing?
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 Can you sing R&B?
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 Great.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 Can you sing pop?
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 You're cute.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 Can you rap?
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 You're going to learn.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 But that's like an afterthought.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 We need a deep voice and a high voice.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 Yes.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 They can do runs.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:30 They can do, you know, they can really sing like.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 properly.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 Yeah.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 Yeah.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 Properly singing.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 Proper singing.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 Yeah.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 Again, Dying Breed.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:38 Doesn't mean the new groups are bad, but just you can hear the difference.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:41 Like everyone in this group can actually call the note pretty well.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 And also, Young Ben.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:50 We haven't said anything about him the whole episode, but Young Ben has been mostly rapping, but he raps things a little bit, so it sounds smooth as well.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 So no one's out of place here.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:58 Interestingly enough, had Zuho been here, I think he would have thrown off the whole like lightheartedness of it all because then he kind of brings that like deep.
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 It depends.
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 It depends.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 But
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 I don't know if I can hear him on this.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:05 It would have been nice to hear him on it, but I don't feel like they need him, which is good.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 Yeah, that's fair.
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 You know, that's my point.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 So I'm not saying he's useless.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:13 I'm not saying that, but I'm saying like, this sounds okay without him.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 If he were on it, okay.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 But I don't like, oh my God, he's missing.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 Yeah, that's fair.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 Without your wings.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 Yeah, WW, I get it.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 Wicked Witch, WW, Wicked Witch.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 Wicked Witch.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 I haven't thought about the Wicked Witch meme in a long time.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 Because I've been doing WWL.
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 I was like, why does this feel so familiar?
00:15:38 --> 00:16:07 oh man okay so what do you rate this song out of 10 okay out of 10 oh it's a little tough because it is understated it's not their best so i will it's probably saying like a 7.5 maybe an 8 but like 7.5 i feel like is honest to me so i do apologize fantasy i'm also fantasy so yeah i think i will go for the 8 i think for the vibe they were going for i think it's executed well i think it's just unfortunate that it may be i don't think i'll do much to gain them a lot of
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 Oh, yeah, that's valid.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 So, I mean, if you're a fantasy, obviously love the song, enjoy the song.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:16 But we do have some overall thoughts about the project.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:20 We didn't read the full album review, but we do have some opinions.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:25 And Lily, our Patreon member, has mentioned, as usual, the title track is not my favorite.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 And this honestly keeps happening.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:30 I love the B-sides a lot more than Without Wings.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:34 But I gotta admit, the visuals and the singing are still so good.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:37 And signature to SF9, even the dancing is pretty good.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:39 And I know I wouldn't be able to keep up.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:44 She mentions that on the album, Curtain Call is one of my favorites.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:47 They can do pure pop pretty decently, which I agree.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:55 I think the tracks after Without Wings on the album are good for you.
00:16:55 --> 00:17:19 to call this album tenacity i mean it's a play on the 10 i totally get it but it is lacking tenacity with the with without wings being the lead it's not bad um but yeah curtain calls so them you know chanti is a hub songwriter and she's worked on a lot of great k-pop songs she's one of my favorite songwriters so this album is a collection of songs that sounds that they do well but nothing that screams like
00:17:20 --> 00:17:37 oof amazing like a good guy love good guy oh so good or even a teardrop in their later years you know my fave yeah don't get me started but yes i think this album definitely has stronger tracks on it even the slower ones um but yeah one more kiss was good like it's just they have better
00:17:38 --> 00:18:01 um but it's okay i mean i am a little annoyed that the whole k-pop trend of releasing a song that represents the journey as opposed to like what will be a hit kind of gets on my nerves because k-pop does that a lot k-pop does this thing where it's like we need to have a b-side that's really sad and miserable or or like shows our other half and it's like it's okay do what you do best and let fans appreciate what you have on the album track or let people who have
00:18:02 --> 00:18:06 Falling in love with you now, like new lovers, new fantasy, find this.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 Or have this be the B-side.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:13 But yeah, aside from that, I don't think it's a bad album whatsoever.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:16 So shout out to 10 years and coming back with something pretty good.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:27 Yes, I'm really glad they're still around because I think, you know, there was definitely a moment when Rowoon left and, you know, they're all going off to military and it kind of felt like just the momentum was all over the place.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:31 Like Zuho left the label, but then was in the group, but then wasn't included in some of the company.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 It was like a whole thing.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:57 right yeah so i'm glad that they're still together and it seems they're still quite united in that way um i agree with lily a curtain call is also one of my favorites like i feel like that should have been the lead single it feels so classically third gen there's drama to it there's some beautiful harmonies in it as well i hope we get a performance of it so that we can at least shine some light on this song yeah there are some decent bops
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 on the album.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 I think Pressure has a really good chorus.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:05 One More Kiss, which you mentioned, has this cool electro backing track.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 Also could have been a lead single.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:13 I think it's a little riskier, but they're at the point where they can take risks, I think.
00:19:13 --> 00:19:19 So yeah, there's nothing bad or terrible on the album, but there are no tens, unfortunately.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:23 There isn't really a sonic identity to the whole project.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 There's some cool moments all throughout.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 Yeah.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 But yeah, it just doesn't... What is the album saying?
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 Yeah.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 Yeah.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 Who am I?
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 Yeah.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 Yeah.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 I think maybe because Daniel Kim isn't there.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 Daniel Kim was working on a lot of the tracks that we like.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 Daniel Kim.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:41 I didn't see Daniel Kim a lot on the credits.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:46 He was the one who had their future bass R&B vibe.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 He had that stuff on lock for them.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 So I don't know what's happening with the A&Ring.
00:19:50 --> 00:20:16 interesting yeah oh my research should be done but okay we have to end it here y'all let us know what you think of without wings and the album tenacity and let us know in the comments what other artists or albums you want us to review next and of course a huge shout out to our cctv crew on patreon including our lovely lily emily george donathan danelle julianne darius red hillary luke ivana ryan chase diego and aaron we have our own k-pop group we could not do this without you
00:20:17 --> 00:20:20 And you can follow us everywhere at CCTV Pops on everything.
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00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 Five stars.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 Until next time, that's Chris.
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 That's Chantel.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 You're watching CCTV, the not-stop pop show.