It’s a major milestone for HYBE’s Japanese-based boy group &TEAM - their long-awaited Korean debut is finally here. In this episode, Chris and Chantel Nicole review "Back to Life", the group’s new mini album and first official step into the Korean market.
We dive into the production, vocals, visuals, and overall artistic direction. With tracks like the title track "Back to Life" and the emotional "Heartbreak Time Machine", does this release live up to the potential fans have been waiting for?
Let’s talk evolution, ambition, and whether &TEAM are ready to rise to the top of K-Pop’s next generation.
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- 0:00 - Intro
- 1:07 - "Back to Life" Album Info
- 1:47 - Album Cover
- 3:30 - "Back to Life"
- 15:20 - "Lunatic"
- 22:11 - "MISMATCH"
- 29:40 - "Rush"
- 35:03 - "Heartbreak Time Machine"
- 41:01 - "Who am I"
- 47:57 - Cut or Keep
- 50:55 - Final Thoughts & Overall Rating
References:
- “Back to Life” MV https://youtu.be/KqE0P1qMtQg?si=chwWh1-FaiaFUex0
- “Back to Life” Live on THE SHOW 251104 https://youtu.be/L_-gGvyXUnU?si=4_0bXF8qMHezAxir
- “Lunatic” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA50bjt4JIk&pp=ygUNJnRlYW0gbHVuYXRpYw%3D%3D
- “Lunatic” Live on THE SHOW 251104 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edtuzRbdlRo&pp=ygUNJnRlYW0gbHVuYXRpYw%3D%3D
- “MISMATCH” Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKB9JJtohTg&pp=ygUOJnRlYW0gbWlzbWF0Y2g%3D
- “Heartbreak Time Machine” Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hxZuH9t2xk&pp=ygUdJnRlYW0gaGVhcnRicmVhayB0aW1lIG1hY2hpbmU%3D
00:00:00 --> 00:00:11 HYBE's first Japan bass boy group has been racking up platinum albums, turning us into fans of their music. But does their Korean debut mini album live up to the HYBE?
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00:00:43 --> 00:01:13 Huge shout out to all of our crew members who we will give individual shout outs to later in the show. But we do have to mention Julianne now because she is a huge Lune and she requested that we review Back to Life. Yes. Now Julianne has been showing us a lot of videos, mostly singles. We haven't done a K-pop album review in a really long time. So this is going to be very interesting for us. But yeah, let's hop right into it and talk about Anteem's first Korean language mini album, Back to Life. Yeah.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:30 So this mini album was released October 28th, 2025, and it has a concept of revival, rebirth, and a leap forward after struggle. This album has sold over a million copies on the first day alone, and there are 12 versions of the physical album. So...
00:01:30 --> 00:01:44 Yeah, that's a lot. We're going to now discuss the production, vocals, visuals, performances, and then drop our individual ratings for each song. But beware, view discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized.
00:01:44 --> 00:02:03 So before we get into the songs, let's talk about this album cover. You did mention there are 12 different versions on the physical side. But let's just talk about their digital release. This kind of leather situation with the yellow, like the neon yellow creepy logo. What do you think?
00:02:03 --> 00:02:26 It's giving venom. I feel like certain movies or like certain trends or iconography from the West, I wouldn't say just U.S., from the West have kind of spilled over into Korea. I mean, if you think about the Avengers, they love to say like, oh, this group is like the Avengers and the best of the best and things like that. So I think for this one, they have like this creepy little venom thing.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:41 dark thing going on because I don't know if it's actually like their symbol per se you know it is it is very like amorphous but it looks like a claw maybe or like a wolf's you know like what's that thing called? In their mouth thangs
00:02:42 --> 00:03:06 Yes, there's definitely something, like, animalistic about it. Mm-hmm. But it could, it's like those, you know, those images where people are supposed to interpret them however they see it? Oh, yes. I feel like... The Rorschach. Yeah, like, it could be a dragon. Like, if you look at it at certain angles, it could be a dragon. Uh-huh. I see wolf as well, which also makes sense for them. But also, it looks like veins. Oh, it does. Or, like...
00:03:06 --> 00:03:17 you know. It's giving something very much like it's growing, it's amorphous, it's toxic maybe. I don't know, the color's giving like ooey-gooey. Yes. And I like the leather as the texture.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:45 Oh, yes. I feel like this album, before we can get into it, feels like leather. Yeah. Yeah, variants of leather. Interesting. Filed leather. Okay, so let's get into the album. Let's start with the title track, Back to Life. This was done by Julia Lewis, Tyler Spry, Scott Dittrich, Mick Coogan, Choyun Kwong, Hitman Bang, Soma Genda, Jude Miles, Sha Mane, and YX Labels.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:54 And the group states that the choreography and performance reflect the nervousness and pain that occurs when you're challenging yourself to reach your goal. So
00:04:00 --> 00:04:25 okay can i tell you something this song i'm gonna be still really with you guys i mean at this point if you are a k-pop fan if you are a fan of the k-pop system i'll say that because you know they're japanese bass it's funky when you have all these little conditions and such but the point is i really want to hear the demo for this song i really do wonder what the original demo lyrics was because a lot of people may not realize but
00:04:25 --> 00:04:52 Some of these songs, especially if they're like English heavy or have a great deal of English sentences, come from Western writers. It can be Swedish, it can be European, it can be American, whatever. And then it gets translated and adapted, which is why there's so many other names attached to it, right? Because like I'm listening to the lyrics and I'm thinking about the song and like how it sounds. Like it's kind of, it's a little mexy in terms of like if I wasn't looking at the lyrics, right? If you don't know Korean...
00:04:52 --> 00:05:08 which is fine. And you're just listening to it. I was like, okay. But then I hear a line about nails in the back, like a sharp knife. And I'm like, it's giving me the impression that the original demo was about like a toxic lover that hurts them. But then that person brings them back to life every so often. Cause like the nails in the back thing, like I don't,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:35 That's a very specific English line to keep. But they have been able to switch it around, like the Korean songwriters, switch it around to kind of fit this wolf betrayal or this whole working toward our dreams and breaking through the pain and our fans or maybe our relationship with each other brings us back to life. But again, I'm not going to let go of that theory that this original demo was maybe a little bit more about a toxic... It's giving weekend. It's giving the weekend a little bit, but not like...
00:05:35 --> 00:06:01 I hear The Weeknd. You know, not in a bad way. The Weeknd can write a mean, mean song. Regardless of whether or not you think he can sing or not, that's up to you. Whatever. It's not an insult. But I do feel like it feels like The Weeknd. The fluty synth in the beginning and then like these darker, bassier sounding tones sets the tension really nicely. The tone is there. You know, this is a very serious sounding song. I think the percussion and then the addition of the guitar give it that grit. Yeah.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:17 I think overall the production does what it needs to do to create the scene of like strength and longing. Now, depending on if you want to accept my theory, what kind of longing, but then also the longing of wanting to succeed past all the BS. Right. Yeah.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:46 I'm not sure if you feel that way or this way, excuse me. But I find it interesting that within the verses, there are more textures and harmonies there. And like while the members are like rapping, as opposed to like where the pre-hooking choruses are. Cause I was listening and I'm like, where, where, where are my BGVs? Where are my BGVs? Which made the chorus kind of sound really bare. It's not bad. I think it's okay. But in my opinion, if I had written the song,
00:06:46 --> 00:07:11 If I had written it, I would have stacked on extra harmony to beef up that second only to give it more oomph. Or even in the prehook, give it some type of like sweetener vocals, like some ooh, some ahs. Or even the second time it came around, have a rapper like ad-lib the last word or like whisper it. Like that would have been dope. But again, I didn't write the song. I'm not saying it's a badly written song. That's just how I write music. And I think for me, I'm like maybe a post-chorus.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:38 like do you feel like the song was kind of not half baked right i don't want to sit there and be like oh it was it was half baked but something was missing maybe a bridge i don't know well i actually i don't like the way it ends because it almost feels like it should lead to a really climactic chorus at the end where the drums are like really going there's a guitar just going doing a crazy solo something instead you kind of get the pullback and then ends
00:07:38 --> 00:07:58 So I was more like, oh, I needed another 30 seconds to do one final super intense chorus just to kind of give it the climax it needs. Yeah, I also, I had The Weeknd written down. I also have Evanescence written down. Like, it sounds like something just melodically that a rock band like that would do, I would say. Oh my god.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:23 I will say, I think the verses are actually my favorite part. Yes. Like, I love the execution of it. I like the attitude of it. I love the A, A, like that hook that they have at the end of each line. The pre-chorus, I'm going to be honest, is not my favorite. No. From the second the song started, the da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
00:08:24 --> 00:08:52 Yeah. Yeah. It doesn't change. Rule of thumb, if you're writing a song like Chick. Chick told me this. Chick has written a bunch of songs like Exo's Overdose, Monster. And she was like, always change the melody on the third one. So now me, when I'm writing songs, I just do that because I'm like, oh, you're right. It gets boring after the second time. Yeah. And then the chorus as well. I agree. I also felt that while it's anthemic, and it is catchy to bring me back to life. Yeah. Yeah.
00:08:53 --> 00:09:11 But it does feel like there could be more built around it, maybe. I do think the way they mixed the song, though, is quite cool. Like, with the production, where it's very electronic and very metallic. But then they kind of added... There's like a space kind of in between...
00:09:11 --> 00:09:33 where the music sits and where the vocal sits so it's just a very interesting like vibe that it creates yeah which i'm kind of here for um but yeah i will say like we've listened to all of their title tracks at least from the japanese discography yes not sure this represents that or i guess i'm not sure that that
00:09:34 --> 00:09:53 that this is as good as some of those. No, I agree. I have the same kind of sentiment. It is not like a slight toward them, but I think when we get through this album, I'm going to say what we have to say. And then like at the end, I'm going to tell you guys why I feel that way. But I think you will also agree. I think there's something interesting about how this was approached. Yeah.
00:09:53 --> 00:10:18 For sure. Yeah. And then I will say, look, these boys are super, super talented. Yes. I think I've said this in a previous episode. I did watch Island. So I actually know a bunch of these guys, right? Yeah. And so I'm so excited that like Kay and Nicholas and then they all made it into a group and it's cool to watch them grow up now and be in here. But they suffer from the same thing that a lot of the other high B groups do where with the vocal production, they make them sound the same. Wow.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:44 I have that in my notes later. Yeah. Like when they say live, you can hear more of the nuances of their individual like tones and stuff. But for some reason in the recordings, they just make them all blend together. I don't know what that is. That's weird. Yeah. And that has nothing to do with the boys. No, they can sing their booty off. It is totally a HYBE creative decision because it's consistent across their roster. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I agree. But how do we feel about this video? Yeah.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:57 Ooh, okay, well, the video is insane. The budget for this video is crazy. It's so good. It's like a movie. Yes, I agree. The special effects were insane. Like, Kay turning into that monster.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:26 Oh, I love that little Venom symbiote scene. It's so good. Oh, my God. So good. Oh, my goodness. Oh, my God. Okay. So they call me monster is like the thesis statement, right? I think the guy's name is Maki. The blonde one. I loved his little Street Fighter guile haircut. I'm here for the beat up this car and win your points. I love his hair. But that's good. He stands out. I think it's really important to have in the video. I think certain...
00:11:26 --> 00:11:45 uh imagery was really cool so shout out to the choreographer shots like the dp of this whole thing because wow um like you know the the boy maki the boy wakes up and he's surrounded by bodies bodies bodies it's a striking scene it is it reminds me of that meme as it going around he's
00:11:45 --> 00:12:06 her her her body's body but that's what it was it was giving that and i was like yes um so you had to have them all kind of revive themselves everyone respawns and goes into battle that was awesome super awesome i think nicholas and taki's scene with like the creepy callers in the snow oh hands down one of the simplest
00:12:06 --> 00:12:30 but also very striking. I think to have all of this darkness juxtaposed with that grassy fantasy space that they're enclosed in, it reminded me of like Divergent or something. You know, it just reminds me of like, there's a world within a world that's like beautiful. It's more beautiful than where we are right now. And I think that having that was really cool too. I feel like this video is...
00:12:30 --> 00:13:00 I think it was done a little bit better than they did Going in Blind. Going in Blind had so many effects. Yes, they toned it down a little bit. They toned it down. But yeah, I mean, Going Blind was a fun video. We reviewed it a couple months ago now. But I just remember them for having this crazy, fantastical series of videos. And this slide's right in there as well. But I think this is one of my favorites. And shout out to Kay for holding down that first Bring Me Back to Live. He's very captivating. So I was like, holy smokes. He is. He is.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:13 Like, the camera loves him. So, good stuff. He was such a star, even on Island. So, yeah. Choreography-wise, so good. I mean, you mentioned that intro where they're kind of like...
00:13:13 --> 00:13:31 waking up or like getting up and even that I was already like whoa and there's some really cool formations really great and really pretty pictures in some parts of it as well the ending is also very cool I love the final pose with all the arms and stuff yeah
00:13:31 --> 00:13:48 And then also, good for the boys for singing live on these performances. Because the chorus, first off, is hard to belt. And the choreo is very sharp. So, yeah, it was great to see them do that. Very talented. And yeah, I think they did a really good job. I will say, I think Joe...
00:13:48 --> 00:14:09 was kind of the standout for me on like stage presence wise watching these performances um also nicholas who as i always thought he should have been in hyphen actually he was on my list when i was watching island of guys to go in and hyphen so i'm glad he's in this he did really well so yes shout out to nicholas shout out to nick yeah
00:14:09 --> 00:14:29 That's so funny. Guys, before we go any further, though, let us know in the comments who stood out to you in the video. And also give us names, please, because I'm still like who's who. And I'm dropping names now because I had to sit there and look it up. But if you guys can just kind of give me a little gentle reminder, drop them in the comments. Let me know who killed it for you, who like owned this era. I gave a little couple of shout outs.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:55 um but yeah i agree with you the choreography was awesome hot mics i'm here for that i love the the lights camera action that nicholas has i've been doing it for the past like hour now um and then like the the nails in the back the ripple that came with that so shout out to the choreographer okay and also shout out to the styling for music core specifically because that whole like fake tattoo mesh bodysuit thing in the leather vampire leather there goes my first version of leather
00:14:56 --> 00:15:17 vampire movie leather. Yes. Give me Lestat the vampire because Lestat was a rock star. Okay. And bring me back to life like Queen of the Damned. Hello. He bit a caution. She came back to life. Again, it's giving. So vampire leather for this one. I'm here for it. Nice. Okay. So what do you rate it? Okay. I'm going to give it a 7.5 right now because that's the things I said.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:30 I agree. No. With the 7.5. Yes. All right. Up next is Lunatic, and this was done by Tom Bridges, Rachel West, Soma Genda, Jameel Cosme, Kona Rose Jackson, Jude Miles, and Charmaine. No.
00:15:35 --> 00:16:05 Okay, Lunatic. How do we feel about Lunatic? I mean, this song is giving me Pharrell, for sure. Oh, yeah. Yeah, for sure. Pharrell Williams, for those who don't know. Or I guess Neptunes. Neptunes. Chad gets his flowers to do. Because it's got that bounce to it. And the way they did the percussion is just so them. Oh, my God, yes. So for the younger fans that may be listening, go listen to the Neptunes. Go listen to, like, let's listen to some songs. Oh, my God.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:20 Oh, you already listed some songs. Oh, yeah, I have a list. Should I give the list? Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right, guys. So if you're listening to the song Lunatic by Anteam, you should definitely listen to songs like I Love You. Like I Love You.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:37 Hot in here, but specifically that guitar riff that you're thinking about is Lap Dance. It's N-E-R-D featuring Lee Harvey and Vida. That's the song specifically. If you listen to Lap Dance, it sounds just like this Y2K Neptune sound, for sure. Hmm.
00:16:37 --> 00:17:04 So shout out to the producers for that one. Shout out to y'all. It was fun. But yeah, this one is fun. And this one has more of that vocal dynamic than maybe you were talking about was missing from Back to Life. Because you do have the little responses during the rap verses. Like it feels like a group. Even the chorus. I mean, it sounds like it's more just each member kind of layered over themselves rather than it being the group doing the chanty chorus together, which I would have preferred. But at least it does still feel more like a group.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:32 I think in the way they did the vocal production at least as well. Yeah, I enjoyed the structure of it. Like I enjoy the rap verses. I love the vocal moments. And then it makes the chancy chorus like really memorable as well. It's fun to like bounce along to. I also like the little post chorus as well. This kind of little kind of chill little moment. I do wish they had some like ad libs and stuff over it. Maybe the second time around just to build up the song a bit more. Yeah.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:58 But overall, this is super fun. I'm here for this. You know what? I agree. I feel like this one was fun, but I feel like I'm being a little bit biased because it does sound like the Neptunes. I don't know. Hey, clearly me too. It's hard not to do that, though. I mean, iconic. The only thing I was missing was the four beat intro. I love that they have like a little bit of a rock vibe because I wanted that for this album because I think I feel like I feel like.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:28 I think of rock when I think of Anteem, because a lot of the songs that Julian has shown us have been, you know, the rock songs. And I was like, oh, okay. Or like rock leaning tracks, right? And I like that. You and I enjoy what they sound like. So I feel like they could have gone a little bit further with that rock vibe. Maybe like in a bridge. I'm stuck on this bridge. I'm going to say it in every note. I'm not going to apologize at this point. We're probably going to say it for every single song. But again, I feel like, ooh, it would have been really cool. Yeah.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:54 I do appreciate that extra rock guitar that comes in the chorus, though. And the pre-hook has BGVs. Oh, my God. Yay. Finally. But this is my point. So before someone goes, oh, my God, they don't need any more. They're perfect the way they are. Listen to this song and how satisfying it feels when there's a little bit of a harmony. Okay? The melody of the chorus doesn't really go anywhere, though. That kind of bothers me again because, again, it's that three...
00:18:55 --> 00:19:15 three, like, bar rule. It's like it's the same note at the end. I'm like, oh, okay. I do enjoy the concept of them being a wolf pack of rock stars because it's still on brand for them, so kudos to them. But, yeah, I feel like a bridge would have really took this home. I feel like it's kind of a lost art now. Like, K-pop...
00:19:15 --> 00:19:43 There's a great deal of K-pop songs that are following this whole, like, Spotify trying to get through the streams trend. And it annoys me because I'm like, if you're actually a fan, the length of the song shouldn't matter. Just listen. If it's a good song, it's a good song. So I think that's kind of a little bit of annoying for me because, like, the song is good and I want to hear more. So me asking for more doesn't mean, like, it's required. It's just being like, hey, I like it this much. Don't end so soon. But, yes, I enjoy this one. This song...
00:19:43 --> 00:19:58 deserves a longer length but i think this one is strong i every time i hear it i'm like yeah here we go yes give it to me yeah yeah yeah and they have performed and they did release a music video yes as well uh so what do you think
00:19:58 --> 00:20:23 So, I like the wolf den that they're dancing in. I feel like this music video is kind of just like maybe like a performance glamour shot moment. Because there's not much of a story here. It's just kind of like, you know, moments and cool outfits. But yeah, I like the wolf den that they're dancing in the first scene. And like there's silhouettes of wolves coming past. I don't know, that's cute. And then the colors change and the seasons change as well. 525 minutes.
00:20:23 --> 00:20:38 Seasons of love! It was giving! So yeah, I was like, wow, look at that. I think when it finally did hit the evening time and you see the circle shot, like the top of the cave with the moon. They're at full power.
00:20:38 --> 00:21:07 I enjoy the styling. I like the whole, like, 2000s rapper thing that they have going on. Because call it Y2K is just so general. It's a rapper style, guys. Like, the whole, like, fitted hat. Like, back in the day, K-poppers used to only wear freaking dad hats. Now they're putting on fitted caps. You know? I do wonder what their head sizes are. Because I was like, that hat looks so big on your little head. Look at all. But, yes, I think my favorite outfit is probably the press conference outfit. So, like, baby blue and silver. Oh, the glittery.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:37 Yes, you know, I love my sparkle. Love my sparkle. Yeah, I will say I thought when it started as well, it was just going to be a performance video like in their den. And it was very refreshing then that it changed, right? To then this like sudden red carpet, then this boxing ring situation. Definitely kept me interested going through it. And yeah, the choreography is super fun. Oh my God, the pants are knocking. Oh, the pants. Yes, the pants. It's memorable. Yeah. It's memorable for sure. They look like they're having a lot of fun doing this one.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:59 Oh, yeah. This one was like their fun one. Yeah. I think this as the partner, I guess, to Back to Life makes sense. It feels like a true, like, hey, second single. Yeah. Like, oh, we can also just be fun. Yes. Not so like, bring me back to life. Like, that was so sharp. My bad guy. Sorry. Okay. So I get so on an eight.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:10 Okay. I understand I give it an 8, and I'm kind of towing the line of that. I give the last one a 7.5, right? So I will boost mine up. It was a 7.5, but I will give it an 8 because I do like this one.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:35 Moving on to Mismatch, done by Soma Genda, Park Moon-Chi, Yoon Da-Hae, Lee Soo-Run, Luke, Yellow, Laura Anderson, Benjamin Samama, Liam O'Donnell, and YX Labels. Wow, lots of names on these songs. But this is what I was telling you about, like, the whole, like, getting translated thing. True. That's why. Because I was like, because every time we read through a list, I'm like, golly. Oh.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:58 I forget it's because they get translated Guys this is not even the most names that we've read before I forgot what episode it was We just kept going and going I remember there was like a two minute song And we were like there were like 30 people on that song It was so weird I don't remember what it was but we both started like And I think I had to read it And I probably kept struggling too Anyway so got it
00:23:00 --> 00:23:21 okay what do you think of mismatch yeah welcome to cctv uh the podcast um all right so we got an rmb tease going on um about mirtang it's giving me a thang um that's push and pull dynamic y'all the hot and cold stuff um i'm not a fan of mirtang are you a fan of mirtang
00:23:21 --> 00:23:48 You like straightforwardness. Well, I mean, I find these lyrics actually quite interesting. Like, it's kind of like on paper, you don't work. But I guess the chemistry is just like so good that it just transcends, I guess, all your personality differences. But I feel like that never works long term. It doesn't. I mean, like the lyrics talk about their match rate only being 20%. But they add a zero.
00:23:48 --> 00:24:15 oh wait oh that's what they're saying look at you being optimistic it's only 20 off this this chemistry from 100 so it's only what what is that it's only 80 like of them working out or not i guess i'm trying to map i'm trying to flip the math no it means 20 chance of working out right yeah no it does i'm just trying to flip like you are you're very positive that you know the lyrics in the lyrics they say they're adding a zero oh my bad sorry guys yeah
00:24:16 --> 00:24:38 Well, yes, they are adding a zero. So, yes, both Chris and team are being very optimistic. But, yeah, I think this is like an Aries-Capricorn match or maybe INFP-ISTP match. No, this is a fling. Oh. Oh. Oh. This is a—you just need to, you know, see how it goes. Right. Right, right. Okay, right. I get it. Get the heat—
00:24:38 --> 00:25:08 down i get it no i get help cool down yes with whatever you need to do to cool it down right and then probably move on right see it's one of those songs i wish we could hear the demo version of it because i'm like how the heck did y'all translate it to this because like a match rate is so like i feel like it's a korean like personality test they're like they personality tests in korea are like oh i i love a good personality test um but any hoodladoodle um yes i think this whole midang thing like oh i don't know if we're like hot and cold or not
00:25:08 --> 00:25:36 I'm not a fan of that kind of dynamic. Just tell me how you feel, right? Because, like, you have the lyrics where it's like, he likes her and he thinks she likes him back, but he doesn't know for sure. And it's just like, I watch your story, but I don't say anything. But then you never text me goodnight. I'm like, what is going on? But I think, like, lyrically... I think lyrically, this song captures the wishy-washiness of dating nowadays. Yeah. Where it's like, you said this, you've talked to somebody for a whole week.
00:25:38 --> 00:25:54 and then they don't show up for the date. That has never happened. I'm going to tell you right now, that has never happened to me. I will tell you that right now. Okay? But I've heard some stories. Can't relate. Hashtag Carol. I'm going to check on Carol.
00:25:54 --> 00:26:24 Okay, all jokes aside, though, I think this is probably the most, quote-unquote, like, one of the realer concepts on the album. Because not everyone's going through a struggle, right? Like, bringing back to life. Like, I wouldn't... Maybe you would listen to that before a test. Like, before you do the SATs or, you know, for a job interview. I don't know. But this right here is everyday struggles. Made, made. Every day. Daily. Okay? So, I do like that there's a sonic change-up, right? I think this is a sound that the music is that 90s R&B that...
00:26:24 --> 00:26:40 a lot of people enjoy, but if you're a K-pop fan and you don't really listen to R&B, I guess you can kind of compare this to an older SM entertainment production, or even more recently you have Nati with Sugarcoat that has that nice 90s R&B vibe. And speaking of R&B,
00:26:40 --> 00:27:05 Where's my bridge? Where's my bridge? This one kind of had a bridge. Kind of. Kind of a little chant thing. Lazy. Sorry, songwriters. I don't actually think this one was that. I think this one counts as a full bridge. It does count as a bridge, but it's just, I hate the repeated phrases. I'm like, if you're going to do R&B, give me... Oh, you wanted a full... Yeah, okay, okay. Give me the full, like... Bring me up the chorus. Something.
00:27:06 --> 00:27:33 You kind of have that, I guess. Listen, y'all, I'm a stan for their talent. I can't say that I'm a stan of their... I'm not a fan fan, I'm not a loon-ay, I can't claim that. Like I'm a loon, maybe, but... Just a loon. Just a loon. A little crazy. But yeah, no, I think this song, I feel like it's a little bit more like, ha, I like this one. You know? Aside from my critiquing it, I do like this one.
00:27:34 --> 00:28:00 Yeah, I, yeah, so just going back to the lyrics really quickly, I feel like I actually relate more to the opposite where you match on the apps and stuff, but then you meet in person, you're like, no. Hilarious. Just saying. It's true. Anyway, I like this one, you know, of course, I love the whole 90s thing. It's very smooth, which I also like.
00:28:00 --> 00:28:24 and this one does have some backing vocals as well they're kind of ethereal um but in general again missed opportunity to really flesh those out flesh out some harmonies oh yeah there is some of that of course especially i think i think it's the second verse when the music kind of cuts out oh yeah um and they do do some switch-ups in the runs and stuff which makes it feel super r&b but yeah it feels like
00:28:24 --> 00:28:43 Especially in the live performance. They could have just all stopped and did a little harmony for that one line. Oh, fire. Okay. Yeah. There was one line, though, that I was like, oh, I would have executed this so much differently. But I don't know how old they are. So maybe they didn't want it to sound too smexy. But...
00:28:44 --> 00:29:10 One of them says, want to get it on with you. Do you? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I love that part. I was like, wait, it should be like sexier. Do ya? Yeah. Do ya? You know, like. Yeah, something. But you know that? And instead they were like, do ya? Like, it was like very like cutesy. And I was like, oh. Yes. I was like, that's the opposite of what I wanted for that word or for that line. Anyway. I agree. That's my one vocal execution. I'll bet there.
00:29:10 --> 00:29:40 Which is why I want to hear the original demo, because I feel like the original demo was like what you're saying. It's a little bit worse next year, but they had to be cute because the guys were like 20-something. 20-ish. Maybe like 18. I don't know how young the youngest member is, but like. Yeah. Yeah. But look, I actually think this one's a fun one. I would say this might be. This was definitely up there in the top half for me of this album if I were to rank them. Yeah. So yeah, I give this one an 8. Yes, I also gave this one an 8.
00:29:40 --> 00:30:03 Up next is Rush and is done by Andres Vigelius, Robert Norberg, Julian Bell, Jude Miles, Cha Mane, and Charlotte Wilson. And shout out to Charlotte Wilson because she has written some awesome stinking songs for Itzy, Uki of Idol, and Ateez. Just to name a few. And it makes some, you know, name dropping a couple of bits. But yeah, no, she's a great songwriter. So. Let's do the X-Men.
00:30:08 --> 00:30:23 This one is interesting. It is. It's a little chaotic. Yeah. I will say the first time I heard it, I was like, what is going on? I will say, I think I was just doing, I was doing something else though, while I was listening to this album and I was, it did definitely make me stop, you know, and go, what am I listening to? So that's.
00:30:23 --> 00:30:52 It's interesting. Yeah, it has a cool beat. Like, it's a very driving beat, which makes sense for a song called Rush. Yes. And then I do enjoy all the kind of odd sounds throughout it. Yeah. Like, it's fun to listen to, because each time I feel like you pick out something else in it. So that is a good repeat value, I guess. Yeah, of course, it has the classic kind of K-pop situation where the pre-chorus is this super lush, melodic moment, and then the rest of it is just, like, all a little crazy. Yeah.
00:30:52 --> 00:31:19 Yeah, yes. I did enjoy the little breakdown as well. I was kind of hoping it would turn into a really wonky bridge. Me too. We didn't fully get that. But at least this does have an overall build. Like that final chorus or the final moments of this song. There's a ton of energy. It does feel like you're like climaxing the song in a good way. So yeah, I will say this isn't one I would listen to a lot. But...
00:31:19 --> 00:31:24 I'm excited to see them perform it because I think you could do really cool things with this. Yeah. And it's definitely unique.
00:31:25 --> 00:31:52 Yes, I agree. I have the notes quirky and strong. I like the percussion and the guitar-like synth. It's definitely something that catches your ear right off the bat. And like you mentioned, you have an R&B, lush R&B pre-hook. Before the chutes and ladder type beat comes around with the glockenspiel or the xylophone sound. Do-do-do-do.
00:31:52 --> 00:32:14 I was like, what? I said, what in the world is Tom and Jerry mess? Yeah. The chorus, right? Yeah, the chorus. I don't hate it. But I'm also like, huh? I guess if you're getting kind of close to the edge of something, it makes sense because you're teetering close to it. But it just reminds me of one of those older cartoons. Right. Like a Texas Avery cartoon or something from Cartoon Network that was like...
00:32:14 --> 00:32:34 on in the wee odds of the morning Tom and Jerry but I think with all the other gritty bits that I've mentioned already it doesn't it grounds it well enough so it doesn't sound goofy just kind of just like okay what is that I think vocally this is the most differentiation differentiation
00:32:34 --> 00:33:03 That's a word. Here, in this song, I feel like this is the most I'm going to hear on the album. Because there's different sections of the song playing to each member's strength. You know? Because, I mean, you have a rap section, you have the chorus, and then you have the pre-hook, and then everyone kind of gets a chance to, you know, show their chops a little bit. Like, there's an R&B part that requires a little bit more of a ooey-gooey, you know, groove and a swing that maybe one member can do better than the other. And then for the...
00:33:03 --> 00:33:22 I have a thing that was mocky. I could be wrong, but I love the vocal fry. It's hilarious. All day when I was listening to it for the first time. So I think I appreciate that it plays to their strengths as opposed to sounding like, you know, everyone's reaching for notes or like playing a part that was just given to them because the song was bought by the label.
00:33:22 --> 00:33:48 Um, but yes, do I know who's singing what? No, but at least I don't get the feeling that it's a long section for one member. That same saviness that you were talking about in terms of vocal production and such. Um, but yes, I, I, I'm on the fence about the dance break. It feels like it was, it just, it was built in obviously, but it just feels like it's from 2010 and I'm not upset with it, but I do have the word kind of lazy ish.
00:33:48 --> 00:34:01 And I think it's because I was expecting what you mentioned, like something to happen with that bridge, even vocally. Because that's the repeat of phrase. I'm like, okay, okay. Not bad, though. Not bad. It's a quirky song to have on the album. Okay.
00:34:03 --> 00:34:30 I don't know if they have any other songs like this. Looney, if you know of any quirky other songs like this for them, please let us know. But I do feel like this fits that K-pop style of like just smashing the songs together and making this awesome piece of music. So it's not a bad thing, but I'm not sure if this is like Antean style. That could be wrong. Correct me, please. But nicely. Look, they're an awesome performer. So I think I'm just anticipating that this will be a moment on tour.
00:34:30 --> 00:34:59 Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm. They're going to kill this. Yeah. They're going to kill this. And I think that almost makes me... It's weird. I know they haven't actually performed it yet, but I'm almost anticipating it, and it's making me like the song more because I know they're going to kill it. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah, totally. Yeah. So I think because of that, I will give it an eight. Like, I appreciate the experimentation. Mm-hmm. Same. Which is why I also gave it an eight? Question mark? But eight. Always an eight for now. I would say I have a question mark next to mine as well.
00:35:02 --> 00:35:15 Okay, next up is Heartbreak Time Machine, done by Dwilly, Dwayne Whitmore, Michael Matosik, Lee Su Ron, and YX Labels. Okay, why is YX Labels credited as a songwriter?
00:35:16 --> 00:35:43 I mean, Big Man Hit is credited on all the title tracks. Yeah. I mean, all the songs. Because, I mean, he's like, I paid for it. It's that thing that people try to get or people do. I don't know if it's rightfully so, but people get a little upset with Beyonce about, you know, when she puts her name on the thing. Yeah. On the writing credits. Like I said, I'm not confirming or denying, but that is that same concept where it's just like, well. Where the management's just like, we also need the royalties. Yeah. 360. Okay, so.
00:35:50 --> 00:36:10 All right. So what do you think of Heartbreak Time Machine? Ah, this is the rock I wanted. Mmm. I wouldn't, I won't go so far as to say it's like stronger than their Japanese rock stuff. Japanese pop rock stuff, if you will. But I do appreciate the sentiment and the vocal. Yeah.
00:36:10 --> 00:36:40 performance here. I will say that. Taki and Harua. I think they take the first verse, right? And it sounds vulnerable. It sounds sad. I appreciate that. The chorus has traces of a group sung vocal. Maybe I'm hearing things. I'm not sure, but maybe it's like, you know, wanting to hear it. But something in there is mixed. That sounds like extra vocals. It does add extra body to the chorus. This is what I was talking about. Not because it's like, you don't need harmony to everything. It's not about that.
00:36:40 --> 00:37:05 It's just, you know, a double of one person's voice gets a little like, after all, when you have a chorus of many people's voices, it feels like a chorus. I do wish we would have gotten like one more big shouty chorus moment at the end before the outro. I'm okay. I'm okay that we didn't. I'm okay with it. But I'm like, ooh, can you imagine how cathartic it would have been? Because the way the outro end, I think is perfect. Like, it just sounds so unfinished. Like, yeah.
00:37:05 --> 00:37:25 You know, when the relationship ends like abruptly or for like bad reasons or like it caused you pain, you know, I love that ending. And it was great. It makes sense thematically. And like, you know, sonically, I feel like it makes sense. I really wish you would have gotten that one last heartbreak time. You know what I'm saying? Like, give me something worthy of a cell phone flashlight wave at the concert.
00:37:25 --> 00:37:49 um you know i think the concept is good it's a relatable concept uh heartbreak time machine you go back and reclaim the fire in your eyes reclaim your heart maybe you'll be back in one piece it's going for that eternal sunshine vibe um like let me go back and fix what went wrong because if i can change it i'll be happy um as opposed to just completely erasing the person so i was like i was like okay i like that little switch but listen you gotta live
00:37:49 --> 00:37:58 without regrets, okay? No regrets. No regrets. Who else? You got to live, learn, and live, love, and learn, baby girl. So...
00:38:00 --> 00:38:23 Yeah, a lot of my notes are kind of the same as yours. I'm also here for this kind of soft rock moment. Yes. I think when I first listened to the mini album, this was my, like after the first pass, this was the one that I was like, I think this is my favorite on the album. I don't know if that's changed, but I do like it a lot. I will say, I do think again, that the verses are stronger than the chorus. Yeah.
00:38:23 --> 00:38:50 Oh, okay. And I also shout out the vocals in the first verse. So you shouted out the other two. I will shout out Kay, who starts the song, the first couple lines. He sounds so good. Like super nostalgic. Like it's just like perfect execution. Yeah. Yeah. So shout out to him. And yes, I also noted the harmonies in the chorus, but they did perform it at their like showcase for Back to Life. Oh, yes. I saw. No group vocals, unfortunately. Yeah.
00:38:51 --> 00:39:17 I don't like that. Whoever's directing them when they're performing, it's not their fault, obviously. There's like a team behind them, but the team has to think about like, I mean, this is a larger K-pop style thing, which unfortunately, but it's, you know, even if you go back to the, I feel like harmonies were still a thing at J-pop back in the day, weren't they? Um, I would say, yeah. I mean, it depends on the group, but like, yes, I would say, I think this is very K-pop style though.
00:39:17 --> 00:39:43 Yeah. It's just very interesting. You know, we're, so we're both, you know, fans of the boy groups, like of yesteryear. Uh, and harmonies were, were the original thing, you know, like if you go back to Motown, even just like barbershop, barbershop quartets and stuff like that. Like you, it's about the harmonies and the singing together. And it's kind of sad that that's kind of fully disappeared from like the Asian pop world at the moment. Yeah. Um,
00:39:43 --> 00:40:10 Yeah, I also have the same note as well about the ad-libs. I also wanted big, belty ad-libs at the end. Yeah, they can do it. That's the thing. They can do it. But again, I appreciate their ability to emote. The concept is not lost on them. So again, a while without regerts. No regerts, okay? So I give this one an eight. I also have an eight.
00:40:10 --> 00:40:32 Okay, so pretty similar. Guys, listen, usually we don't ever match this much, really. But lately, I feel like we're on the same wavelength. I think our sentiments are the same. We have been. Yeah. Our sentiments are the same. I mean, we're on a show together, guys. A show that you should be subscribed to because we're almost at 7K. I mean, it's crazy. You want to be leaving a comment now because by the time we hit 10K, we might be able to talk to you. I'm not sure. I don't know.
00:40:33 --> 00:41:01 Oh, no. No, I'm totally joking. I feel like we would still be talking to people. We're not that. You've got Hollywood on us, have we? Have we? Or are we just inundated with comments and can't get to them all? I don't know. But, yes, definitely subscribe if you haven't already. I mean, you've made it this far and you haven't, you know, left a crazy comment yet. And if you have, you might as well subscribe because we will continue to anger you or make you happy. It's up to you. But, yes, subscribe. And let's move on to the last track of this album.
00:41:01 --> 00:41:17 Who am I? And this was done by John Robert Hall, Jamil Cosme, Yu Shiroda, Soma Genda, Pete Nappy, Jin Lee, E-Sudan, YX Label, Jude Miles, and Cha Main.
00:41:22 --> 00:41:44 All right. So, yep, there's 5011 days on this one. Yeah, but this is a really nice end to this album. I'm going to be honest. I wasn't expecting, like, another ballad, but it's kind of interesting. I feel like the way they did this album, it starts off super intense. Then you end on this, like, really light, like, kind of heartfelt kind of, like, self-reflective moment, which is interesting.
00:41:44 --> 00:42:08 Yeah. And I really like the production of this. There's like this tapping percussion that kind of slowly builds. There's almost a whimsy to the way they did the electronic elements. And then by the end, there is kind of, there's a beautiful build at the end. Like it gets very full by the end. And yeah, I think the melody of this is really good across the whole thing. Like finally, I think this chorus is...
00:42:08 --> 00:42:23 is super, super strong. Yeah. Melodically. Yes. And this is another one that really, if they did this live with harmonies and did full group vocals, it would be amazing. Yeah. Yeah, I do see...
00:42:24 --> 00:42:49 Like, I picture something very epic visually for this. So I would love for them one day to do, like, an interlude or something with this song. Because I feel like there's a lot of elements to it that could make it really cool, yeah, visual. Oh, yeah. No, I agree. My only complaint is that it's too short. What a pain in the butt. Oh, my God. All these songs kind of come around 230, 240-something. And it pisses me off.
00:42:50 --> 00:43:07 not their fault. This is not me saying Anteem is bad because they have short songs. It's just one of those things where I'm like, it's good. Keep going. You know, like, it's like when your favorite student has an awesome essay and they only give you like four sentences per paragraph. I'm like, girl, I would read a book if you wrote it. Like, come on. So yeah, I just, ugh, again.
00:43:07 --> 00:43:34 I need K-pop businesses, companies to ignore the trend of streaming and create longer songs to sit with the fans. That's it. Because there's so much of this song to digest. And there's so much that I feel like, yes, they've done enough. Yeah, sure, sure, sure, sure, sure. But again, imagine what would have happened if we got like a nice bridge moment. This is a song that could have, grr. I'm telling you, man. If you wanted an intense bridge, dramatic bridge, this would be the one.
00:43:34 --> 00:44:01 Yes. Okay. For example, like Monst X, like Lost in a Dream. Everyone always wants that song. Why? Because Kee-yum kills it in the dang bridge. Like that's the whole point to let that the main vocal release, you know, sing really. Let me see Monst X as an example. They have rappers as well. They will have like these crazy raps where I am and Joo-han are like battling each other. Like there's a way to build a bridge if you don't have like crazy singers. But if you have a crazy singer, use it.
00:44:01 --> 00:44:31 But any hoodle doodle. I think the production, this one is my favorite for sure. Aside from like the Neptunes inspired one. There's like this disjointed, wonky, overlapping piano. It makes everything sound disjointed and pensive. But the way it was done. Oh my God, it doesn't sound clanky. It's so easy for it to sound like a freaking 50 car pile up on a highway in LA. And it didn't sound like that. It just sounded like just, I don't know, just sound very dissonant and just kind of like, I don't know.
00:44:31 --> 00:44:51 again, pens, that's the word. Just keep it there. The chorus loved her. Loved her. I love that sustained. And then the phantom background voices. Like, this is what I'm looking for. Build a world with your background. Your backgrounds, for me, in my opinion, your background vocals are meant to create, like, this really padded, like...
00:44:52 --> 00:45:11 part of the song everyone's going to sing the chorus you want it to sound full you want it to sound like bold but regardless of what the style of the group is you want it to feel like it's a group not guys taking turns singing and this didn't feel like that completely which i appreciate um and i love the lyrics for this one um
00:45:11 --> 00:45:37 Like, who am I to a loved one? You know, verse two says every day I wanted to be special to someone. And I was afraid where I would lose myself. Right. And I'm like this whole wanting to be avoidant, but also seeking acceptance. It's avoidant behavior. You know, like, you know, you want to be independent, but also you're just like, hmm, who am I to you? I feel this way. Whoever, maybe, you know how K-pop is. The song could legit be about love. Could be about boinking. And they'll be like...
00:45:37 --> 00:45:56 It's for the fans. It's about our dreams. And it's true. I get it. I get it. But this one feels like it's romantically sense. I mean, if you want to be a fan and be like, oh, my God, they're asking, like, who we are to each other. And whatever. Whatever. It's not about you, Luna. It's about how you may feel towards someone in your life one day, you know, or how you feel about someone right now.
00:45:56 --> 00:46:23 I don't know. But yes, I love the instrumentation as it gets bigger and better and crazy and like the tension's there. And I'm like, yes! And then it stops. And I'm like, what the hell? Where's the rest of the song? Yeah. But I do like this one. It's my favorite on the album, I'd say. Oh. Yeah. Okay. Favorite like slow-ish moment. Yeah. Yeah. Wait, are you sure? But it's called Who Am I? Are you sure it's not just a self-reflective moment? You think it's romantic? Yeah.
00:46:24 --> 00:46:53 It says, I want to be special to someone. But tomorrow I was afraid where I could lose muscle. Who's someone other than you? I mean, not other than you. It could be just a theoretical someone. I mean, if they were. It's about self-growth. Man, that's such a K-pop thing for me. That is such a K-pop. Okay, okay, okay, okay. It could be about that. But for me, for me, I like this song. I feel like it represents me well.
00:46:54 --> 00:47:15 For selfish reasons. I'll say for selfish reasons. I think it is about that. I want to be independent, but I also want to be special to someone, too. But two can exist at the same time. I'm not as avoidant as they are in this damn song. But yeah, I think the song could mean so many different things. The way you interpret it is completely up to you, Lunay and Chris. Because obviously...
00:47:17 --> 00:47:46 But all jokes aside, I think in terms of like the messaging of the song. Yeah. Great. In terms of the production matching the messaging of the song. Great. The vocal production matching the production. And you know, the list goes on. Good job. I appreciate it. Yeah. Big Butt is not like the Japanese singles that I really, really like. So my score didn't really, you know, get great. It just gave like, okay, this is good. So I gave it an 8.5. Slightly better than Heartbreak Time Machine.
00:47:46 --> 00:48:06 Okay. But it's not by much because of certain things. Yeah, I'm just going to stick to the eight. Okay, I respect that. No, the eight is warranted. The eight is definitely warranted. I get it. Yeah. I get it. Okay, so we're done with the album. Already. Let's do our cut or keep. Ooh. Okay, so if you had to cut a song off this album, what would you cut and why?
00:48:06 --> 00:48:25 Oh, no. Okay, so K-pop fans, y'all are new here, but a lot of our episodes were Western pop or like European pop or whatever pop, just not Korean. And we usually cut a song or keep a song. Save one song, lose one song. And this... If I had to cut a song like really like, okay, I don't need you there.
00:48:27 --> 00:48:42 It's kind of tough, right? Because I feel like each song here kind of just fits where it is. But I think maybe the weakest one. Oh, my God. I don't know. Hmm.
00:48:43 --> 00:49:04 Okay, if not the title track, I'm sorry, if not the title track, maybe Mismatch. Because I did rank the title track in Limitick a little bit lower, but I think in terms of concept, just not fitting really on this album and kind of just throwing out whatever stuck, I think Mismatch is the one that should go.
00:49:06 --> 00:49:33 Yeah, is it weird that I would actually cut the title track back to life? We've never done that. It's weird for us. It's unusual. We've never done that. We try to keep away from the lead singles. Right. But I feel like in this case, I actually like the other five songs more than the single. Me too. But I get that what they're known for is the kind of more intense thing. But then, like we were saying, there's stuff like Going Blind. Yeah.
00:49:34 --> 00:49:58 deer hunter yeah they're all kind of better than this so i don't really need this that would keep the other ones okay so i said if not this one so you took it thank you all right yeah okay so you can only choose one song to keep oh god um only one song to keep what would you keep do not go get him i'm joking please do not bother my co-host or else i will bother you in those comments okay um
00:49:59 --> 00:50:07 Okay, the song that I would keep... Ooh, okay, okay, okay. Dang it. I mean, I feel like Rush would have been a great single...
00:50:08 --> 00:50:37 So here's my thing. Risky, but cool. Risky, but exactly. I feel like for us it's a little bit tough because this is a mini album. We usually rate albums with 14 tracks on it, people. Yes. We don't do K-pop albums because, you know, sometimes K-pop fans don't really show up for the little shorter albums. This is kind of tough for us, I would say, because it's so little to pick from. But I think Rush would have been really interesting. It would have been something kind of fun. Right now, no one in K-pop sounds like this right now because everyone's kind of going for that Western sound. So yeah, I feel like this would have been a
00:50:37 --> 00:51:05 fun little like oh okay the japanese white group has some interesting stuff going on okay yeah i would pick lunatic lunatic i knew it because at this point like look it has a music video yeah make it the single yeah that's valid i like lunatic too that's a good one yeah okay so overall thoughts this is our first and team full project review yes their korean debut so what do you think of their korean debut
00:51:05 --> 00:51:21 Okay, so I feel like it's not bad of a debut, but my biggest qualm is that I remember listening to this album a couple times and thinking to myself, is this the product of a bunch of song camps for Hy-Bee or Hy-Bee? Excuse me, I don't know how to pronounce it. Sorry, it's still to this day.
00:51:22 --> 00:51:48 um hype is this something that like you know we have a huge song because sm every a lot of companies do it like sm has song camps like everyone knows about their song camps specifically right because so many writers come from it and they'll sit there and write songs for every artist on the roster which is freaking fine you're paying for people to get their songs written right so i'm wondering is that happening with hybe's situation because for me it's like you got a bunch of
00:51:50 --> 00:52:15 quote-unquote k-pop songs are written by westerners which is completely fine but do these westerners know and team this doesn't feel like it was catered for them specifically but then again we don't really listen to them like in full but we have heard their past japanese singles and we have been super impressed each time i can't say either one of us has been like oh yeah this is crap or like oh yeah i don't know or i think you and i've kind of hit like either like an eighth
00:52:15 --> 00:52:39 8.5 maybe 9 range i don't think we ever hit 10 unless you we never gave scores but our reactions were indicative of like a higher caliber than what was on the album and it kind of annoys me a little bit because i'm like thinking to myself why are these just kind of sort of good songs being thrown on an album for a group that's been out for what four years now
00:52:39 --> 00:53:08 Three? Three years? Excuse me. Yeah, so it's a little weird. It's still a little song camp. Just throw whatever kind of sticks for them. And if it sounds kind of rocky, then cool. And if they don't like it, we'll give it to this other group. You know, and like again, I could be sticking out my booty. And if I am, I do apologize to a certain extent. But something about this just feels a little not as seasoned as their Japanese tracks. I will say that. It's not as seasoned. I'll eat it. I'll eat it still.
00:53:09 --> 00:53:33 But it's giving meal prep and not full on like, you know, giving meal prep. It's not giving home cooks. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Look, I think it's a solid debut. None of these songs are bad. No. You know, I've definitely heard worse. You know? Yes, we have. And I do think it does showcase. Yeah.
00:53:33 --> 00:53:49 their capabilities well. As I mentioned with the first song, it really annoys me that you can't really tell their voices apart. Not their fault. But yeah, I think as a group of songs, it's a pretty strong group of songs. Um...
00:53:50 --> 00:54:16 And yeah, I think if you guys want us to, we will like go back and listen to some of their, you know, full Japanese projects. Because, yeah, we only really know like the singles, the title tracks, really. Because, yeah, I am kind of curious if this is as good as their other stuff. Yeah, me too. I'm just basing on the singles, too. So I get it. Yeah. Yeah. But...
00:54:16 --> 00:54:45 I do think the way that they did their whole launch, like kind of starting in Japan and just kind of, you know, building that up and then going to this, I think in concept, like, I think was smart. And I wonder if they did want to keep it kind of safe overall for the debut in Korea. Just, you know. Yeah, don't walk the boat too much. Yeah, but I don't know. I'm excited to see where they go because I do think they have a lot of potential. But it'll be interesting to see how they try to just keep them...
00:54:46 --> 00:55:03 Like, how do they make sure they stand out from some of the other groups out there right now? Yes. Because I agree with you in that some of these songs do feel a tad faceless. Like, if songs like Mismatch and stuff, like, you could pretty much give them to any boy group. Yeah.
00:55:03 --> 00:55:23 Yeah, and they deserve that. My opinion, because of what I've heard. Sorry. It's coming from a biased standpoint, I guess. Yeah. So as a final rating, yeah, as a final rating, like, again, I don't think these songs are bad. If I average out my scores, it is an 8 still. You mean our scores will be matched, so I guess not as an 8. Yeah, you too. It's also an 8 for you.
00:55:25 --> 00:55:46 Hang on, I have a .5 on mine at one point. Yeah, but you had some seven. No, but you had a seven. No, you're like two times. I had twice. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. So that evens out, yeah. Yeah, I still had eight. Yeah, so I would say it's an eight. I stand by this eight. I did like this album. I did like listening to it. I just felt a little disjointed and not a good representation of them. Hmm. Yeah. Yeah.
00:55:46 --> 00:56:07 But aside from that, I think, you know, not a bad first try as well. So can't wait to hear what's coming up next for them. Hopefully they do get a repackaged album. I love a good repack. I don't feel like they don't. Hive doesn't do that. They don't, which stinks. They say we're saving our money for one comeback every six months, guys. Okay? But yes, Lune!
00:56:08 --> 00:56:35 Let us know what you all think of Anteem's first Korean mini album. Keep it civil. Let us know in the comments below, all right? And don't forget you can hang out with us and the crew on Patreon, including Lily, Emily, George, Jonathan, Jasmine, Darius, Ren, Hillary, Ellie, Nick, Luke, and of course, Julianne, the lunae that recommended this episode, okay? You get priority on our show when you are part of our CCTV crew on Patreon.
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