BOYNEXTDOOR – HOW? (Mini Album Review)

5th generation sextet BOYNEXTDOOR set out to further enchant fans and new listeners alike with their bright and infectiously cheerful blend of hip-hop, pop, R&B, and ballad.

BOYNEXTDOOR broke out onto the K-Pop world stage in May 2023 with their upbeat single ‘WHO!’, whose 3 sleek pop songs charmed audiences far and wide with their touching lyrics, dreamy vocals, and above all approachable ‘boy next door’ concept that all 6 members effortlessly settled into upon debut. The playfully sweet conceptualisation of the group was also a welcome shift away from other K-Pop boy bands at the time, most of whom embraced darker, more mature images and sounds.

Now a year on from debut, the band continue to refine their stylistic and musical accents on tracks already bursting with the sounds of love, life, and youth. ‘HOW?’ offers 6 new tracks plus an English version of the title track ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’; a collection of songs that deal with the giddiness of new love and the thrill of romance.

The opening track ‘OUR’ kicks the album off with a combination of pleasantly airy vocals, smoothly integrated raps, and a bouncy instrumental. While the prevalence of bass throughout the track reminds listeners of BOYNEXTDOOR’s hip-hop leanings, the song is overall light and delicate in tone; acoustic guitar flourishes and a steady swaying tempo allow audiences to tap into the modern groove of the young artist’s music.

The lyrics themselves paint a sweet picture of a couple’s first date and the nerves they feel throughout the day. Lines such as “Pretending to be calm, but I’m still trembling” and “I hope you feel the same way” easily pull the listener in with its notes of honeyed realism. With the members ranging in age from 20 to just 17, this light-hearted sound does not come across as forced or cringy in any way but rather contributes to the draw towards the energetic group.

The following track ‘Amnesia’ plays out as the plea of someone going through a rough patch in their relationship, making them question the very nature of their connection. The song’s boppy acoustic instrumental, however, provides an infectious vitality to the track despite the melancholy expressed through the lyrics. The vocals are again a highlight here; the members’ clear and harmonious voices lending the track a lingering feeling of purity and romance.

This delicately wistful ambience is carried over into the retro-tinged pop banger ‘So let’s go see the stars’. From its subdued beginning, which is driven by a sprightly drum beat and faraway electric guitar, to its euphorically melodic chorus, the song’s nostalgic pop-rock allure will almost immediately appeal to listeners.

The group jumps into new territory on the title track ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’, where the band’s colourful vocal combinations and creative lyrics are provided ample time to shine amid a rapid-fire fusion of pop and hip-hop. “You ain’t just a girlfriend, that ain’t enough no, you’re my earth wind and fire” is just one of the many lines that stand out in this bubbly track dedicated to a beloved partner. Upon first listening, fans will indulge in the song’s loving sentiment and generally bright and upbeat sound.

However, upon further listening, the talent and passion needed to deliver such smoothly delivered yet still thrilling raps and melodic vocals must also be appreciated, for they contribute so much to the song’s addictively singable quality. After 2023’s previous title tracks ‘Serenade’, and ‘But Sometimes’, the bar was high for the group to deliver another spellbinding hit. ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ does that and more; only highlighting the best of the group’s talents.

‘Life is cool’ starts like a cosy campfire anthem with all the acoustic charm and sugar-sweet harmonies expected from the boys. The chorus is blissful in its celebration of all of life’s joys (“Singing, laughing, life is cool”); the members’ joyful vocals create a delightfully feel-good vibe that listeners will love. Singer Riwoo really shines here; his silky smooth falsetto adds an elated sense of innocence to the mix.

The understated, drowsy vibes of ‘Dear, My Darling’ perfectly succeed in bringing the album to a reflective close. The soft piano paired with subtle bass guitar only helps to emphasis just how enchanting the group’s vocals are here. Despite being under 2 minutes, the track is at once soothing and undoubtedly addicting.

Score/Excellent: For anyone wishing to immerse themselves in all that 5th generation K-Pop has to offer so far, BOYNEXTDOOR must surely be 1st on your list, because missing out on these versatile talents would be a great shame. Only a year into their careers and they are already producing music of this calibre? It can only mean great things for the future of K-Pop.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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