by martina rexrode
photo courtesy of p1harmony
With six mini albums under their belt three years out from their 2020 debut, P1Harmony is starting the year off by releasing their first full-length album, 때깔 (Killin’ It). Including the title track of the same name, the album features 10 songs, each of which were co-written by Jongseob, one of their rappers and the youngest of the group. Their album comes at a time when a wider range of K-pop boy and girl groups are becoming household names thanks to their appearances at U.S. music festivals, award shows, and tour stops — a strategic time to release their longest project yet and show a new side of themselves to P1ece, their dedicated group of fans.
Driven by elements of synth-pop and 90s hip-hop, “때깔 (Killin’ It)” is a solid title track filled with what’s become a signature sound for the group. As soon as you hit play, you’re met with a beat that gets your hands clapping and your head nodding which fades into quick-witted rap verses by Intak and Jiung. The confident rap delivery by Intak, Jiung, and Jongseob completely sells you on everything they’re saying. Each member teeters on the line of sounding cocky with how sharply their vocal tones enunciate every word. This is especially true in Jongseob's rap verse after the first chorus where he states in a stuttering rhythm: "My rule came 2005," implying that he's been ahead of the game since he was born. With all of the energy oozing from this track, it feels inevitable that the choreography is going to be exhausting.
Although the title track was enjoyable and a great addition to their wider discography, the b-sides were where the group shined. Sticking close to the sound that their fans know and love, P1Harmony were also able to tap into different genres as the album progressed, expanding their creative landscape in an impressive way. Some standouts were "꿍꿍이 (Love Story)," a laid back departure from their typically fast-paced tracks layered with soft rap verses and smooth falsetto, "Countdown to Love'' with its structure reminiscent of a 2010s pop song or something off of Maroon 5's Overexposed, and "Emergency," which drops you into the song's world immediately with a beat emphasized by sirens and the unique vocal delivery by each repetition of the hook "it's an emergency." Other tracks like "Late Night Calls” and "2Nite" lean into a more chill, R&B style that works to highlight Theo and Keeho's soulful vocals as well as a more minimalistic side to the rappers' execution of their verses. "Everybody Clap" urges you to lean in with a pre-chorus that builds up to a sort of anti-drop, holding your attention until the real chorus finally kicks in. Their rappers are purposefully highlighted in "Let Me Love You" and "Street Star," tracks that hit on the hip-hop elements common in their previous b-sides. Each of these feel very much in line with what someone might expect from P1Harmony with a subtle upgrade.
The album's final track, "I See U," is another standout. Co-written by Jongseob, Keeho, Intak, and Jiung with collaborators, it serves as a sign of appreciation to P1ece for their commitment to the group throughout the years. It's easy to listen to without being forgettable and feels like a similar style to their collaboration track "Gotta Get Back" with Pink Sweat$, the catchy chorus sure to be stuck in your head after a single listen. Fan songs are common among K-pop groups as a way to further connect themselves to the people who buy their albums and stand for hours at their shows, and "I See U" seems like a fresh, bright addition to that subgenre.
As a whole, 때깔 (Killin’ It) is an impressive showcase of how P1Harmony has evolved in just over three years. The album homes in on a specific style and direction that sets the group apart from others in their generation of K-pop. It's energetic, youthful, and hip while calling back to 2010s Western pop music and 3rd generation K-pop music by groups like GOT7 or IKON. It feels different from past releases in a way that also stays true to the sound they've carefully curated to be easily recognizable as a P1Harmony song — powerful, cocky rap verses paired with smooth vocals, chanting choruses, and throwback instrumentals. For some groups, a full-length project like this might come out much sooner than three years after their debut. However, in the case of P1Harmony it appears that the wait successfully allowed them and their team to put together a final product that is sure to advance the group beyond the steady pace they've already built up in the last year.