'SAD SONG' / P1HARMONY: REVIEW


by martina rexrode

After a successful run with their first full-length album 때깔 (Killin’ It) which brought them their first Korean music show win, #1 on the Billboard World Albums chart, and #2 on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart, P1Harmony is back with their seventh mini album SAD SONG. The seven track mini album touches on topics and situations like the feeling of being stuck, rewarding yourself for pushing through tough times, and the shyness that comes with first love. It also covers a wide range of genres, similar to their last album, and showcases new sides of every member on each song.

The title track, stylized as “SAD SONG,” is a classic musical juxtaposition of melancholic lyrics hidden among high energy instrumentals and vocals. In the pre-chorus, leader and main vocalist Keeho sings, “I try to get away, loneliness stuck in my heart, oh, no, sad song puts me in a prison.” In the English version at the end of the album, he sings, “I try to get away, I'm stuck in this loneliness, I can't get out of sad songs, just locked up in here.” Both versions of this section reach the core of the song’s message, but it's easy to get lost in the fun of the execution that you don’t even register what they're singing until you actively read the lyrics.

The addictive piano riff adds flare to an already catchy song, pairing well with the quick-witted raps and layered vocals. Intak’s gritty tone stands out while Jongseob’s smooth flow only helps to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting rappers within his generation of the genre. Keeho and Theo’s ever-present soulful vocal style somehow fits into every type of music the group tries, and this is no exception. (Their final harmony during the bridge is sure to leave your arms covered in goosebumps.) As usual, the combination this group brings of vocalists, rappers, and synchronized dancers comes together to create an energetic track without the TikTok bait dozens of K-pop groups and Western artists have started to lean into.

The b-sides on SAD SONG explore different genres and familiar sounds to anyone who’s a fan of 2010 American pop music. For example, “Last Call,” the third track, felt extremely reminiscent of Big Time Rush or Up All Night-era One Direction. The shouty chorus, quiet lines of dialogue within the verses, and funky electric guitar throughout were a charmingly nostalgic nod to American and English boy bands popular when the P1Harmony members and many of their fans were growing up. Another favorite is the sweet fifth track “All You.” Touching on the relatable feelings of shyness and uncertainty surrounding a confession of love, “All You” is a track driven by piano and 90s R&B elements which fill it with a youthful air that’s very easy to listen to.

The rest of the tracks fell to the wayside a bit on the first handful of listens with their instrumentations and deliveries feeling pretty familiar to songs on their previous album, but “WASP,” the group’s first unit track between rappers Intak and Jongseob, holds some potential for expansion. They aimed for a 2016/2017 American rap style, and they delivered that perfectly. However, the chorus sections felt too empty and repetitive where the group as a whole typically brings those sections to full, bright life. It’s a cool concept and a new style for both of them, but not enough to truly showcase their range to the ability they made present on the rest of the mini album.

Every time P1Harmony comes back to release a new project, it’s guaranteed to be something new. From their debut in 2020 to now, they’ve provided a refreshing sound in an industry where everyone is constantly trying to be the next big thing. Their energy feels genuine and the songwriting talents of their rappers should not go unnoticed. With SAD SONG, they’re sure to keep the trajectory of their success moving upward.

 

'KILLIN' IT' / P1HARMONY: REVIEW


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.