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.
