ENHYPEN embrace vulnerability with sultry exploration of love and devotion in ROMANCE: UNTOLD – Album Review

Seven-member K-Pop group ENHYPEN (Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki) has a knack for surprising fans with fresh musical approaches. Known for their high-energy tracks and rock-inspired concepts explored in past EPs and the webtoon they created, ENHYPEN takes a captivating turn on their second full-length album, ROMANCE: UNTOLD. This comeback marks a shift in their sound, delving into sultry R&B and synth-pop vibes. It's particularly exciting to see the increased involvement of the members in the creative process. ENHYPEN has broken their record with ROMANCE: UNTOLD, achieving over 2.2 million pre-order sales, the band's highest ever. Their personal styles seem to be woven into the music, making the album a unique and delightful evolution for ENHYPEN.

 

ENHYPEN embrace vulnerability with sultry exploration of love and devotion in ROMANCE: UNTOLD – Album Review

 

1. MOONSTRUCK

 

‘Moonstruck’ is a smooth R&B track that opens ENHYPEN’s sophomore album. The song incorporates fantastical elements like flying over the moon with one’s loved one by their side. “Moonstruck” is a sweet song hoping for all things celestial and magical with one’s loved one - “You and I under the moonlight/The sun is behind the night/Tonight will be forever/I get drunk while dancing all night long”

 

2. XO (ONLY IF YOU SAY YES)

 

It might take some time for this song to grow on the listeners. If one is to compare ENHYPEN’s previous title tracks to this latest one, this one lands in the lower rungs of ranking. Earlier title tracks were catchy and narrated lore. ‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ can be chalked up to an attempt to talk about asking for consent and confessing love - “Would you kiss me? Would you hug me?/I’ll ask for your permission”.

 

‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ also comes in an English version featuring American musician JVKE, whom the members address as ‘American Jake’ to avoid confusion with their group member Jake who hails from Australia. American Jake participated in the song’s production and also lent vocals for the English language version.

 

 

 

3. YOUR EYES ONLY

 

‘Your Eyes Only’ takes the emotions of its preceding songs and adds a thick layer of seduction. The lyrics grow bold and suggestive as the members sing - “You can bite me, you complete me, give me a ride so it will remain our secret between us”. The alternate title for this song could have been “Sugar Talk”, don’t you think?

 

4. HUNDRED BROKEN HEARTS

 

‘Hundred Broken Hearts’ by ENHYPEN is a strong proclamation that the protagonist would do anything to make sure they and their loved one do not break apart. The song poses a melodious symphony of vocals and instrumentals, akin to that of a tearjerker romance movie’s soundtrack. The constant synth beats layered with a rhythmic drum and percussion create a cinematic atmosphere when listening to the song. Leader Jungwon participated in writing the song, especially the pre-chorus - “You and I under the moonlight/We bloom at night/This night when eternity blooms/I get drunk a little deeper all night long”

 

5. BROUGHT THE HEAT BACK

 

‘Brought The Heat Back’ serves as a reminder of the group’s previous hit tracks like ‘Drunk-Dazed’. The song emotes feelings of envy and jealousy upon seeing one’s love interest with another person, possibly a rival - “Ain't my fault, it's because of you/It's weird, I don't want to/But I'm envious”

 

6. PARANORMAL

 

ENHYPEN continues their lore of love and romance with ‘Paranormal’. The song takes the listener out of this world with its spatially alliterative lyrics like “Anomaly, like before light and space/You are my absolute law, more significant than gravity.” The song poses a very fast beat, almost as if the protagonist is moving at a sonic speed. The song begins and ends with such a rush that one has to go play it again to let the feeling sink in completely.

 

7. ROYALTY

 

What is love if one does not compare their partner to a king or a queen? The lyrics are an unabashed declaration of loyalty and dedication to one’s partner - “My royalty, queen/Royalty, take it/If you order me/The answer is always yes, sir.” The chorus could have slightly better if the “precious-cious-cious” part was replaced by something else to fill in the gap.

 

8. HIGHWAY 1009

 

‘Highway 1009’ is a fan song by ENHYPEN for their fans, ENGENEs. Member Heesung participated in the song production whereas every member participated in writing the lyrics. The song feels slightly out of place in an album that talks about love and all things sultry. The song is a sweet rendition of the gratitude and love that ENHYPEN has for their fans. This song is no less a love letter as much as it is a thank you letter - “I told you like a million times/With you, evеrything will be alright/I'll hug you tighter/'Cause I'll be there be your engine now”.

 

ENHYPEN ditches the darkness for a charming "boy next door" image with their sophomore album, ROMANCE: UNTOLD. This shift marks a clear evolution in both their sound and visuals compared to their previous edgy releases like Dark Blood and Blood Orange. While some remnants of their darker concepts linger in the music, the overall tone is noticeably brighter and more approachable. The album boasts a genre-bending tracklist with influences ranging from Alternative R&B to Rock Drum & Bass and Soft Synth-Pop. This diversity showcases ENHYPEN's expanding musicality. While some tracks are on the shorter side, a trend seen in recent K-Pop releases, it doesn't diminish the listening experience.

 

ROMANCE: UNTOLD marks the beginning of a new series, hinting at a story about seven boys fiercely protecting their love. With nine captivating tracks, the album leaves fans wanting more, particularly from the stellar B-sides.

 

Also Read: ENHYPEN announce July 12 comeback with second studio album ROMANCE : UNTOLD, see logo trailer

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