ATEEZ (Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho) has been making waves with its answer to the themes of love, strength, and success with its treasure-like tracks. Since its debut in 2018, the group has continued to reinvent themselves. The members find spaces to insert their experiences into their music to forge a special connection with their listeners. As the group makes a comeback with its eleventh EP Golden Hour Pt 2, it certainly puts a lot of things into perspective. 2024 has been a memorable year for the group and this EP is just another peg on the board. Once again we have members Hongjoong and Mingi who participated in writing the tracks. Let’s take a closer look at ATEEZ’s latest EP Golden Hour Pt. 2.
1. DEEP DIVE
Any journey of self-exploration includes a phase a self-doubt, dejection, rejection, and anger. There are times when everything feels uncertain yet there is a small glimmer of hope that is enough to take one through the toughest battles. ATEEZ’s ‘Deep Dive’ is that track. The track talks about a relentless journey towards achieving one’s dream, despite the struggles and obstacles - In this emptiness/I know how to swim through it/Diving deep, I’m getting closer/To this emptiness
2. SCENE 1: VALUE
This minute-long track starts on lower notes and progresses to a choral arrangement. As the track reaches a crescendo, it switches the mood to a trap-based arrangement and we hear the lines - Great minds think alike/And only we can see the true vision. It sets the tone for what is to come next.
3. ICE ON MY TEETH
Trust ATEEZ to leave its listeners with a memorable title track with each comeback. Its titles have often been eccentric and ‘Ice on My Teeth’ is no different. We find the classic ATEEZ charm where each member is given adequate to unfurl their talents. The track is a sultry smooth composition accentuated by violins in the chorus. The song is powerful, demands attention, and at the same time it is laced with a sense of danger - I've scattered diamonds with my face engraved on them all over the world. Seonghwa’s all-black outfit with a round-rimmed hat, overcoat, and whip is reminiscent of the group’s outfits in the ‘Answer.’ The track is
4. MAN ON FIRE
ATEEZ channels all-consuming energy as the group sings about the dangerous side-effect of love - A slave to an unstoppable desire/I’d walk into these flames, if it’s for you. ‘Man on Fire’ feels like a stripped-down track, especially after listening to ‘Ice on My Teeth.’ The composition is an arrangement of trap and synth beats that feel overtly exposed when paired with the lyrics. The melody deepens the intended feel of the lyrics.
5. SELFISH WALTZ
You know that a track is crafted carefully when the lyrics, the composition, and the core idea confluence well to present a cinematic visual. ‘Selfish Waltz’ is a song about a toxic romance cycle that goes on like a waltz - pushing and pulling the lovers. The song appeals to the visual and auditory senses as it weaves its magic. In an interview with Consequence, ATEEZ leader Hongjoong mentioned that he had written this track in 2021.
6. ENOUGH
As the album comes to a conclusion, ATEEZ leaves its listeners with a powerful track peppered with words of encouragement - They don't even care/So then, why should you?/Don’t stop believing how you got here/Hold on to that feelin'/Gonna make it far enough. The melody of this track is bound to leave a lasting impression on its listeners.
One thing that I am grateful for in this album is that the songs have broken free of the ‘3-minute curse.’ We get to enjoy the songs extensively with the increased duration and it is a treat to listen to ATEEZ each time. With Golden Hour Pt. 2, ATEEZ travels from nightfall to the daytime and in doing so they go through a variety of emotions from feeling a little helpless to finding the strength to march forward. This wide spectrum of emotions and genres makes the album a worthwhile experience. With members Hongjoong and Mingi participating in writing the tracks, there is a personal touch to the songs as the members’ idealogy is incorporated into the themes and lyrics for each song. Like with Golden Hour Pt. 1, once again ATEEZ plays with the idea of self-exploration, breaking free of a toxic cycle, romance, and self-love. While the former album was much more bright and joyous, this latter album is equally darker and serious. Considering the pattern from The World trilogy, we can expect another album in the Golden Hour series to conclude the story.
Also Read: ATEEZ run amok in THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW seeking freedom – Album Review
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