By Kya Brogdon and Avree Noelle Linne | 5 June, 2024
Image from @ATEEZ_official via Twitter/X
Fresh off their stellar performances at Coachella and right before they begin their North America tour, octet K-pop group ATEEZ has released their 10th mini album Golden Hour : Part.1. Consisting of six tracks, Golden Hour : Part.1 is ATEEZ’s exploration of a multitude of genres and styles. From hip-hop to R&B to reggae, there is something for everyone to love on this release.
A sort of teaser, fans were able to hear “Golden Hour,” from an era intro video dropped about two weeks before the album. Following the pattern of the other intro/outro style ATEEZ songs like “Intro : Long Journey,” “FIN : WILL,” “Outro : Over the Horizon,” and “PROPAGANDA;” “Golden Hour” is once again narrated by company-mate MADDOX and set over a beautiful instrumental. The video follows a group of ATINY’s (ATEEZ’s fandom name) in Los Angeles as they visit the Grammy Museum, hang out on the beach, and reminisce about ATEEZ’s milestones from their debut in 2018 to the current day. “Golden Hour” tugs at the heartstrings, the spoken-word style lyrics call for the audience to not only focus on the grand milestones, but to find the preciousness in every moment. “But just like every beginning has an end / What should we dream of and hope for as these fleeting moments pass?” … “The moments of laughter with friends / Quiet family dinners / Relaxing weekends with loved ones / Could these be the real Golden Hours of our lives?” With the nostalgic infused melody and the lyrics, I can easily see this track being used by fans to share their day-to-day lives being shared between loved ones and ATEEZ.
After releasing “ARRIBA” in their previous album, fans were begging for more Latin-inspired ATEEZ tracks - “Blind” is everything we could have hoped for and more. Combining the Latin and EDM genres and sung in a mixture of Korean, English, and Spanish, this track tells the story of an intense, passionate, and blinding love. The chorus is immediately catchy, I was humming along by the second time it rolled around. “춤을 춰 오늘 밤 타오르는 이 밤 / 밤의 여왕이여 내 눈의 별이여 / 너의 눈빛으로 나를 깨워주오 / Take my soul, take my heart, el amor es ciego” (translation: “Dance tonight, in this burning night / Queen of the night, star of my eyes / Wake me up with your gaze / Take my soul, take my heart, love is blind”)
“Blind” is a song that is easy to lose yourself in, it’s almost impossible to listen to the whole track without tapping your foot or bobbing your head to the beat. It’s easy to see why the members said in their album preview live that they wanted to save this song and make it a title track for a different album, but I think it fits into the beginning of this era perfectly.
The first title track for the Golden Hour era, “WORK” reflects ATEEZ’s ambition and drive for success while showing off their fun, carefree side. In the almost six years since their debut, the group has gathered a lot of praise, awards, and charting places - some of which they show off in the music video for this track. With lyrics like “Give 'em whiplash when they see me earn” and “어디를 가도 튀어나와 breaking news / 하루 종일 내 노래가 나와 radio” (translation: “Breaking News popping up no matter where I go / My songs play all day on the radio”), it’s clear that “WORK'' is a humble brag about where they are in their careers, while driving home the mindset that they have to continue to push and climb to get even farther.
The chorus references the pop culture phrase “get that bag,” with the group singing “Gotta make that money, make purse,” - “make purse” is also an old saying from the 1640s, which fits perfectly into the old-timey aesthetic and vibe of the music video. Despite being a reference to their own success, “WORK” is a song that can be applied to anyone chasing after their dreams with the same passion and fervor as the ATEEZ members. Already, the song has been used on countless TikTok and Instagram videos showing ATINY at their jobs, working hard to earn money for ATEEZ concert tickets and other merch. The main message of the song leans more towards hard work will pay off rather than pure bragging, which allows the track to be more accessible to listeners of all walks of life.
The group decided to promote two songs on Korean music shows, beginning with the title track “Work” and following with ethereal b-side “Empty Box”. After the heavy hip hop and dance focused title track, this track serves as a reminder that ATEEZ are still the masters at heart-wrenching ballads. The layered vocals in the chorus and first verse are almost sung in a whisper, making the track feel like we are listening into a private moment that wasn’t meant to be shared. The artist is seemingly trying to convince themselves that if they pack up all the physical items their love left into this empty box and send it away, that they won’t miss them anymore. The chorus reads, “I've been searching for an empty box, that's what I need / 내 방 서랍 속에 남긴 너의 기억이 / 비 내리는 날처럼 만들어 여전히 / 이제는 보내야 할 것 같아 / And I'll never miss you” (translation: "I've been searching for an empty box, that's what I need / The memories you left in the drawer of my room / It makes it feel like a rainy day / I think I should send it now / And I'll never miss you").
This contrasts with the second verse where rappers Hongjoong and Mingi sing as a desperate confession of their truth. The empty box is less of a metaphor for packing up something physical, but instead an emotional task. They tried to lock away their remaining feelings for their past relationship, but they are struggling to keep this box closed. The last chorus is sung directly to their past relationship, the singer hopes that even if their love is struggling as much as they are, that they are able to move on to a healthier and happier relationship. The glittering guitar, dreamy vocals, and stunning performances by every member make this the type of track that makes me want to go out and get my heart broken just so I can cry to it on repeat.
“Shaboom” encompasses everything I adore about K-pop. K-pop itself can’t be put into a singular box sonically; the best way to understand the genre is as a mixture of other genres to create a unique sound. “Shaboom” is a surprising balancing act between reggaeton and EDM, two genres that wouldn’t usually have the chance to meet without the context of K-pop. While this mixture could quite easily be a disaster, this song utilizes each genre to create the perfect push and pull. The song begins with a classic reggaeton beat, with the members singing about parties, pretty women, and drinking. But then the EDM heavy chorus hits like that moment in a movie where the main character walks out of a loud party and everything goes silent. The room feels like a dizzy and distant fever dream, before coming back to its senses - grounded back in that reggaeton beat. This back and forth allows the song to build up the excitement without overwhelming the audience with constant intensity.
The next track “Siren” has a dual meaning to its name. The first lies in the lyrics, with reference to a siren intended to sound as a warning to those surrounding. These sirens are intended to be incredibly loud and impossible to ignore, so those who hear them will get out of the way and allow for them to pass. This is the perfect metaphor for ATEEZ, a group from a small company who worked incredibly hard to make their name in the industry and make sure it was heard across the world. Even now, they won’t allow themselves to sit back and fade away, continuing to work hard and continue on no matter what their haters say. On the other hand, there is the aesthetic tone to the song that is in reference to sirens as in the historical creature whose voice is so captivating it lures sailors to their deaths. This song is a clear diss track, and the eerie violins in the beginning of the track sound as a warning to those who dare to question the group’s talents. In the chorus the vocalists in the group, particularly members Yeosang, San, and Yunho sing in a more rounded and dream-like tone. This tonality contrasts the rest of the song, and is a clear reference to an alluring siren song. This could be referencing the way that people who hate on the group are also addicted to them, constantly talking and thinking about them, and listening to their siren song.
With Golden Hour : Part.1 being not only ATEEZ’s first Korean release for 2024 but also the first album of a new era, there was a lot of speculation and theories on what the album would sound like and how the group would continue to build upon their previous success. It’s safe to say that they have exceeded the expectations of everyone, adding yet another no-skip album to their golden discography. With just a little over a month left before they start the North American leg of their tour, it’s not too late to snag tickets and see their incredible talent live!
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