As my current favorite boygroup and one of the few boygroups I actually spend the time to sit through their entire album, The Boyz’s music rarely ever disappoint me. I’m not declaring their music as superior to other boygroups or anything, it’s just that their songs are suited to my taste.
They recently released their debut mini album in Japan titled Tattoo, which is ironically has 5 out of 6 tracks in Korean. For real what are the people at Creker been smoking. It is also their first release since Hwall left (Nooooooooooooo ajkednaednedwjo *sobbing noise). God I miss him so much, but I guess there are worse things in the world so I’ve been trying to be positive about it.
Anyway now let’s start talking about the album tracks.
1. Back to Black
A strong opening track to the album. As someone familiar to The Boyz’s music, this for sure is a new sound that I don’t hear often from them. The pre-choruses are led by the vocal line is probably my favorite part of the song. An instrumental chorus like this song is not a first among The Boyz’s songs but none bring the same hip, cool feeling as Back to Black. Rap line members Eric and Sunwoo, and surprisingly Changmin, killed it here and is definitely a stand out part of the song.
2. Tattoo
I was kinda meh about it at first when I watched the MV, simply because I feel like it’s an overused concept and song style for most boygroups. But after a few repeated listens, I started to find some of its charm. Sunwoo’s rap is one of his strongest verses he has ever done, while Kevin and Jacob also get to showcase their vocals a lot more than they usually do. It’s not a bad track in any way but probably not a track that I can listen on repeat. However, I am glad they are switching up their sounds, because Bloom Bloom and DDD are quite “safe” tracks. If they really want to breakthrough, I would recommend Creker to start taking risks in their title tracks.
3. Espionage
Still maintaining the mature and somewhat dark tone of the previous 2 tracks, but Espionage is kinda more similar to their past materials. The chorus is carried by their strong vocals harmonizing together, and have a very charming melody. The lyrics kinda creepy though, like I can’t but think the lyrics are about a creepy stalker. Questionable lyrics aside, this is probably my favorite track from the album.
4. Stupid Sorry
The only song in Japanese in an album released for a Japan debut. Yeah I know how ridiculous that sounds. Anyway, the track is a slow, soft track with nice melodies. Not much to say about it besides it’s nice tbh.
5. Bye Bye Bye
The thing that stands out from the track is its use of auto-tune. The effect is actually all over the chorus. I’m not usually fond of auto-tune but I think it actually works in this song. After getting interrupted by Stupid Sorry, this track is another one with the mature tone of the album. I really like the melody of the chorus, and this is a track that you can’t find a similar one in The Boyz’s discography.
6. Brighter
Another slower and softer song, this time with touching lyrics. Probably because I haven’t read the lyrics yet, I don’t feel much while listening to the song, but it’s an easy to listen song so I might give it a few more listens.
Overall, this album is definitely their most mature release so far. Compared to their other albums, there are also more up-beat tracks and a more diverse range of genres. Though I do like the switch up from their usual style, I hope they won’t let go of the youthfulness in tracks like Text Me Back or Only One. My biggest wish is they won’t follow the current trend of noise instrumental choruses that most Kpop groups use these days.
Anyway, I would recommend this album to any Kpop fans who are more into boygroups music. Girlgroup stans might not not enjoy this as much, I think Dreamlike or The Start would be more fitting for them. Just give them a chance, they are really talented, I just hate to see them flopping.
Bye for now.
My space 