BOYNEXTDOOR recently made an applaudable comeback with the 2nd mini album HOW?
BOYNEXTDOOR made a successful return with their third comeback and 2nd mini album, HOW?
On April 15th, BOYNEXTDOOR, a boy group under Zico’s management at KOZ Entertainment, released their comeback album, “HOW?”
HOW? is their third comeback and their last “first love” trilogy, following the release of WHY.. and their debut EP, WHO! The lyrics explore the stories between the group’s first two albums, focusing on the past rather than the future. “WHO!” described a tale of having a crush, while “WHY?” described the ensuing breakup in detail. Sungho clarified, “We wanted fans to wonder what happened in between the two albums.” “HOW?” seeks to finally satisfy that curiosity by investigating the reasons behind the split.
The five members of BOYNEXTDOOR produced five of the seven tracks on this EP. Members Jaehyun and Taehyun worked on “Dear. My Darling,” while Taesan and Woonhak participated in “Amnesia” and “So let’s go see the stars.” Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak receive credit for “Earth, Wind, & Fire” and “l i f e i s c o o l,” respectively. The English versions of the lead tracks “Earth, Wind & Fire” and “OUR,” which are interpreted as “oh you are.”
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BOYNEXTDOOR HOW Album Tracks:
- OUR: This cheerful hip-hop track vividly depicts the nervous excitement of a first date. The witty beat wrapped in a sweet melody expresses the blossoming tension. Members’ individual skills shine through the unfolding raps over the bouncing sound.
- Amnesia: The metaphor of amnesia describes the situation of lovers who fight and then reconcile again. Lyrical guitar riffs and rhythmic drums, combined with Taesan and Woonhak’s songwriting, create a unique atmosphere.
- So let’s go see the stars: A romantic synth-pop rock song portrays lovers’ night dates under twinkling stars. Refreshing vocals, drum sounds, and synth melodies evoke the youthful awkwardness of revealing love. Taesan and Woonhak’s lyrics capture this moment.
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Trendy yet unconventional, this hyper-pop dance track embodies BOYNEXTDOOR’s free spirit. Professing all-consuming love like nature’s elements, it captures love’s uncontrollable anxiety. The rapid “Self-Speed Up” section leaves an addictive impression.
- l i f e i s c o o l: This hip-hop song shows six young people getting together and having frank conversations about life and love. Myung Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak’s customized parts for each member’s lyrics reflect their real personalities. The realistic yet laid-back lyrics convey the members’ camaraderie and chemistry.
- Dear. My Darling: A retro rock ballad blending vintage sounds with BOYNEXTDOOR’s vocals. Expressing wishes for an ex’s happiness through a letter, the calm acceptance portrays a romantic ending. This song concludes the first love story trilogy of BOYNEXTDOOR.
- Earth, Wind & Fire (English Version)
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BOYNEXTDOOR HOW Concept Photos
Earth Ver.
Wind Ver.
Fire Ver.
Images from: BOYNEXTDOOR Weverse
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During the press conference on April 15, the members explained the phrase “the unpredictable minds people have.” It is what inspired them to come up with the title “Earth, Wind & Fire.” They also clarified that the title has nothing to do with the legendary American band of the same name.
The member refers to the “self-sped-up” rap-like verse in “Earth, Wind & Fire” as the song’s highlight. They also wonder if they could sing that part live when they are practicing. They also explained that they repeatedly practiced perfectly expressing the verse.
The members see “Dear. My Darling” as a positive ending track for their album. This is due to its calm and neutral mindset. According to Sungho, the song “WHY?” portrays the members becoming “sad, mad, and lost about love.”
Woonhak added that the members never meant for viewers to feel sad about the trilogy. They are personally excited for their next chapter. “We are artists who strive to express a lot of things, and as we worked on our story, we had a lot of feelings expressed in the trilogy of albums,” he said.
“We’ve pursued music that a lot of people can relate to,” Taesan added. “I’m sure BOYNEXTDOOR’s next release will also talk about something that a lot of people can relate to.”
“I think we can relay the everyday story and emotions we feel every day,” Woonhak added. “Just like boys living next door.”
The physical album of HOW? has four versions: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Sticker.
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Source: KOREA JoongAng Daily, BOYNEXTDOOR [HOW?]
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