K-pop crusadersTK's latest comprehensive series features contributions from “Hitman” Bang Si-Hyuk, Cirkut, Slow Rabbit, JVKE, Mike Daley and more.
ENHYPEN
Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Since ENHYPEN debuted in 2020, while the world was deep in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, boy band HYBE and BELIFT GROUP have embraced a dark sound and concept, driven by a larger theme and vampire traditions that permeated the their album releases and an accompanying webtoon series. But with the release of their second full-length Korean album, Romantic : Unspeakablethe septet are launching what they describe as their new 'Romance' series to share “the story of seven boys who vow to protect their love at all costs.”
To kick off this story, ENHYPEN offers eight tracks of fresh stuff to explore with an array of K-pop and pop hitmakers. Lead single “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” features songwriting by HYBE president “Hitman” Bang Si-Hyuk (who has worked with ENHYPEN since their debut single “Given-Taken”), but also co-produced by Billboard Hot 100 hitmaker JVKE (who also appears on an English version of the track). There's a breakbeat percussion and punk-rock influences in “Paranormal” and “Brough the Heat Back” is a sweet, swirling mix of electro-pop and dance styles.
But beyond the new genres embraced, the themes within Romance: Unspeakable Show a team that wants to be the ideal idol for friends not only for their most devoted fans but also for the world at large. “XO” serves as a coming-of-age anthem, and all members contribute to the comforting track “Highway 1099.”
While “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” is the lead single, almost every track feels like a single Romantic : Unspeakable. Following is the ranking of the songs on ENHYPEN's latest full album Romantic : Unspeakable.
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“Paranormal”
With a mix of breakbeat and punk-rock influences, “Paranormal” is by no means a bad song on an album where every track sounds like it could compete as a lead single. Conversely, this cut does not offer the same growth and development as the other Romantic : Unspeakable tracks when ENHYPEN have spent years playing with rock and punk influences — though the added electronic and drum-break elements freshen up the genre for them.
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“Your Eyes Only”
Direct download from Romantic : Unspeakable it's just how cool the ENHYPEN guys are heard on this record. While the band shared that on this LP they “wanted to reveal more of our friend's side,” they seem like the kind of partner with a daily surprise or unexpected treat. From Jungwon with the first “Let's sugar talk!” line in Heeseung's verse “You can bite me, you complete me” and then all seven guys coming together in the loose chorus reminds us that these aren't the kids we watched competing for their dreams I-Land in 2020 and have matured into top class gentlemen.
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“Highway 1009”
A great fan song dedicated to ENHYPEN's adoring ENGENE, “Highway 1009” not only has all seven members co-writing the track but also sees eldest member Heeseung acting as the main producer. ENHA's “boyfriend sides” are 11 on this track — repeating lines like “Can you stay with me a little longer?” and “I've told you like a million times/ Everything's gonna be alright with you” — with the tender, acoustic instrumentals only adding to the heartfelt feel.
But the track is also a personalized love letter specifically to ENGENE with some clever wordplay (“Cause I'll be there be your engine now”) and a theme that goes the way of “Highway 1009” (with 1009 being a angel number ), making it a very special addition to ENHYPEN's more gorgeous tracks like “Orange Flower (You Complete Me),” which the septet performed with “Highway 1009” in a showcase for the new album.
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“A Hundred Broken Hearts”
Image credit: BELIFT LAB
By the time “Hundred Broken Hearts” plays on track No. 4 Romantic : Unspeakable, the “boyfriend side” vibes are established and this cut offers one of the most romantic moods on the record. Over icy 80s-inspired synths, ENHYPEN promises “A hundred broken hearts, a hundred broken hearts/ It's not our destiny.” With lyrics co-written by leader Jungwon, “Hundred Broken Hearts” makes a statement that this love is different, a promise of protection and a commitment to ditch the clichés of love songs and novels. Pass out.
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“Reign”
Despite a somewhat short tracklist for a full-length album, Romantic : Unspeakable it's still extremely satisfying for how fresh it feels compared to older ENHYPEN records. The relaxed funk and surf-pop sounds on “Royalty” are perfect for a mid-July release and signal a new summer soundscape for the group to shine through. Another easily heard track at Top 40 radio this summer, “Royalty” reminds the listener of ENHYPEN's true global pop promise.
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“I brought back the heat”
While Cirkut has produced Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hits for The Weeknd, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Sam Smith and Kim Petras, the super pop producer also collaborated with ENHYPEN last year on “Bite Me,” the lead single . from the group's first Top 5 album on the Billboard 200 Dark blood. While the dizzying dance-pop of “Brought the Heat Back” is not the representative single for Romance : Unspeakable (although, he was probably nominated), this latest Cirkut-ENHYPEN team-up is even more creative and experimental than “Bite Me” and sounds like it could be a surprise Top 40 radio hit for the summer, if ENHYPEN ( or another band with rock-pop leanings like the Jonas Brothers or even Joe Jonas' DNCE project) wanted to go that route.
A truly satisfying experimental pop experience, we hope 'Brought the Heat Back' leads to more Cirkut work for ENHYPEN because both it and 'Bite Me' show that the hitmaker is clearly having fun with the freedom they can take. K-pop productions offer.
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“Moonstruck”
During a visit to Billboard NewsJungwon noted how “previously our songs featured strong and dark sides” and that Romance : Unspeakable it allows for a more tender and romantic side. But if ENHYPEN wanted to pull off a final single with a darker concept, “Moonstuck” would be a great choice. Mixing eerie synths, gorgeous harp plucks and an emphasis on the members' falsettos, the song also feels like a mature take on ENHYPEN's very excellent debut single 'Given-Taken' from 2020, marking a complete musical moment for the group.
While it may not be as refreshing as some of the others Romance : Unspeakable songs compared to the boy band's overall discography, “Moonstruck” opens the LP as a reminder of what ENHYPEN does best with the rest of the LP open to new sonic adventures and experimentation.
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“XO (Only If You Say Yes)”
Image Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
A big theme surrounding triumphs throughout Romance: Unspeakable is how much ENHYPEN pushes as artists throughout the LP. From a fan song written by all seven members to some of the most innovative tracks in their discography, the album's lead single, “XO (Only If You Say Yes),” not only pushes the group in new and exciting musical directions , but also an opportunity for a positive boost to society in general.
While the album showcases a more romantic side of ENHYPEN, they also do so in a more respectful manner. As the title suggests, “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” is a consent anthem where ENHYPEN want to show love to their partner, but will only give X's and O's (kisses and hugs) with permission. Even as the dudes beg for the okay over the offbeat, electro-pop production, ENHYPEN are sure their partner is comfortable: Sunghoon opens the second verse by asking, “Can I kiss you? Can I hug you?” and Jake follows up with “Would you kiss me? Would you hug me?”
South Korea and America represent two of ENHYPEN's largest markets and the majority of members' home countries. Both countries also battle heated political and social environments where toxic masculinity is too often unchecked as respect for women is undermined. ENHYPEN not only sets an example of respect for their fellow men to follow in the futuristic 'XO', but also of what other women and men can and should expect in their relationships.
“XO” also gets bonus points for landing it at No. 1 on this ranking, as it also features an additional English version on the album with one of the song's actual producers JVKE — famous for his Billboard Hot 10 Top 10 hits “Golden Hour” — as a featured singer. The option gives the new version physical fit and sound (especially for JVKE, which is so clearly focused on becoming the eighth member of ENHYPEN) rather than dealing with an extra artist that might feel random or go against the band's original beliefs.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/enhypen-romance-untold-review-every-song-ranked/