[Music Review] ENHYPEN prove simplicity is best with their repackaged album, ‘ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-’
The 7-member boy group can truly take on any genre.
ENHYPEN for their repackaged album. Image: ENHYPEN OFFICIAL on X.
2024 has been an exciting and overwhelmingly busy year for ENHYPEN. After finishing up their Fate Plus World Tour, the boys jumped straight into promoting their second full-length album ROMANCE: UNTOLD. The group’s loyal fans, ENGENEs, have been rewarded for their dedication with ENHYPEN’s latest release, ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-, a repackaged version of their summer LP.
The boys began hinting at the repackaged album back in October by dropping insanely cool teaser images. While the original release focused on brighter colours such as reds and greens, ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- takes on a much more subdued approach with it following a dark blue theme. The summery and cute images from the INCEPTIO version of ROMANCE: UNTOLD were quickly replaced by the boys dressed up in all white in front of an icy tundra. This was the first hint to ENGENEs that the LP would take a different turn.
The album starts with the sensual “Daydream”, a more minimalistic track than what fans will be used to. While the instrumental is kept quite plain with a simple synthesised drum and bass line throughout, the effects used on the boys’ vocals make “Daydream” instantly replayable.
Most of the song’s lyrics are whispered, adding interesting layers to it with Ni-ki’s deep voice working perfectly for these sections. The use of stereo in the pre-chorus engulfs the listener in the music and you can’t help but focus all your attention on the track.
The lyrics to “Daydream” seem to explore a toxic relationship but the boys just can’t get enough of it: “The light, light, light, light sunlight / I don’t mind if it burns / Hidden in the veil of the night / Daring to defy fate.” The members know this love is bad for them but are willing to ignore fate for this person.
Fans are treated to another track that relies mostly on the members’ vocals. “No Doubt” has a light electronic-pop backing track that allows the boys’ unique voices to stand out. Jay’s abrasive sound will catch listeners off guard in the pre-chorus and directly contrasts Sunoo’s honey-like voice. Their back-and-forth works surprisingly well despite their differing vocal styles. Heeseung comes alive during the chorus thanks to his energetic dance moves and naturally RnB-esque voice.
The use of a range of synths in the chorus adds a bit of excitement to the song but the overall sparseness of the instrumental is a welcomed change from the group’s usually energetic sound.
“No Doubt” explores the boys’ burning passion for someone: “Girl, where you at? From sunrise to sunset / I keep feeling uneasy / By the end of the day, I’m going crazy, miss you / Dazzling daytime feels like I’m forever waiting / What a cruel fate, seeing you in my daydream.”
Throughout the track’s music video, we see the members burning up from this obsession. It’s hard not to feel the heat when watching the group dressed up in suits and dancing in an office block. ENGENEs would agree the workday would fly by with ENHYPEN as colleagues.
In terms of the track’s choreography, main dancer Ni-ki unsurprisingly steals the show. His ability to balance power with more fluid movements makes it impossible to look away from him. The rest of the group is able to keep up with him as well showcasing their immaculate synchronicity.
Despite only adding two new tracks to the already incredible album ROMANCE: UNTOLD, the repackaged LP shows fans a completely new side to ENHYPEN. The more experimental sounds of “Daydream” open up exciting new avenues for future releases and the laidback title track “No Doubt” allows ENHYPEN to show off their naturally cool side. Through their music and performances, ENHYPEN have confirmed themselves as one of the best groups to come out of the fourth generation.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
