[Album Review] WayV ‘Give Me That’
“Don’t Get Mad” that this EP isn’t longer, as WayV showcase their best strengths on this five-track mini-album.
Image: WayV Official/SM Entertainment.
The six member Chinese sub-unit of NCT, WayV, are back with their fifth mini-album to satisfy loyal fans. While WinWin sat out of this comeback due to his overlapping schedule, the remaining five members filled any gaps left by him.
Known for their hard-hitting and youthful tracks, the EP Give Me That only confirms the boys’ place as some of the coolest idol groups in the industry.
The title track, “Give Me That”, has a more laidback energy than what WayZennis may be used to but it comes as a nice surprise. The funky synth backing track gives the song a jazzy vibe that will have you dancing around the room.
Ten’s vocals stand out on the pre-chorus with his silky voice taking centre stage over the soothing instrumentals. Kun and Xiaojun are also able to show off their impressive vocals too with their adlibs and high notes throughout the final minute of the track.
The music video for “Give Me That” sees the boys performing at a talent audition. The members’ naturally vibrant personalities shine through as they each show off a different and quirky performance. The track’s choreography allows the boys to have a bit of fun and will work wonderfully to create captivating stages.
“She A Wolf” is an unassuming track at first, with its light vocals and slow drumbeat. However, listeners are quickly thrown off guard as the powerful chorus cuts through what was expected to be a more RnB-focused song.
“She A Wolf” is a delightfully overwhelming track with its constantly changing instrumentals and supernatural subject matter. The jaw-dropping bridge will send shivers down your spine.
The third track on the album, “Might As Well”, gets lost in between the other outstanding songs from the mini-album. It seems as if the group pulled out their show stopping performances for the songs that sandwich “Might As Well”. This being said, the track makes for easy listening and most likely won’t be a miss for any hardcore fans. Hendery’s deep voice and effortless flow are the highlights of the song.
Image: WayV Official/SM Entertainment.
“New Ride” and “Don’t Get Mad” give the audience a break from WayV’s high-energy tracks. The twangy guitar riff and deep bass-line throughout the song make “New Ride” perfect for a chilled-out summer day. YangYang fits flawlessly into the track with his naturally carefree attitude. WayV seems to come alive for these RnB songs.
Similarly, the prominent use of an acoustic guitar in “Don’t Get Mad” gives it an almost 2010s boyband feel to the track.
The track’s lyrics only further reinforce this idea, as they delve into the topic of heartbreak in a tongue-in-cheek way: “I know I got no other girl, other girl, yeah / And you got a lot of other guys in the world, don’t get mad”.
Wayv’s latest release, Give Me That, brings together all of the member’s best strengths. The EP’s vocal-heavy focus proves that all members are talented vocalists who can lend their hand to any genre.
It’s almost criminal how WayV is an arguably underrated group in the K-pop industry when every member is able to hold their own within the group.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.