pentagon "IN:VITE U - the 12th mini album" first listen

[yoonki]

It's that time of year again; a silly little first listen/review of a new release~

New rules this time: I listened through each song on the album in order, write my thoughts on the song but this time without the time constraint of just the runtime of said song, then I'll rank my top 3 tracks just from this first listen (not including the title track if i can help it ) and then wrap up with my final thoughts on the album as a whole.

Let's: Get Into It!
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Feelin' Like - Okay, so admittedly this isn't the first time I'm listening to this song, but that doesn't make it any less of an absolute banger. Usually I'm of the opinion that a title track not composed/written by a group that usually composes/writes their own stuff will be bad, but "Feelin' Like" is one of those songs that flips that assumption on its head. It's definitely something darker and more mature in sound and feel than "DO or NOT" from the last album, but it's nothing as heavy as "Dr. BEBE" is. It's hard for me to put into words what the arrangement is like other than that it perfectly encapsulates the idea of this want/love that takes over your mind. The steady bassline that grooves, the crescendo in pre chorus that ends in a gasp-like pause like a held breath. The chorus simply being "You got me feelin' like-" without any resolve to the phrase, because it's impossible to put whatever this overwhelming feeling is into words. The way that all breaks down into Yuto and Wooseok's verse in the pre bridge, from the beat breaking down to just percussion and the vocals going from the floating airy thing to heavy and staccato. The hook and pre chorus are so good, so addictive, there's no way after even just a single listen you're not singing "I want you, I want you, I want you, I want you"  to yourself. Not be be biased but my favourite part of the song is the bridge; Hongseok and Yanan's falsettos leading into Jinho's crisp tenor? Maybe the best thing to ever happen to me personally.

한탕 [One Chance] (One Shot) - The spoken intro to this immediately made me think of the musical "Chicago", which is very fun. Actually, this whole song feels a lot like a song you'd find in a musical. It must have something to do with the use of piano mixed with simple percussion. There is something so incredibly fun and theatrical in the way that the verses and pre-chorus are these energetic, guitar riff driven moments that are cut by the slow, almost seductive way that the chorus is arranged. They utilise Yuto's voice so well in this! The deepness of it cuts so well through everything, and fits so perfectly into the theme of the song; this sort of cloying voice of anxiety and fear before you take a chance on something.

The Game- Oh, Wooseok, oh you've created Art! Mixing opera, not in just the vocal arrangements but in the use of Italian in the intro and the little nods to the classics in the lyrics, mixed with the sort of dancey, almost hip-hop beat? That's maybe this coolest thing I've ever heard! Speaking of the lyrics, they are on another level entirely! My favourite part maybe is the end of the pre-chorus; I'm in love with the contrast of the bouncy "Let's keep it up or give it up" against the harmonies on "우린 Galileo Figaro", on top of that being the coolest way to say something cheesy like "shoot for the stars". The opening operatic moment, which Jinho absolutely kills, is not only a very niche reference to a very famous aria (like fully had to google it to find that out) but it's also the perfect intro to a song that dissects the feeling working and slogging through life. Instead of a bright song that motivates you in tough times, or a somber piece that helps you lament, "The Game" is something more like a fight song. Something to allow you to do both, to feel upset that life isn't what you wanted or planned but to keep fighting. Keep running "like a devil". Keep working and pushing through like Rocinante. Make the game of life as fun as you possibly can.  "Lascia ch'io, sorte, sospiri la libertà" - "Let me weep for my fate, yet sigh for freedom."

Call My Name - First of all, love how Funky this is. There is just something so easy about this song, everything about flows and fits together so easily. As compared to the other songs so far, I don't have much to say about "Call My Name"; that doesn't mean that I don't love this track as much as the others. I usually don't have much to say about Hyunggu's songs, which I think is really a testament to good the song is. It's just a great song! Nothing more to say about it!

관람차 [Ferris Wheel] (Sparkling Night) - Love the instrumental and vocal arrangement; it's very reminiscent of 1980s pop ballads with the use of syth and heavy bass and muted drum beats. My favourite kind of songs are sad songs written to be upbeat, and that's exactly what "Sparkling Night" is. A lovesick, reminiscent ballad about wanting to recapture that feeling of first love you've suddenly found yourself or your partner falling out of. My favourite parts are the comparison of that feeling to being trapped on a Ferris Wheel, the motion sickness that comes with looping over and over, and the use of "my person" instead of anything gender specific. I love also love when rappers get to sing, and Wooseok's verse in this is so Very Important to me; he sounds so forlorn and heartfelt, and his harmonies with Yuto are something that are just so special.

BAD - Again, I love sad songs, and "BAD" is going to be one of my favourites I think. There is just something so sweet about an acoustic ballad about how you don't feel good enough for the person you're with.  Also, Yanan bridge!! My two favourite things put together!! The soft, earnest quality of his voice just suits this song so well, it's just a treat. It was really such a good, soft ending to the album.

 

 

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Top Three Tracks
1) 관람차 
2) The Game
3) Feelin' Like

Honourable Mention: BAD

There is something really sweet and simply about "BAD" that I like, but there is so much going on with "관람차", "The Game" and "Feelin' Like" in such fun and interesting ways.

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Final Thoughts 

"IN:VITE U" was just such a fun and well rounded album. I loved the theatrical feel of it, as well as the 80's influence on a lot of the tracks. I never made a post about Key's album, but a lot of my favourite tracks from this album reminded me of that album which I loved so much. 

Wooseok's writing on this was impeccable! He's just so incredibly smart and talented, and it shows in just how good this album turned out. Hyungu too; he's really grown as a songwriter. I

Pentagon knocks it out of the park once again! Love to see it!!