'ENHYPEN has never been so confident'

MANIFESTO : DAY 1 (Review)

ENHYPEN is a newly established k-pop group who have come to the forefront in just under 2 years. With a blazing 2021, they have taken a turn on their artistic path. However, it is a necessary turn.

The group begins with the jolting intro “WALK THE LINE”. The track maintains a continuous tension with the pulsating bass as all 7 members weave together narration in Korean, Japanese and English. Its musical highlight is in the latter half where “WALK THE LINE” morphs into a sinister, animalistic assertion of their “new day”.

The polarising “Future Perfect (Pass The Mic)” follows on as the group’s title track. ENHYPEN’s first attempt at a rap heavy song will be met with hesitancy and disappointment for lovers of their varied iterations of synth. Taking up the challenge of this genre is a high risk at this point in their careers, especially due to the unfamiliarity of drill to the majority of k-pop audiences. “Future Perfect” itself could use a few adjustments to raise the song to new heights. For example, a melodic vocal-heavy bridge to break up the intensity of the rap. Even so, ENHYPEN expresses to the world that they are sure of themselves by referencing previous lyrics with newfound confidence and edge.

With a nod to early BTS “Paradoxxx Invasion” is the group’s most spunky track. The members are rough, yet at ease. A deadly combination that demonstrates their improvement. The inclusion of Heeseung’s signature background vocals creates a silky texture to the old-school hip hop composition. “TFW (That Feeling When)” adds to ENHYPEN’s line up of soft love songs. The yearning above the unassuming tender melodies is a staple in their music “You are the same as me, I hope you see, please just stay with me”. The group has an uncanny ability to deliver feelings of love with utmost sincerity. This in tandem with the breezy instrumentals, make “TFW” ENHYPEN’s best example of this niche in their discography.

The group’s most complete song takes the form of the early 2000s rock track “SHOUT OUT”. Despite k-pop’s over-saturation of watered-down rock, ENHYPEN has remained authentic to the genre and era of its inspirations, whilst collectively delivering one of their best studio performances. MANIFESTO : DAY 1 finishes with a classic outro in “Foreshadow”. The members hauntingly declare they will continue to move forward in their progression, even if there is no one there with them at the end. This song perfectly encapsulates the themes of the album.

ENHYPEN’s music previously contained an essence. There was an air of uncertainty to it. The members were constantly pushing back and forth between unanswered questions and dilemmas. That is until now. This album is a manifesto in every sense of the word. ENHYPEN has never been so confident.

K-pop has a habit of resisting change. ENHYPEN have expanded their musical and conceptual range in multiple ways, but have kept an overall sense of familiarity. The groups who dare to try something new are often met with animosity. I am guilty of this myself. “This worked so well before, why change it?” With a bold and confident statement, MANIFESTO : DAY 1 has shown us that the answer is and always will be transformation.

I will end with the final verse of “Foreshadow”:

I run after the shadows

Towards a new world that will reach the end of the shadow

Until then, the world in the shadows

Freezingly

Painfully

Even if I'm all alone

I'll run ahead

Because the one true ending

That splendid future

Waits for us

Recommended songs: WALK THE LINE, TFW, SHOUT OUT

Rate: As I am a fan, I will not rate it.