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BTOB broadens horizons with new album '4U: OUTSIDE'
- September 02, 2021 | Music
BTOB broadens horizons with new album '4U: OUTSIDE'
Updated : 2021-09-02 11:37
By Dong Sun-hwa
Hardly anyone doubts that BTOB is one of the most talented boy groups on the K-pop scene in terms of vocal prowess. All of its members are reputed for their peerless knack for singing, which is a reason that their live performances are praised by many.
Although two members ― Hyunsik and Sungjae ― are currently fulfilling their obligatory military service, the remaining four have been actively pursuing their career. With their latest release "Outsider," the lead single off their special album "4U: OUTSIDE" that dropped Monday, the quartet seeks to earn recognition not only for their voices, but also for their performances.
"With our new album, we want to show people that BTOB also rock at performances," leader Eunkwang said during an online press conference Monday. "With Outsider, we have taken a leap forward in terms of performances and genres… That is why we picked it as our lead track."
In fact, contrary to many of BTOB's previous hits like "Missing You" (2017), Outsider is not a ballad but a neo funk/neo soul tune with addictive melodies. The four members also grab people's attention with synchronized yet groovy dance movements in their music video, revealing their unexplored side.
Member Minhyuk explained that BTOB's recent appearance on Mnet's competition show "Kingdom: Legendary War" (2021) had a notable influence on the new release. BTOB finished fourth on the program after going head to head with five other K-pop boy bands: Stray Kids, The Boyz, ATEEZ, iKON and SF9.
"It is almost our first time to pull off the neo funk/neo soul genre," he said. "I think the fresh challenges we tackled on Kingdom have led us to try something new this time."
Changsub elaborated, "We could have broadened our musical spectrum thanks to Kingdom and attempted to show this in our new album."
Eunkwang added, "We could also keep abreast of the times, which would help us further grow up and become a long-running group."
In addition to "Outsider," "4U: OUTSIDE" also offers five other pieces including the upbeat "DREAMER," the heartwarming "Traveler" and the sentimental "Waiting 4 U." Minhyuk and Peniel participated in the album's creative process.
"I contributed to the lyrics of all six songs and produced three of them ― Dreamer, Can't breathe, Show and Prove," Minhyuk said. "I feel more sense of responsibility because I played a more active role in making this album."
Peniel said, "People may be fond of different songs depending on their mood."
The four K-pop stars wrapped up the session by talking about their wishes for 2022.
"We are waiting to hold a concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of our debut," Changsub said. "We truly hope we could have a live performance next year after we turn the corner on the lingering COVID-19 pandemic."
Hardly anyone doubts that BTOB is one of the most talented boy groups on the K-pop scene in terms of vocal prowess. All of its members are reputed for their peerless knack for singing, which is a reason that their live performances are praised by many.
Although two members ― Hyunsik and Sungjae ― are currently fulfilling their obligatory military service, the remaining four have been actively pursuing their career. With their latest release "Outsider," the lead single off their special album "4U: OUTSIDE" that dropped Monday, the quartet seeks to earn recognition not only for their voices, but also for their performances.
"With our new album, we want to show people that BTOB also rock at performances," leader Eunkwang said during an online press conference Monday. "With Outsider, we have taken a leap forward in terms of performances and genres… That is why we picked it as our lead track."
In fact, contrary to many of BTOB's previous hits like "Missing You" (2017), Outsider is not a ballad but a neo funk/neo soul tune with addictive melodies. The four members also grab people's attention with synchronized yet groovy dance movements in their music video, revealing their unexplored side.
Member Minhyuk explained that BTOB's recent appearance on Mnet's competition show "Kingdom: Legendary War" (2021) had a notable influence on the new release. BTOB finished fourth on the program after going head to head with five other K-pop boy bands: Stray Kids, The Boyz, ATEEZ, iKON and SF9.
"It is almost our first time to pull off the neo funk/neo soul genre," he said. "I think the fresh challenges we tackled on Kingdom have led us to try something new this time."
Changsub elaborated, "We could have broadened our musical spectrum thanks to Kingdom and attempted to show this in our new album."
Eunkwang added, "We could also keep abreast of the times, which would help us further grow up and become a long-running group."
In addition to "Outsider," "4U: OUTSIDE" also offers five other pieces including the upbeat "DREAMER," the heartwarming "Traveler" and the sentimental "Waiting 4 U." Minhyuk and Peniel participated in the album's creative process.
"I contributed to the lyrics of all six songs and produced three of them ― Dreamer, Can't breathe, Show and Prove," Minhyuk said. "I feel more sense of responsibility because I played a more active role in making this album."
Peniel said, "People may be fond of different songs depending on their mood."
The four K-pop stars wrapped up the session by talking about their wishes for 2022.
"We are waiting to hold a concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of our debut," Changsub said. "We truly hope we could have a live performance next year after we turn the corner on the lingering COVID-19 pandemic."
Reporter : sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr
