The Wind’s debut album has been one of my K-pop highlights this year. They’re one of the few new-gen boy groups fully embracing melody and opting for an earnest, hummable sound that sets them apart. The group is set for their first comeback next week, but before that they’ve pre-released the buoyant Summer Vacation (여름방학).
Like their debut, the early-GFriend sound is strong with this one. Its big pop percussion and sweeping, sugary melodies give it that brilliant combination of sweet and gutsy. It’s like a fresh teen drama put into musical form, and that’s a recipe I can definitely support. Summer Vacation isn’t as catchy as Island (or, I’m assuming, their upcoming title track), but it distills the core of The Wind’s appeal in an approachable, enjoyable burst.
I really appreciate how robust Summer Vacation‘s production is. There’s a fullness to this instrumental that wraps around your ears and invites you into The Wind’s world. Coupled with a series of strong vocals, their music continues to carve out a niche not often found in today’s K-pop. I hope the group don’t lose this sense of wide-eyed wonder and hearty musical arrangement. Like Island, I predict Summer Vacation will only grow more addictive with time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Within the bright theme boy band genre where the boys are usually very smilely, The Wind seems to out-smile everyone else.
Keep it up, boys, and let’s hear what the full release sounds like next week. This one here is a bit too OST for me for regular listening.
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This was absolutely perfect sugar-pop. Sadly, I ordered their last one with an EXO pre-order, so I should see this by October. Kidding! Maybe.
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A pretty good week for GFRIENDish tracks
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Gosh I love The Wind’s music. Although there are other groups that do bright concepts, The Wind stick out a lot.
9/10
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I have a soft spot for The Wind. I stumbled across them doing an outdoor fan meeting in Seoul, so I went closer and had a stickybeak. They were so earnestly cute. I had no idea who they were, but I looked them up afterwards, and I’m glad I did.
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They’re a fresh breeze on a hot, sticky day. White sheets drying against a pure blue sky. I don’t know how they manage to embody “freshness” so completely.It works for me.
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It is incredible to see a group make such a perfect start with such a clear concept that they stick to and deliver with quality. What a clean run so far. I hope they’re very successful because they absolutely deserve it.
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