Review

Song Review: AHOF – The Universe

AHOF debuted with a splash earlier this month, quickly winning music shows and my own playlist with their fantastic Rendezvous. The rest of their mini album is more subdued than I’d like, but the strength of its title track has me revisiting the b-sides more often than I usually would and every one of them has proven to be a grower. Today, the guys are promoting The Universe (파랑 학교, 초록 잔디, 빨간 운동화) with its own music video.

I prefer the more stark, melancholic Incompleted on the album, but The Universe‘s sprightly mid-tempo sound feels best suited to the group and makes for a hazy, enjoyable summer balm. It’s the album’s most lighthearted moment, offering a shot of upbeat energy buoyed by the members’ awkward charm. Acoustic guitar collides with electronic elements, combining to form a jaunty backbeat that supports the airy melodies well.

Back at the beginning of the month, I wasn’t initially won over by The Universe‘s modest sound, but like I mentioned this has only grown after repeated listens. It’s uncomplicated but very melodic and unfolds in a relaxed way that feels built for longevity rather than quick trend-chasing popularity. I love how AHOF have paired with producer EL CAPITXN for all of their music, forging an identity unique to them that will continue to bear fruit as long as they maintain focus on what makes them special within the K-pop industry.

Hooks 8
 Production 8
 Longevity 9
 Bias 8
 RATING 8.25

Grade: B

3 thoughts on “Song Review: AHOF – The Universe

  1. I think that the b-sides on this album are nowhere near as strong as the title track, but then again, that is kind of supposed to be the role of a title track in kpop, isn’t it? A&R was good this time around.
    This song is not my favorite out of the bsides either— I also prefer “Incomplete” or “Cosmic Underdog.” But it’s still a really nice track and I’m very pleased with their success overall. That’s my babies and I’m really proud!

    Like

  2. Aww lovely! can’t help but like this group. Their voices together are so satisfying. Did you see the mv of them singing Mamma Mia at MyK-Festa? Gorgeous.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. This is the first time I’ve been completely hooked on a K-pop boy group. It feels like watching a slice of life through these boys. Their talents are undeniable, and you can see in every performance how much they truly love what they do. On top of that, all their songs are really good. I love how they experiment with their music instead of using typical, repetitive lyrics, it’s full of emotion and deeply relatable.

    Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.