Welcome again to Fan Chant, a weekly column for Okay-pop followers, stans, and newbies alike. This week, I proceed to be immensely charmed by ATEEZ, and nobody is shocked. If you get pleasure from what you’re studying, be at liberty to subscribe to my companion e-newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered proper to your inbox every week!
ATEEZ are on monitor to doubtlessly earn their second Billboard No. 1 album with their newest launch, GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.2, a indisputable fact that makes me really feel completely effective and regular.1
Final week, I related with the members over e mail to get some insights into every tune on the EP, the follow-up to summer season’s GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.1. One factor I learn about myself is that I’m usually a sufferer of recency bias; I incessantly get so excited a few new mission, movie, or season of a TV present that I am going a bit overboard in my reward. So I want some fellow Atiny to chime in right here — how does this album truly stack as much as ATEEZ’s different 2024 releases, and the place does it fall in opposition to the remainder of their discography? As a result of proper now, a number of days post-release, I’m satisfied that is considered one of their greatest albums.
I’m not able to do a full rating, however I really feel fairly assured in saying that THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL simply could be within the high tier of ATEEZ’s discography: “Loopy Type” lives as much as its identify, “ARRIBA” and “Silver Mild” are a lot enjoyable, and the unit songs on this album are phenomenal. However then there’s OUTLAW to think about, as a result of there are not any skips in sight on that album. Elsewhere, I’m satisfied “WORK” goes to be my most-played tune of the 12 months when Spotify Wrapped time rolls round, and we’ve to talk to somebody about getting “Blind” and “Siren,” different standouts from GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.1, on some future set lists.
This brings us to the newest drop. The album’s focus monitor, “Ice on My Tooth,” makes an ideal double function with “WORK.” The beat on “Scene 1: Worth” is totally diabolical, and I low-key want it was a full-length tune. Mingi accurately famous “Man on Hearth” as texturally much like “DJANGO,” however the tune I’ve actually gathered us right here immediately to debate is “Egocentric Waltz.”
This diva! Whereas ATEEZ have confirmed time and time once more that their hyper-energetic tracks like “Guerrilla” and “BOUNCY” completely work for them, in addition they crush this lush type of synth-pop when the chance presents itself. “Egocentric Waltz,” which Hongjoong revealed in our interview that he wrote over three years in the past, feels akin to “Cyberpunk” and “Take Me House” with only a sprint of “Deja Vu”2 within the combine. That run Jongho hits into the final refrain made me briefly depart my physique the primary time I heard it. The reality is, it is a b-side many Okay-pop teams could be excited to supply as a title monitor.
In conclusion, ATEEZ simply hold getting higher, and I’m exhausted. I hold pondering I’ve reached the height of my admiration and pleasure over them as a band, however they hold innovating. Superb! You’ve charmed me! Congratulations to the eight of them and to all of us Atiny who hold reaping the advantages.
1I hope that at the least a number of followers can relate to this sense — I’m in a really particular place proper now the place I would like all of the success and alternative potential for the members of ATEEZ, and in addition desperately wish to gatekeep them. Deliver them to world awards exhibits! Provide them headlining slots at festivals! Cease them!
2ATEEZ’s summer season 2024 tour delivered my favourite dwell present of the 12 months, however we have to do one thing pressing to get queen “Deja Vu” again on the set checklist.