Welcome again to Fan Chant, a weekly column for Ok-pop followers, stans, and newbies alike. This week, we completely should focus on the newest from BSS. If you take pleasure in 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!
When listening to the latest launch from BSS, I couldn’t assist however consider this quote1 from Michelle Obama: “You’ve accomplished it once more. Consistently elevating the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly. I’d wish to say I’m stunned, however I do know who you’re.”
Regrettably, I had not but been pulled into Caratland when BSS first arrived on the scene. However what an idea! How courageous of SEVENTEEN to isolate a trio of among the most — if not probably the most — delightfully unhinged members of their band with the specific goal of releasing the very best threshold of uplifting and contagiously energetic music conceivable. Fortunately, I had gotten it collectively by the point BooSeokSoon made their first comeback with “Combating,” a music that landed throughout the prime 20 of my Spotify Wrapped in 2023.
BSS is made up of SEVENTEEN members Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, and the acronym for BooSeokSoon comes from their respective beginning names (Boo Seungkwan, Lee Seokmin, and Kwon Soonyoung). If that’s onerous to recollect for anybody new to the diamond life, don’t fear — they repeat it a number of instances throughout “Combating,” they usually’ve accomplished the identical with their new single, “CBZ (Prime time).”
And what a music it’s. To say the mix of the stomp-clap beat, jangling piano, and outrageous choreography was completely tailor-made to those three seems like an understatement. The music additionally feels a bit harking back to SEVENTEEN’s beloved “HOME; RUN” period, which is sensible contemplating “CBZ” was produced by the staff’s very personal maestro, Woozi. When you’re not hooked by the purpose the whispered bridge arrives, certainly Seungkwan’s supply of “yeoboseyo” into the ultimate refrain shall be what seals the deal. DK’s absurd final vocal run — which he has efficiently landed each time they’ve accomplished a stay efficiency of the music, amidst wildly demanding choreography — is icing on the cake. He’s among the best we’ve got, of us!
Nobody commits to the bit fairly like these three. Whereas the ideas and power behind their music as BSS is heightened and sometimes considerably foolish, they deal with their releases with utter seriousness, and that’s what makes them so very enjoyable to observe. Fairly a little bit of SEVENTEEN’s discography feels splendidly musical theater-adjacent, however the choreography for “CBZ” takes that parallel to new heights.
Because the music continues to hit in my day by day rotation, I’ll be treating Hoshi’s impending enlistment the way in which I deal with all enlistment information: With complete and utter denial, up till the precise second that I’m unable to maintain doing so.
1This quote is from a video message Michelle Obama despatched to congratulate Beyoncé, but when we’re discussing who could possibly be the Beyoncé of Ok-pop, Boo Seungkwan has to at the least be within the dialog.
Hobi on Tour
j-hope, photograph by Joshua Druding
It’s occurring: “Hope on the Stage” is coming to North America, and tickets go on sale subsequent week. Right here’s find out how to have the perfect shot at securing tickets to what’s rapidly develop into some of the hotly anticipated excursions.
Track Rec of the Week:
I’d heard fairly a little bit of buzz about this debut and was completely impressed upon clicking on the music video. These guys have lots of Taemin power (as we all know, an enormous praise), however I’m dissatisfied that I actually dislike that first a part of the refrain. I’m by no means one for the type of talk-singing exhibited within the chorus, and this music had such a easy vibe going that it actually took me out of it. Regardless, their idea is fascinating sufficient that I’ll be keeping track of this group.