[Exclusive Album Review] P1Harmony blazes through the K-Pop scene with their new genre bending album, “DUH!”
Photo courtesy of FNC
P1Harmony is a 6 member K-pop group based in South Korea and the members are Keeho, Soul, Theo, Jongseob, Intak and Jiung. The group has recently released their new 8th mini album titled, “DUH!”. This album is expressive, explosive and colorful just like the group’s visuals and confident aura that shines in their latest comeback.
DUH!
“Duh” opens the album with bravado and confidence. Which is something that P1Harmony are professionals at. The rappers in the group, Jongseob, Soul and Intak shine as their lyrics glide over the 90’s influenced hip-hop beat. It was exciting to hear Soul rap on this track as he is an amazing dancer of the group, it was nice to hear him shine as a rapper as well. The catching hook will draw you in as well, it will be fun to sing live at concerts.
\\ Um, who's that
We play in the top dog league
Our name's on the plain white T
If I want, this seat can be
First class seat
Who’s that?
It’s me
DUH! //
This song is what I would call a classic and hype P1Harmony song. It is a fast-paced song and energized with pure fun. It is a real party starter and truly expresses why they have made their mark in the K-pop scene and in the music scene as a unique and powerful group. The members, Jiung, Intak and Jongseob co-wrote the songs on this album. Keeho, Jiung, and Jongseob co-composed the tracks on “DUH!” as well. They are always confident in their approach to creating music, visual concepts and choreography. Their input and influence on this album is huge, which is what makes “DUH!” even more special.
Photo Courtesy of FNC
2. Pretty Boy
Pretty Boy is a flowy and smooth song with influence from afro beats style music. The rapping style from Jongseob and Intak on the track sounds like they are having fun, which is what I love about this song. Jongseob creates unique tones with his voice where he sounds like he is dancing through a colorful forest. His fantastical and upbeat rapping style compliments Intak’s witty lyrics and rapping style. Which sounds like a riddle. I like the way Iintak has fun on this track as well. I can already see a concert venue full of P1ece (the affectionate name for the P1Harmony fandom) singing the killing parts of this song which I have highlighted in bold here. The lyrics in “Pretty Boy is where their fun nature shines.
// Call me pretty, yeah // Push me plz, yeah // Pick pretty that you want // Pretty girls like pretty boys like me // Curly hair like broccoli // If you saw me as a cutie, you'd be surprised if you meet me // I'd be flattered, please call me pretty”.
Theo and Keeho’s voice dances over the voice track’s smooth steady melody and beat. At the bridge and chorus, the song turns to elements of electronic music and completely switches genres which I thought was very unique.
Photo courtesy of FNC
Throughout this entire song and the “Duh” album, P1Harmony break through the genre barriers of music and create their own unique sound. I love the deeper meaning this song brings attention to. The leader of the group, Keeho, went live on weverse ( a social media site) and he spoke about this song. At the timestamp 9:39 in the clip, Keeho speaks about how “Pretty Boy” is a song where he wanted to speak on the demasculinization of East-Asian men. “I kind of wanted to take that and to be able to confidently say “yeah I’m a pretty boy and that’s fine” a lot of the time we tend to try to be more masculine than we need to be.” He wants people to know that being a pretty boy is something to be proud of, to show off and flex even.
Keeho of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
Knowing this meaning makes the song even more interesting to listen to and I’m curious to see the choreography that they would possibly pair with this song. With lyrics like
// you just wanna fantasize me // the song has this almost alluring tone yet it still gives a message of the acceptance of being pretty and the star of the show while still being a confident man.
3. Murmur
Murmur hits hard with a snare drum and an old-school sounding piano and Jongseob has hard hitting but fun raps that are dancing over the steady hip-hop beat. This song says to me that despite what any haters and naysayers say, the members of P1Harmony are still climbing the charts and winning while staying true to themselves.
// You know the beat keeps playing
My boys keep slaying
That’s happening no matter
What you sayin’ now
Fuel the fire, feed the crowd
Leashed by reputation, exposure by media
Lives being held hostage //
I also think it is clever that they say // the beat keeps playing // as this is such a hard hitting steady beat that keeps the momentum up in this song. The beat is steady like their confidence and numbers growing as a group. It is cool how every word P1Harmony is saying is completely clear, loud and confident.
Jongseob of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
Theo of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
Their unique sound is a confident shout, not like a murmur that could come from any naysayers. They make sure their unique voice is heard from the mountain tops and it is so impressive to make a confident song like this one. There’s a layering gospel-esque choir at the end of the song and the lyrics say //Got you Tuned in // Every time you have a chance // Murmuring about me. // The beautiful gospel chanting-like quality of this part of the song really draws in the inspirational message of “Murmur”.
4. Flashy
Flashy is a rock influenced pop song with electronic dance elements. This song has smooth and beautiful sounding vocals from singers Keeho and Theo that glides over this track and switches between the rappers Jongseob and Intak. The chorus of this sound actually sounds like burst shots and flashes from a digital camera. I thought that was a clever way to further express that fun and dancing feeling of “Flashy.
“Flashy” will be known as a staple song for P1Harmony. It reminds me of their song “Jump” which had me and the entire concert venue jumping, and dancing along during their Utopia tour in D.C last year. I feel like this song will also make everyone dance and sing along during their live concerts. The lyrics are yet again confident and honest, I love that P1Harmony are not afraid to show off their talent and personality.
Flashy reminds me of the photoshoots from this new album. As their outfits and the photo editing style is flashy just like the song and so stylish. They wear their fashion style like guys who know they are making their mark in the music scene and in the world with pure confidence and creativity. I love the wildly stunning hair colors and makeup styles as well. It is what I know P1Harmony to deliver with every comeback. As they say towards the end of the song // I’m flashy wherever I go // . They practice what they preach.
Intak of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
Jiung of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
5. Over and Over
Over and over gives the vibe of “Hey it’s us and we are killing it once again”. P1Harmony keeps delivering a creative and uniquely different sound every comeback. Each song is always different in genre yet consistently and unique to them. They deliver this truth over and over just like the title of this song. I love the Latin and New Orleans music influences on the instrumentals of this song. Jiung sings lightly over the bridge of the song with these lyrics. It is a beautiful contrast to have such a light flowy voice over a heavy hitting song. The beat in the song is so steady, it will be so fun to see them dance to this and to hear this beat hitting live in concert.
Photo courtesy of FNC
6. Work
Work is a racing edm track that sounds like it belongs in the club with people dancing. I love how it just draws you instantly, it is made for dancing and singing along at their concerts. It is truly a fun vibe. The bridge of the song turns into this electronic song and it sounds full of happiness and the song goes from being in a neon nightclub to a bright edm festival within seconds. It was so impressive how they produced this song and sonically travels the listener to different places.
Jiung of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
Soul of P1Harmony // Photo courtesy of FNC
\\ Spin around, eyes go blurry
Feel so dizzy, just record it now
Need a whiskey & tonic, 100ml
Airplane mode—shut it all down
Stack it up up up
Neon sign, speeding through the night //
The lyrics of the song also feel like they are talking about working hard while making music. The background of the chorus feels like it is chanting “go to work, go to work” which is a slang term for letting loose when dancing or having fun. It also seems like they mean it literally as to go to work and to work hard but also have fun while they are performing on stage. I love the double meaning this song has and yet it’s still so fun. Even if someone didn’t know the lyrics, it is perfect for a night full of partying with friends.
This is actually my new favorite P1Harmony song. It is so fun and exciting, it is something I have truly never heard from them. This song is so impressive and feels like it’s a taste for what the members have in store for the future. This is the song that I am most excited to hear live. P1Harmony’s 8th mini album, “DUH” defines their sound as they are creatives who blaze their own path. “Work” ends with the lyrics “This is a party you can find nowhere”. What you will love about P1Harmony is that they are a truly creative group that you can not find anywhere.
Photo courtesy of FNC
Words by Katana for KtopiaX
Check out our reaction video to “DUH!” on YouTube!
Thank you to P1Harmony, Frazes Creative, and FNC Entertainment!
