Comeback season is in full swing and fans are in for a treat with so many groups releasing amazing new tracks. We’ve recently covered both SEVENTEEN and ENHYPEN and now we’re back once again with ATEEZ. Honestly, I’m still not over their previous comeback but here is ATEEZ with the continuation of their current series of albums, GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2!
Okay, I’ll admit, I avoided all the teasers and concept photos for this album to make sure I went in blind. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle all the out-of-this-world concepts – and this is ATEEZ, we are talking about. Steeped in lore and a universe of their own creation, every album is a piece of the puzzle that is their storyline (that I cannot make heads or tails of). I mean, they even have a whole book to fill in the gaps!
Nevertheless, the members’ concept photos have wormed their way onto my Instagram feed. And I can tell you – the visuals of this comeback are insane. Don’t believe me? Here’s my honest first reaction to the member that popped up on my feed: SEONGHWA.
I’m not even kidding when I said I dropped my phone in shock. I’m not biased – just look at him. Words can’t even begin to describe– never mind. I can wax poetic about the members all day, but that’s not what we’re here for. So let’s begin this review properly and find out how golden GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 is!
GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 is a continuation from their previous album. However, there is a contrast in the sound this album delivers. GOLDEN HOUR: Part.1 gave off a more vibrant and lively vibe compared to this one, which felt more introspective and self-assured.
The members have also mentioned that they wanted to subvert the impression that ATEEZ only has fiery and intense songs like Guerilla and Halazia. And that brings us to where we are: a groovy album filled with tracks looking internally and reevaluating the worth of one’s self.
DEEP DIVE
The album opens with DEEP DIVE, painting the image of a quiet city night after a long day. Setting the mood for the rest of the album, the track opens with its chorus, describing a night that feels a little bit lonely and hollow. Blending elements of R&B and pop, DEEP DIVE is a pretty chill song, yet it also gives an underlying sense of unease and melancholy. Before searching up the lyrics, I got the vibe of being trapped in something, especially from the line “gotta get used to it” – and I was right.
I’m smiling, but why does it look like I’m crying?
Likе shoddy construction, the lies I’ve built up, when will they crumble?
Hiding my anxiety, I hold my breath
From the verse, we have MINGI describing the consequences of yearning for too much success, the anxiety as well as the imposter syndrome that comes with it. This is an idea echoed in the second verse, warning against chasing the temporary happiness that comes with golden, albeit fleeting, moments. Ironically, this goes against essentially the whole mentality of the previous album.
The shift in instrumentals from verse one to the following pre-chorus is especially captivating – the melody is harder hitting, pulling from elements of hip-hop and supported by MINGI’s style of rap while the pre-chorus leads with a softer melody and SEONGHWA’s gentler vocals. This pattern repeats later as well, creating a smooth and dynamic listening experience without making the beat changes too jarring.
Something else that stood out to me was how the song ended. With no outro music or fade out, it was as though HONGJOONG’s rap was just cut off. This abrupt ending leaves listeners hanging and unsatisfied, just like how the members were unable to find a proper way to resolve their emotions.
Overall opinion: Setting up the thematic style of this album, I like the way this song talks about the pursuit of success and how it’s tied to self-worth as well as the anxiety behind it – the idea that you must keep ascending the ladder. This criticism of societal expectations presents the conflicting nature of being successful: where you’re simultaneously “left drowning” but at the same time willingly deep diving into it all. It makes listeners question if the pursuit of success as society defines it is worth all the inner turmoil and mental sacrifices.
Searching for something, every day I’m left drowning again
I said I couldn’t go deeper, but here I am, deep diving all night here
Scene 1: Value
Next up is Scene 1: Value, tying the first song to the next. Creating a sense of anticipation, it opens with dialogue that can barely be discerned. Honestly, it’s giving something out of a movie. After 20-ish seconds of trying to tell what was going on, the beat suddenly drops, and trap music starts playing. At this point, I am pretty confused but the beat is great! Despite this being only an interlude and build-up to the next song, the music and the lyrics are fire – I wish that they used it in a song.
Ice On My Teeth
And now we’re at the title track! Ice On My Teeth has many ATINYs buzzing with anticipation due to its diss track-like titling as well as the teasers of the music video. Let’s talk about the visuals first. The M/V opens with a slow pan up to YUNHO staring at the camera before transitioning away – I was immediately sold. Each member is dressed in various black get-ups, looking like they just stepped out of a noir movie. It reminded me of their HALA HALA era, with the full black suits and intense gazes at the camera.
When I first watched the music video, I had not heard the teasers at all. So when I realised what the chorus was, I was a little bit disappointed. Listen, my first comeback as an ATINY had BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS) as the title track and that comeback was phenomenal! Forgive me if I can’t help but compare. However, as I listened on, the chorus became an earworm. If you find me randomly humming, it’s probably because of this – after all, it is the ATEEZ effect.
Let’s take a look at the melody and lyrics. The hook already has me vibing, to be honest. A song that has the first five seconds dripping with quiet confidence? Ooh… my jam. The anti-drop chorus feeds into the sense of casual confidence and self-assuredness of this track, mirroring the lack of need to have an explosive ending to the build-up in the song.
However, the most unique part for me is the element of violins accompanying the track which enhances the attractiveness of the song. Usually, strings are used in ballads or highly emotional tracks but here? It just adds another layer of grandeur.
How many glasses? Ooh, eight total
How do we look? Who do you think you are?
Little bird over there has a lot to say
We don’t have time, we’re making money
My favourite part has got to be the difference between the members’ vocals in various parts of the song. It’s been a while since we’ve heard the members really sing and as always verse 2 happens to be my favourite. Showing off his vocal range, YEOSANG’s part is quite high-pitched, a contrast to the deep baritone of his usual parts. This title also has given him significantly more lines, which is always a plus.
Overall opinion: I understand now what the members meant when they said that this comeback and title are completely unlike the others. With the previous music videos filled with dramatic slow-mos and extreme zoom-outs to capture the sheer size of their dance numbers, Ice On My Teeth is definitely a change of pace. Rather than having to wow watchers, Ice On My Teeth exudes that nonchalant ‘yeah, I know I’m good’ type of feel, making it a vibey song to add to your playlist. However, I do think it does not fit perfectly into the album alongside the other songs.
Man on Fire
Man on Fire is next on the list! Opening the song is once again YUNHO and his whispered lyrics will send a chill down your spine if you’re listening on earphones. A fusion of hip-hop with Latin influences, Man on Fire is about yearning so fiercely you’ll do anything for them and the tumultuous nature of love.
This song is intense; a rollercoaster of emotions as the members play around with their vocals, going from sensual low tones to soaring high notes to convey the pure longing this song communicates. On my first listen, the image conjured in my head was that of a freight train barrelling downhill at full speed – messy and without a happy ending.
Going through the flames, yeah
The sin of coveting the sun
Even if I turn to ash, I don’t care, yeah
If it’s just for your love, yeah
Don’t really see a correlation with the themes of the album? Neither did I, until I realised, that giving up everything and doing anything for another party’s love – that’s just throwing self-worth right out the window, isn’t it? While the song is about love, looking at it through the lens of the GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 makes it way darker.
Overall opinion: Man on Fire spectacularly presents passion and love through two very separate lenses: an all-in, high-energy perspective as well as an all-consuming, self-sacrificial outlook. While casual listeners can take it as just a love song burning with passion and longing, it is so much more than that. With the context of the album, Man on Fire warns of how important self-worth is in a relationship. Without it, you’ll end up burning yourself up by giving your partner everything.
Selfish Waltz
Following this passionate yearning is a toxic, clashing love in Selfish Waltz. Blending psychedelic pop and R&B elements, the melody creates a trance-like atmosphere with smooth melodies interwoven with rhythmic beats, mirroring the metaphor of doing the waltz. The progression of the song plays into the metaphor as well, with strong rap verses from MINGI and HONGJOONG interspersed between the haunting vocals of the other members in the verses and chorus. I can’t believe HONGJOONG kept this bop to himself until now!
Subverting the association of a waltz and dance in general, I think the use of the metaphor is what makes the song unique. When a dance metaphor or imagery is used, more often than not it conjures a romantic feel. Yet here it displays the never-ending cycle of habit in this relationship that is easy to fall back into, even when it’s unhealthy.
Another stand-out point for me is the placement of the song. Like two sides of the same coin, if Man on Fire was about an all-consuming fiery love, Selfish Waltz is a love that’s gone cold and lost its spark. You don’t know why you’re still with the other person but still going through the motions of a relationship, just like a waltz.
Yeah, with forced gestures, predictable moves
The next step feels meaningless
Yeah, there’s nothing left to ignite
This dance hall is so dry
Yeah, blindly repeating the same thing today
In the context of the album, Selfish Waltz explores the themes through an alternate perspective. Through the repeated use of “we”, the song doesn’t push the blame of the toxic relationship onto the other party but rather captures the helplessness both sides feel and the resulting reactions. I think this presentation is quite beautiful as it acknowledges the flaws of the self and the chaotic nature of an incompatible love.
Overall opinion: I really like the exploration of the complexities and cyclic nature of a relationship as well as the presentation of toxic love in this song. Correct me if I’m wrong but many songs that talk about toxic relationships are very in-your-face with their melody or romanticising that type of love. However, Selfish Waltz paints the image of the entire relationship very clearly through the lyrics but rather than an emotional or angry melody, the song is built around the metaphor of a waltz instead, making it much more visceral and enhancing the sense of helplessness.
Enough
Finally wrapping up this album is Enough! While I wasn’t expecting a (nearly) full English song in the album, Enough threw me back to the time of 2000s boy bands, especially the ad-libs in the pre-chorus and chorus. Nostalgic and reflective, the song recalls past experiences while encouraging listeners to move at their own pace and do their own thing.
Sometimes, you gotta move forward
Just take it step by step
And then you’ll notice
You’ve found your place (God, damn)
When the hook of the song first played, I was not expecting what would follow. Using bright synths and rhythmic percussion, I was expecting something like Work from the previous album or some kind of ballad. But my breath was absolutely taken away by SEONGHWA’s opener of the song. His vocals were soulful and deep, immediately taking me back to when I was younger and wasn’t sure about anything. With that said, alongside the ad-libs, this is pretty much my favourite part of the song.
Serving as an uplifting closure to a series of introspective songs delving into struggles and emotional turmoil, I realised Enough is the complete 180 of DEEP DIVE – and could very well be in answer to the worries featured in the opening song.
While DEEP DIVE explores the unease and anxiety faced in the pursuit of success defined in society, Enough assures listeners that wherever they are they are enough. If they were meant to be somewhere else, life would eventually lead them to it. What a perfect tie-up of loose ends!
Overall opinion: Listening to the song, I was reminded of ATEEZ themselves and their journey as a group. It was as though the members were speaking to their younger selves, assuring them that they would make it eventually and be enough. Straightforward and simple, Enough is just that – about being enough for yourself as long as you trust yourself. As cheesy as some might find it, this track would be a soothing balm on a day when everything just feels like it’s going wrong. After all, sometimes, just taking a breath is enough.
GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2
And we’ve come to the end of yet another album! While GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 focused on the less-than-glamorous aspects of life, was it up to your expectations? While I did enjoy the change of pace and style, I wouldn’t say that this is my favourite album.
Regardless of whether you like it or not, it is undeniable how much ATEEZ has grown. Leagues different from recent releases, GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 has songs tailored to different vibes and moods – and that goes for the rest of their discography as well!
While I haven’t been following the group since the start, listening to their music from 2019 up to now, one thing is immensely clear: they are an extremely versatile group. With so many EPs and albums, the group has songs from all kinds of genres; it’s next to impossible to be bored of their music.
Well, whether you’re ready to deep dive into the rabbit hole of ATEEZ and become a full-fledged ATINY or just wanna dip your toes in to test the waters, you can find Golden Hour Pt.2 on Spotify and Apple Music! Wanna see the shenanigans this hilarious octet get up to? Then, be sure to check out the group’s YouTube, TikTok and Instagram accounts!
Visuals courtesy of blackstar Asia. Lyric translations from GENIUS.com
