In stark contrast to title release “Shall We Dance” of original album Montage, Block B has returned with a whole new sound and concept in Re: Montage. Title track “Don’t Leave” is a classically heart-wrenching, angsty love song.

From Intense and Catchy to Soft and Emotional

In almost every way possible, “Don’t Leave” is a complete 180 in musicality and style compared to previous release “Shall We Dance.” “Shall We Dance” was a high energy track that was guaranteed to get the listener up and moving, and it had a catchy chorus line that easily got stuck in your head for weeks. The song was fantastic without a doubt, but a lot of the complaints that came with the comeback involved the totally strange aesthetic and style choices, some even borderline cultural appropriation (this of course, up to interpretation).

I’m happy to report that with the new title comes a brand new style and aesthetic as well. Say goodbye to U-Kwon’s terrible purple dreads and Kyung’s extremely unnecessary mullet, and good riddance! The style and aesthetic of “Don’t Leave” matches the ballad theme much better, with the use of dark and muted colors in both clothing and atmosphere. Half the members have their solo shots done in black and white to reflect the sorrowful atmosphere of the song, while soft colors are used in ZICO’s, U-Kwon’s, and Taeil’s scenes to add a bit of contrast.

“Don’t Leave” is a fresh change from the previous release and takes a different angle than is often used in repackaged albums, which usually match the musical style of their original albums. Block B shows off their musical versatility by switching up the music and concept.

As for the album itself, three new songs total were added to the original Montage discography. Vocalists Jaehyo and U-Kwon each get their own solos to add on top of B-Bomb’s solo track, making half the repackage album focused on the vocal line.

Jaehyo’s solo follows right behind title track “Don’t Leave,” carrying the same soft and moving sound as the group’s new title. Jaehyo doesn’t often get the spotlight in the group’s songs, so his solo “마지막 정류장” is a great showcase of his vocal talent in the form of a beautiful ballad. U-Kwon’s solo “Everythin’” follows to lighten the mood, a more upbeat and electronic track that fits his voice well. The tone of the track is somewhere between Jaehyo’s and B-Bomb’s solos, providing the album with an overall balance between dejected and cheerful.

Overall, the repackaged version of Montage brings a more whole and versatile sound to Block B that everyone knows they are capable of. The group has focused more recently on releases of the softer nature in comparison to their older title tracks that were almost always classified as bangers. The group’s ability to move toward softer sounds and execute them as well as the legendary bangers proves their talent and maturity, and Re: Montage is a great example that encompasses all of this. How nice it is to start the year off with Block B!