Fans of the competition shows BOYS24 and MIXNINE are bound to flock to freshly debuted boy group 1TEAM, who dropped their debut single “VIBE” on March 27. The Live Works Company group boasts members BC and Rubin, who were previous participants of the aforementioned shows. With followers anticipating the boys’ debut, “VIBE” delivers a playful hip-hop track that is sure to be blasted all throughout the summer.

For their first release, the boys adopted the “too cool for school” concept that we’ve seen the likes of PENTAGON and SEVENTEEN tackle in the past. Despite their fitted suits that cover every hue of the rainbow, the lyrics show that they just want to let loose, dance, and have fun. The pastel-tinted aesthetic complements the lighter hip-hop beat and fresh melody. The vibes may be chill, but the choreography is tight, matching the flow without being robotic. BC and Jung Hoon add the rap flavor to the second verse. It’s a deceptively simple song, with intricate details like a bubble-popping sound effect, a female vocal sound bit, and a brief horn that add dimension to the track.

The HELLO! EP features two B-sides that showcase two other sides of the group. “COUNTDOWN” adopts a tough persona that is familiar for fans of MONSTA X or ATEEZ. The pre-chorus assaults the listener with a heightened tempo before dissolving into a dubstep-esque electronic breakdown in the chorus. The rappers take their time flowing over the subdued beats while the vocalists battle the commanding electronic beats. It’s the perfect hype song for the gym. “‘BOUT U” is a more traditional hip-hop track that’ll appeal to old-school BIGBANG or BTS fans. It still maintains these heavy horn beats that tie it to “‘BOUT U” but the verses bring the track back to Earth. Since the song is telling a girl who has the “just something about her,” it makes sense that it carries a more romantic vibe.

1TEAM delivered a solid debut that holds its weight against the numerous debuts we’ve already seen this year. The leverage from the competition shows is bound to help the boys reach the heights that they deserve to see. We’re excited to see what other sides of hip-hop they are able to make their own.