Find Your Happily Ever After With NU’EST
NU’EST has finally made their triumphant return as a full, five-membered group with the release of their sixth mini-album, Happily Ever After. Fans have eagerly anticipated this comeback for nearly three years following JR, Baekho, Ren, and Minhyun’s participation in Produce 101, then Minhyun’s subsequent role as a member of WANNA ONE while the others along with Aron carried on as NU’EST W. So did the release live up to the hype? With an album boasting both impressive vocals and composition, we think calling Happily Ever After a hit is a safe “bet.”
The album opens with the mellow “Segno,” a song welcoming fans back to the group. Interestingly enough, “Segno” is a nostalgic sort of song, tinged with just a bit of sadness—a strong departure from the usual hype found in most introductory tracks on K-Pop albums. This is fitting for a song of such a title; segno is the symbol that denotes the beginning or end of a repeated phrase in sheet music. Following “Segno” is title track, “BET BET,” a song that simultaneously fits in with today’s K-Pop scene while also maintaining that signature NU’EST sound that makes it feel like the group never left. While the lyrics sing of unadulterated devotion to a loved one—which is certainly nothing new to K-Pop—NU’EST does it in a way that’s so them, between their flowing vocals and using a sound that lies somewhere between ballad and dance. The subtle electric guitar underlying the main electric components of the song also adds a nice touch not often found in today’s EDM-saturated market.
“BASS” is the third track on the album and delivers exactly what you’d expect: bass. It’s an EDM dance track that’s equal parts seductive and groovy. JR’s rap towards the end is a highlight, especially when Baekho kicks in with a line of his own. The composition is simple, as are the lyrics, letting the groove of the song speak for itself in a way that will have listeners dancing by the first beats. Where “BASS” succeeds, “Talk about love” unfortunately suffers: despite its simplicity, it’s certainly not the strongest song on the album in regards to instrumentation, vocals, or melody. “Different,” however, soars right back up to the bar set by “BASS” with its funky, mamba-like rhythms set against heavy synths. Whereas “BASS” is the kind of song you’d expect to hear at a rave, “Different” is a track that allows the vocalists to shine, particularly Minhyun, with his voice giving the song a much-needed air of mystery.
The last song on the album is “Fine,” a song that serves as the positive antithesis to “Segno.” With its repeated chorus of “utopia,” this song feels like a long sigh of relief for both NU’EST and fans who’ve been waiting for the group’s return. The bridge, which starts with Ren and builds with every member before breaking into the chorus with Baekho, is especially beautiful and by far carries the most emotion on the album. The ending bridge before the final chorus is equally astounding in its beauty and vulnerability. By far, “Fine” is the best song on the album, and quite possibly one of NU’EST’s best ever.
All things considered, Happily Ever After is a musical dream come true for any L.O.Λ.E or casual listener. Check out the music video for “BET BET” below and keep your ears peeled for a special outro of “Fine” towards the end.