Celebrate Summer with PENTAGON

PENTAGON is back with a new release perfect for the season: SUM(ME:R). Released on July 17 and led by title track “Humph!” the group’s ninth mini-album is full of light poppy tracks ideally suited for carefree, hot summer days.

The album opens with “Humph!” a laid-back, reggaeton-pop fusion with a sassy piano line. Penned in part by members Hui and Wooseok and produced by GIRIBOY, the song is about getting the cold shoulder from a loved one. In a season filled with romance, summer love has plenty of ups and downs, though it’s not often we see this portrayed in such a playful manner. Wooseok’s opening lines reference games like rock-paper-scissors, setting the perfect stage for a hot-and-cold relationship where it feels like love can sometimes be left up to luck. The song is one of the simplest we’ve received from the group since their April 2018 hit “Shine,” a defining song in PENTAGON’s career and in creating their signature sound. All things considered, “Humph!” is certainly not their greatest release, but it’s an expected one that’s cheeky, clever, and most importantly, great for warm weather. And the music video—though, regrettably, missing Yanan due to an injury—is just as cute and comical as you would expect.

Much more of a standard summer anthem in the way it sings of mojitos and the sea, “Fanstasystic” is upbeat and light, where “Humph!” is a little more down and dirty. Simply put, if “Humph!” is reminiscent of “Shine,” “Fantasystic” is the summer-loving sister of “SHA LA LA.” Truth be told, if it weren’t PENTAGON, I would have expected “Fanstasystic” to have been the single as the song fits the cookie-cutter summer concept much more than “Humph!” However, with just one listen to “Humph!” it’s clear the single is one from PENTAGON, so it’s nice to see the boys haven’t sacrificed their sound for the sake of a concept. And lucky for us, the group is promoting the song as a B-side alongside “Humph!” Just try listening to this song without bopping along to the “WOO HAH” in the chorus. And, of course, we can’t forget to mention Jinho’s incredible high note towards the end. Meanwhile, “SUMMER!” is where “Humph!” and “Fanstasystic” meet in the middle. With its ragtime piano, chill beats, and summer imagery, it’s a song made for a relaxing day spent without a care in the world.

The album quite literally rounds out with the bonus track “Round 2,” a continuation of “Round 1” from March’s Genie:us mini-album. “Round 1” was one of my personal favorites off of Genie:us as it gave listeners a unique and hysterical peek into PENTAGON’s world. More of a skit than an actual song, “Round 2” picks up where “Round 1” left off, only this time the members do hilarious impersonations of each other under the guise of waking up in another member’s body. Jinho narrates the situation, starting off with Yuto impersonating Wooseok’s deep voice and mocking his characteristic all-black wardrobe before Wooseok breaks into Yuto’s chorus in “Shine.” Kino and Yanan are the next victims, with Kino mocking Yanan’s token sexy, mysterious image, only to have Yanan mock Kino’s tendencies to take selfies. Shinwon pokes fun at Hui’s anti-hip-hop agenda via screaming but Hui gets even by pointing out all the zeros in Shinwon’s bank account. Yeo One jabs at Hongseok’s love of ASMR by whispering the entirety of his lines and Hongseok throws Yeo One under the bus for making endless excuses. If you don’t already stan PENTAGON, this track will make you want to change that. Immediately.

Never a group to disappoint in fun, PENTAGON’s SUM(ME:R) is a great release for the season, whether you’re looking to kick back and relax or laugh yourself all the way into autumn.