UP10TION Flips the Script with “Your Gravity”
Nine months after the release of latest comeback “Blue Rose,” UP10TION has returned to the scene with only eight members. Members Lee Jinhyuk (formerly Wei) and Wooshin both participated in Produce X 101, with Wooshin landing at second place and Jinhyuk at 13. Both did not join this comeback, as Wooshin is preparing to debut with X1 and Jinhyuk is pursuing solo activities. On August 22, the remaining eight members released mini-album The Moment of Illusion with accompanying title track “Your Gravity.”
The Title: “Your Gravity”
As someone who was completely blown away by the overall quality of “Blue Rose,” I wasn’t sure what direction UP10TION would focus on next. I’ll admit I was extremely frustrated by the lack of appreciation and attention for their last comeback, a sad but recurring story for the group. If a concept so well executed and performed couldn’t get the group recognition, what could? Well, that’s a little bit of a pessimistic view, and UP10TION certainly isn’t lacking in talent, so “Blue Rose” won’t be their peak.
“Your Gravity” does a complete 180 from the dark and gritty “Blue Rose.” “Your Gravity” has an undeniably lighter tone all around, with more of a musical focus on the pop-EDM sound that is very popular. It’s a safe bet melody wise, since these types of tracks tend to have a higher level of mass appeal than heavier themes. Despite the fact that it’s a little generic, it’s undeniable that the track is catchy and has a number of strong points that add personal flavor to them, namely the melodic breakdown to a hip-hop beat during Bit-to’s verse about halfway in. It’s clear with this song that the producers were going for a track that has more mass appeal than previous releases.
Visual elements are still UP10TION’s strong point. The choreography is original and eye-catching, performed with a precision that only this group could pull off. Choreography has always been the group’s strongest point, and “Your Gravity” is no exception to that rule. The overall aesthetics also contribute to the total switch in concepts, with a heavy use of pastels in the background. The members are dressed in very loud or brightly colored outfits throughout, emphasizing the bright nature of the concept. As much as I love darker UP10TION, I can’t deny that the boys have a skill for this lighter type of concept. All in all, the visuals definitely make the comeback whole.
The Album
After beginning The Moment of Illusion with the title track, UP10TION switches it up with the sensual R&B track “Sky Surfer,” which shows another side to the group’s musicality. “Sky Surfer” is definitely right up my alley, so it’s a strong start to the album. “Look At Me” switches up to the sound of more popular EDM, the likes of David Guetta or Zedd, though you may find somewhat of a surprise at the drop.
“Skyway” continues along this path, with high-energy EDM as the main influence of the track and if we’re being honest, it’s fairly forgettable. All of that changes with “Restore,” a softer R&B tune that really allows the vocal prowess of the group to shine. It’s a sound that UP10TION doesn’t explore very often, but there’s a clear skill of the group in this genre. The album rounds out with “Lover,” a song title generic enough that it could belong to any other group. But “Lover” has a certain charm to it, a strength and drive behind the melody that isn’t present on other tracks in the album, which makes it particularly intriguing. All in all, The Moment of Illusion is a well put-together collection of songs that showcases the different musical sides of the group, making for an overall enjoyable experience. UP10TION is a group that has always struggled to gain the spotlight, but they continue to prove with every release that they deserve it.