WOODZ Brings the Pop-Punk Nostalgia in “BUMP BUMP”
Only five short months after the release of his first mini-album, WOODZ is back with second mini-album WOOPS! and title track “Bump Bump.” The soloist gained a significant amount of attention first on Produce X 101, then with his first mini and lead title “Love Me Harder,” which currently sits at 15 million views on YouTube. Though having promoted as WOODZ for a number of years after the permanent hiatus of his group UNIQ, it’s taken until 2019 for WOODZ to gain recognition for his musical prowess, which has never been more clear than it is today. His new mini-album definitely continues to prove that.
The Title: “BUMP BUMP”
There’s no doubt that WOODZ has a very versatile music style, and as such it’s almost impossible to know what exactly you’re going to get from him in a title track. One thing for sure, however, is that it’s probably going to be good. “BUMP BUMP” is the polar opposite of “Love Me Harder,” giving off strong pop-punk vibes, not unlike what was massively popular in the early 2010s. If you were into the sounds of bands like Cobra Starship or Metro Station, this title will be right up your alley. It’s a modern twist on an old favorite and definitely brings a new musical flavor to the K-Pop scene that is rarely explored. This is also highlighted at the key change in the final verse, which adds just a little bit more character to the overall composition.
The visuals definitely hype up the 2010 punk aesthetic, though in a way that is not as forward as facial piercings and bodies covered in tattoos. Bright colors in highlighter pink and green are used in outfits, with vibrant red balloons and a red vintage car being a focal point of the video. The punk aesthetic mostly comes into play in the industrial setting, most noticeable when WOODZ and his companions are spray painting an old car. And if you look hard enough, skateboards do appear as well. Overall, the video gives off the vibe of rebellious youth, a perfect match for the musical composition.
The Album
WOOPS! kicks off with “Trigger,” a track with a misleading opening melody that brings in cowboy vibes that are quickly replaced with a sexy R&B beat as soon as the drop hits. It’s a great example of WOODZ’s prowess in combining unconventional musical compositions, adding in synth beats at the bridge and a strong rap line in the second verse to complete a surprisingly addicting song that has nothing but contrasting elements. It’s an incredibly strong start to the album, without a doubt.
“On my own” follows the title track and brings in a new acoustic feel to the album, the tone brighter than the tracks that precede it. It’s a pretty classic upbeat acoustic pop song that is vastly different from the eclectic sounds of “Trigger” and rebellious punk in “BUMP BUMP.” “Thanks to” comes next, presenting a sentimental pop track that shows the gratitude WOODZ feels for his success. The mellowed out beat leaves more room for the lyrics to shine, as expected of such an emotional track.
“Sweater” brings in the first and only feature in this album, with vocalist Jamie joining alongside WOODZ for a soft R&B ballad. When she is not featured in her verse, her vocals can be heard in the background, harmonizing with WOODZ’s higher tone. This duo performing together is actually quite interesting, considering Jamie’s vocal register goes a bit lower than WOODZ at some points, breaking the usual cliches we are used to with male and female vocalists. It’s a mellow song that elicits a feeling of calmness, highlighted by the strong harmonization between the two. Finally, the album concludes with “Tide,” another soft and sentimental song that places heavier focus on vocals. The use of strings, piano, and acoustic guitar elicit a feeling of longing in the song that makes it a bit more melancholy and something quite different from the previous music WOODZ has released.
When all put together, WOOPS! shows a softer side to WOODZ’s music, especially in comparison to previous mini-album EQUAL. Bringing in personal opinion, I think EQUAL was a stronger album, but as far as musical versatility goes, WOOPS! does a great job of showcasing a different side to the soloist that we haven’t seen in his previous work. It really showcases his talent as an artist and creator and it’s not easy to be able to produce songs from such different realms of musicality. There’s no doubt that WOODZ is a very talented artist and now is certainly his time to shine.