VICTON’s Back and Better Than Ever
Welcome VICTON back with their comeback as a complete seven-member group! After members Han Seungwoo and Choi Byungchan’s appearance on Mnet’s globally famous survival show Produce X 101, the team had performed as a six-member group due to leader Han Seungwoo’s high ranking that qualified him as an official member of X1. However, X1’s recent unfortunate disbandment brought Seungwoo back to his original team. With former X1 member and VICTON’s one and only leader Han Seungwoo’s return, the boy group has made a triumphant return in the music scene with their sixth mini-album Continuous.
“Howling”
VICTON’s newest title track, “Howling,” conveys the masculinity of the group as they sorrowfully sings for a certain significant other who they long to meet. The track interprets the meaning through a comparison to a howling wolf. In the context of this song, the sound of the mighty wild creature stands as a symbol for the heartache experienced at the end of a loving relationship, and makes a lasting impact on the listeners as they are intrigued at once by the allusion to the prolonged, mournful cry. Building up on the foundation of a hip-hop based beat as it progresses, the track blends the unique sound of each artist’s vocals to emphasize on the wild yet emotional aspect of the track.
The music video reflects the mysterious mood that the track encompasses. With the smog effect enhancing the mystical atmosphere, the tension augments as the song fills up the silence that occupied the film. Throughout the progression of the video, the interchanging scenes between close-ups of individual members and a wide angle that captures the whole group stands as a good way to express the group dynamic. In particular, the scene with Do Hanse sitting on a chair surrounded by outdated-looking screens as he charismatically rapped stood out to me the most, especially due to the blue lighting that further intensified the idea of wildness associated with the title. Of course, the group’s synchronized and energetic movements displaying the growing emotion of sorrow and highlights the core idea of the concept.
Continuous
Alongside the title track, the group released four songs in their sixth mini-album, Continuous.
A dark hip-hop track, “Nightmare” serves as the intro song to the album, placed before the title track “Howling.” “Nightmare” consists of a clock ticking in the background that emits a creepy mood (almost like Halloween!). With the beat drop, the rhythmic drumming sequence creates a R&B-like groovy vibe. The climax isn’t super explosive in terms of the vocal arrangement, but the harmonization is sensational, overpowering the beat as it gives the audience a vision of the dark of midnight.
Soft guitar strumming accompanying the track “All I Know,” the snapping and gradual addition of sound effects give a modern feeling to the medium tempo acoustic track. The group showcases a 180 change from their title with their soft, mellow vocals, projecting the lyrics of going through the hopelessness from the painful experience of witnessing their significant other fall out of love.
“Petal” falls under the genre of alternative dance—with the hint of alternative R&B bringing a sentimental vibe to the track, the lyrics consist of hopefulness that although flowers always go through the cycle of blooming and wilting, one wishes to stay with his significant other forever just like how blooming season returns. Just like how the flower petals never disappear and pile up, there is hope that memories of every moment are made.
“White Night” concludes the mini-album. The mellow string melody and piano riff create a calm atmosphere in which VICTON showcase their emotional vocals. The lyrics express how the darkness of the night, or even the darkness of the whole world is transformed to a white world if his lover’s light shines on him. The group sings about the promise to stay by their significant other, who has filled their dark night with comfort and love.
Returning back to Alice’s side as a complete team after approximately an year, this comeback will probably remain memorable to both the fans and the group. Overall, VICTON has made a successful comeback as a group of seven with their sixth mini-album, sweeping the top rankings on multiple domestic charts. It’s exciting to look forward to how their limitless growth as artists will add even more color to their music; make sure to keep an eye out for VICTON’s future releases and performances!