It’s been five months since we got a release from ONEUS and the rookie group surely has been missed! In their time in the K-Pop industry, they’ve proven they hold the talent to pull off many different kinds of concepts and sounds, showcased in the difference between “Valkyrie” and “Lit.” While previous release “Lit” celebrated the traditional Korean sound and culture, the group shifted focus to a more Latin-focused sound, something they had yet to tackle. 

“A Song Written Easily” was a pleasant surprise upon the first note, a delightful whistling melody that introduces the Latin beat. Kicking off with Hwanwoong’s honey vocals as the beat solidifies into a traditional Latin pop, the verses build the tension up to the chorus that introduces an electronic version of the whistling rhythm used at the beginning of the song. It’s not surprising that both the vocals and rap that the group provides meshes perfectly with the beat, creating an addicting track right off the bat. Though we have only seen hints of spring, this song brings the feeling of a sunny summer day, a perfect warmth amidst an extremely cold atmosphere worldwide due to current circumstances.

The music video drives home this theme as well. With shots of Hwanwoong walking alone on a beach alongside a beautiful cyan blue ocean, Keonhee walking along the sand dunes, and Leedo amongst the sharp, rocky mountains, it’s not hard to see that the group was aiming for the summery vibe. With loose, simple black and white outfits reminiscent of SF9’s “O Sole Mio,” the full concept comes together as a cohesive musical and visual experience. Beautiful is an understatement for this comeback.

Single album IN ITS TIME only comes with two tracks, a single B-side along with the title. B-side “HIDE AND SEEK” has a very different vibe from the title, with heavier EDM influences in the beat and a more traditional pop melody. The song itself is catchy, but compared to the title it’s not nearly as spectacular, at least in our personal opinion. It’s still a fun track with some retro influences intermittently used between the mainly electronic sounds, which keeps it interesting.

ONEUS has never disappointed with their comebacks and it’s safe to say that remains true with “A Song Written Easily.” While the Latin influence and summer vibes definitely weren’t expected, they’re a welcome change that successfully brightens up the otherwise bleak landscape we face these days. We’re excited to see ONEUS continue to grow and expand their sound!