N.Flying Asks, “Oh really?”
N.Flying is back with their latest summer EP, So, 通 (소통), an album that wraps up feelings of sadness in perfectly deceitful summer packaging. Led by their upbeat title track “Oh really,” N.Flying offers fans emotional support in the summer months; after all, heartbreak isn’t limited to winter.
The Title Track: “Oh really”
“Oh really” is a song about wanting to express comfort and understanding to someone. Written and composed by the band’s leader Seunghyub, the track is infused with a summery vibe, despite its not-so-peppy lyrics. The acoustic guitar riff that weaves its way throughout the chorus lends itself especially well to a sunny day and both the Korean “아 진짜요” and English “Oh, really” lines are bound to get stuck in your head. Though the track is not your typical spunky N.Flying track, it’s an instant great listen that’s sure to make the summer months just a little brighter. (It stands as an added bonus that apparently the title is based on Hweseung’s old habit of attempting to humorously console others with the phrase, “Oh really.”)
The music video for “Oh really” amps up the fun tenfold, presenting the song through different television shows as Seunghyub flips through channels. From Hun and Jaehyun promoting the band’s recently released official lightstick via infomercial format to Hweseung bemoaning life in a phonebooth a la K-Drama, “Oh really” is a fun watch for those days when it’s just too hot to go outside. “Oh really” also serves as the first release to include bassist Dongsung as an official member of the band. For anyone looking to start their descent into N.Fia-dom, the “Oh really” music video might just be the perfect place to start.
The Rest of the Album
Carried by an emotionally-ridden swinging 6/8 beat, “FLOWER FANTASY” opens the rest of the album with a sorrowful song about leaving a loved one. Following in the steps of the flower metaphors in “FLOWER FANTASY,” “YOUTH” immediately brightens up the tracklist by comparing fleeting youth to blooming flowers. “I’M GONNA” takes a jazzy turn, injecting a bossa nova flavor into N.Flying’s quirky lyricism. Though a little silly on the surface (the title itself is even a pun on the Korean word for “anything”), “I’M GONNA” is an impossibly groovy song that’s an easy standout on the album.
“Last Song” is the album’s ballad and in true ballad fashion, the track lets the band’s vocals take front and center. Hweseung in particular gets plenty of time to shine, with his impassioned voice carrying not only the chorus but also the bridge. The album ends on a brighter note with the pop-rock take “E-YO,” with its uplifting lyrics and tone offering listeners a shoulder to lean on—perhaps quite literally as the song is likely meant to be a tribute to fans. For an album that tells numerous tales of heartbreak through various genres and moods, “E-YO” is just the track to bring the album to a comforting end.
Overall, the release is a solid one from N.Flying. Though none of the tracks present anything too attention-grabbing or groundbreaking (with perhaps “I’M GONNA” being the only exception), So, 通 (소통) is an enjoyable listen from start to finish and another delightful addition to N.Flying’s repertoire.