ONF Makes Their Return after Road to Kingdom
The six-member group that finished second on Road to Kingdom has made their first comeback in 10 months with a new mini-album! ONF has once again returned to the scene with a new and refreshing concept, accompanied by seven-track mini-album SPIN OFF.
The Title: “Sukhumvit Swimming”
If making waves in Road to Kingdom wasn’t enough, the sextet has made their return with a track that is almost immediately eye-catching just based on the title. Leave expectations at the door when jumping into “Sukhumvit Swimming” for the first time, as the sound and concept are particularly unpredictable. The track kicks off with a light woodwind melody that is quite different from what any K-Pop fan may expect. This opens up into a chill reggae beat that has some hip-hop undertones, a perfect combination for the dead of summer. The beat is addicting and becomes lodged in your head almost immediately. Even first-time listeners of ONF will find enjoyment in this title track.
The video is certainly something to behold, as the general theme of the concept makes drastic switches. It begins in what appears to be a cowboy or old Western type of theme. While Hyojin walks into his set in a cowboy hat and Western jacket, the shot quickly moves to MK in an astronaut suit, showing the major contrast of the concept itself. Think something along the lines of Cowboy Bebop—a mix between the wild west and futuristic space travel. The futuristic element is particularly present in Wyatt’s verse, as he’s shown navigating through a computerized background which also includes a Saturn-like planet. The major contrasts between new and old are particularly striking, and certainly catch the viewer’s attention for the bold choice of concept.
The Album
As previously mentioned, SPIN OFF features seven tracks, making it the longest album the group has released to date. The B-sides kick off with “Belle Epoque,” which has a bit of a softer vibe than the title while maintaining the futuristic feel within the music. It tends to have a more traditional pop sound that we’re used to with K-Pop, the type that is often paired with a cutesy concept. It’s a good contrast to “Sukhumvit Swimming” and helps to mellow out the atmosphere. Next is “Geppeto,” a more EDM influenced melody with a faster tempo and a prominent rhythm guitar heard most easily in the chorus.
“Good Good” returns to the upbeat feel of “Belle Epoque,” but with a more traditional melody. It’s a typical bright track that you’ll hear in just about any group discography, the safe bet of a fun track that has bop potential. Next comes “Cactus,” and contrary to the title, it’s a very soft and warm song. Considering the title is identical to the A.C.E debut track, some may expect a hard-hitting EDM melody, but instead are hit with a slow, acoustic song that helps to glorify the vocalists.
“Message” continues this subdued vibe, the simple snapping and synth melody remaining fairly nondescript in order to allow the spotlight to shine on the vocals of the track. Lastly is “New World (SPIN OFF Version),” a remix of their Road to Kingdom final release track. It still has a lot of the same EDM elements heard in the original, but brings a refreshing perspective on the song.
As a first-time listener of a full ONF album, feelings are mixed. While the title track seems to stand out quite well in terms of uniqueness and a pleasing melody, the rest of the album falls a bit short in comparison. That being said, there’s certainly nothing bad on the album, and the flow from high energy to a softer aura is quite fluid, which is not something a lot of groups manage to accomplish. There’s no doubt that ONF is a group of talented artists, and only time will tell if this comeback will help the boys achieve their true breakthrough.