SF9’s RUMINATION Yields “Trauma”
SF9 is back with another set of stunning visuals for their tenth mini-album, RUMINATION. Their new title track “Trauma” follows suit with its predecessor, “Teardrop,” as far as being an EDM-influenced, yet understated, dance track—and like two sides of one coin, “Trauma” is the answer to “Teardrop’”s monochrome aesthetic.
“TRAUMA”
“Trauma” doesn't hesitate to hit you with the synth buildup, though when I say "hit," I mean "gently caress." EDM is popular, but “Trauma”'s got some of the lowest bass and synth I've heard in a while, and it’s so velvety, there's just not really another way to describe it. That aforementioned buildup sets a strong foundation for the song throughout, though the chorus doesn't max out into an explosion—in fact, it pulls back in order to place all emphasis on Yoo Taeyang and Inseong's vocals. The song takes a slightly different shape for each rap verse, each ramping up to the chorus and Youngbin and Zuho's verse cranks that energy to an 11, but only for a moment. The biggest wildcard is actually the shared bridge toward the end that features a Chani/Hwiyoung duo, and it feels like a tag team attack in DOA 4—of course, the mirrored choreography helps with this very specific image that probably has little meaning to anyone but me.
SF9 has a solid monopoly on sleek suit-fit looks and vocals that kill. I said that “Trauma” follows an overall tone set by their previous title “Teardrop,” and that holds true for the music video especially. As a group of models, they give us some of the best moody stares into the camera while they sit alone in lavish conditions where they belong. That being said, the music video is essentially what we've seen before, just with a different color palette and choreography; and the music video looks so slick, I simply do not mind the similarities in new packaging.
ALBUM: RUMINATION
This mini-album has seven tracks including “Trauma,” and once again their rappers and vocalists are so strong that if the title wasn't your speed, the B-sides are definitely worth a listen. “Memory” is an R&B treat with a looped backbone that sounds like a lullaby; it's not a mood we’d expect so early in the album, but is it welcome? Absolutely.
“Dreams” flips it entirely with an opening by Inseong, accompanied by a guitar crescendo that builds into a scuzzy synth intro. It cuts off into an electric percussion beat through to the chorus that picks back up into the same unusually noisy intro music. It’s actually pretty weird, it’s totally different from the rest of the album and just not their usual style of production, but it’s great all the same. “Gentleman” opens with Jaeyoon’s smooth vocals, which are gentle enough to justify the name on their own. Backed by a saxophone effect, “Gentleman” has the most compelling chorus thus far, and baby this one is dancefloor-ready.
“On And On,” by Youngbin and Inseong, is the only unit track on the album. Together, the two make a suave guitar-driven song befitting an anime ending where the main protag watches the sun set. There’s a certain intensity in the lyrics that gives the same impression; “Even if you can’t see me for a while / Don’t forget my love.” “Scenario” stands out as the danciest track of them all; this one ebbs and flows with its soft verses and high-energy chorus, and it’s a good, all-encompassing experience. The album rounds out with the boys’ love letter for Fantasy, aptly named “For Fantasy.” In the way of this type of song, it was written by the group themselves, and it’s an upbeat ballad about how their life is better because Fantasy is in it—and the feeling’s mutual!