OnlyOneOf Dives Into Freudian Theories of Attraction on “libidO”
The 2019 boy group OnlyOneOf, who quickly received widespread critical acclaim for their unique style, is back with their third mini-album, Instinct, Pt. 1 supported by lead single “libidO.” OnlyOneOf has come to be known for their interesting song titles and album concepts. Relying heavily on alternative R&B and dance styles, their music explores the ambiguity of youth, temptation, and personality. With the release of Instinct, Pt. 1, they move a step further in exploring these themes.
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Tracklist
“꼼데가르송을 입은 소년 (the bOy wearing cOmme des garçOns)”
“libidO”
“느낄 수 없다면 만지면 돼 (yOu Can TOuch It If YOu Can’t Feel It)”
”instinct/본능”
“고난주간 (hOly week)”
”byredO”
”tear Of gOd”
“너리고 불렀지만 사실은 나 (I called it yOu but it’s actually me)”
“libidO”
Met with mixed reactions, “libidO” garnered a lot of attention for its sensual concept from the time OnlyOneOf released the first teasers for the album. With the boys showing a lot of skin in the teasers and the risque choreography, the comeback has been met with mixed reactions from K-Pop fans. On the surface, the comeback can be labeled as having a sexy and mature concept; however, a deeper dive into the concept and meaning behind the album shows that the boys take inspiration from psychoanalytic theories by the world renowned psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud. The term “libido” was defined by Freud as the instinctual drive for intimacy. In the context of the song, “libidO” talks specifically about the desire of youth that craves intimacy. Check out the music video for “libidO” below!
B-Sides
The album’s B-sides explore the fickle and impulsive actions of young boys interacting with love for the first time and how they try to suppress their libido. OnlyOneOf further explores this “instinct” and their subconscious on “instinct/본능.” Assisted by a guitar, the track was co-written by hitmakers Candace Sosa, who worked with the group on their track “Sage/구원,” and JJ Evans. The lyrics to the song are connected to “savanna,” the group’s debut song.
Track “byredO” stands in contrast with the title track. The title of the song refers to the world-famous fragrance company BYREDO and talks about how love can be a blessing while also being very cruel if emotions are suppressed, just like how even a pleasant scent can become overbearing when sprayed excessively. OnlyOneOf’s signature style of mixing art and pop music evident in their past releases “picassO” and “dOra maar” evolves further with “byredO.” The album closes with “tear of gOd,” continuing the story of the boys who have given in to their impulsive desires and now are having a conversation with God.
The physical album contains three instrumental interludes and closes with a spoken confession that says, “I called it you but it was actually me.” With an experimental pop sound, OnlyOneOf is carving their own path. They are combining thought provoking concepts, lyrics, and visuals with addictive sounds, pushing the envelope further with every release. Having worked with Groovyroom, Cha Cha Malone, GRAY, and many more veteran producers, OnlyOneOf has curated one of the most unique and ambitious discographies in current-day K-Pop. Instinct, Pt. 1 further solidifies their aspiration of creating music that influences more than just their listeners’ ears.