VERIVERY Paints an Even More Intense Dystopia in “TRIGGER”
Five months after kicking off the O series, VERIVERY is back with the second installment [ROUND 2: HOLE]. With the official announcement of Minchan’s return from hiatus in June, the boys are back for a full-group return with a new look and feel, ramping up the concept intensity to 100%.
The Title: “TRIGGER”
“TRIGGER” takes a very different turn from previous title “Get Away,” with a much more intense beat that’s staccato nature can be somewhat overwhelming when the song first drops. It sounds drastically different from previous title releases. While the verses tend to have more of a hip-hop base, the chorus brings in more traditional heavy synth influences. That distinctive beat used in the opening of the song and during the verses almost gives off a video game-like sound quality, which seems simultaneously contrasting and supplementary to what you’d expect from the title. With a rather unique cornerstone in the melody and the heavy use of synth at the chorus, this song drives the intensity from start to finish.
While the O series is very clearly meant to have a darker tone, it seems to be ramped up quite a bit in “TRIGGER,” with the opening music video scene showing a dissolving futuristic staircase and Minchan watching it disappear, holding a bag that had apparently previously been over his head. Shots of him walking down that staircase in the bag give off intense kidnapping vibes. In addition to many of the members appearing in a car with ski masks on, choreography shots of them donning the masks are interwoven amongst other choreography. It drives home the dystopian gangster concept. If you go a little deeper, it appears that the members are representing two sides of themselves—the innocent escapees and the troublemaking rebels—which suggests a metaphor for internal struggles. The video itself is shot beautifully, and the choreography is sharp, as expected of VERIVERY.
The Album
[ROUND 2: HOLE] features four tracks total, kicking off with the title “TRIGGER.” The first B-side “Underdog” has a very different feel from the title, with a more traditional groovy beat and general pop influences. The song has a more infectious sound that many could get behind, and as such seems to have a bit more title potential. It’s a less experimental track, but in the best way possible. If the title wasn’t for you, you’ll probably find this song much easier to digest.
“Prom” comes next and fits the lighter, airy summer tone that certainly isn’t represented in the darker front of this concept. It’s almost reminiscent of the group’s debut, which is kind of unexpected since they’ve changed course sound-wise since then. Finally, the album closes out with “Heart Attack,” a trance-heavy track with strong EDM influences, introducing a totally new sound to the album as a whole. This style actually fits VERIVERY very well, somewhat surprisingly given that this specific genre of music seems to contrast with the main concept.
Overall “TRIGGER” as a title does make sense, but the unique style of it could be off-putting to some casual listeners. The B-sides are more appealing to me personally. But there is one truth on this mini-album, and that’s that there is likely a song to fit all different types of listeners, even if there are only four tracks. While that may make the album seem a little less cohesive, it provides variety for those looking for that kind of thing. One point that will continue to remain true: VERIVERY’s performance is their shining strength through and through.