The Boyz are back with a new EP! BE AWARE, the group’s seventh mini-album, was released on August 16 and is full of The Boyz signature EDM-style bops. 

From the moment the first song starts, it has the listener hooked. “WHISPER” is a deliciously layered treat for your ears, and with great transitions, is definitely the type of song you’ll be listening to on repeat. The music video is equally as fun to watch as the song is to hear, with a similar color palette and visual appeal to Girls’ Generation’s FOREVER1 that was recently released. However, The Boyz play on to their unique charms with animation and props. The dance is strong and subtly sexy to go with the lyrics, but still fits the playful vibe of the song.

“Bump & Love” is a track of dissonance, but somehow it works. The vocals are very smooth with intense reverb at key moments, but what’s interesting is the music underneath—heavy chords with record scratch-style synths to offset the 808s. With all of that, it would seem like the song would be difficult to listen to, but it all fits together in a very interesting, cohesive way. It almost seems like the original idea was a ballad and they decided to flip it on its head. Overall, an intense but heartfelt song about strength in love. 

“C.O.D.E” is surprisingly cute while still sticking with the heavy bass synth theme. The lyrics take a mathematical approach to love with ideas like “1+1=1” because it all adds up. It’s a concept that has been used through the years, but The Boyz add their own fresh take on love in numbers.

After lulling listeners into a sense of soft love with “C.O.D.E,” the boy group goes straight for the jugular with “Levitating.” The song is sexy and smooth from the moment it starts. It entices you with a simple rhythm and vocalization, and then the beat hits. It’s reminiscent of “Love Shot” by EXO, but doesn’t push to the point of being a copy. This song is on point with not just the music, but each vocal part and rap flows perfectly.

If “Levitating” is a 180-degree flip from “C.O.D.E,” then “Survive The Night'' is a 90-degree jump off the ledge. It comes in with a thick guitar and a beautiful, reverbed vocal run that carries through the entire song. Soft and sweet, it is not one to skip. 

BE AWARE starts and ends with the perfect songs. Just like with “WHISPER,” as soon as “Timeless” starts, it’s already got a hold on its listener. It’s the type of song that would fit in any Disney movie or romantic K-Drama and has a few surprises to keep it fresh without being sickly sweet. It’s upbeat and bubbly in a way that closes out the mini-album on a high note and makes anyone want to start from the beginning again.

Check out the music video for “WHISPER” below!

Edited by Erin Rupprecht