The moment every girl group fan has been waiting for is finally here–the queens of K-Pop are back after five years with a new album! Girls' Generation released FOREVER 1 on August 5. Previously, the eight active members took a break from the group to pursue their own projects, whether that was acting, music, business, or modeling. In that time, they made names for themselves individually, and the solo accomplishments of these idols can not be downplayed. However, they all made it clear through the years that they were not done with Girls' Generation. They came back together to make their seventh album, containing the titular single “FOREVER 1” and its corresponding music video.

Girls' Generation prove that even time can’t hurt a group that’s meant to be together. They left no scraps with this 10 song album, from “FOREVER 1,” a song that is quintessential Girls' Generation with its upbeat pop melody and emphasis on harmonies, all the way to “You Better Run,” a more innovative sound that actually reminds us that this group has always pushed boundaries (like “I Got A Boy”). Each individual song stands on its own, with incredible production and vocals. It seems like they started the album with a bang and let it mellow out as it goes. By the time “Mood Lamp” starts playing, the vibe has changed completely. That slower, smoother feeling carries on in “Summer Night” and “Freedom.” The last song “Paper Plane” combines all the best parts of the rest of the album. It has the collective, layered vocals and a more ballad-like production to create a great outro song.

There is a maturity and confidence to this album, which is expected from a group that has developed their sound through fifteen years together, and the music video only highlights this. The members are still as stunning as ever, but now they have an individuality about them that makes watching this video even more fun. They pay homage to their solo lives by depicting luxurious plane rides, limos, photoshoots, and more, all interlaced with scenes of the whole group dancing and celebrating together. It’s a bright and colorful video that matches the song perfectly. Check it out below!