n.SSign Makes Their Long-Awaited Debut With "Wormhole: New Track"
Following the end of the survival show Stars Awakening and a few lineup changes, n.SSign has made their long-awaited debut! The 10-member group under n.CH Entertainment made their official debut on August 9 with their debut album BIRTH OF COSMO. For promotions of their debut album, it was announced that member Hyun would be absent due to health reasons, but shared that he is recovering and will join the group once their promotions are over.
Prior to their official debut, the group released two pre-debut mini-albums: SALTY and its repackage album Monologue, featuring the vocal track "Monologue" which shows their smooth yet piercing vocals.
The group formed through Korea's Channel A and Japan's ABEMA to debut either as an idol group or a single soloist. With the idol group winning, n.SSign was formed! Their debut album BIRTH OF COSMO features five new tracks and three instrumentals.
Tracklist:
“Higher”
“Wormhole: New Track”
“SPICE”
“Melody”
“Home”
“SPICE (Inst.)”
“Melody (Inst.)”
“Home (inst.)”
BIRTH OF COSMO begins with their pre-release single "Higher." The start of the track leads with an atmospheric undertone, with voices carrying the melody as the track opens up their cosmic concept. The new planet being spoken about in the beginning is the group’s reintroduction to the fans.
The introduction of “Wormhole: New Track” takes you into a jack-in-the-box, with the winding of the handle preparing you for the eerie track about to take over. Not only do the diminished chords make listeners feel the spooky texture of the track, but the way in which the track progresses feels as if you're falling down a spiral in a daze, a non-stop path. “Wormhole: New Track” gives both the rappers and singers the chance to show off their abilities, particularly in the second verse and the bridge.
The spiral sentiment doesn't only exist within the track, but also within the music video. When comparing the group's lighter sound to “Wormhole: New Track,” the dark and eerie atmosphere is symbolized with the members removing their masks, showing their new identities.
The winding of the jac-k-in-the box was physically created within the choreo, making their performance interesting right from the beginning. The dark track with visuals to match is definitely one that fans will revisit in the later months of the year, when the sky gets dark earlier and the days get colder.
BIRTH OF COSMO began with two songs with new sounds and a concept that n.SSign have fully embraced. As the album continues, listeners are welcomed with "SPICE," a track which sounds more familiar to those who have followed the group from their pre-debut to now.
Despite the title, "SPICE" feels very sweet, from the theatre-esque keyboard and the shaker to the cheers in unison. All elements of the track combine to create a track you can almost bite. This track is my personal favorite. Following this, “Melody” leaves fans feeling as though they're laying under a clear blue sky, as its light yet upbeat melody progresses from start to end.
Following these four songs, the album ends with "Home," a soulful track that shows the group's vocal presence. BIRTH OF COSMO ends on a hopeful note, with lyrics explaining that fans can look out for them in times of worry and find home within them. The project then comes to the end with the instrumental versions of "SPICE,” "Melody," and "Home.”
While their pre-debut albums showcased a lighter sound for the group, n.SSign have shown through their debut that assumptions can't be made with them. What you hear isn't always what you get, and they are ready to show different sides to themselves with BIRTH OF COSMO being just that.
BIRTH OF COSMO is available now on Spotify and all streaming platforms.