Kep1er Completes Their Japanese Discography in First Full Album Kep1going
With months left in their contract, Kep1er has released their first and final Japanese album Kep1going. Kep1going serves as an 18-track Japanese compilation album, including all their original Japanese title tracks and B-sides, Japanese versions of their Korean title tracks, and Japanese versions of Korean B-sides from past releases. Due to Kep1going’s overlap with much of the group’s pre-existing discography, this review only focuses on all the new content. Anyone looking for a debrief on their previous Japanese releases can check out an overview of Kep1er’s Japanese discography, published in November for The Kraze’s Ladies Corner column.
Tracklist (bolded names indicate new songs):
“Straight Line”
“Grand Prix”
“We Fresh (Japanese version)”
“Up! (Japanese version)”
“WA DA DA (Japanese version)”
“MVSK (Japanese version)”
“Celebrate”
“Highlight”
“Cruise”
“Giddy (Japanese version)”
“Galileo (Japanese version)”
“Wing Wing”
“I do! Do you?”
“Sugar”
“Don’t Lose Your Smile”
“WA DA DA (Japanese version)~IMLAY Remix~”
“Daisy”
“tOgether fOrever”
“Straight Line”
“Straight Line” is anything but linear. This track composed by Jung Hohyun (e.one), JJEAN, and Andy Love contains sprinklings of Latin pop, R&B, and hip-hop. Jung, JJEAN, and Love previously worked together composing “Love on Lock,” the third track from Kep1er’s fifth Korean EP Magic Hour.
The instrumental jumps genres, though I view that as more of an asset than something detrimental. Something about this combination feels more cohesive than other Kep1er “genre jumping” tracks that come to mind (“WA DA DA” and “We Fresh,” I’m looking at you). “Straight Line” starts with some gentle guitar with a Xiaoting, Yujin, and Yeseo intro, before jumping into a very brief dubstep instrumental as Mashiro chimes in. The “Don’t stop, don’t stop tonight / Making me feel so right” section adds in some playful brass, with trumpets that don’t feel too overbearing. It’s as if they are accentuating a continual momentum.
The “straight line” refers to the trajectory the lyrics discuss. Written by Ellie Love, Mashiro, Rose Blueming, and Yu Sena, the lyrics talk about chasing one’s dreams with unfaltering drive. No matter the ups and downs encountered, it says they “won’t change direction.”
Unit Tracks: “Celebrate,” “Highlight,” and “Cruise”
The first of the unit tracks on Kep1going comes “Celebrate,” which includes Dayeon, Hikaru, and Youngeun. Dayeon and Hikaru join forces again after Magic Hour’s unit song “TAPE.” Composed by Willie Weeks, Paulina ‘PAU’ Cerrilla, and Kyler Niko, this track is built for dancing. It’s got an addictive beat, and Dayeon, Hikaru, and Youngeun’s voices provide a nice balance. The interspersing of raps with Youngeun’s beautiful singing makes this track my favorite out of the units.
The second unit track, “Highlight,” features the other half of the “TAPE” group: Mashiro, Chaehyun, and Huening Bahiyyih. The composition by Johan Gustafsson, Maia Wright, and BLVSH creates a dreamy atmosphere. It carries a soothing feeling.
Yujin, Xiaoting, and Yeseo form the unit for “Cruise,” which gives the vibe of cruising around the city. As seen from the trio’s contributions to Magic Hour’s “Tropical Light,” soft-sounding tracks fit their voices well. The composition by FLUM3N, Maria Marcus, and chegim conveys its city pop influence. To sum it up, “Celebrate” feels like the mood during a party, “Cruise” feels like the mood driving back home, and “Highlight” feels like the mood settling down for the night. The new tracks on Kep1going round out Kep1er’s Japanese discography well, and I wish the group had more time to add to it—simply because their Japanese discography is fantastic.
The Rest of Kep1er’s Career
With nearly two-and-a-half years passed since the group’s January 2022 debut, this means Kep1going signals the final stretch of Kep1er’s career. While Kep1er will supposedly make their final Korean comeback this month, no date has been confirmed as of writing this review. MHN Sports reported back in January that they will disband on July 3rd.
However, after their planned disbandment, Kep1er still has activities planned for mid-July. They will hold their final concert, also named Kep1going, in Japan from July 13 to 15. Perhaps that concert will end with “Don’t Lose Your Smile,” the final new Japanese B-side.
It suits the type of sentimental moments that often happen at concerts. Composers KZ, Kim Taeyeong, DINT, Charlotte Wilson, and Rachael Chevlin knew what they were doing. The track uses a simple acoustic guitar instrumental, while the group sings many of the lyrics collectively. It feels like a final send-off while comforting fans to keep smiling despite the end of the group’s career.
Edited by Vivian N.