ARrC Begins their Story with Debut EP AR^C
MYSTIC STORY’s first boy group has made their debut. ARrC, which stands for “Always Remember the Real Connection,” debuted on August 19 with the five-track EP AR^C. Their title track “S&S (sour and sweet)” creates a unique debut with its Greek fable concept and mix of music genres.
Tracklist:
“S&S (sour and sweet)”
“light up”
“shadow”
“duality”
“dummy (nu skull mix)”
The Members
ARrC consists of seven members: Kien, Hyunmin, Ziwoo, Choi Han, Rioto, Doha, and Jibeen. Like many new groups, some members garnered a following pre-debut. Hyunmin previously appeared on Mnet’s Boys Planet as Jellyfish Entertainment trainee Park Hyunbeen. He ranked no. 48 on the show. Ziwoo appeared on the tenth season of I Can See Your Voice, where he wowed by singing MAKTUB’s “Marry Me.”
As a way to get to know them better, the group’s first variety show WORLD OF ARrC premiered on July 17. On July 15 and 18, the ARrC unveiled two previews of their future tracks “connected” and “alien in Seoul.” According to the YouTube videos' descriptions, both tracks will be included in ARrC’s “second comeback album.”
The Pre-Release: “dummy”
The world heard ARrC’s first full track “dummy” on July 25. This hip-hop release focuses heavily on rap and sharp choreography moves. “dummy” comes from the efforts of Purple (also known as K-hip-hop producer Oviz), DEUK, HYUN, and Rick Bridges—the latter known for his work with groups like NCT and KISS OF LIFE. The song sends a message to shed a fake image formed from pressure by staying true to oneself. ARrC says that people don’t need to heed to the demands of a “dummy.” As the pre chorus goes, “we are not perfect / tell me if you close your eyes, would all the problems go away? / that’s impossible / don’t you know it’s time to choose?”*
The Title Track: “S&S (sour and sweet)
“S&S (sour and sweet)” gives listeners another taste of ARrC’s vision. The song and video’s concept derives from Aesop’s The Fox and the Grapes, a tale of a fox trying to eat grapes from vines beyond their reach. The fox rationalizes their inability to get the grapes by saying “I am sure they are sour.” Instead of backing away, ARrC scoffs at this mentality: they respond with lyrics such as “baby, all you’ve done so far is only giving a look” and “you play it down saying that’s how it’ll taste / think you know it at all? No, you don’t.” They challenge the story’s outcome by saying that hard effort makes victories taste sweeter. Songwriters Jinli and Youra rewrite the tale with a message of encouragement to try again.*
The song’s composition also carries many flavors. From the minds of Benjamin 55, Young Chance, Stary 55, and gxxdkelvin, “S&S (sour and sweet)” combines hip-hop, pop, and electronic beats. Though the chorus’s prominent bass initially sounds disorienting, the jump between genres gives off that sour and sweet feeling.
The Tasteful B-Sides
The group’s debut EP AR^C comes packed with four B-sides. “light up” continues ARrC’s hip-hop-influenced sound with a rap-heavy, yet soft, song. The EP’s third track “shadow” is easily my favorite. I love this dreamy jazzy sound that I usually associate with Billlie and GWSN, other groups shaped by creative director and Mystic Story president Jungsu Peacedelic Han. “shadow” gives off that relaxed and magical sound I immediately vibe with.
“duality” tries to convey a laid back vibe, but it includes a particularly high pitched noise that makes it personally hard to relax with. This is the only song I don’t see myself revisiting. A “nu skull mix” of “dummy” closes out the EP. I’m not sure what the “nu skull” genre is, but I’m guessing it mixes “new school” (hip-hop) with a spooky feeling. This nu skull mix feels unique and refreshing, especially since it doesn’t follow the recent “sped up version” trend of remixes tacked at the end of EPs.
*Note: Lyrics taken from English captions in the official music videos.
Edited by Cara Musashi