NEWBEAT’s Debut Full Album Makes a RAW AND RAD First Impression
Debuts never pan out as a simple, predictable task. Beat Interactive’s latest boy group, NEWBEAT, went through many changes during years of pre-debut development. They were teased as NEWBEAT in 2023, rebranded to HinLOVE in 2024, performed international busking activities, and finalized their original name in 2025. After undergoing pre-debut activities for two years, the group finally got to release their first album on March 24. Park Minseok, Hong Minsung, Jeon Yeoyeojeong, Choi Seohyun, Kim Taeyang, Jo Yunhu, and Kim Riwoo launched their careers with the 11-track album RAW AND RAD.
TRACKLIST:
“Intro : RAW AND RAD(feat. Khundi Panda)(Prod. Maalib)”
“Sounds like Money”
“JeLLo(Sleepers)”
“HICCUPS”
“You,Me +,-”
“Flip the Coin” [Title]
“F.L.Y(Fu**ing Lovely, Lonely Youth)”
“Wonder”
“We Are Young”
“Outro : ZERO-SUM GAME
“High&Lows (Hi&Love)” [CD only]
The Pre-Releases: “JeLLo (Sleepers)” and “HICCUPS”
NEWBEAT used “JeLLo (Sleepers)” and “HICCUPS” to preview their concept and sound. Released with short music videos, these songs make NEWBEAT’s old-school hip-hop influence clear. NEWBEAT has a loud and resolute confidence. They plan to shake the world “like an earthquake.”
The group’s spooky yet curious concept comes courtesy of creative directors Rima Yoon and Bee Park. Yoon heads production studio Rigend Film, and Park serves as a creative director at visual and design studio Kalabika; They worked together on aespa’s award-winning “Armageddon” music video, which Yoon directed and Park contributed to as a “creative assist.” In short, NEWBEAT is in good hands with an intriguing creative direction.
The Title Track: “Flip the Coin”
NEWBEAT fights inside a futuristic fantasy world in “Flip the Coin.” This title track “depicts how differing perspectives shape our views,” according to a Helix Publicity press release. The instrumental’s low bass works together with the drums to give it a mysterious and defiant feeling. There is some initial unease, but NEWBEAT’s powerful shouts and the small addition of electric guitar give it a surge of confidence.
The aesthetic of “Flip the Coin” is a unique fusion of science fiction and mythological elements. The members adorn small horns and jagged, metal-like wings for the appearance of fashionable devils. These visual elements give the music video an extra edge.
The Full Album: Empowering Youth
In addition to the previously discussed tracks, NEWBEAT provides eight more songs in RAW AND RAD. As reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily, the group collaborated with The Blue Tree Foundation, a school violence prevention organization, to create songs that support “young people going through tough times.” NEWBEAT showcases relatable messages in songs like the ballad “F.L.Y(Fu**ing Lovely, Lonely Youth),” produced by BTOB’s Hyunsik. Its lyrics focus on the “beauty and loneliness of youth,” as stated in a Helix Publicity press release.
The track following it also deserves some spotlight; “Wonder” is a solo song by member Jeong Yeoyeojeong. Yeoyeojeong, formerly Yeojeong of TO1, sings about a boy and girl questioning where their relationship stands. NEWBEAT reinforces determination in the rock song “We Are Young” before transitioning into the EP’s outro. The last song is titled “Outro : ZERO-SUM GAME” but this album proves that listeners will gain something from it. NEWBEAT surely has my attention going forward.
Edited by Joi Berry