A Celestial Return For Xdinary Heroes in Latest Mini-Album, DEAD AND

Xdinary Heroes dropped their brand new mini-album, DEAD AND, on April 17, playing on the phrase “dead end” where, for Xdinary Heroes, goodbyes are not the end but the start of new beginnings, with the album featuring seven tracks that each focus on the theme of “farewell.”

The songs of DEAD AND combine raw emotion with great storytelling and awe-inspiring performances, with each song continuing to show Xdinary Heroes's reign as a formidable rock band. “Helium Balloon” opens the album, rising with tender melody and moving lyrics before landing in an anime sphere with the upbeat, OST-sounding “No Cool Kids Zone.” “Hurt So Good” follows, injecting an industrial rock sound into the album, with both the sound and the lyrics being darker and more mature, before “Rise High Rise” raises the energy, combining hard rock with an electronic backdrop, ready for “KTM” to introduce a nostalgic punk-rock charm before DEAD AND closes the door with the soft, emotionally charged, ballad sounds of “X room.” 

But, it is the second song, “Voyager” that takes off as DEAD AND's title track, inspired by NASA's Voyager 1 space probe that has been travelling, and communicating from, interstellar space since 1977. As with any Xdinary Heroes song, the vocals in “Voyager” are strong with a beautiful melodic flow that excellently dances along the intricate arrangement, balancing gentle touches with an impactful rock spirit.

With its soft yet powerful production, “Voyager” feels distinctively Xdinary Heroes; even without understanding a single word of Korean, the release conveys intense emotions with an anthemic spirit that cements the song’s message of togetherness even when separated, becoming another heartfelt and inspiring track on Xdinary Heroes's list–one that is guaranteed to become a fan favorite during any upcoming Xdinary Heroes live show. 

The music video for “Voyager” emphasises its message with stunning, space-themed visuals that see the members performing out in space with Jun Han being the main character in the story. The celestial backdrops, visual storytelling, and the song, all beautifully come together to create a sentimental piece of work that will forever remain special for Villains and the Xdinary Heroes members combined, with “Voyager” and DEAD AND being a comeback not to miss out on.

Edited by Cara Musashi