23

6

Original Content

[ALBUM & MV REVIEW] SEVENTEEN - '; [Semicolon]'

AKP STAFF
Posted by Lorr-Ye Tuesday, October 27, 2020

[This review reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of allkpop.]

Track List:

1. HOME;RUN

2. Do Re Mi

3. HEY BUDDY

4. Light a Flame

5. AH! LOVE

6. All My Love

SEVENTEEN returns to the scene with a splash debuting their newest special album entitled; [Semicolon]. This group has a characteristic liveliness and synchronization that allows them to shine differently from their counterparts, and the title track, "HOME;RUN," reflects just that. The song boasts a nostalgic feel with an upbeat and vivacious vocal arrangement. Is this song necessarily a home run? No- but it's like a slide into 3rd. "HOME;RUN" just isn't their most memorable single, especially after the impressionable "Left & Right" last comeback.

The next four songs on this six-song release are sub-unit songs starting with Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. "Do Re Mi" is a mid-tempo pop song with a little bit of trap flare that's ultimately very gentle on the ears all-around. Track 2 features The 8, Mingyu, and DK on a song called, "HEY BUDDY." The track is on-brand for this quarter's funk and retro-inspired comebacks, so I can't say I'm surprised that SEVENTEEN followed suit, as they're actually a group that's very suited for this concept.



Track 4, "Light a Flame," by Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, and Woozi is a little bit of Latin-inspired flair mixed into what's been an easy-listening album so far. Smooth, suave, and sophisticated, this sub-unit is a strong one and one of my preferred sub-unit tracks on this album. The last sub-unit track, "Ah! Love" by S.Coups, Jeonghan, and Joshua takes my trophy for the album's best song by a mile. The 90's pop-inspired acoustic styling of the instrumental complement their honey butter sweet vocals perfectly. "All My Love," the other full-group song on this album, rounds out this release with a song that feels like the equivalent of a gentle hug after a bout of depression. SEVENTEEN has successfully applied a cute Avengers Band-Aid over the wound the pandemic has left on fans worldwide with this release.

MV REVIEW

I have to say, I've been dying for a 'gambling'/'old Hollywood' concept in this quarter, but I've only really received disco/funk throwbacks. This MV is as close as I've gotten thus far, so luckily, I can now say I'm satiated for now. SEVENTEEN's MV for "HOME;RUN" picks up in continuity from their last release ("Left & Right") with S.Coup's car crash. The members go through the music video searching for a precious diamond, and the video is as big in personality as the group itself.

The MV has a great plotline with well-thought-out and intended continuity that doesn't feel cringey or forced. The group has a retro and nostalgic feel that works well for them as a concept musically on their album and visually in their music video. Paired with the big band influence in "HOME;RUN," the perfect balance of theatrical 'acting' and signature uniformity in their choreography strikes a delicate balance that only SEVENTEEN can achieve.

SCORE:

MV Relevance…..10

MV Production…..9

MV Concept……..9

MV Score: 9.3

Album Production…...7

Album Concept……...8

Tracklisting…………...7

Album Score: 7.3

Overall: 8.3

Listen on Apple Music
  1. Seventeen
0 8,731 Share 79% Upvoted

allkpop in your Inbox

THE TOP 10 STORIES DELIVERED DAILY
Kim Jong Kook, Yoo Jae Suk
Kim Jong Kook
Kim Jong Kook
Kim Tae Hee
Kim Tae Hee
NTX
misc.
Cha Eun Woo
BTS, V
Kim Da Mi, Shin Ye Eun
NTX
BTS, V
Cha Eun Woo
BLACKPINK, Jennie
misc.
New Message

SEND