It doesn’t take lengthy going into ‘Second Wind’ to grasp why BSS would make an album like this. All through their years in SEVENTEEN, the subunit of Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi have been chaos incarnate, infusing the group’s dynamics with hilarity. It is smart that their first launch in 5 years could be a document that exudes infinite, sunny optimism.
In racing, ‘Second Wind’ refers to a phenomenon the place the runner – after nearly giving in to bone-breaking exhaustion – finds a brand new burst of vitality and energy to press on. Over the three tracks of this single album, which dropped February 6, BSS evaluate life to an onerous race, honing in on three key moments within the day the place we would want an additional increase. They intention to turn out to be the ‘Second Wind’ beneath our wings, encouraging us to go on, take yet one more step and persevere.
The ‘final every day operating combine’, as they’ve known as it, kicks off with ‘Combating’ that includes NME 100 rapper Lee Younger-ji. This lead single captures the dread all of us really feel within the mornings on the prospect of a protracted day forward. Impressed by the Korean time period used to encourage folks by difficult conditions, the track’s association of bouncy drums and funky rhythms works higher than a shot of caffeine.
That’s particularly as a result of BSS eschew the misinformed positivity that so usually riddles conversations in regards to the hopelessness of life. As a substitute of forcing poisonous optimism down our throats, they’re the chums who’re additionally in the identical boat, reframing the platitudes we’re so used to listening to: “We’re taking part in this crumpled life like / Some down-on-his-luck Beethoven / Preserve calm and play on the following motion / We acquired loads extra pages left to play”.
We transfer then to ‘LUNCH’, when post-meal drowsiness units in and second ideas about whether or not you really want your job return in full power. To not fear: driving in on a neo-soul-inspired R&B association, BSS cheer the listener on – with intelligent throwbacks to a few of SEVENTEEN’s songs – in direction of the top of the day. Whereas the track earns factors for its buoyancy, the vitality hits a plateau and fizzles out in direction of the top, notably on account of the considerably repetitive development.
However BSS get well from this stumble effortlessly on ‘7 PM’. Impressed by the weariness of one other arduous day, the challenge retires its in any other case cheerful sound for a extra comforting strategy. The trio’s complementary voices wrap round you want a hug, absorbing the after-hours anxieties with sort phrases.
As soon as once more, as an alternative of counting on hole optimism, BSS shock the listener with clear-eyed lyrics: “I’m tryna keep afloat however I’m in deep / I’m attempting to remain floating, however I’m falling / Oh I’m so drained I can’t even sleep. Oh, I’m too drained to go to sleep/ Oh and I by no means prioritise my desires and desires.” A heartwarming, welcoming image materialises as their voices play off of one another. “It’s been a protracted day/ Nevertheless it’s OK / However that’s all proper/ As a result of at 7 o’clock, you’ll be right here with me,” they are saying. After the day you’ve had, ‘Second Wind’ will really feel like coming residence.