It may be summertime, but the vampire vibes continue with the return of ENHYPEN’s 2nd Studio Album ‘ROMANCE: UNTOLD,’ released on July 12th.
A Unique Debut and Concept
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ENHYPEN debuted in November 2020 through the survival show I-LAND. From the very start, the group established their concept capturing many fans, beginning their career with the album “BORDER: DAY ONE.” Since then, the group has dedicated themselves to a dark storyline involving vampires through each release, from concept photos and albums to concept films, music videos, and even the music itself. Their popularity saw a remarkable increase with the release of their single, ‘FEVER,’ in 2021 with their album “BORDER: CARNIVAL.” The single has amassed over 341 million streams on Spotify and 116 million views on YouTube.
The Members
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The group is made up of seven individuals who worked hard on the survival show to make their dreams come true, contributing to the success they enjoy today. Jungwon (2004), Heeseung (2001), Jay (2002), Jake (2002), Sunghoon (2002), Sunoo (2003), and Ni-ki (2005) each bring their unique talents and dedication to the group, forming a cohesive and dynamic unit.
The UNTOLD Storyline
The anticipated album continues the storyline in their UNTOLD Concept video, an 11-minute cinematic piece that delved deeply into the narrative of the vampires’ search, creating a major buzz on social media. The story continues as they agree to find Chloe, the representative of ENGENE and the only human who ever helped them. However, they encounter trouble, building up the action of the story, which ties into their WEBTOON “Dark Moon: The Dark Alter.” The group also had a cinema premiere for the album release.
Many fans were already calling it the biggest comeback:
Concept Photos and Versions
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The album presents four versions of concept photos that perfectly capture the mix of the album: INCEPTIO, ARCANUM, CONCESSIO, and ENGENE.
Title Track: “XO (Only If You Say Yes)”
The title track, “XO (Only If You Say Yes),” diverges from ENHYPEN’s usual sound, offering a fresh addition to their discography. The song’s lyrics align well with the ongoing storyline of a person in love, perfectly depicted in the music video where Sunghoon stops time to confess his feelings to Chloe, leaving his romance untold. The tune is simple yet catchy, making it a standout track. The album even includes a version featuring JVKE.
Album Review
The album begins with the soft, catchy rhythm of “Moonstruck,” leading to a heavenly chorus that has quickly become a fan favorite. As the album progresses, it offers a mix of genres mixed together with pop. Tracks like “Paranormal” seamlessly integrate the group’s concept of love with their vampire theme. The album concludes with “Highway 1009,” a song where all the members contributed to the lyrics, making it a deeply personal track for fans and a touching way to wrap up the album.
A Twitter user expressed their love for the album by sharing that they saved every song.
Courtesy of Google Enhypen Official Twitter
ENHYPEN continues to push the boundaries of their dark, vampire-themed narrative, captivating fans with their unique storytelling and musical talent. ‘ROMANCE: UNTOLD’ is yet another testament to their dedication and creativity, being a standout release in their discography.
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