On Sept. 16, K-Pop group Seventeen released its  third full album, An Ode. The album, preceded by weeks of anticipation following the release of its digital single, “Hit” on Aug. 5, broke numerous records, rising to No. 1 on iTunes K-Pop Album charts in 24 regions less than a day following the release. 

Was the anticipation worth it? 

HIT

At first, I wasn’t a fan of this song; it is different from what Seventeen has done before, and I was not sure if it is a good different. However, after listening to it more, I gained an appreciation for it, especially the lyrics; Ironically, “HIT” is a pop song that makes fun of the methodical success of pop music. This sets the tone for the entire album, as Seventeen continues to step out of its comfort zone into a style of music new to it. 

Lie Again

I fell in love with “Lie Again” the second I heard it – the EDM style of the song isn’t new, but unlike its usual EDM songs, the group makes it soft, reflecting the story it tells of lying to a lover. The song plays well to its strengths of strong dance beats and falsettos. 

Fear 

“Fear” is a drastic change for Seventeen. The group is known for doing light pop songs, so having its title track have such a dark theme, both in the song and the music video, is a shocking move for Seventeen. I like the message of being afraid to love, but feel the aesthetics of the music video overshadow the song. It’s a good listen, but I won’t have it on repeat anytime soon. 

Let me hear you say

This song is perfect for fans of Seventeen’s older music, sticking to the themes of sweet love it had in previous albums. “Let me hear you say” is, unsurprisingly, EDM, but it still separates itself from typical EDM songs, creating an enticing, catchy chorus, and has a heavier focus on the actual vocals and rap than the music. 

247

“247” is the Performance Unit (the dancers) song, but you wouldn’t be able to tell on the first listen – it’s a soft, acoustic track about loneliness and looking for love. The song focuses more on vocals than rap, something different for the unit, but it is executed well. 

Second Life

“Second Life” is the Vocal Unit (the vocalists) song, so I expected something soft and gentle – while it is not, it is still a fun, relatable song about second chances. It’s not my favorite Vocal Unit track, but I enjoy it nonetheless. My only complaint is, compared to the rest of the album, the song could’ve do a better job exhibiting the talents of these members. 

Network Love 

If you’re a dancer, this song is for you. Its beat is addicting, with well-written lyrics about a complicated, interwoven love. Every time I listen, I cannot help but feel the urge to jump around and dance. 

Back it up

As much as I love Seventeen’s Hip-Hop unit (the rappers), I do not like this song. It’s an attack on the ears, with the members basically screaming into the microphone about what success means to them. The pre-chorus provides a nice breath of air, but overall, it is a skip for me. 

Lucky 

“Lucky” is the ultimate hype song about finding the good in everything, and is hard not to love. The song returns to the pop sounds of Seventeen’s earlier songs, with some rock influences present in the chorus. My only issue is the bridge, which is a soft vocal interlude that does not fit the song.  

Snap Shoot

When I first listened, I had to double-check to see if it was still Seventeen, because the intro is that different from what the group usually does. Its acapella intro of the members scatting did not sit right with me at first, but I have grown to appreciate it, as well as the rest of the song. Overall, it is enjoyable. 

Happy Ending- Korean Version 

“Happy Ending” is not new to fans, as the Japanese version released in May, but the Korean version is still a nice addition to the album. I love the build-up of the pre-chorus, and while the song is not my favorite, there are few problems with its composition. It does a great job of highlighting the variety of talents Seventeen has. 

While some songs were hits and some were misses, one thing Seventeen consistently presented throughout the album is change – Seventeen chose to remake its light image into a serious one, a shift I was wary of at first, but grew to love.