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The fans of Beast rejoice as the group releases their new full length album, Highlight. With Jang Hyun Seung leaving the group to be a solo artist, Beast made the fans feel that they’re in this together even through the rough times. The members had their own share of writing and composing some of the songs in the album, but most of it was written by the talented Yong Jun Hyung. Highlight is a beautifully crafted album with poetry and creativity, which I deem is the most dramatic comeback of their career.
Track 1 – 하이라이트 (Highlight)
Title track Highlight has surprising elements as Beast mixes acoustic guitar sounds with electronic synths in a swag-filled song. The booming bass, sharp rap, chanting voices, and belting vocals all add up to a pleasant concoction of catchiness.
Track 2 – 리본 (Ribbon)
Ribbon is the pop and R&B title track written by Beast’s very own Yong Jun Hyung. The inspiration for this track is an unusual yet creative story. Jun Hyung, while at the hotel, was wearing a bathrobe as he went out of his room. As he was walking, his bathrobe’s belt suddenly got loose. He quickly returned to his room and wondered why it loosened up when he tightly tied it. That’s when he got the idea of connecting a bathrobe’s belt to love. This song has a strings and synth combination which made me feel like I was listening to a world class orchestra. Ribbon is like a mix of their previous songs, with the sorrowful piano from 12:30, the strong and powerful beat from Good Luck, and the synths from the chorus of Beautiful. All of these fit really well with the violin, making this track one of the highlights of this album.
Track 3 – Butterfly
Another beautifully crafted song follows with Butterfly, a ballad with a variety in its soundspace. At first, the song starts with simple instrumentals as it fills out towards the chorus, which slows things down once again. Then the much awaited climax happens after the bridge, which is definitely worth the wait with Yoseob’s graceful falsetto and high notes paired wonderfully with Dong Woon’s strong but soft vocals, leaving me wanting to listen to this track again.
Track 4 – 연습 중 (Practice)
Jun Hyung co-wrote and composed this track with Yoseob. Practice is a lounge-like song with more rap parts than the other songs. It seems like Beast is experimenting with different types of elements, as this track infuses a bit of an R&B feel with the smooth rapping, making it a nice transition song after the sadness brought on by Butterfly.
Track 5 – When I…
Beast does it again as they combine the style of western rap songs of the 2000’s with the mid-tempo melody you’d usually hear from western ballads. Though I do appreciate the variety in the tempo and the uncommon combination, When I… just didn’t get on the same level with me as Butterfly. Also, with this track following the impressive Practice, it didn’t catch my attention.
Track 6 – 궁금해 (Curious)
Lee Gi Kwang had a part in writing and composing this track along with Jun Hyung. Yoseob’s vocals really shine in this easy listening track. Unlike the title suggested, Curious didn’t get me intrigued as only Yoseob’s voice was highlighted, while the melody can easily fade from your mind.
Track 7 – Found You
Singer song-writer Jun Hyung got a song of his own on Highlight with Found You. The jazzy electric guitar, funky bass, and futuristic synths combine well with Jun Hyung’s strong rapping, making this the perfect song to pick you up from the previous sad songs.
Track 8 – Baby It’s You
The title made me think that this was going to be a ballad from Doo Joon and Gi Kwang. But as soon as it started, it turns out to be an all out pop rock song with a really fun and danceable beat. With some catchy cheers in the chorus, Baby It’s You would be the type of song you’d jump and dance along to in a concert while colorful confetti bursts from the stage.
Track 9 – 나와 (With Me)
Yoseob is in charge this time as he wrote and composed this song along with Gyuberlake. Much like Practice, With Me also has a lounge-like feel, but this is more enjoyable to me because the synths are much softer here. It also has that carefree feeling reminding me of a warm and cozy day.
Track 10 – I’ll Give You My All
The maknae, Son Dong Woon, is in the spotlight here with him solo singing and writing I’ll Give You My All. Though it has some similarities with Yoseob’s solo song, With me, the addition of the electric guitar gives it an easy listening feel. Dong Woon’s vocals left my heart jumping, but I think the melody is just a mix of the other songs in the album — nothing too creative.
Track 11 – 잘 자요 (Lullaby)
Beast says good night as they end the album beautifully with a relaxing piano-filled song. Lullaby toned down the synths and added an acoustic guitar with some finger snaps. No high notes, no random rap — just a pure and simple easy listening track. It’s a classy song that brings peace and calm to my mind, closing out Highlight nicely.
Track 12 – 리본 (Ribbon) (Inst.)
Not reviewed.
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