Song Review:: BTOB: Hi Beautiful

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  • Release date: 2024 December 30
  • Album tracklist: Hi Beautiful
  • Album runtime: 3 minutes

The timing for this song was unfortunate, so there is no music video yet. After the mourning period is finished, I'll update this if one is released.

BTOB continues their new trend of releasing a single a month, which I believe will happen for at least the next little bit until they can get their next album out. I could be wrong, so don't quote me on that. But ending the year with the Healers of K-Pop is a good way to end it anyway, so even if they don't continue it through January, I'm okay with this for the presents they gave us already. I'm a little disappointed it's under three minutes, but at least it's close.

I really want to talk about their vocals, but I'll stick to my pattern and do the instrumentals first. I have a shout-out to give to Minhyuk, as this one is his song, rather than Hyunsik's. He's credited as lyricist and composer, and apparently did the chorus vocals for the song, which is delightful for those of us who are me. But that also means he gets to share the credit with AFTRCHCK and NF for the song. We have my favorite thing in the form of audience participation snapping at the beginning, but that really sets the tone for the instrumentals that are stable with surprising changes to the rhythm. There are some notes that are held longer than you'd expect, which reminds me a little of stepping on a small icy patch where your steps stutter because you've slid, but the non-ice hits your shoe quickly so you don't actually fall. Except this is unsettling in a good way.

One thing that is very obvious with these singles that they've released is they're designed and built to be able to support the inclusion of the absent members when they return. But, breaking it down, Peniel sings the bridge, and I couldn't be happier for him. Leaving CUBE has really allowed him to spread his wings a little, musically speaking. He raps during the second verse as well, and he does as well as I expect him, but him singing? That's a delightful surprise. And Minhyuk also sings! He closes the song out, and if I'm being entirely honest, I'm in love with the tune of the outro independently of who sings it, but he does such a good job anyway. And the final chorus? I cannot wait to hear it with the member combo it's supposed to have.



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