Release Date: April 2nd, 2018
TRACKLIST
- OFF-ROAD
- 빛나리 (Shine)
- 생각해 (Think About You)
- 재밌겠다 (Do It For Fun) | RAP-UNIT SOLO
- 보낼 수밖에 (Nothing I Can Do)
- 함께 가자 우리 (Let’s Go Together)
Total Runtime: 00:21:00
Recommended For: Those looking for a bright, easy-going EP full of tracks with catchy hooks and a generally laid-back sound. Also, if you are looking to get into PENTAGON, then I definitely suggest checking out this comeback.
NOT Recommended For: People looking for a more experimental sound overall, or those primarily interested in intense instrumentals or vocalization.
TRACK 01 | OFF-ROAD
Moving straight into the album, we have the opening track, OFF-ROAD. Instantly we are met with a stronger instrumental, which is only heightened by the softer vocals present in the beginning of the song.
While the vocals aren’t as intense as the instrumental, we are welcomed by rap verses from the 1:31 to 1:54 mark that add in some extra flair to the track. During E’Dawn’s rap verse the instrumental is much less prominent, however it successfully builds up during Yuto’s verse, which then leads directly into another pre-chorus then chorus.
Nearing the end of the track we have another rap, this time coming from Wooseok, at the 3:00 mark. This verse builds up right into a small pause, and then the song instantly dives into the final chorus. Overall, OFF-ROAD is clear and crisp, and while it may not be the most intriguing track, it works well as a safe introduction to Positive.
TRACK 02 | 빛나리 (Shine)
Positive’s title track is the quirky and upbeat sound of Shine. Right off the bat we are welcomed by a playful piano melody, followed by the introduction of both rap and vocal verses right after.
The unique vocal colours presented by the members are really the highlight of the track. Each distinctive tone adds an extra flavour, showing off the individualities of each PENTAGON member. With some higher-pitched, more nasally tones like E’Dawn’s, much deeper voices like Yuto’s, or even the beautiful singing brought on by members like Hui and Jinho, the boys of PENTAGON are able to easily distinguish themselves both with their own unique sound, as well as an interesting collective. This strong vocal presence really helps the listener feel engaged, as it brings a lot of personality to the track.
Diving into the chorus, we have the addictive “jjijiri jjijiri“ hook. This is by far the catchiest part of the song, working nicely as a crutch for listeners who don’t speak Korean to recognize since it’s very easy to remember. Shine’s chorus is the epitome of playful, and its upbeat nature is complimented by the memorable hook and cheerful instrumentation.
Moving further into the song, at the 2:41 mark we are met with energetic group chanting, during the lines “Love you love you love you, like you like you like you!“. I find that this works very well as it hypes up the track without forcing it to stray too far away from the original sound or instrumentation, maintaining the general vibe of the song. We can also hear more of this chanting placed right before the song’s closing, starting at the 3:02 mark. The group chanting ends the song off on a strong note, as it unites all the unique vocal colors from the members and places them together for the listener to enjoy.
I’ve listened to PENTAGON’s entire discography, and I would honestly have to say that Shine is their best title track yet. The mixture between the instrumental and vocals works well to create a sound that is charming and unique to their own, playing off of each member’s distinctive sound while complimenting the fun and upbeat instrumentation. I’ve had this track on repeat since it came out, and if you’re looking to get into PENTAGON, I highly suggest you give Shine a listen!
TRACK 03 | 생각해 (Think About You)
After the energetic vibe of Shine, the mood gets toned down for Think About You. Laid-back and relaxing, this track is cute and cheery. The shimmering instrumental is complimented by the gentle vocals, as the members happily sing their way throughout the song.
Like the rest of the tracks on the album, there are rap verses intermittently placed during the song. I enjoy this particularly on tracks like Think About You, mainly because it keeps the track from becoming boring since it’s quite straightforward in its approach.
There isn’t much to say about Think About You, asides from the fact that it’s light and easygoing. The hook to the track – “na saenggakhae neol saenggakhae, jam mot deune geudae saenggage” is cute and endearing, and overall the song fits nicely with the rest of the themes on the album.
TRACK 04 | 재밌겠다 (Do It For Fun) | RAP UNIT
Asides from Shine, I am certain that Do It For Fun is my favourite track on the album. Brought to us by PENTAGON’s rap unit, E’Dawn, Yuto, and Wooseok put together a chill yet addictively catchy performance.
The best part of this track would have to be the interesting vocal colours presented by the rappers. Each member has a distinct sound that not only helps you distinguish between who is who, but it also spices up the song as all three of them are able to showcase their individuality through their respective parts. All three of the rappers have a strong presence on the song and this is only heightened by the laid-back instrumental.
While the instrumentation tends to build up in certain parts of the song, it’s overall toned down and doesn’t steal the spotlight from the members’ verses, giving them the opportunity to take the stage front and centre. The simplistic chorus is a nice break in between the rap verses, as it gives the listener a breather so the track isn’t too overwhelmed solely by rap.
Ending the song on a strong note, around the 2:28 mark the track is includes a strong chanting from all of the rap line, heightening the energy and hyping up the track. After this part we are welcomed by a few more verses until each member gets a closing line to finish off the track. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Do It For Fun, the rap unit really stole the show with this track and it makes me excited to see more from them on future albums.
TRACK 05 | 보낼 수밖에 (Nothing I Can Do)
Nothing I Can Do is very gentle, as it’s soft instrumental is carried by a passionate vocal performance. Mellow in style, the flowing piano melody is accompanied by a steady drum beat. The instrumentation is toned down, without much experimentation or changes in tone or pace.
Notching I Can Do features rap verses littered here and there, however it’s clear that the real spotlight is on the vocalists. This is where the instrumentation plays a great role in accentuating the members vocals without overshadowing them.
While it may not be as energetic compared to other tracks on the album, it is a great opportunity for the vocalists to showcase their abilities while producing a quality slow jam. If you’re a fan of sweet, easy-going tracks then I’m sure you would be interested in Nothing I Can Do.
TRACK 06 | 함께 가자 우리 (Let’s Go Together)
Coming to a close on the album, we are met with Let’s Go Together. This song instantly grabbed my attention thanks to its bright instrumental.
This track has a great balance of everything I’m generally looking for in a song. The instrumental is charming and fun, however it doesn’t drown out the singers, and instead blends nicely with the verses. The crisp vocals mix well with the upbeat instrumentation, resulting in a refreshing sound altogether. We also have some lines coming from the rap unit, and I especially enjoyed E’Dawn’s opening rap verse, as it immediately draws in the listener and works as an easy segue for the vocalists to take over.
Let’s Go Together perfectly sums up the themes on Positive, it’s chill and laid-back, yet still engaging enough to not lose the listener. The hook is catchy, and the verses in-between each chorus can easily hold its own. It’s a great track to end the album on, as it’s memorable both as a standalone track as well as a representative of the album itself.
Overall, Positive was charming and refreshing. This album had me wanting more from PENTAGON, and I was enjoying myself throughout. My favourite tracks would definitely have to be Shine and Do It For Fun, however each different song on the album has something great to offer!
great review Lei! I agree that ”Shine” is their best track up to date and I’ve been listening it frequently. I’ll check out the other songs soon too <3