[Review] Dreamcatcher’s ‘VirtuouS’ is an ode to JUSTICE
Dreamcatcher fights for JUSTICE in their 10th mini album, ‘VirtuouS.’
Image: Happyface Entertainment.
The 3rd-gen pop-rock band is back with another banger. While their 9th Mini Album ‘VillanS’, left fans in shock due to its departure from their usual style, ‘VirtuouS’ has brought back the Dreamcatcher-comfort fans love.
Dreamcatcher's 10th mini album, ‘VirtuouS’, written by Dreamcatcher’s main music producer Ollounder, is a cohesive collection where every song works together to promote one theme: justice.
For most K-pop albums, the designated intro songs are either shorter or not intro-like at all. However, Dreamcatcher continued their legacy by giving fans a long intro — three minutes and 55 seconds, to be exact, even longer than the one on their previous album.
The dreamy instrumental intro track, "Intro: 7' Dreamcatcher," slowly picks up the pace and gets louder and bolder, encapsulating the album's vibe beautifully. Arranged and composed by Chu Ha Young, LAKOV, Ollounder, Song Ha Young, and Tankzzo, "Intro: 7' Dreamcatcher" is a solid intro that has the capability of shining on its own.
"JUSTICE," the title track, is entirely opposite to the intro in terms of musicality. It’s loud, it’s rock, and it’s Dreamcatcher! The EDM-influenced chorus: ‘Justice makes me fight / Fight / Justice makes me fight / Fight / Justice makes me alive’ is strong and energizes the listener.
Starting with a moody guitar, the third song on this mini album is "STΦMP!" Again, the song is rock with powerful vocals and even more powerful lyrics.
Even though the song is only three minutes long, due to the repetitive vocals, it feels longer, and unfortunately not in a good way. The pre-chorus is the best part of the song, sung by Yoohyeon, JiU, and Dami. It cuts through the loud instrumentals, giving an otherwise fast-paced song a moment to breathe.
The only two words needed to describe "2 Rings" are sassy and confident. The vocals in this song, in particular, exude confidence, and when you look at the lyrics, you understand why: ‘Run to the peak, to the place I wanted / Pull full throttle in, this moment, unstoppable / Game changer, I'll play with this board / Too dangerous, but never mind, I can handle it.’ The chorus of this song might be the catchiest on the entire album.
Among other Dreamcatcher traditions, one is to end every mini album with a beautiful ballad, and "Fireflies" perfectly fulfills this role. As the longest song on the album, it starts with mellow piano and features melodious vocals that make you emotional. "Fireflies" was the right song to end this album.
With ‘VirtuouS’, Dreamcatcher cemented their place in the K-pop industry with their typical confident rock feel. The group’s fandom InSomnia will surely be grateful for another solid comeback by their favourite female septet.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham