[Review] P1Harmony’s 7th Mini Album ‘SAD SONG’

K-pop powerhouse P1Harmony is back with their latest hit “SAD SONG,” and it’s anything but.

Image: P1Harmony on Twitter/X.

What happens when superheroes have problems of their own? This is the question South Korean group, P1Harmony, have come to answer in their new mini album SAD SONG.

Released on 20 September 2024, SAD SONG holds seven new songs, including one unit song and an English version of the title track with the same name as the album. 

Starting the album with their title track “SAD SONG,” it’s evident that P1Harmony have truly found their sound. This track has the same hip-hop and pop detailing as past title tracks “Back Down” and “Killin’ It,” but it’s more grounded in the group’s personality and growth.

From the funky intro to Theo’s bridge, if there’s one song that could describe the overall aura of P1Harmony’s music, it’d be this one. 

The bright beat juxtaposes the meaning, a composition that we’ve never received from the group in a title track. Delving into the truth behind the lyrics, we hear them sing: “My heart is all black and blues, I have another truth / Yeah, make 'em wanna dance, I rise up again.” Facing their audience with the ugly truth, P1Harmony is being blatantly honest about the hardships of their work as singers and heroes. 

Watch the official music video for "SAD SONG" here.

Within their lore, P1Harmony has come to this world to bring “love and peace.” For fans, this is an accomplishment they already possess, but the group hopes to continue.

The second song on the album, “It’s Alright,” is another fresh take on the familiar P1Harmony sound. The song focuses on being your own best friend and not letting loneliness take over.

Similar to the title track, it also holds an opposing beat and meaning. “It’s Alright” approaches a new genre frontier for the group with slight reggae, Latin, and old-school pop influence. Over a groovy beat, Keeho sings: “I don’t wonder, I don’t wonder who cares” repetitively with a swing in his vocals adding an addictive tone.

P1Harmony were able to show their versatility through “It’s Alright” while simultaneously creating a smooth and spirited track.  

The P1Harmony experience 

We can’t say that P1Harmony made “Welcome To” and “Last Call” specifically for the opening and encore of a fourth tour, but we can hope. “Last Call” is incredibly reminiscent of early 2010s boy bands like One Direction and has similar vocals to Jiung’s cover of “Girlfriend” by Avril Lavigne. 

From the guitar intro to quickening pace leading up to the chorus, they’ve perfected the nostalgic sound of the 2010s. It’s also an exciting moment for fans as group member Soul has many lines throughout the song, showcasing his confidence and talent that fans are eager to see. 

Image: P1Harmony on Twitter/X.

“Welcome To” is a slightly theatrical pop song with a moderate tempo, perfect for those who are just getting into P1Harmony. It showcases every member's talents with adlibs from Soul, a rap from Intak and Jongseob, showstopping vocals from Theo and Jiung, and incredible riffs from Keeho. 

This is a song that is practically begging to be performed on stage. We don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t listened, but it’s an immediate addition to every playlist.

While the fifth and sixth songs on the album are polar opposites, they’re incredible in their respective ways. If any K-drama is searching for their next famous soundtrack song, they’ve found it with “All You.” 

With sweet lyrics like: “You're the only one who understands / There's no one else but you,” who could resist the charms of P1Harmony? Featuring a piano, a twinkling intro, and a cheerful tone throughout, if you’re looking to find an end of year love, this song is perfect. 

With the end of “All You” the album switches into the groups first unit song, “WASP,” by rappers Intak and Jongseob. Encapsulating everything this duo is about, “WASP” is an intense hip-hop track about going for what you want and trying to stay at the top. The song gets its name from the fact that the rap is all about the determination of a wasp, always on the lookout for prey and up for a challenge. 

After the rapper duo teamed up for a stage on their P1oneer World Tour, fans were impatiently awaiting more. From their flow to the overall aesthetic matched with the song, Intak and Jongseob came to impress, but P1ece expected nothing less. 

Ending the album with an English version of the title track, P1Harmony's 7th mini album is complete. But as they said in “Welcome To,” this is only chapter two, and we can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us. 

Edited by Chelsea Cheetham. 

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