Review: SuperM supercharges dance floors with super album
SuperM, 'œSuper One" (SM Entertainment/Capitol Records)
The K-pop group SuperM go big on their first studio album 'œSuper One,'ť with familiar rhythms but also bold choices.
The newest septet on the block leans heavily on SM Entertainment's tried and tested manual of success, but with more English in the mix. While sub-groups are nothing new in K-pop, this supergroup's talent is nothing to be trifled with, its members hailing from EXO, SHINee, NCT 127 and WayV. The new album is a power music map to the nearest dance floor, with 15 addictive tracks to keep one busy till dawn.
Their most obvious influence in terms of sound is EXO's electric, cinematic pop (a genre unto itself really). The singles 'œTiger Inside'ť and 'œ100'ť bring some of that unsettling energy to the fore. 'œTiger Inside" has a distorted bass and tubular effects that try to emulate the sound of a roar, while 'œ100'ť - co-written by band member Mark - sounds like Optimus Prime found himself in some hot action.
'œOne (Monster & Infinity)" mixes pugnacious R&B, trumpets and trap. 'œLine '~Em Up'ť finds its Middle Eastern groove with a happy flute. And 'œTogether at Home'ť rocks with a retro '~90s bass.
The few slow songs on the record don't drag things down: 'œSo Long'ť is sensual, 'œBetter Days'ť is an earnest piano ballad and 'œWish You Were Here'ť has a mellow reggae flow.
Simply put, SuperM is super on 'œSuper One.'ť