P1Harmony’s HARMONY : ALL IN: Album Review
This is a bustling and feel-good album that encourages every listener to join the ride!
HARMONY : ALL IN is both emblematic of P1Harmony’s group concept and a testament to each member’s solo star power. Each song strikes a balance between individual spotlights and time for them to shine as a unit. They ensure listeners get a chance to shine too, with lyrics akin to pep talks and vast potential for daydreaming about singing along to these songs live someday! P1Harmony’s genuine desire to hype both each other and the listeners up makes the listening experience a joyful and unifying one.
A Track-by-Track Recap
The opening track is the main single, “JUMP,” which has catchy whistling and an addictive beat. It is bound to be a future concert opening number, rousing listeners with chanting and a count of “1, 2, 3, 4!” Various ad libs and sound effects compound the fun. Singers and rappers get separate chances to shine in the verses, while the choruses prove the strength of their unison moments.
“Love Me For Me” somehow manages to channel a low-key vibe while staying fast-paced. It has ascendant pre-choruses, thrilling raps, and a playful piano. The group’s strengths are accentuated at the very end, when fantastic vocals and engaging raps collide.
“New Classic” has some of the more eccentric choices. “If you want it, then change,” they say, before practicing what they preach with a funky beat drop and sudden switch to whispering. There are both back-and-forth lines and one-at-a-time raps; “New Classic” highlights both the members’ compatibility and solo strengths.
“More Than Words” lives up to its title: random sounds and ad libs are constantly thrown at the listener! These could easily distract from the member’s raw talent but do not, and KEEHO particularly impresses with his ability to tune out the business while moving into different pitches. The bridge is brief but still packs in energetic rapping and admirable singing.
“Heartbeat Drum” is another track bound to be a hype-generating must on future concert setlists. The song has the catchiest, bounciest beat out of all the new songs and further entertains with chanting and jump-worthy choruses. Once again, they make time for both quirky raps and impressive vocals. The song ends on a high, with another rapid-fire lyric exchange between members before a breathless second of silence and a thrilling beat drop.
“I Am You” concludes the album and is anything but a generic slow song. It justifies its place in this album with memorable details, such as guitar riffs and more effortless lyrical back-and-forths. In the second half, the layering of ad libs in the background and high-register, pleasant voices in the foreground speak to the fullness within even P1Harmony’s most ballad-like material.
Thematically, “I Am You” strikes a similar tone to “Love Me For Me.” Lyrics in the former include “Just be you,” “So let me dry your tears tonight,” and “I feel the way that you feel.” In “Love Me For Me,” they say things like “Nobody can love me like I do” and “There’s nothing like self-love!” These two songs add emotional depth to a celebratory atmosphere. Rather than just sing about having a good time, P1Harmony remind listeners that they deserve this good time, and they go “all in” to make it happen!
What Makes This Release Work
Some of P1Harmony’s secret sauce lies in their dynamism. They show off powerhouse vocals in one moment and flex rapping finesse in the next. The group’s natural chemistry keeps the switch-ups fluid; what could easily turn into disjointed messes instead become engaging conversations. The members feed off of one another’s energies, sometimes by finishing each other’s lyrical sentences.
In addition to an intuitive rapport, this album effectively brings the energy thanks to P1Harmony’s authenticity. Whether rapping about having a good time or singing something sentimental, they do so with earnestness and enthusiasm.
With genuine talent combined with genuine expressions, it is no wonder P1Harmony’s music resonates widely. Listeners recognize the realness when P1Harmony shout about wanting to have a party or when they get serious and stress the importance of valuing oneself. P1Harmony give listeners permission to give themselves grace, let loose, and soak in some musical mayhem! HARMONY : ALL IN is an invitation to forget about one’s troubles for a quick and guilt-free dance party!
Conclusion
HARMONY : ALL IN is a little bit of everything. It is a roller coaster of sounds and expressions but a cohesive listening experience. It shows a determination to have a blast but also has some deeper feelings. It demonstrates prolific singing and rapping skills alike, as well as the ability to pivot from one to the other on a dime, and there is no competition among members for the spotlight. P1Harmony’s synergy has never been stronger, allowing their messages to successfully land. Those who check out this release will end up with a new pep in their steps and an understanding of what makes this group worth going “all in” on supporting.
Stay tuned for more P1Harmony coverage from 17 Carat K-Pop soon, and catch up on past coverage here!
Photo courtesy of FNC Entertainment.