P1Harmony – Killin’ It (Album Review)

The hotly anticipated 1st full album by explosive K-Pop boy band P1Harmony shows listeners exactly what they’re all about; addictive melodic hooks, a suavely clean-cut image and an abundance of spunky attitude.

After shaking the industry with the release of 6 mini albums packed full of edgy fusions of dance, hip-hop and R&B, and memorable collaborations with singer-songwriter Pink Sweat$ and British pop group New Hope Club, the sextet are finally ready to deliver a full album of punchy bangers to their loyal fans and listeners.

Title track ‘Killin’ It’ is the song that kicks off the album’s 10 tracks with thrilling vocal dexterity and an ever-chantable chorus. An ode to the band’s slick self-confidence and unwavering pride in their versatile talents, the quirkiness of this track beautifully and unapologetically captures the youthful spirit that keeps the heart of P1Harmony beating. Not only are the vocal performances by skilful vocalists Keeho and Theo A-Tier, as expected, but due respect should also be paid to perhaps the industry’s most underrated gem, Kim Jongseob. With his position as a rapper as well as the group’s youngest member, at just 18 years old Jongseob’s unmistakable flow and charisma delivering his thunderous rap in the 2nd verse is both impressive and already characteristic of this young talent. As the boys chant in the chorus “You already know, we’re killing it”, listeners won’t be able to help agreeing.

Smooth R&B crooner ‘Late Night Calls’ displays the group’s flexibility in genre and their flawless ability to seamlessly shift from the energetic and hardcore to the mature and poignant. While the song’s minimalistic acoustic guitar-led instrumental lends the track a sultry slow-burn vibe, the tell-tale passion and driving force of the group is still prevalent in the song’s honeyed vocals and hypnotic beat that pulses subtly throughout the song.

‘Everybody Clap’ is a return to familiar form for P1Harmony, where the members’ striking adlibs, vocal runs and dynamic raps take centre stage in this fist-pumping bop. Encouraging all their listeners to get up and dance (“Everybody hands up!”) and lose all their inhibitions in this dance-pop anthem, the band sound as confident as ever flaunting the high-powered sound that they do best.

On the flip side of this, the band explore a more sensitive and subdued vibe on ‘Love Story’, which is immediately enchanting in its sweetly soft vocal harmonies and delicate acoustic instrumental. Fans will no doubt feel as though they are floating on a cloud while listening to this song; a welcome change of pace for a group whose most notable releases lean more towards a savage sense of style and a gritty combination of hip-hop and dance-pop.

‘Countdown To Love’ and ‘Emergency’ are, besides the title track, the standout dance tracks in the album with their upbeat and lively party beats. In the former, the member’s fevered shouts and spirited calls of “It’s the countdown to love, let’s throw a party when it is done!” really hype up the playful atmosphere created in the track, while a groovy guitar riff on ‘Emergency’ infects the listener with its carefree burst of energy and instantly addictive melody.

The cool ‘2Nite’ is driven by a deliciously compelling bass line which melds pleasingly with the distinctly soulful voices of the vocalists as well as the rapid-fire bursts of immaculate rap verses. Fans will above all find its rousing and repetitive lyrics “Oh no here we go, ra ta ta ta on the floor” immediately memorable through all of the timeless swagger and self-assurance that the group effortlessly exude here. ‘Let Me Love You’ expresses a similar air of coolness through the song’s bopping chorus and smoothly sung lyrics “Let me love you, you should just let me adore you”. In addition to this, there is an element of old-school R&B integrated into the track’s colourful verses, adding even more intrigue to a song that from the beginning promises listeners a raving good time.

Closing tracks ‘Street Star’ and ‘I See U’ finish the album with just the right balance of savage and sweet. ‘Street Star’s hyper synths and blistering verses gives fans absolutely no respite from the group’s bold brand of fiery hip-hop, while ‘I See U’s mellow vocals and leisurely beat rounds off the album with a touching message of love for the fans.

Score/Excellent: The 1st full album is finally here and it’s everything we could have asked for and more. While ‘Killin It’ still clearly draws from the swaggering confidence, skilful rapping and goosebump-worthy vocals of their debut, it showcases so much more than that. With the group sounding as tight and polished as ever, ‘Killin’ It’ is an ode to how far the boys have come, and is proof of the fact that their versatile charms still enthral us years later.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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