K-Album Review: “Seventeenth Heaven” by SEVENTEEN

Writer: Raj Nandini (Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Editor: Ankita Panda (Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) went full festive for their second comeback of the year with the album Seventeenth Heaven, released on the 23rd of October, 2023. Following the release of the FML album earlier this year, the album continues to keep up that exuberant energy, true to their very own style.

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Along with the resident producers, Bumzu and Woozi, one of the tracks also features Marshmello as a producer. True to its name, this 7-track wonder is sure to give you a taste of musical paradise.

THE TRACKS

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SOS (Prod. Marshmello)

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The album starts off with a strong message right at the beginning — fight the monotony and never give up, no matter how harsh the world might be. This English track features fast-paced, resonant beats, following in the footsteps of Jersey Club, along with rock elements that emerge in the chorus. Produced by the American DJ Marshmello, the EDM bass is enough to get you in the groove. 

We gotta run away from the dangerous thoughts that come our way

Come lean your back on me, us together, we can stand up straight

We’re gonna be okay, our tomorrow is a brighter day

I’ll be there by your side, yeah

God of Music

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God of Music (음악의 신) feels like SEVENTEEN’s victory lap, spanning all their glorious years in one song. With the lively brass, upbeat synth with the ‘Kung chi pak chi‘ hook, these 4 minutes of soul-funk goodness are reminiscent of their rookie days, a welcome celebration of K-pop! 

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No matter the language, music always brings people together, and the song revels in this verity. Even the music video is no less of a party, with members rejoicing in the festive atmosphere. The scene where SEVENTEEN’s microphone travels through the space shows them being grateful for the existence of music.

All over the world, ah

A universal language

Different alphabets

But no matter as long as there’s music (Oh)

We can’t communicate with words

But with music

We can be best friends

From now on

Diamond Days

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The iconic opening, ‘Slip into the diamond life‘, is back, as splendid as ever, to show how far SEVENTEEN has come from their humble beginnings. Its electro-rave counterpart to their debut album classic, ‘Shining Diamond ’, tells their promise to stay together with each other and their fans, Carats.

You still shine brighter than anyone else beyond familiarity

Even as time (Even as time) goes by

Your light will never fade, ayy

Slip into the diamond life

Back 2 Back

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This track is a grainy electronic synth number that will put you on your feet. It’s the Performance Unit’ (The8, Jun, Hoshi, and Dino) song produced with TAK, who is especially known for his punchy works with NCT127. The snappy intro almost sounds like an opening to a video game, continuing with heartwarming lyrics, confessing how they don’t regret loving the one they serenade to.

Ay, you know what, I don’t regret it

Because it’s you, win or die here

You know what, I don’t regret it

Because I was the one who ran to you

If I am out of breath means

It means my heart is full

If my heart is racing

It means “we are one”

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Monster

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Staying true to the October festivities, a Halloween treat comes from the Hip-Hop Unit (SCoups, Vernon, Mingyu, and Wonwoo). A Tim Burton-esque soundscape with the classic screams and screeches, this trippy trap song features a brag rap with references to our favorite Halloween monsters – Frankenstein, goblins, and more. This song is an instant trick-or-treat hit with Vernon’s striking opening:

Where my goblins? Where my Draculas?

This the anthem, throw your claws up

Stadium door to stadium door

Hit the jackpot, this a trick or treat tour

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Yawn

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After many upbeat tracks, we head to a soft piano ballad Yawn (하품) from the Vocal Unit (Joshua, Woozi, Jeonghan, DK, and Seungkwan), who poetically share the pain of suffering through hardships alone. In this comforting, subdued piece, we slowly move to the augmentation of elegant instrumentation with drums and strings joining the piano melody. 

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The lyrics had moved Seungkwan to tears, as mentioned in one of his interviews. Woozi wrote these lyrics in hopes that people would find comfort in this piece, and it truly does.

Don’t hate yourself

You know it was a good choice

You couldn’t even tell me, it must’ve hurt so much

You must have been suffering alone

There’s no way I wouldn’t know

Because you are my breath

Do not feel sorry

It’s just like a yawn when it is not enough

Headliner

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The last track on the album brings the nostalgia felt at the end of a festival. It’s an ode to fans from SEVENTEEN; however, this time, CARATs are the headliners whom SEVENTEEN anticipate and wait for. It’s a beautiful reciprocation of love and admiration to fans with an Arena Rock soundscape on steadfast drums. It makes the perfect track to end an album with. They even performed this emotionally beautiful song at the UNESCO Youth Forum in 2023. 

I’ll sing (Sing) along to you (Along to you), the same melody (Oh)

I cry and laugh (Cry and laugh) along with you (Along with you)

This night where I give all my love

How beautiful

Because you’re my headliner, my headliner

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And there you have it, a short review of SEVENTEEN’s Seventeenth Heaven. Share your thoughts and favorite song from the album in the comments below!