Writer: Raj Nandini (Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Editor: Kakuamani Navya Sri (Hyderabad, Telangana, India)
ENHYPEN continues to spin their tale of blood and vampires, but this time, the venom is sweet.
ENHYPEN released ORANGE BLOOD album following their last release, DARK BLOOD on November 17, 2023. However, this album takes a brighter note, accepting and reveling in the dark side. It also features two other versions of the title track, “Sweet Venom” the English version and a collaborative version with the Philippine-American singer Bella Poarch. Let’s take a deeper look into this album!
MORTAL
ORANGE BLOOD starts with a poem in three languages they are Korean, English, and Japanese. The verses express the devotion to mortality and the juxtaposition of its frailty and beauty. It celebrates the transience of life, asking the listeners to live in the present rather than dwell on the past or the future.
SWEET VENOM
The space moves in a loop; with every verse, the members alternate into dynamic spots while the rest of the surroundings remain static. Donning low-waisted jeans and tap shoes, they emulate the retro Jacksonian vibes as they dance to the funky rhythm of the song. Fearless and adventurous, they are ready to dive into the doom. It’s a relatively short track, falling at the two-and-a-half-minute mark with the potential of being an inescapable bop. The boys also highlight their singing prowess with entrancing falsettos.
STILL MONSTER
The Pop-Ballad takes inspiration from Latin Pop as the lyrics ask for acceptance of their true selves from the listeners. The boys come to terms with their insecurities and expect others to accept them the way they are. It’s a slow number, highlighting the carried-over theme from their previous album and the relatively new soundscape they have ventured into.
BLIND
Staying true to the style of their existing discography, the song brings out synthwave with snare percussion while featuring an anti-drop and mingling beat switches. It’s easily one of the best B-sides of ENHYPEN. The theme remains the same – heading towards love with outstretched hands without care, accepting destiny. Needless to say, it’s worth noting how Heeseung set himself apart in this song with his vocals.
ORANGE FLOWER (YOU COMPLETE ME)
If they had been asking for love and acceptance throughout the four tracks, the final track gives them a successful ending. As the title suggests, the boys finally find the one whose love brings them salvation, lifts the curse from them, and completes them and their quest. The album ends on an optimistic, soft note, hinting at the budding romance.
CONCLUSION
When we listen to the Orange Blood album, it makes us feel much warmer and reminds us how precious love is because time is limited. In this album, the music is way easier to listen to on repeat. What are your thoughts on the album? Do share your favourite track with us in the comments below!
