Every excellent SEVENTEEN song begins with ‘Seventeen right here.’ But how does one describe Seventeen’s discography without veering into sentimentalism or turning it into a thesis? The 13 members are now reminding everyone of their immense talent with their latest release, 17 IS RIGH HERE. This box set of greatest hits is a proud display cabinet presenting their best work, from their 2015 debut to the present day. Across two discs, it offers a comprehensive exploration of their repertoire, featuring thirty tracks, including twenty Korean lead tracks, eight Korean renditions of their Japanese hits, and an instrumental version of Adore U. For new fans, it acts as an excellent history book and a roadmap to understanding the elements that have launched them to fame and sold-out arenas.

And of course, no comeback would be complete without brand-new songs. As expected, producer, and lead vocalist Woozi, along with in-house producer Bumzu, have once again come together to deliver magic. Their latest creations – Maestro, LALALI, Spell, and Cheers to Youth – introduce us to their current style and sound. 

The new title track, Maestro, clearly affirms the one word that many would associate with Woozi. Known for his great producing skills, he shows them on this track by conjuring up another hit similar to a magical wizard who has created a wonderfully delectable mix of sounds. Have you ever been to a party where the fun was dwindling? Well, Maestro is the energy boost everyone needs. The thrilling techno beat sweeps you up in its conducting power, hook after hook: “Never lose the good vibe / Good life, we go global / Don’t lose the good vibe / Following the maestro’s lead.” With its powerful sound and strong Seventeen vibe, this couldn’t have been a better title track to launch the album with. 

One major trick that SEVENTEEN always have up their sleeve is how to flaunt their abilities with unit songs, effectively demonstrating a wide musical style and experimentation with various genres. As usual, the Hip-hop team once again impresses with their latest track, LALALI. With Vernon’s rapid fiery delivery, it sets the stage for the next batch of songs.

Cheers to Youth offers another perspective; if one were to get deep, it encourages reflection about one’s self. Despite its fairytale-like sound, the song starts off softly, delivering the delicate vocals of Hoshi and Dokyeom. However, it takes on a surprisingly cheerful tempo, with the base leading into a lively chorus. Nevertheless, music always has the power to bring people together, and this is a big strength SEVENTEEN emphasise in their songwriting: “It just so happens we’re meeting for the first time today / even if you hate yourself more from the deeply hurtful remarks you said / Let’s not worry about it / With our voices, wherever we are, let’s sing/ Cheers to youth.” Rather than dictate our emotions, the song embraces these thoughts, allowing us to acknowledge our imperfections, worries, and hardships. To me, SEVENTEEN always balance the happiness and fun in life, but they also know how to create emotionally raw music that is realistic in today’s world that we can all relate to, and this is exactly what they’ve done on this track. 

SEVENTEEN’s music defines description; they refuse to be confined to one genre. If you’re looking for angsty lyrics to help overcome the monotony of everyday life, then the Hip-hop unit displays self-assurance and stands confidently waiting to snap you out of it with their blazing lyrics, exemplified in tracks such as F**k My Life. Yet, it is the track Fear that captures what SEVENTEEN are about, as if you want your rap balanced out with impeccable vocals, then the vocal team is on hand to wow. Sprinkle in the performance team, and they’ve barely scratched the surface of their potential. Additional talking points are needed to highlight the variety of their discography, which features a wide range of hits, including the fan favourite Very Nice, to then experiencing the warmth of Dokyeom and Seungkwan insane vocals during Rock With U.

What SEVENTEEN have created is comparable to a customised music box to celebrate their nine years in their own special way. With the group’s fame and fortune continuing to soar, they’re motivated more than ever. As expressed in 2023’s  손오공 Super, they’ve taken time to honour their accomplishments and show gratitude towards each other: “I love my team / I love my crew /We already made it this high / I love my team, it’s all thanks to you.” I, for one, am excited to see what they have in store for Carats for the rest of 2024.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}