Sayart.net - BoyNextDoor Returns with Soulful EP ′WHY..′ Reflecting on First Love′s End

KOZ ENTERTAINMENT

In a heartfelt musical journey, the boy band BoyNextDoor has been winning hearts since their debut in May, projecting an image of relatable and down-to-earth individuals. Now, they're back with their latest EP, "WHY..," which delves into the turmoil of emotions following their first heartbreak. This compelling release dropped on Monday, marking a significant step in their artistic evolution.

The six-track EP "WHY.." boasts three brand-new tracks, including "Crying," "But Sometimes," and "ABCDLOVE," accompanied by three selections from their debut EP – "But I Like You," "One and Only," and "Serenade." The EP continues a narrative that began with their debut single, "WHO!," where they candidly express the emotional turmoil of a breakup that resonates with people of their age.

During a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, ahead of the album's release, member Riwoo emphasized, "We prepared both albums together and we treat them as one [big] album," with Woonhak adding, "If you keep that in mind when listening to our new album, I think you'll be able to see the connected storyline."

BoyNextDoor continues their tradition of self-production, with Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak contributing to all three of the new songs. They aimed to encapsulate the honest yet intricate feelings of a first breakup, infusing their unique BoyNextDoor essence into the music.

Jaehyun explained, "Everyone has different ways of reacting to breakups. I think people our age will find it hard to accept it like a true adult. That’s the feelings we wanted to convey in the lead track, the raw feelings that only young people can have." To make their songs more relatable, the trio sought to incorporate their real-life speech into their music.

Renowned producer, singer-songwriter, rapper, and founder of KOZ Entertainment, Zico, once again played a pivotal role in the band's album production. Jaehyun shared, "Producer Zico gave us a lot of advice during the production of the album," highlighting their collaborative work on the lyrics. He added, "Producer Zico gave us advice, as a fellow artist in the industry."

While BoyNextDoor appreciates their current identity as "the boy band produced by Zico," the members aspire to be recognized for their unique artistry in the future. Riwoo expressed, "Getting mentioned as the boy band produced by Zico is good, as we are being talked about at the same time, but I do wish we get the moniker of 'BoyNextDoor' who you can trust to listen to." Jaehyun echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their growth alongside their dedicated fanbase as a noteworthy title to achieve.

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