Author: Abby Graham
SEVENTEEN is a popular Korean pop boy group consisting of members S.COUPS, JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, JUN, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, MINGYU, THE8, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON, and DINO. Since their debut in 2015, they have topped charts in both Korea and the United States. Their newest mini-album is sure to continue that streak of success. On October 14, 2024, SEVENTEEN released their latest mini album, SPILL THE FEELS, which features six songs: “Eyes on You,” “LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled),” “1 TO 13,” “Candy,” “Rain,” and “Water.” This album is, without a doubt, one of the best releases this month, filled with loving, sweet tracks, and full of my favorite things (like Candy, Rain, and Water). Unfortunately, because JEONGHAN (the eldest member) recently began his mandatory military service and JUN is returning to China for his acting, both will not be performing with the group, but they are still featured in the songs.
As for the songs themselves—they ate! But is that really a surprise? I’ve never once heard a SEVENTEEN song and thought, “Hmm.” The first track, “Eyes on You,” is the perfect opener. It’s a song about getting to know someone and falling in love with them during moonlit walks. My only “hmm” with it is the line, “Who let the dogs out after midnight?” Not sure about that one, babes. “LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled)” caught me completely off guard. DJ Khaled was an unexpected collaborator, but the track turned out great! I assumed it would be one of my least favorites (since I usually lean towards the hip-hop unit’s songs), but it quickly became a favorite. The music video (linked below) opens with the phrase, “Choosing love over money and fame is easy to say, but hard to do,” emphasizing the struggle between love and the temptations of fame and money. The video shows the members, except for JEONGHAN, in difficult situations—like car crashes and robberies—but they don’t let anything stop them. They grab roses and skip away, proving their love. DJ Khaled also makes an appearance! He just points, but it’s fun! Overall, “LOVE, MONEY, FAME” is high-energy, with an eccentric tempo and meaningful lyrics. Though JEONGHAN and JUN aren’t involved in the choreography due to their absence, they still look great in the music video.
The next four songs eat. No bad reviews here! “1 TO 13” has to be one of my favorites. It’s a heartfelt track that reflects on the group’s past, with lines like “I used all 13 parts of my heart” (a nod to the 13 members). It has a slight “disbandment song” vibe, which, uh-oh there, but aside from that, it’s a rhythmic, touching song that reminds you of how much SEVENTEEN means to their fans and to each other. It also almost makes you forget that they likely won’t be a complete group until 2030. HAHA. Now onto the unit songs. Everyone cheered! The Vocal Unit’s “Candy” is a slow, sentimental track about how even a brief moment with someone you love can brighten your day—like candy. The Performance Unit brings us “Rain,” an R&B-tinged song about missing someone so much that you hide your tears in the rain. Finally, the Hip-Hop Unit delivers once again with “Water,” a hopeful, upbeat song that lifts the mood and brings joy to a once sad situation, reminding you to trust someone who won’t let you down.
I love this album for two reasons: First, SEVENTEEN has never disappointed when it comes to releasing new music. While I’m not their biggest fan, I love their creativity and the fact that they produce their own music—something rare in the industry. They’ve truly crafted their own unique sound. Second, this album feels like a love letter to the group itself. With most of the members nearing military service, this will be the first time in 12 years that they won’t be together as a full group. SPILL THE FEELS seems like a way of saying, “I’m still here, don’t forget about me.” It’s a beautiful sentiment. If you enjoy songs that are both meaningful and sonically powerful, give this album a listen. I guarantee it’ll blow your socks off (maybe you were the one who let their dogs out at midnight…). Oh, and all the guys are wearing muscle tanks in the music video, so if that’s your thing (which I know it is, don’t lie), there’s an extra reason to check it out!
Abby Graham I KXSU Music & Arts Reporter