SEVENTEEN's sub unit V8 commands the spotlight as they drop their debut mini album V8. Made up of members VERNON and THE 8, the duo channels the roaring energy of a high powered V8 engine in each album that the tracklist boasts.
The album documents the bliss of youth, encouraging listeners to throw caution to the wind and embrace the excitement of each new day. Blending layered electronic textures with versatile lyricism, it tells a story that remains true to both its central theme and the group's own experiences. "We really wanted to tell an authentic story. Looking back on the times we’ve spent and how they’ve led us to who we are today, it naturally brought us to this theme—how our experiences of youth drive us forward," V8 shares.
At the heart of the album is the lead single 'singasong' that transports listeners to the golden age of EDM with addictive melodies and energetic synth driven beats making the song the dance floor ready anthem. Produced by German DJ and producer Mechatok, the song gives the musical legend a shoutout in the lyrics as they say, "I feel like Mechatok." The music video that accompanies the track captures the early 2000s aesthetics as V8 traverse junkyards, chaotic karaoke sessions, drag races in demolition derbies and more. The video's gritty, rebellious aesthetic ties seamlessly into the song's nostalgic and edgy atmosphere.
Beyond the fiery lead single, the album boasts seven other songs that channel the duo's artistry as they keep electronic music at the core of the record while embracing cross genre experimentation, and infuse various languages into the tracks to create a sonic atmosphere to immerse listeners in the world of V8. The album kicks off with the upbeat rhythm of 'Friend' before pivoting toward the searing hip-hop sensibilities of 'BEAT'. VERNON's solo track 'mia' is the epitome of hyperpop with the colourful melodies and catchy beats that create a feel-good energy with the textured, hi-hat focused musical arrangement of 'coloring'.
Keeping the nostalgic energy that seems to linger beneath the surface of the record, 'girlsnboys' is the perfect homage to 90s and Y2K hip hop music with the synth elements carrying the track. '8DM' is a techno inspired banger that is a solo track by THE 8 that seamlessly flows into the crowning jewel of EDM 'rat race' that transports listeners back to the saturated warmth of the 2015 era.
As VERNON and THE 8 both played a part in the production of the album, they shed some light into the behind the scenes process of it sharing, "We tried many new approaches, often choosing new directions over familiar ones, such as exploring diverse electronic sounds and using different languages in the lyrics. It wasn’t easy fine-tuning the meticulous details ourselves and exchanging different opinions with everyone involved, but that made the process all the more fun and rewarding.”
With V8, VERNON and THE 8 throw convention out the window, embracing bold experimentation while staying true to the experiences that have shaped them as artists. Blending nostalgic electronic influences with fearless genre-hopping and deeply personal storytelling, the duo make a striking first impression, proving that V8 is more than just a sub-unit, it's the beginning of an exciting new creative chapter.
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