For some reason, ATEEZ’s third mini album in the Golden Hour series really snuck up on me! I think I had a two week buffer between the announcement and the actual drop of the album!
It seems wild to me that they are releasing new music just when they are about to be ready to do another Korean and North American tour! But when you turn out albums every six months or so, I suppose a concert schedule won’t stop you from doing anything. What’s even more crazy, the more I think about it, is how hard they also had to work on choreography while gearing up for promotions. And that is on top of all of the other side projects and media events they had lined up. In retrospect, retirement will be a sweet, sweet time for them. And all K-Pop idols, really.
Though I am pleased with the turnout here, the packaging this time around was a little less than desired. Both compared to the two previous Golden Hour installments, and also almost all of their other discography. Word on the internet is that this particular comeback was rushed to be released because of the both the upcoming tour, and also some impending military service. I thought Korean males had until they were thirty to enlist, but apparently it’s the ripe age of twenty-eight. That number is fast approaching some of the members.
Even though I was a little bummed with the packaging, I still jumped on two signed copies. I was lucky enough to snag a Wooyoung and Jongho! I think it must be meant to be with those two. The album itself also included photo postcards rather than a photobook. And as far as little extras go, there were photo cards, stickers, and polaroid photos. Different, if maybe a little underwhelming. Admittedly, all I really care that it comes with is a CD. And it did! Mission accomplished.
I will say, just like with all of the other mini albums I’ve checked out over multiple groups, they are just EPs with really elaborate packaging. So you can imagine my disappointment with the four tracks we got and then one outro track. That last thing doesn’t even count. After several listens, I do feel like this is the weakest entry of Golden Hour series. Other than the insanely infectious and catchy single, “Lemon Drop,” the rest of the songs didn’t seem to have much variation. Or at least nothing that really made them more memorable in my brain. That’s not to say they were at all bad! It was still a good album, just my least favorite of the three.
With that being said, “Lemon Drop” is a bop (as the kids say). While the vocals aren’t as strong on top of the beat, it doesn’t even really matter. They say “lemon drop” and “hottie,” and they look like they are having a blast when performing it. It’s got the perfect summer vibes, so this was the best possible scenario for this song to exist. Speaking of having a blast, Jongho has really caught my attention this comeback. He just seems so joyful in everything I’ve seen so far! He also compared the atmosphere of this new song to that of “Eternal Sunshine,” which I love.
All of this just makes me more excited to see them later this summer! It’s an ATEEZ summer!