It’s taken awhile, but artists and agencies have figured out how to keep momentum going as idols make their mandatory military enlistment. It used to be unheard of to deliver “new” content during these extended hiatuses, but now it’s become commonplace to record music and even videos for future release during enlistment. ONF managed to pull it off as a full group back in 2022, and HYBE is definitely taking advantage of the approach with BTS members.
It became clear from V’s 2023 album Layover that his solo career would pursue a more muted sound palette, and FRI(END)S feels like a natural offshoot from those songs. It’s sung entirely in English and has slightly more generic radio appeal. It follows the trend of what some have called “diary pop” — songs that aren’t particularly ambitious or original but encapsulate an SNS-friendly statement broad enough to connect with a wide swath of listeners, yet too vague to leave a meaningful mark.
Whatever the language, I’m much more interested in how the music itself resonates. On this front, FRI(END)S is a murky bore. V already has a distinctly foggy singing voice (not a bad thing… it lends him character!) and the arrangement further filters the tone until the song becomes almost weightless. Stomping percussion offers a counterpoint, but trudges along with no definable character or energy. I’m sure legions of fans will be delighted to receive this unexpected musical gift during a time of little BTS activity, but FRI(END)S is stuck in a gear that is definitely not for me.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7