I chose The Wind as my favorite rookie of 2023 for many reasons. One of the biggest was their willingness to let their main vocal belt. But now that main vocal is gone, making future music a dicey prospect. New single H! TEEN both confirms my worries and offers an exciting offramp toward a reconfigured sound.
The song sees the group operating as a quintet, with member Chanwon sitting out this comeback. It also marks a shift toward a new producer, with the venerated e.one taking the wheel on H! TEEN. The guys are as bubbly and bright as ever, and the track is a whirlwind of candy-coated hooks and brisk production. It bounds out of the gate with plenty of energy, highlighted by swirling strings and catchy guitar. This builds to a memorable chorus that pairs wisps of high notes with a a chanted breakdown. It’s the rare song that uses nursey-rhyme style interpolation well, employing it sparingly and just at the right moments.
The absence of Jaewon’s powerful vocals are very much missed in H! TEEN. The remaining members all share a similar airy tone, lacking the sheer brunt needed to sell a dance track this relentless. Coupled with its ultra-bubblegum melodies, parts of the song threaten to teeter dangerously close to “cloying.” Thankfully, H! TEEN never gets there, but it will be interesting to see how it ages. I could see it beginning to wear thin just as easily as I can imagine it growing into a “9.” To its advantage, the song is smartly structured to best utilize The Wind’s unflagging energy. I love the additional refrain that sweeps in during the finale. The song feels full and satisfying, offering plenty of highlights but never overplaying its hand.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
8.75