[Review] UNIQUE – P1Harmony

To avoid another year-long delay in reviewing P1Harmony’s new comeback, I have decided to review it as soon as possible. Last week, the group returned with their 9th mini-album, UNIQUE, and the title track of the same name.

Right off the bat, P1Harmony does not hold back in UNIQUE. I enjoyed the boldness and power behind the track. As the initial song off their mini-album, UNIQUE definitely commands attention and is full of intensity. The approach suits the Brazilian phonk/EDM combination quite well (at least based on my exposure to it) and showcases a more serious side of P1Harmony that we are not just used to. I can totally understand why UNIQUE might be a little overwhelming to some. But in my opinion, UNIQUE holds up well. However, by being bold and through the approach undertaken, some aspects were lost in the shuffle. UNIQUE doesn’t have much of a melody or hook to remember it by. It may be bombastic, but there isn’t really anything aside from the instrumental that gives UNIQUE, well, its uniqueness. There is a chorus, and it definitely has substance thanks to the instrumentation. But when you really dig into it, you realise it is very much empty and just heavy. It is an odd predicament.

The whole music video paints a very vivid picture of why P1Harmony is unique. The video’s darker aesthetic was quite cool and edgy, and the visual effects were awesome. That whole montage of the members’ solo shots from the 2:40 mark was jaw-dropping, while the transitions between JIUNG, SOUL and JONGSEOB just after the first chorus were so smooth. It is a short song and thus video, but there was a fair bit going on, based on what I have mentioned, that it doesn’t feel short.

The performance is amazing. The members looked super cool on stage, and their serious demeanour as they perform oozes so much charisma. Their execution of the chorus routine is my favourite part, with the centre member doing a slightly different set of moves from the other members. The contrast is subtle, but very impactful.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8/10