finally got around to checking into the wayv comeback. their discography took such a nose dive post 2024 i was really turned off from them (frequency and big bands were fucking abysmal. i loathed the direction they were going in specially after the brilliance of on my youth and even the fun 90s pop vibe of give me that). so i was really kinda bracing for the worst with this one.... but i'm pleased to say i was proved wrong. this seems to be a step in the right direction trying to meet the old lsm cinematic sound and the new bolder and rap based direction that wayv's creative team seemed hell bent on halfway.
it's not a surprise that this is what happened when SM finally stopped fucking around and fully embraced the chinese part of their only chinese based group. is this the first wayv comeback with such bold cultural references to their identity? i don't recall them ever going full on with it. (even 127 had heavier chinese culture references before them lmfao đ)
this was a very nice hype action movie soundtrack type of song - very much in the vein of what superm did but still remaining true to wayv's identity. wish there were more vocal heavy parts for xiaojun and also for ten who is a way better vocalist than rapper and has been proven countless of times. the chanting is bearable because of the inflection and vocal stacking accompanying the structure and the chorus though very one note works really well. it does feel like a return to form for wayv.
the production is very sharp and clean while maintaining a nice blend of textures and instrumentals that don't overshadow the topline - just checked and yup this is adrian mckinnon which makes sense. he's had his ups and downs in the past few years (he was responsible for big bands as well eww) but this is him returning to basics and it pays off well.
on another note i'm fr so happy that ten decided to stay with the group like genuinely - i know it must have been a tough decision to leave the company and follow his path but deciding to stick together with wayv is honestly a very selfless and charitable decision in a way - i cannot really see a future where wayv hold any hope of continuing to be a profitable group with 4 members and the ones with the biggest fanbases gone. i'm actually grateful because there was no reason for him to stick with them unless there was real friendship there. and now he's even promoting in music shows with them đ
anyway - this just really feels like a genuine comeback from them. they all look comfortable and happy and like they enjoy the song and to showcase their cultural heritage in it. they should be proud. wayv's career has not been easy at all and though they'll never reach the heights they could've had under other circumstances i think they're still growing and maturing while remaining true to what the vision they had for the group was. vision wings feels like a second beginning for them in a way. they were meant for the arts not for the charts and my faith in them has been restored - they should be proud of this comeback.


















