If you’ve been following P1Harmony over the past few years, you’d recognize that releasing an English album is the least unexpected item on their to-do list. Since 2022, the group has been producing English versions of their Korean title tracks, along with original English collaborations featuring artists like Pink Sweat$, New Hope Club, and Tricky Stewart. Why not? The Western audience has already shown enthusiasm for members Keeho, Jiung, Theo, Intak, Jongseob, and Soul, so they have every reason to indulge the fans.
In their debut English-language EP, 'EX', P1Harmony moves away from their typical hip-hop style, embracing pop-rock anthems, catchy synth-pop tunes, and a nostalgic throwback to the electronic trends of the 2010s. At its peak, 'EX' is diverse and appealing, almost carefree, yet it sometimes holds back to ensure it’s easily digestible for the market. Nevertheless, it still features standout moments, and for each minor setback, there’s a gratifying payoff that justifies the journey.
The five-track album opens with the lead single, ‘EX’, a vibrant synth-pop track adorned with digital autotune effects that align with the album’s retro video game theme. Co-written by Intak, Jongseob, and Keeho, the lyrics celebrate P1Harmony as "walking green flags," confidently advocating for a girl’s freedom to date and break up with whomever she chooses—without hesitation. “Every girl deserves to have her exploration / Have a little fun without an explanation / Exit on them when they hit the expiration / End of story, period, no exclamation,” Jiung sings as the hook makes its impactful entrance.
‘EX’, like many songs on this album, excels in its easy-listening appeal, making it memorable with just a couple of listens. This could be seen as both advantageous and disadvantageous; it allows listeners to revisit the track without strain, though its repetitive nature might lead to quick fatigue. Fortunately, elements like Intak and Jongseob’s rap lines in the second verse and Theo's uplifting pre-chorus provide enough engagement to keep the audience interested.
A longer bridge could have further enhanced the track, offering more time for Jiung’s ethereal vocals to resonate. For some, ‘EX’ may be a grower and that’s perfectly fine—while melodically simpler than many of P1Harmony’s earlier singles, it possesses an irresistibly cheerful quality, and we appreciate a song that champions women's autonomy.
The album transitions into pure pop-rock delight with ‘Dancing Queen’, a stadium-ready anthem already highlighted as one of the standout tracks of ‘EX’. While the lead single is light and bubbly, ‘Dancing Queen’ accelerates the energy and could be seen as a sister track to the group’s upcoming B-side, ‘Last Call’.
With its delightfully nostalgic vibe, it evokes an enchanting coming-of-age narrative—one where the climax likely unfolds at a high school prom, and the main characters finally become a couple. “Just keep on dancing, queen / You’re so sweet, you cast a spell on me / Drunk on you, and now I’m free falling / Take me home and show what it means…” Although the members are now in their early 20s, this is quintessential teen power pop—a sound that has been scarce since the heyday of One Direction, and it's refreshing to see it return through P1Harmony.
Next, ‘EX’ takes a slower pace, presenting its highlight, a dreamy R&B track titled ‘Stupid Brain’. Co-written by Jiung, Intak, and Jongseob, this song stands out as one of P1Harmony’s most relatable and soothing offerings, featuring poignant lyrics that resonate with every self-identified overthinker. “So worried about the things I say / So worried about this feeling I can’t shake / I spend years of indecision with no vision / Oh, why can’t I just stop?” The emotional depth resonates even more knowing some members have openly discussed their battles with perfectionism and mental fatigue, particularly in such a fast-paced industry.
Beyond outstanding lyrical content, ‘Stupid Brain’ showcases its musical excellence, starting with a whimsical strings intro reminiscent of classic silver-age Disney films. At four minutes long—the album's longest track—‘Stupid Brain’ makes the most of its time, enveloping listeners in its contemplative atmosphere. With a catchy 808 groove, periodic violin accents, and an expressive guitar solo midway, this track utilizes every moment effectively, significantly elevating ‘EX’.
The energy then rampages back up with ‘Night Of My Life’, a potent EDM and dance-pop anthem that channels the early 2010s rave scene. While ‘Dancing Queen’ encapsulates the era’s best power pop (with a hint of the '80s), ‘Night Of My Life’ feels like a less inspired take—that lacks
If you've been following P1Harmony over the past few years, you would know that an English album is one of the least unexpected things the K-pop group could have released.