Hello everyone, how have you been? It’s been so long since I write on this blog and I apologize for that. My study life has been pretty hectic with all dissertation stuffs, which makes it difficult for me to update on this blog. The deadline is coming up, so wish me luck and hopefully, I could write blog more often again!
Nowadays, I have more free time and on this perfect timing, X1, the winner of Produce 101 fourth season, just debuted with Quantum Leap album and Flash as the title track on August 27th, 2019. Produce 101 series always intrigued me despite never watching the full episodes (and regretted later for not becoming a fan of their group since the beginning :”)) because of its whole concept. It is interesting to see what kind of sound and image that the winner will form on their short career span. Plus, all those dramas are just too juicy to follow hahaha.
In X1 case, they got the drama since the start of their career due to the rigged voting controversies on the show final line-up. While the police investigation is still going on, the boys still proceed with their debut and Flash is a testament on how they sound and images would fare. So, how is Flash and what makes it different from previous Produce 101 groups? Check out my review for X1 title track from their debut album Quantum Leap below...........
On the first listen, Flash reminds me of Wanna One’s Energetic since both songs opened with a piano melody, followed by a build-up verse and a soaring refrain. But, X1 debut leans into a more mature sound because of its subtle piano and whistle melody. This melody stays throughout the song with different companions on each section. On the verses, strong beat and electronic dance music accompanied the melody, which complements each other well. This combination manages to give exciting dynamic on Flash and its verses easily become the strongest part.
While on the refrain, the piano and whistle melody change into an EDM breakdown. The breakdown sounds quite generic, however, its transformation felt needed since the melody starts to become repetitive. The similar thing happens during the second verse when the EDM breakdown becomes the background of the rap part, which makes it stands out in a different way from the previous verse.
Aside from that, Flash does not offer something new. The rest of this song arrangement sounds pretty safe and the vocal does not add more interesting layers since the members’ voice sounds too similar between one another despite each of them have great vocal abilities. They still lack of power and need to work on more to diversify their vocal tone.
As for Flash music video, it offers an appealing presentation on X1 debut. It does not show love stories on how the boys really love a girl like the lyrics but focus on choreography and members’ individual scenes. The editing between both scenes is sleek while the camera angle is unusual. Both elements are beneficial for X1 since it helped to hide awkward screen presences of some members (Don’t worry, boys, you still have a long way to go!). Flash also has various lighting effects with a contrasting color tone between black, white, blue, and red. This combination brings back the darker theme from this song while makes the music video becomes more interesting.
Despite its safe arrangement, Flash is a solid debut from X1 with its enjoyable song and eye-pleasing music video. It allows each member to shine on their own in terms of vocal and appearances on music video although some of them still need to work on their vocal tone and power as well as screen presences. Flash sets an early signature style for X1, which is electronic dance music, and it would be interesting to know whether they will stick to this style, explore on more genre while still maintain their signature sound, or present a drastic transformation on their next release. Looking forward for that and welcome abroad, X1!
Rating: 3.5/5
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