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[FRESH PICK] SEVENTEEN make darl+ing return with first all English single
SEVENTEEN has returned with their first English language group song. Written by Vocal Unit Leader and SVT main producer WOOZI, along with his longstanding collaborator BUMZU and ex-Pristin member Shannon Bae and composed by WOOZI, BUMZU and Hwang Hyun, “Darl+ing” marks the first single from SEVENTEEN’s upcoming fourth full-length album, which is slated for May.
Left to Right: S.COUPS, DK, Hoshi, Jeonghan, Wonwoo, WOOZI, Dino, Vernon, SeungKwan, Jun, Mingyu, Joshua, THE 8
“Darl+ing” starts off soft and mid-tempo, with minimal instrumentation that builds up slightly only to slow down even further with an anti-drop into the chorus. There is something warm about the instrumentation and delivery, and yet “Darl+ing” is not a joyful song. It has all the ingredients sonically but there is something nervous about the quick delivery of some lines, especially in the chorus. It could be read for excited, if it weren’t for the lyrics.
Despite the soft melody “Darl+ing” is about a love lost and the loneliness that remains in the absence of someone you feel you need to live. The song expresses the feeling of being lost, of yearning to be with someone that’s gone, as well as pleading and promising that reuniting would make everything better.
The contrast between a deceivingly bright melody and a more depressing message is a stylistic choice that SEVENTEEN has made good use of before, like in the uptempo song “Still Lonely”, where the group talked about the exhaustion and loneliness of success.
In the end “Darl+ing” offers no resolution – just the conviction that being together is better than being apart, something that is also symbolized by the + in the title.
[Bridge: THE 8, Jun, Mingyu, (Dino), Joshua, Vernon ]
I see you, you see me
I care for you, you care for me
We can be all we need
Promise I won’t take you for granted, never
I'ma treat you better (I'ma treat you better)
I'ma see you better (I'ma see you better)
So honey, now come into my arms, yeah
Kiss me, baby
*Kiss me, baby *
The music video fits perfectly with the airy, soft vibe of the melody and yet its dark twist gets at the core of the rather sad lyrics. During the Countdown Live the members gave the spoilers “unexpected twist” and “two worlds” to describe the music video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTtNV6hgDno
In the beginning of the music video the members live in a beautiful, dream-like world, a Neverland full of golden light, colors, laughter and tranquility. But the peace is broken when shadows creep in, bringing confusion and isolation with them. In the end the known world is turned upside-down, as both it and the members fall and disintegrate. They find themselves battered and bruised but reunited in a world both familiar and unfamiliar in its shadowy darkness.
Director duo Rima Yoon and Dongju Jang of Rigend Film Production have previously shot visually stunning music videos for SEVENTEEN’s “Fallin’ Flower”, “HIT” and “Rock With You”, as well as member HOSHI’s solo debut “Spider”. The dark ending feels like it’s teasing the beginning of something new, dark, and intriguing – it may be a hint for the return of a Darkteen concept for their upcoming album comeback. Yoon and Jang previously directed the group’s last full-album MV and the last Darkteen comeback with “Fear”, making me personally hopeful that they will continue to explore the visuals and themes of “Darl+ing” in the upcoming release.
Check out “Darl+ing” on all streaming platforms and read the lyrics and translations for SEVENTEEN’s discography here on Genius.
Connect with SEVENTEEN on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Follow Genius Korea on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates about Korean music, dramas, and entertainment.
Photo Credits: PLEDIS Entertainment
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