ALL(H)OURS Burns Brightly with Their Third Mini Album ‘Smoke Point’
Coming hot into the new year, EDEN Entertainment’s seven member boy group ALL(H)OURS has released their third mini album Smoke Point. After debuting in January of 2024, members KUNHO, YOUMIN, XAYDEN, MINJE, MASAMI, HYUNBIN, and ON:N have received multiple award nominations and praises for their music and performances, and have been on a steady rise since the beginning. Consisting of five songs and a double title track, Smoke Point serves as ALL(H)OURS’ third showcasing of the fiery passion that flows through them. Member KUNHO says, “Through our third mini album promotion, we plan to show a more upgraded performance and showcase the unique color of ALL(H)OURS. With the bright mood of “Graffiti” and slightly heavier, powerful charisma of “GIMME GIMME,” our double title track, we believe listeners will be able to fully experience the sweet and bold contrast of ALL(H)OURS.”
Photo Courtesy of EDEN Entertainment
The introductory track to the album is also called “Smoke Point.” The only lyric in this mostly-instrumental track is “Get down to the smoke point,” and the upbeat synth and new jack swing rhythms immediately set the tone for the album and blend into the next song, “Graffiti,” perfectly. “Graffiti” was released before the full album and is a youthful anthem about doing whatever makes you happy. The retro, 90s inspired melody immediately gets stuck in your head, and the instrumental features a classic whistle sound that punctuates each of the lyrics of the chorus with the perfect amount of energy and excitement for this style of song. The vibe of this track is fully carefree and fun, and the ending lyrics of the chorus, “Paint it, 자유롭게 / Don't care, 멋대로 해 / 떠오른 맘을 펼쳐내 / 느낀 그대로 graffiti” (translation: “Paint it as you want / Don't care, do what you want to do / Unfold your thoughts / Just feel the vibе, graffiti”), accentuate that to a T.
The second title track of the album, “GIMME GIMME,” is an intense dance track that sounds like it belongs in a racing game. The music video shows off ALL(H)OURS’ powerful choreography and dance talents, as well as showing the members in high speed action sequences like car chases and fierce battles. The energy of the track hits from the very beginning, with the guitar riff and heavy drum beat creating a hypnotic instrumental that hooks you in on the very first listen. While a repetitive, chanting-style chorus isn’t necessarily everyone’s first choice, it is a sonic reminiscence of older K-pop songs like “Sorry Sorry” by Super Junior or “Ring Ding Dong” by SHINee, and fits the vibe of the choreography and the music video perfectly.
Photo Courtesy of EDEN Entertainment
An unexpected mash up of R&B, hip hop, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, “Kings & Queens” is a bass heavy track that shows off more of a swaggy style of ALL(H)OURS’ music. The lyrics are filled with references to decks of cards and the game of poker, with the members singing about winning every game because they have their kings and queens. The backing “Oh” vocal run after each line of the chorus creates an intense atmosphere that draws listeners in, and fills out the darker vibe of the track perfectly. Despite not being one of the two title tracks, “Kings & Queens” is an immediate fan favorite, with many on social media asking for the group to perform this song live as soon as possible.
Photo Courtesy of EDEN Entertainment
The final track of the album, “Freaky Fresh,” goes back to the chanty chorus style that ALL(H)OURS loves to do, but this time it’s coupled with a pseudo-glitch pop style instrumental. The bridge breaks from this sound, with the instrumental almost completely falling away in order to show off members KUNHO, MINJE, ON:N, and YOUMIN’s incredible vocals. The song launches back into the upbeat synth sounds right after this break, giving the track a deep and well-rounded sound.
Smoke Point as an album has certainly helped solidify ALL(H)OURS’ sound and niche within the K-Pop sphere. With their first rookie year under their belt, they have a bright future ahead of them as they keep moving forward.
