TITLE: Emergency: QUANTUM LEAP
ARTIST: X1
LABEL: Stone / Swing Entertainment
RELEASED: August 27, 2019
My babies have finally debuted! I know they aren’t my real children, but they feel like it because I finally went through the whole produce journey from beginning to debut. Today is such a happy day, I couldn’t even stay asleep and I woke up at 3:30 AM! Either way, it all comes down to the music, right? None of this matters if the music is shit.
FLASH (FLAϟH) – Title Track
This is no Energetic or even La Vie en Rose. I don’t mean to compare but those two were legendary to me. However, this is a pretty good and on par with the trend dance EDM track. The high notes and raps are what save this song for me. Legit slapped myself when Seungyoun started rapping. And then Seungwoo hitting notes as if it was the easiest thing in the world. The talent jumped all the way out. Now the MV… visually stunning and the dancing was nothing less than tight. For a debut… this is good.
Stand Up (Intro)
If things are going the same way Wanna One did, there will be a repackage of this EP. And if there is, I NEED THIS TO BE A FULL TRACK! How dare they just leave this to be an intro. It has a New Jack swing R&B pop feel and I’m here for it. It doesn’t even need much more. Just… a little longer.
Like Always
I’m low-key (high-key) in love with this song. Just like Stand Up, it has a retro R&B pop vibe that I’m feeling. The pre-chorus lifts me up and the chorus really makes me fly high (see what I did there?). This song also has some dance elements that I also feel is refreshing. The raps don’t go hard but I think that is what makes it better, it doesn’t need it. I could see this becoming my second favorite off the EP.
I’m Here For You
BALLAD TIME! I’m usually not a ballad person, I like to be hype all the time. But, even thugs have a heart. This was PERFECT! Each member was highlighted perfectly. And maybe it’s my bias showing but the combination of Seungyoun and Seungwoo’s voices leave me in a state of frenzy. The falsettos are heavenly. And I am torn about Yohan. Do I like him more as a rapper or singer? Both are proficient. But it’s Seungyoun’s high note that brings the emotions out in me. This wasn’t overproduced and really allowed their talents to shine.
U GOT IT (X1 Version)
Since this song is one from PDX, there isn’t much to say because I have already confessed my love for it and MOVE here. But I will talk about the addition of the non-U GOT IT Team members. I think that the only ones that really stood out and gelled best were Seungyoun and Hangyul. Their voices went perfect with the song. And I am SO glad that Seungwoo kept his high note part. Also performance wise… This was a whole new level of sexy. I’m looking at you Seungyoun and Wookseok!
MOVE (X1 Version)
Now, I’m a MOVE and SIXC supremacist, so when I saw that this was going to be added, first I was happy, then worried. After listening and watching, I was worried for good reason. MOVE will be my favorite song no matter what but the absence of Jinhyuk, Byungchan, Hyeonbin, and Kookheon stood out to me. Maybe I’m nip picking but Dohyon as the main rapper for this song didn’t sit well with me. I would have rather Seungyoun take that role and Dohyon be sub. But not everything was bad. I thought Eunsang, Wooseok, Junho and kinda Seungwoo fit the vibe of the song. Visually? Stunning tho.
X1-MA (X1 Version)
Nothing different. Still the least fave of the produce series title songs. But it is nice to see and listen to these 11 do it. It’s emotional because to see where this long journey has gotten them. I’m proud, a proud noona.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I love this EP. It basically is telling the world “Here we are! You loved us individually on the show, now look at what we can do together!” Are these the best debut songs ever? No. But I can’t wait for what else they have in store.
PRODUCTION: 4 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING: 4.5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT: 5 / 5
OVERALL: 4.5 / 5
Least Favorite Track(s): I’m Here For You
Favorite Track(s): Like Always, Stand Up
Unbothered Unnies 