TWS’s young talent shines – Weverse Magazine

The passionate energy of youth is often likened to the vibrant hues of the blue season. In TWS’s latest album, “play hard,” their fervor is described as “small blue flames” in the track “HOT BLUE SHOES.” The members sing about unrestrained passion, expressing sentiments like “run until I’m out of breath / feel the runner’s high” and “even if I stumble and fall, my flame won’t extinguish.” In tracks like “Head Shoulders Knees Toes,” TWS members execute dynamic performances with almost every beat change, akin to a lively children’s song, showcasing their exuberance without reserve. The lyrics that speak of “breaking through limits by colliding” and “not knowing how to tire” embody the excess of youth, where inexperience allows for the ability to throw oneself wholeheartedly into everything. In essence, “play hard” narrates the dynamism of youth.

The concept film “hard mode” in “play hard” seems to depict six elements of youth: “immersion/passion/adrift/joy/spark/loneliness.” Gyeongmin is shown writing in a notebook in a room packed with scribbles, engrossed in something without noticing the passage of time, while Dohoon gazes at his reflection with earphones on, his face flushed with a seemingly indelible fervor. Jihun symbolizes wandering with a bandage on and Hang Jin exudes joy, leaping with candy in hand. Youngjae, lying down, either flying paper airplanes or embracing a book, experiences inspiration defying gravity, while Singyu’s tear-streaked face submerging in a bathtub portrays loneliness. Youth comprises passion, joy, immersion, and inspiration, yet lurking behind them are shadows of loneliness and aimlessness. Much like the official photo of TWS in “play mode,” where the members sport wings, suggesting an illusionary presence, their exuberance is abundant with energy that seems to soar in any direction, but akin to Icarus’s wings, are precarious and liable to collapse, defining the fleeting spark of youth.

Thus, “play hard” encapsulates the energy, lyricism, precariousness, and melancholy of youth. The title track “OVERDRIVE” conveys the urgency of emotions brimming with “can’t wait anymore” and “am I going to die like this?/oh my/is this what is supposed to happen?” Through a performance filled with leaps and quick movements, the members express the energy surging within them. However, the predominantly mellow melodies contrast with the dynamic lyrics, and the clean and pure vocals of the members encapsulate TWS’s characteristic clear and ethereal sentiment. The track “overthinking,” with a house-based beat, subtly conveys uncontrolled emotions with the members’ vocals and pluck sounds, evoking sadness born from untamed emotions. The electro guitar riffs and 808 bass in “HOT BLUE SHOES” exude a sense of urgency and heart-pounding tension, as reflected in the lyrics “more heat wanted/quickly flicked away in the heart,” with the members energizing the song with the chant-like hook “Hot blue shoes, hot, hot blue shoes.” Yet, “play hard” also embodies instability, as seen in the acoustic ambiance of “Caffeine Rush,” where the members sing “Feels like something’s off, no it isn’t like that/not out of the mount, diving in deeper like addiction,” resonating with an inability to restrain oneself.

In the music video for “OVERDRIVE,” TWS members find themselves in uncontrollable situations due to their bold actions. Youngjae hastily exits a car upon receiving a call, resulting in a cast on his arm, which later catches fire. Gyeongmin, surrounded by gifts in an elevator, ends up causing a mess as all the gifts spill out. Hang Jin, engrossed in a phone call while brushing his teeth or swimming, eventually stumbles. As the lyrics “OVER OVER OVER OVERDRIVE” appear, reminiscent of a game’s “GAMEOVER” screen, the video transitions to a scene where young hearts are broken when electric shocks disrupt a romantic date, culminating in Hang Jin’s dejection. However, TWS members dance and laugh in strong winds, even toppling a festival neon sign, asserting their feelings in their own ways. Much like their fan song and the final track of “play hard,” “I’ll be better tomorrow” promises their fandom 42 that “In my unique galaxy/far away, even if I can still find you.” Though there may be moments of fleeting doubts resembling specks of cosmic dust, they pledge to strive towards a “brilliant tomorrow” for their fans. Youth is fleeting, but it is in the transient nature of the present that the preciousness of the moment burns brightly