Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.
After years of waiting for some noise from the CUBE Entertainment group, LIGHTSUM is finally back! This time, however, things are very different. From ‘VIVACE’ to ‘Doshite’, LIGHTSUM is back with a complete concept change. In August, the group dropped the series ‘Re-Idol’, a docuseries following some of the time during their hiatus and the eventual build up to their re-debut as a J-pop idol group.
Over several episodes, Sangah, Chowon, Yujeong, Hina, Juhyeon and Nayoung showed viewers the journey it took to get back on stage. Following the release of ‘Pose’, the group’s latest Korean release as a full group, the sextet slowly but surely disappeared from the more mainstream platforms fans were used to seeing them on. The reasons for this can be discussed but ultimately, this period of silence left both the group and fans across the globe yearning for the day the group comes back to the stage.
The album was released on September 23rd to a very warm welcome from both fans and new listeners alike. This EP release presents the perfect moment to give a full listen and comment on the rebrand as a whole. Without further ado, let’s get into ‘Re:Idol’ by LIGHTSUM:
Review:
‘Doshite’ [Title track]:
The first thing I noticed about the track is that it’s over three minutes long. In the time of music being shortened to be more suitable for social media and stream replay value, longer songs seem to have become a luxury. LIGHTSUM made great use of their time.
I love that this track sounds like their initial debut track, ‘Vanilla’ has taken on a more mature tone. To me, it’s somewhat exactly what I expected from a K-pop group making Japanese music. The structure of the general K-pop song comes through quite strong. Since I am not too familiar with Japanese idol music itself, I looked over the proverbial desk divider and asked my colleague and friend Nate which groups this reminded him of. Names like CUTIE STREET and AKB48 floated around along with Fruits Zipper.
Curious about the latter, I did some digging. I was not disappointed at all. From the visuals to the musical rainbow, I was left very excited about possible follow ups by LIGHTSUM to this strong title track.
‘Fallin’ World’:
To put my physical reaction to this song in words is almost impossible. I just love love love it! The pace changes are really lovely and reminiscent of IU‘s ‘Good day’ and some of Cherry Bullet’s earlier work. Sangah sounds so lovely in this track and shows off the versatility that many viewers of the show Queendom Puzzle came to love. The soft vocals throughout the track are so exciting to sing along to.
For the past week and a half I’ve found myself randomly singing “Daijobu? Honto?” This section of the song along with the chorus are so addictive. In my mind to call this type of song anything but a Dopamine Hit would be a missedd opportunity.
In some parts the track could’ve benefited from some more punchy vocalisation. Regardless, Nayoung and Juhyeon‘s tones fit this song so perfectly it sounds like it was made specially for them. It lands perfectly in the ear and will definitely be receiving more plays from me.
‘Stop and Go’:
When I got to this track I was transported back in time to a game arcade with my friends in high school. ‘Stop and Go’ has a very Dance Dance Revolution energy to it that feels extremely nostalgic. From the chanty intro, to the break down at the bridge, this song is precisely what to play for a pick-me-up.
I ask myself, is this their ‘Me and my girls’? – A Fifth Harmony deep-cut that while very early 2010s in its aesthetic and beat-change, is one of the more fun tracks that older fans of the now mostly inactive group can’t help but to dance to. The similarities end at the vibes though, as the Fifth Harmony song is for girls’ night in while LIGHTSUM are singing about the excitement of love and pursuing a new romantic interest.
The bridge section is so fun and head bang worthy. The track also kind of reminds me of the ‘Into the New World’ era of styling and motivational lyrics.
When it comes to the mood of this track, it leaves me convinced that everyone involved in the collation of this EP for LIGHTSUM was struggling to keep their excitement contained—it shines through in everything.
‘Pose (Kawaii version)’
I meant it when I said this is at the top of my favourite LIGHTSUM songs. I was super keen to hear how it would possibly sound redone. The reimagined version really did change key elements like the ambiance and various bouncier elements, leaving a completely different impression (which was clearly the point of adding this track to their re-debut).
The kawaii shines through unlike in the Korean version which has a more chic, editorial feel to it. The rap sections are also much sassier in this version. While there isn’t much change in the rap meanings, there is a bolder attitude to the raps. Paired with the coy tone to the Sangah outro, the song closes off perfectly.
Yoru Wo Aruku Kimi He
This track played and felt familiar in a way no Japanese track has to me in many years. Sonically, it feels reminiscent of H1-KEY’s ‘Summer Was You’ Japanese EP. Their energy is so great, the vocal performance is super strong, the band sound works perfectly for them. The lyrics read almost like a journal, nuggets of motivation and soothing words from someone holding desperately onto hope, something which I think makes them the highlight of the track.
I struggle oftentimes to shake off the thought of what it must feel like to be in an idol group in limbo. LIGHTSUM is a group that’s in their sixth year of activities, however they spent half of that time waiting for opportunities to promote. Yet, one of their first songs in a comeback is a letter of love and courage, of friendship that could be seen as both for fans and for each other as colleagues.
From lyrics like ‘you put on a brave face, hiding your frustration but deep down you didn’t want to give up’ to ‘what keeps me driving forward today is the promise I made to you then’ , it’s hard to feel anything but immense pride and relief that these women get to come back and live out their dreams on stage. From what I understand the name of the track in Japanese roughly translates to “To you, the one walking through the dark”. I hope someone on the CUBE/ABEMA team has considered making the official English name ‘To You (LIGHTSUM)’
The strings combined with the vocal tones of the members only add to this intense yet soft mood. The piano melodies also make it hard not to imagine the song played in a more somber/acoustic style. I wish there was a way to hear a version of the song where the members belt the bridge or sing it with more support so it hits fuller. Either way, this has joined ‘Pose’ as one of my favourite LIGHTSUM tracks of all time.
‘Doshite (Kr version)’
This is the track that makes it more clear just how rooted in LIGHTSUM’s identity the entire EP is. Whether that’s callback to ‘VIVACE’ era, the jubilance and light-heartedness of ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Good news’, the fact of the matter is that this track cements LIGHTSUM’s identity. They are a group that clearly loves performing, and loves the kind of music that they release. Each member’s vocal contributions are irreplaceable, their chemistry comes through even in how they’re layered.
Apart from the music I was very interested in how each of the members adjusted to preparing for promotions abroad. Hina is the only Japanese member of the group and has been open about her experiences adjusting to life in Korea and I can only imagine the Korean members felt a similar sense of curiosity and anxiety while preparing for this new chapter.
This move to making room for themselves in the J-pop industry is a bold move from LIGHTSUM but also proof of their determination to make this, their passion, work.
In conclusion, this was a great listening experience and I hope we can hear more of what they’ve prepared for this new era of their journey. Knowing how hard the members have worked to get here, I wish them only the best.
To support LIGHTSUM, follow them at the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cube_lightsum/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@official_lightsum?lang=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeQlMQ-4cedE7SNmF5JsdsA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/lightsum/1570093242
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/57HNdw2ObRmfwWHG8Xhs8t
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