Queens of Summer Red Velvet Close Out The Season Right With New Album ‘Queendom’
SM Entertainment powerhouse Red Velvet has packaged summertime in a photocard-filled album once more with their new EP Queendom.
Upon first listen, it is clear that the album is quintessentially everything the group has tried to be since their debut: a breath of fresh air on the days you need it most.
Compressed in just a 20-minute runtime, the quintuplet puts on a show of confidence and woman power throughout the record and its accompanying performances.
Here is a deconstruction of the six regal tracks held inside the group’s sixth mini-album:
QUEENDOM
The title track representing the album’s sound and visuals aligns with the artists’ typical discography color. The lyrics tell a story of living in positive energy and how we are all “queens and kings” of our own universe.
SUMMER CAN FINALLY START pic.twitter.com/U36dP6rFQU
— yeri pics (@cuteyeripics) August 16, 2021
This single represents the electro/bubblegum pop sound filled with onomatopoeia-laced choruses and a groovy energy fans have seen in previous title tracks such as “Power Up” and “Zimzalabim.”
POSE
It is no surprise the girls chose this song as the second song to debut on the Queendom comeback stage as it highlights another layer to what they have to offer their audience.
the obsession I have with the pose bridge. the way joy uses her higher register and then wendy immediately goes low with hers… it sounds so good pic.twitter.com/dapdWxsMvf
— tay ♔ (@thisrainstops) August 17, 2021
“Pose” is a power-anthem meant to ignite confidence in anyone who sings it. In the lyrics “It’s the most freeing moment / Meet the real me” repeated throughout the song, it’s about someone releasing themselves from the judgment of others that stops them from being their truest self.
KNOCK ON WOOD
This B-Side track uses the metaphor of knocking on wood not to jinx something you wish for, the song manifesting a love interest reciprocating feelings.
Its jazz-pop sound mixed with an easy-to-follow chorus will turn this song into an earworm for any listener in the best way possible.
BETTER BE
“Better Be” reminds me of the sass held within “Pose” as the lyrics speak to a crush whose intentions “better be,” leading to eventually confessing their feelings.
PUSHIN N’ PULLIN
Described as “medium-tempo pop” by the song’s Genius page, the track holds a similar feeling as the B-Side “In & Out” from their 2019 LP The ReVe Festival: Finale.
다시, 여름 (Hello, Sunset)
The closing song is a stellar example of the members’ maturity in their music over the past seven years.
The slower, more ballad-type song on the EP is a solemn goodbye to summer love. It’s perfectly timed with the album’s release as the listeners have to bid this season adieu along with the group.
