P1Harmony "Killin’ It" Album Review
Written by Breanne Gill
After finishing P1Harmony’s album Killin' It, I felt as though I had just been through an all-night rager. I was a little tired from dancing, buzzed on good vibes, and couldn’t believe I left with a crush on six different guys. Despite this being their first full album, the tracks are dripping with charisma and confidence, leaving the listener unable to take their headphones off. The album is camp without being cringe, intense without being overwhelming, and well-balanced without being predictable. K-pop is a saturated and fast-paced genre with new trends and innovative songs being created each week. With such a competitive music scene, it’s hard to create a comeback that stands out. Unsurprisingly, P1Harmony does just that. Like any good party hosts, they cranked up the music, let their personalities shine, and made sure the fun never stopped.
The title track Killin’ It opens the door to the album, releasing a cacophony of clapping percussion, warped electric beats, and powerful vocals. Despite the intense and startling intro, the listener can’t help but be drawn in. P1Harmony seems to know this, casually boasting, “Surprise, you’re lucky to have found me.” This braggadocious hip-hop concept isn’t new, and in K-pop, it can seem baseless, but their approach breathes new life into the theme. The delivery is flippant and casual despite complex rap flows and outstanding technical skills. Ultimately, it feels as though they’re having fun and don’t need to prove anything to anyone. The track’s musicality and character personify the “cool guy” aesthetic with ease, leaving the listener wondering if there’s such a thing as having a crush on a song.
Just as you realize you’re falling for Killin’ It, Late Night Calls anchors you further into the delusion. With a romantic R&B feel and goosebump-inducing lyricism, you’ll start to wonder if the crush is one-sided after all. After catching your breath and gaining your composure with Late Night Calls’ slow and melodic beat, you’re pulled right back into the action with Everybody Clap. The song feels like it’s meant to be played for a crowd with the lyrics urging everyone to join in. With string instrumentals and rhythmic stomping bass, the track feels nostalgic and familiar while remaining true to the unique P1Harmony sound. I found myself finding structural similarities to tracks such as Hannah Montana’s Hoedown Throwdown and other catchy line dances. With such an addictive melody, I wouldn’t be surprised if Everybody Clap became the new must-play party staple of 2024.
While the first quarter of the album showcases P1Harmony’s vibrant and flirtatious personas, Love Story reveals that cool guys can be soft and romantic too. Although the sonic composition of the track is beautiful on its own, the passion and emotion in the vocals take the main stage. With hard-hitting songs trending on TikTok and K-pop albums/songs getting shorter each year, I was happily surprised to see P1Harmony releasing a full-length heartfelt ballad; it was a breath of fresh air for both the album and the genre. The sincerity behind the track hooks the listener in without needing bold instrumentals or gimmicky lyricism. It bears its heart open to the listener about first love but also reveals the delicacy it took to craft such a well-balanced album.
As if responding to their previous track, Countdown To Love celebrates the power and possibilities of love in a broad sense. Rather than strictly exploring romantic love, it personifies love as an entity that conquers all. In stark contrast to the lulling acoustic tune of Love Story, Countdown to Love leans into an alt-pop sound with grungey autotune paired with bass and drum-heavy instrumentals. The track pushes the boundaries thematically through the exploration of love’s duality and in terms of genre versatility for P1Harmony. Although Killin’ It celebrates genre exploration, they didn’t forget about their roots. Emergency calls back to their debut song SIREN with alarms blaring in tandem with captivating vocals and raps. It’s easy to see why their signature sound catapulted them to the top charts since their debut, but also shows how much they have grown since their beginning.
After being reminded of where they came from, 2Nite offers reasons for why you should stay. The jazzy track feels like P1Harmony’s rendition of a classic despite modern connotations of DJs, parties, and bass drops. Like much of the album, 2Nite manages to subvert expectations lyrically, sonically, and thematically. The song exemplifies P1Harmony’s strengths as a group by showcasing both their knowledge of musicality and passion for experimentation. Although we don’t need more reason to fall in love with P1Harmony and the album, Let Me Love You begs its way into the listener’s heart anyway. The track is experimental but roots itself in fundamentals of pop that have been around since the 80s. While the percussion sounds like it could come from a Prince album, the skillfully layered tempos and reverb are unmistakably P1Harmony’s innovation. Like much of the album, the group seems to collage together inspirations until a new picture is created that is wholly unique to the group.
As we near the end of the album and the party, Street Star picks us up to get to our final destination. The track starts with the sound of an engine revving up before zooming off into a fast-paced journey; all the listener can do is strap in and enjoy the ride. Leaning into the hip-hop genre, the subtle instrumentals give pause to the saturated sound of Let Me Love You and allow their vocal strengths to shine brightly. The catchy beat will leave you wishing the ride will never end. Despite any reluctance to end the wild drive, we finally arrive home with I See U. Despite this being one of the slowest songs on the album, it perfectly closes out the exhilarating experience of Killin’ It. With cheerful piano and upbeat lyrics, the track feels like a warm embrace at the end of a long night. Reminiscent of an ending song of a movie or play, it feels as though each member is taking a curtain call and bidding the listeners goodbye.
If you haven’t listened to Killin' It yet, consider this your invitation to the party. Whether you’re the wallflower who enjoys quiet conversations, the Uber driver bumping beats, or the raver going all out on the dance floor, the album has something you’ll enjoy.
