Commemorating a decade together, South Korean band
Seventeen
issued their fifth LP,
Happy Burstday
, an aptly titled celebration of the group and each of its members. There's a trio of songs -- "HBD," "Thunder," and the
Pharrell Williams
-produced "Bad Influence" -- that features the full 13-member roster, kicking off the album with urgent, irresistible dance numbers before giving way to solo showcases from each member of the group. Everyone gets a chance to shine, offering a fascinating glimpse into each personality and, presumably, their genre preferences.
The8
delivers a chilled-out electronic escape with "Skyfall" and
Mingyu
goes hard in the club on the pulsing "Shake It Off."
Wonwoo
takes a more playful approach with a light horns-and-keys number on "99.9%" and
Seungkwan
shoots for the arena rafters with the power ballad "Raindrops."
Timbaland
assists
Hoshi
on the groovy "Damage," while a more rock-oriented synth groove elevates
Vernon
's "Shining Star." There's something here for every variant of fan, which makes the song transitions and overall album flow a bit confusing. However, as an exercise in individuality,
is a gift for listeners who want a curveball approach to the typical K-pop album. ~ Neil Z. Yeung