OSEN DB.BOYNEXTDOOR is making a bold new leap today (28th) at 6 PM KST by releasing their 1st full-length repackage album, ‘HOME: DELUXE’.
BOYNEXTDOOR Returns with Expanded Musical Spectrum in ‘HOME: DELUXE’
This new release captures the members’ clear ambitions and determination to soar toward a broader world, using their journey so far as a stepping stone. Packed with diverse genres, the album features 9 existing tracks alongside brand-new additions ‘ANIMAL’ and ‘CLICHE’. Furthermore, it includes a Korean version of the Japanese release ‘Count To Love’, ‘Boom Boom Boom’, and their very first fan song ‘400 Years’. Totaling 14 tracks, the album proves their expanding musical spectrum ranging from electro-funk and disco to pop ballads.
Tackling Electro-Funk for the First Time with Title Track ‘ANIMAL’
The title track ‘ANIMAL’, marking their first challenge in the electro-funk genre, expresses their determination to leap past their limits toward a better tomorrow, likened to the dynamic movements of animals. True to a team that actively participates in songwriting, they incorporated actual ad-libs from interacting with audiences during live performances into the chorus to add a lively touch. Notably, member Riwoo directly participated in choreographing the dance, creating a wild, beast-like performance fitting the song’s title and solidifying the group’s unique identity.
Exclusive Q&A with BOYNEXTDOOR
Q. How do you feel about releasing the 1st full repackage album ‘HOME: DELUXE’?
BOYNEXTDOOR: We are thrilled to make such a quick comeback. We had a strong desire to make one more comeback this year, so we prepared a repackage album alongside our full-length album. Since we prepared a song with a completely different charm from our previous title track, we hope you will shower it with love. We built our own home with our first full album, and now we want to throw a party with everyone.
Q. What is the difference between this and your 1st full album ‘HOME’?
Myung Jaehyun: The overall vibe of the album is quite different. Because the first full album had such a clear theme, we became more serious because we wanted to express it in a more valuable and cool way. If the last album brought out sides of us that people didn’t know well, this time we worked in a way that is quintessentially BOYNEXTDOOR. The new tracks will immediately make you think, ‘This is so BOYNEXTDOOR.’ I think a perfect album was completed by combining the serious side of our team that we want to show you with the free-spirited vibe that the public feels. We are also excited to go on tour with these new tracks.
Sungho: I felt less burdened compared to the full album. The full album carried the weight and mindset of being ‘our story,’ so we were serious even during recording, constantly worrying if our message would be conveyed properly. However, our title track ‘ANIMAL’ is a track whose charm comes alive when you stop overthinking, so I tried to record it comfortably.
Q. Thoughts while working on the title track ‘ANIMAL’
Myung Jaehyun: Since it was our first time trying the electro-funk genre, we put in a lot of effort. Taesan, Woonhak, and I spent time just playing beats without being able to write a single song, effectively wasting time. After the first day of work, we agreed that we needed to study this genre. After listening to various songs, studying them, and making a demo version, we played it for the members, and the reactions were polar opposites, which was a fun memory.
Taesan: When we were performing in the United States, I really loved the crowd’s cheering ad-lib, ‘Whop Whop!’ I wanted to incorporate this kind of ‘animal sound’ into our music. With the idea of making ‘ANIMAL’ the song’s theme, I worked on it together with the members and producers. At first, it felt like ‘gloriously chaotic music,’ and it’s a song that makes me look forward to the stage even more. I want everyone to jump and play together while singing this song.
Woonhak: I wanted to capture a primal feel well. The recurring phrase in the song, “Move like animal,” literally means to move freely and instinctively like a beast. I wanted to weave in a melody that stimulates instincts, embodying the wish for people to move however they want without worrying about anything else. While working on it, my most frequent thought was, ‘I want to perform this live on stage right away.’ Just listening to it gives you energy and gets you hyped up as if you got an IV drip, so I think we will be able to show a really fun time at concert venues.
Q. First impressions of hearing ‘ANIMAL’
Leehan: As soon as I heard ‘ANIMAL’, I felt that our team could pull it off in a fun and great way. If the full album was serious, I want to approach this promotion enjoyably by showing our raw energy as it is.
Riwoo: True to the title ‘ANIMAL’, it had such an intense and wild vibe that I found myself instinctively catching the rhythm. I felt it was a song where you can lose your mind and just go crazy, and I hope listeners will entrust their heads and bodies to the music just like I did.
Q. Key viewing points for the title track
BOYNEXTDOOR: Rather than overthinking, we hope you will temporarily turn off your rational mind and just feel this music. We believe this energy is precisely what BOYNEXTDOOR is. If you come to see our stage, we will make you jump naturally. We hope people will listen to ‘ANIMAL’ and play together. Rather than us trying hard to show something, we want to see the audience enjoying themselves.
Q. Special considerations while preparing the performance
Riwoo: Thanks to intense deliberation, my name was credited for choreography for the first time. I’ve participated in creating choreography before, but having my name on the credits is a first, which makes me proud and happy. Since the song is intense, I thought it would be difficult for the audience to enjoy it together if the performance was equally heavy. I wanted to create a twist by giving the chorus choreography a sense of leisure, so I discussed this with the company while building the routine. Unlike our previous promotions, I wanted to include easy-to-follow moves for ‘ANIMAL’, adding a bit of wit to the chorus. If I have one wish, it’s that the chorus choreography section I made becomes a trending challenge (laughs).
Q. Recording and Music Video Behind-the-Scenes
Myung Jaehyun: Before and after my recording schedule, Woonhak and Leehan recorded with even more intensity, which pushed me to sing harder to match them. Then the member up next would record fiercely as well, so we balanced each other out. Also, I took charge of the ultra-low pitched parts this time, so you’ll likely experience a fresh vibe. While working, we played the track and Woonhak and I danced freestyle, and the other members saw it and said we looked ‘like animals’ (laughs).
Sungho: While shooting the music video, to emphasize dynamic energy, we traveled all over places like Daejeon, Paju, and Incheon, continuously filming scenes where we run. There are scenes where we weave through crowds or walk briskly among citizens in a market, and through those appearances, we wanted to express a sense of liberation.
Q. Reactions you want to hear from this repackage album promotion
BOYNEXTDOOR: We want to hear people say that just looking at us makes them want to jump and play. We hope you call us a ‘performance-type idol.’ We want to play like animals on stage. We hope people view us as a team that knows how to party well and show that we are crazy about music and the stage. We will deliver an intense yet free-spirited vibe, so please look forward to it.
Q. A word for ONEDOOR who waited for the comeback
BOYNEXTDOOR: Knowing that someone is waiting for us is always a grateful and heart-fluttering thing. Thanks to ONEDOOR (fandom name) always welcoming us warmly, we strive harder day by day. We will show great sides of ourselves during this promotion as well, so please look forward to it. Let’s meet soon! Thank you.
