Group AEN opened a "new era."
AEN (AEN, Jiyong·Bomin·Gyuhyeon·Haru·Haruto·Junseo·Kyra) at 6 p.m. on the 5th released the full audio tracks of their debut mini album "A NEW ERA OF NOW" and the music video for the title track "X to Z (Next to me)" on various music sites.
AEN is Monsta X (MONSTA X), WJSN (WJSN), CRAVITY (CRAVITY), IVE (IVE), KiiiKiii (KiiiKiii), IDID (IDID) and other global K-pop groups showcased by Starship Entertainment, which rose to the ranks of hitmakers, in partnership with Japan's leading comprehensive entertainment corporations (Amuse) as a Korea-Japan joint new boy group, and the group name is an acronym for "A New Era of Now," meaning the generation that newly defines this moment. In Japanese it carries the meaning of "eternity (永遠)."
Ahead of their official debut, AEN held a pre-debut greeting showcase on June 27 at Tokyo SGC Hall Ariake, and they raised expectations as a group attracting attention from Japan's five major sports papers including Daily Sports, Sports Nippon and Sankei Sports.
Their debut mini album "A NEW ERA OF NOW" carries the meaning of "a new era of this moment." AEN, composed of six members from the Starship survival show "Debut's Plan" (Jiyong·Bomin·Gyuhyeon·Haru·Junseo·Kyra) and a new Japanese member Haruto, positions a tender attitude of "being by your side anytime, anywhere" and sharp performances as its identity. The album is composed of 10 tracks, five in Korean and five in Japanese, targeting both the Korean and Japanese markets simultaneously.
The debut title track "X to Z (Next to me)" is a powerful electronic rock fusion song featuring electric guitar and synth bass. It paints a picture of unwavering conviction amid chaos and unknown worlds, expressing a vow to remain by someone's side unchangingly in any situation. With its intense sound and powerful performance, it is the track that most intuitively shows AEN's characteristics.
On top of brisk beats, it adds a message of conviction and connection that does not waver even in unknown worlds, and lyrics like "on the coordinates of you X to Z / I'll be there 내 위친 Beside you" deliver the promise to cross any boundary and stay by fans' side with a sense of scale.
The included track "Clockwise" is driven by a heavy synth bass riff that creates a trendy, groovy atmosphere, and "Focus On Me" is a refreshing house dance-pop track with an upbeat disco rhythm and groovy bass line that grabs the ear. "CHILLS" depicts moments that shine on stage based on an addictive melody and electronic pop sound, and "HIGHFIVE" is a dance track notable for its funky hip-hop beat and buoyant melody.
Containing different genres, moods and messages, by including these songs on their debut mini album AEN revealed new faces while imprinting a broad spectrum. Especially befitting a global boy group, this debut mini album is composed of a total of 10 tracks, including five Korean-version tracks and five Japanese-version tracks.
AEN, who took their first step into the music industry with a flexible charm rather than staying with a single concept, has a promising future to look forward to.
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