Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
It’s been over a year since the last album from VIVIZ in VERSUS, and while they’ve done their first US tour in that time, nothing would prepare us for their evolution with VOYAGE. Off the high of the recently announced GFRIEND reunion, Buddies have been eating fucking good with the top three Korean beauty Sowon going back to updating her YouTube channel and Yerin’s newest release, and it’s now VIVIZ’s turn to show us a new side of them.
Now I know with the release of “Maniac” and “Untie” they’ve been leaning more into that sexy concept Eunha yearned for years ago in GFRIEND. With “Shhh!” I’m happy to say VIVIZ have seemed to found their unique sound. From the addictive chorus to its hypnotic versus. I was captivated from first listen straightaway, VIVIZ take no time shoving this concept in your face and getting you addicted. “Shhh!” Is a huge departure from what a casual fan of GFRIEND and even VIVIZ earlier songs .and VIVIZ own this concept from Kany‘s choreography to their iconic vocals, “Shhh” is not just an audible treat but a visual feast as well.
As for the rest of the album, I particularly loved “Full Moon” and “Hypnotize“, the latter of which KISS OF LIFE‘s Belle helped with composing. “Love & Tears” is a ballad to cap off a wonderful mini album which begs the question of when are we going to be graced with a VIVIZ full album? “Cliché” is a song I could’ve seen them using as the title, and will be interested in seeing if they promote this one at all after “Shhh!”
Overall, VIVIZ return with another fantastic mini that I can’t wait to listen to again, expanding on their previous successes, the girls are developing their own sound departing them further from Gfriend with each new release. I have fond memories of waking up early to listen to “Navillera” on release, anticipating their new song after how impactful “Rough” was. “Shhh!” gave me that same nostalgic feeling, and I hope this release further solidifies VIVIZ as VIVIZ and not some extension of Gfriend.
