You would think that with fall arriving we would begin to encounter cosy, mellow songs that prepare us for cooler months ahead. Well, S.Coups and Mingyu of Seventeen have other plans in store. In fact, they’ve decided to reinvigorate summer, and it’s nothing short of explosive. Fans get to see the side they’ve been hoping to see – letting the pair in the spotlight in only the way these two know how – chaotically.
Their mini-album HYPE VIBES may be short and sweet, but it definitely delivers. As members of the hip-hop unit, they know how to fire off fast, memorable lyrics that are always layered over some loud, booming beats. Their recent solo numbers on SEVENTEEN’s Happy Burstday album hinted at that potential future direction on their tracks, like the EDM-heavy “Shake It Up” by Mingyu and the hard-hitting, beat-heavy “Jungle” by leader S.Coups.
The opening starts that summer flow with “Fiesta” preparing the listener to strap in for what's to come “First track appears like a shooting star, Yeah we're going to party, it's fiesta.” and that carries over perfectly for the lead single.
The title track, “5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman) (feat. Lay Bankz)”, was teased as a throwback to the moment many Carats fell for them. The music video leans fully into the summer vibe, from the chaos of neon-lit night clubs to fun choreographed dances on the beach during what feels like a boys' trip…and a big one at that. It’s the kind of release that might have landed harder in June or July, but even in September, it radiates a carefree, sun-soaked feeling. Sampling inspiration from Roy Orbison's “Pretty Woman”, the track blends nostalgia with a fresh, poppy, high-energy sound.
Surprisingly, the mini-album includes two slower tracks “Young Again" and “Earth” that are a little bit unexpected. “Earth” winds the party down with a swaying, anthemic chorus. Slow and steady before kicking into a sharper club beat capturing the perfect night vibe. With six songs coming in at just 16 minutes, HYPE Vibes is short but sweet, and it does its job at being a fun, easy listen. While the sound isn’t as hard-hitting as what we’re used to from the duo, that shift in direction in terms of sound works in their favour. In a way it’s a celebration of being care-free, and saying goodbye to summer with one last big vibe.