Whereas Astro’s Dream Pt.1 was by no means particularly promoted as a “summer time” album, it’s one of many Okay-pop tasks I most carefully affiliate with the season and was launched simply earlier than considered one of Okay-pop’s most epic summers in 2017. Extra importantly, it’s extremely sturdy and represents a bubbly, ultra-melodic pop sound we simply don’t hear a lot of anymore. It’s a boy group album with actually no shouting in any way. That alone is form of miraculous, proper?
1. Goals Come True
There was a quick second when Okay-pop was aping the sunshine, strings-assisted dance sound of common UK digital act Clear Bandit. This resulted in a number of classics – this track being the top. I feel Goals Come True is just about good and I’ve listened to it an insane quantity of instances. The percolating synths that kick off this monitor are like summer time’s herald. From right here, the monitor simply grows and grows till it reaches its euphoric refrain. What a wonderful style of the thrilling power this album has in retailer for us! Positively considered one of my favourite ever Astro songs.
Ranking: 9.5
2. Child
On the time of launch, Astro have been coming off an extremely sturdy run of singles, inflicting me to underrate Child at first. The track has since gone on to change into a private favourite. I really like the fizzy synth and laidback groove. It’s punchy with out being too in-your-face and – as all of Astro’s early work – thrives on playful melody. It’s such a joyful sound whereas additionally feeling like a slight maturation from their debut 12 months.
Ranking: 9
3. You Smile
We’re bounding from power to power with one other pop banger. What I really like most about this album (in addition to its unimaginable songs) is that it holds collectively as one cohesive sound. This leans extra towards pop/rock, anchored by a stunner of a refrain. The melody right here is sharp as a tack, fully-developed and designed for immediate singalongs. This was my “buried treasure” manner again when and I stand by that, despite the fact that I in the end got here to desire Goals Come True. That is nonetheless such a head rush. Why can’t at present’s Okay-pop acts harness this sound and power?
Ranking: 9.25
4. As a result of It’s You
We’re into the album’s first ballad now and… guess what? The ballads are wonderful, too! This album is aware of how you can deploy its slower materials and bolster it with loads of musical drama. Simply hearken to the pre-chorus of this magnificence! These vocal harmonies are completely beautiful and proceed into the confetti-drop bombast of the refrain. That is the way you wring as a lot as attainable from a pop ballad. It’s pure belt-it-out boy band bliss.
Ranking: 8.75
5. Dream Night time
This album launched throughout the peak of Okay-pop’s tropical developments and, wanting again, I understand how a lot I miss these sparkly synth tones. Dream Night time is among the extra generic tracks right here, however the instrumental is filled with so many vibrant tones that it simply shimmers. The assorted tempo shifts work rather well, significantly as a result of the monitor’s power by no means lags whilst we plunge right into a extra subdued second verse.
Ranking: 8.5
6. I’ll Be There
The nostalgia is robust with this one, because the finger-snap beat and beneficiant melodies recall early-2000’s teen pop. Inside that realm, I’ll Be There is extra “filler b-side” than “standout single,” however that’s superb as a part of an album this sturdy. It’s nice and candy, bolstered by some nice performances that give it loads of character. It’s definitely one of many quieter moments on the album however works as a late tracklist temper setter.
Ranking: 8
7. Lie
We’re onto the second ballad now, and though this won’t be as sturdy because the implausible As a result of It’s You, it affords a extra grounded, refined sound. A minimum of, that’s the case till we cost into Lie’s orchestral refrain. What the association lacks in drive it compensates with its ornate theatricality.
Ranking: 8
8. Each Minute
I really like when albums shut with a giant ol’ banger. Each Minute recaptures the magic of Dream‘s opening tracks, providing a buoyant pinwheel of electro goodness. Chugging percussion echoes this power, presaging the sound Astro would resume in 2022 with their single Sweet Sugar Pop. The track’s two-part refrain is a complete pleasure bomb, recalling comparable efforts from earlier boy group B1A4, who Astro clearly took inspiration from. That is such a victorious solution to finish a no-skip album.
Ranking: 9