After a year in which they released a song every month for 5 months alongside two mini albums. 2017 introduced the K-rock band DAY6 to the Korean music industry with their biggest year to date. So entering 2018, fans were excited to see what would follow and after entering Japan through their first Japanese EP, If, and the single project, The Best Day. The band’s mini album Shoot Me: Youth Part 1 promised to be the long-awaited comeback fans had been waiting for, and it was worth the wait. Changing direction and attracting a new audience in their most successful release to date. 

Now 5 years on, we will break down the album and see how the album stands today.

WARNING!

Starting the album we have “WARNING!” A perfect introduction to the album as a whole. The song introduces listeners to the new look and the vibe that DAY6 went for in this album. With their previous album openings taking a more laid-back approach, the song’s heavy electronic sound and instrumental sound showcases an entirely new side to the band and what they attempt to achieve across the album.

The song’s clever emphasis on Korean lyrics once shows the band’s clever songwriting ability making the English lyrics of ‘Warning’ and ‘You gotta stop’ often repeated throughout the song showing the importance of the situation and pure urgency in the song and album.

WARNING! Is a perfect introduction to this album, and especially to the title Shoot Me coming up next. The one is also memorable for the way they perform live, with beautiful stages and high energy, makes it a personal favourite for me.

Shoot Me

On to Day6’s most iconic and the album’s title song, “Shoot Me” is a classic carrying on the electronic style from “WARNING!” The band turned up the ante with heavy guitar riffs and drumming. The song’s introduction features great ballad-like vocals from Young K and Sungjin back to back before going straight into great vocal performances from both Jae and Wonpil on the song’s bridge and chorus. The song equally gives the members a chance to showcase their vocals fully whilst the heavy instrumentals. Such as Dowoon‘s drumming shows just how far the band have come from their debut.

Overall, Shoot Me signifies a change in Day6 from the idol band style to a new harder rock style. Emphasising their instrumentals and traditional rock style. Which the band would incorporate into their future releases.

Somehow

“Somehow” changes up the vibe of the album. Going from an electronic rock style to a more relaxed pop-style song with a more repetitive instrumental. The song focuses on the member’s voices and lyrics as each member pours out their heart with sincere words of regret and overcoming heartbreak and how this slowly becomes natural, forgetting those once core memories over time.

Feeling Good

Completing the relationship story “Feeling Good” talks about going out and having new experiences now free and over heartbreak. Feeling Good is the perfect example of a relaxed, feel-good song. And is typical of DAY6’s earlier discography showing newer listeners what they can expect from the band in the future. 

“Feeling Good” is great for anyone looking for a lively, upbeat song.

Talking to

With a retro style, DAY6 cleverly uses “Talking To” to reflect upon the past relationship through music. The song is an open dialogue of the member’s feelings personally, reflecting on their past relationship. Giving fans a deeper insight into the member’s mindset of the song. Focusing on the member’s vocals as opposed to the band’s instrumental.

Still

Finishing the album, and we have “Still”. A song that perfectly breaks down all of the messages throughout the album. Finally saying goodbye to the relationship. The song starts slow with simple drumming and guitar riffs before picking up with the song’s bridge and chorus as they say goodbye.

“Still” has become one of the band’s most infamous songs. Often played during their concerts and mostly at the end of any special or promotional content created by DAY6. It is a perfect goodbye song and way to end what is a fantastic album.

Overall, Shoot Me: Youth Part 1 signified a lot for DAY6, with member Young K already writing the majority of the band’s songs. It’s the band’s instrumentals that stand out the most on this album, changing the cute idol band into full-blown rock stars. DAY6, changed the style of Korean band music bringing forward the genre we all know and love now. Bringing to the forefront new and lesser-known bands from Korea that had otherwise been in the background, standing out from the likes of other bands such as N.Flying and CNBlue. 

What’s your favourite song from the album? Let us know by reaching out on Social Media either on Twitter or Instagram.