One day I’ll do a fave DKB songs. But for now, I gotta talk about Urban Ride. Now, back when I was doing the Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts articles, DKB would show up periodically. But around the time of them winning that survival show and I Need Love, which I did enjoy that album a lot, but they were moving a bit away from their Hip Hop & R&B sound. And I just hated HIP. So my enjoyment of Urban Ride felt like some major course correcting sound wise.
I was so surprised, almost like my initial listen of ETERNAL by Taemin. I kept my expectations low because I wasn’t really feeling their most recent mini albums. But I felt like coming home listening to their newest albums. Crazy. I need this trend to continue.
Urban Ride starts with “Star” and as soon as I heard the drill beat, I was hooked. “Star” sounds and feels a bit like an intro or an outro. I think it’s the instrumentals. They feel a bit nostalgic. The piano is the best part.
It’s been a few weeks since I first listened to “Flirting X” and Urban Ride. But I wasn’t feelin “Flirting X” and I was surprised to see it was the title track. But after watching it with the music video, I like it more. It’s a grower.
I like the incorporation of instruments and the rock band concept this time around. I adore the scenes of the music video with them on the rooftop at sunset playing the instruments and singing. Them being menaces on Seoulites was entertaining. And I always forget how much I love a nighttime setting in music videos.
The hair and styling in “Flirting X” is S tier. Harry-June’s hair and those silver glasses suit him so well. Love him in the thumbnail. I knew E-Chan was gonna slay this ginger/brown hair. GK is also killin this look. It’s wild how good the shades on the members look. I could believe they were all born with their current hair colors.
They look so good. I mean, D1 has black hair, so it’s not as exciting, but I still love how it looks on him. He’s killin it too. Actually, I like that the members have more red in their hair this time around (overall). I’m glad red/orange hair is coming back too.
This alternative trend in Kpop for the guys is a breath of fresh air. Everything comes in waves, but I like this baggy, alt trend going on at the moment. Lots of silver, and kinda reminds me of some of the Nu Metal styling from the early to mid 2000s. So I guess it’s also Y2k coded.
“TAEKWONDO” was exactly what I wanted to hear. Some “old school” DKB. I think, similar too to Taemin’s ETERNAL, there’s something for all DKB fans on this album. There’s a good amount of variety on here. I love that they filmed a performance video for it. We’re ignoring that random rat tail braid in Harry-June’s hair, lmao. That looks so silly.
The Taekwondo moves in the choreo were expected, but they way they included it was so smooth. I’ll have to look back at their other choreo to confirm, but I think this is my favorite choreography of theirs.
“Traveler” also feels like a bit of an older DKB style song but a nice mix of house elements to it. And it’s a perfect set up for the final track, “LET’S DANCE” which is totally newer DKB house/dance track vibes. But it’s so high energy and fun. I love that it’s the album ender.
So what were y’alls favorite songs from Urban Ride? I haven’t decided on a favorite song yet. But “TAEKWONDO” is definitely up there at the top. And let me know who your favorite member is. I will totally be coming back to DKB for a favorites article in the future. But tell me all your thoughts in the comments. Next up is Stray Kids ATE.
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Until next time,
Take care!
Ash💫
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