[Review] VIRAL – BOYNEXTDOOR

After pre-releasing ddok ddok ddok a couple of weeks ago, BOYNEXTDOOR has finally returned with their first studio album, HOME, and its title track, VIRAL. This comeback marks BOYNEXTDOOR’s first release since last October’s mini-album, The Action, and single, Hollywood Action.

At first, VIRAL didn’t register as a BOYNEXTDOOR song to me. The new song sees the members adopt a more serious, emotional tone, which is very different from their usual vibrant, energetic hip-hop sound. But as the song progresses and the members start showing more of themselves, BOYNEXTDOOR maintains their usual sound in their delivery of VIRAL, so it registers as a BOYNEXTDOOR song. Anyhow, VIRAL features ‘intense guitar work’, which brought on a cool and classy vibe. But alongside the guitar work, the beat and percussive elements of the instrumentation give VIRAL some rhythmic flair. I really liked the chorus’s smoothness (thanks to the melodies and the members’ delivery), while the synths in the chorus just prick it at the right timing. WOOHAK and JAEHYUN’s rapping in the second verse also had the right level of punch. The same can be said as VIRAL goes through its tonal shifts, allowing for more intensity and delicate moments within the song, making it more interesting and dynamic. I also appreciate that VIRAL lasts more than 3 minutes, which allows the song to shift its tone and explore itself a bit more.

The hope in VIRAL‘s lyrics is that the song they created reaches their former lover, with whom they hope to rekindle their love with. But while the song does that, we see the members go through intense moments at home, at a factory, alone in a field, and during a weather event throughout the music video. These most likely represent the tribulations they are going through without their lover, as they desire to return to their former lover for a better future. I really liked the moody tone and colour of the music video. This is just my take on the music video, however, so I am open to hearing other theories if you have them.

This performance really showcases BOYNEXTDOOR’s capabilities on stage. I liked how the routine captured the smoothness of the chorus’s opening line, the delicacy of the stripped-back moments, and the song’s more intense moments. It all created a dynamic and cool performance to watch and enjoy.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10