BOYNEXTDOOR are returning with their 2nd EP HOW? on April 15.

As a bridge between the sextet’s debut single album WHO! and their 1st EP WHY.., 2nd EP HOW? completes their first-love-trilogy that chronicles the stories from first love to first heartbreak. From the excitement of first love portrayed in WHO! to the pain of first breakup captured in WHY.., HOW? sheds light on the various situations and emotions that span in between. K-pop’s free spirits express a range of emotions through their unique musical language, evoking empathy with the universal theme of first love.


A Musical Journey Through the Rollercoaster of First Love

Listening to the tracks of HOW? in sequential order allows the listener to fully immerse themselves in the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany the evolution of a youthful romance. The album’s protagonist feels nervous and excited on the first date (“OUR”), but experiences a cycle of conflict and reconciliation as the relationship deepens (“Amnesia”). Even amidst romantic nights out (“So let’s go see the stars”), frustrations arise as relationships don’t always go to plan (“Earth, Wind & Fire”). The protagonist gathers with friends for candid conversations about love and life (“l i f e i s c o o l”), ultimately accepting the breakup (“Dear. My Darling”) as first love comes to an end. The album is comprised of seven tracks, including an English version of the lead single “Earth, Wind & Fire”.

In order to vividly capture the essence of fluctuating emotions, BOYNEXTDOOR incorporated the 'KitschCore' style into their new album. 'KitschCore' combines the carefree nature of 'Kitsch' with the effortless cool of 'Normcore' to reflect the free-spirited wits of your friendly boys next door. From concept photos that cleverly depict the emotional rollercoaster of being in love with added graphics, an out-of-this-world music video set against the earth and cosmos, to music infused with hyperpop elements, BOYNEXTDOOR’s 'KitschCore' permeates throughout every aspect of the album.


Lead Single “Earth, Wind, & Fire”

The lead single "Earth, Wind, and Fire” portrays an overly confident protagonist, whose “sky wasn’t high enough,” grappling to conceal their anxious heart in the presence of a loved one. Like the uncontrollable nature of earth, wind, and fire, the frustrations that arise from a relationship that sometimes deviates from one's expectations is authentically expressed in the track.

The sound and performance of “Earth, Wind & Fire” cleverly convey the protagonist’s fluctuating state of mind. In particular, the 'sped-up' section instantly catches listeners' attention as the sextet expresses the protagonist’s frantic and anxious thoughts with accelerated vocals. The fast-paced performance, synchronized with a speedy tempo, also mirrors the protagonist’s emotional journey.

Each section of “Earth, Wind & Fire” is highly unique, enhancing the dynamic quality of the song. The performance is also bound to blow away the audience with this detail extending to the choreography, which directly demonstrates the lyrics—“I can let everything go / But not this time / What’s all this confusion, doubt over me”—helping viewers easily immerse themselves in the protagonist’s emotions. The boys bring the heat with a fast-paced energetic performance that leverages exceptional teamwork to emphasize their overall cohesion as a whole over singular individuality.

In the music video for "Earth, Wind & Fire," the unexpected twists of first love are vividly portrayed through the imagery of ever-shifting nature ranging from deserts to glaciers, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes. These natural phenomena serve as powerful metaphors to effectively deliver the track’s central theme throughout the video. Moreover, the band distinguishes themselves through the incorporation of KitschCore elements—vibrant sets, colorful graphics, and rapid editing techniques—captivating viewers with a sense of whimsy and vitality.


One-of-a-kind Music Crafted by Self-Producing All-Rounders

JAEHYUN, TAESAN, and WOONHAK were involved in the composition and lyrics for five tracks featured in the new album, resulting in a comforting sound that evokes empathy from youth with conversational lyrics that reflect the everyday language of the members. The three members have been credited on all three albums released so far, establishing their very own versatile musical style. RIWOO took charge of refining the details of the lead single’s choreography ultimately resulting in a performance perfectly tailored to BOYNEXTDOOR.

The self-producing all-rounders were joined by executive producer and artist ZICO, along with main producer Pop Time, who aligned their perspectives with the members to unleash the greatest creative potentials.

BOYNEXTDOOR’s music presents itself as a friendly face that resonates with youth. They have the capability to command the audience with effortless confidence, charisma, and energy, but never cease to be familiar and approachable. Knocking on listener’s hearts with comforting music complemented by their multifaceted talent, BOYNEXTDOOR are distinguishing themselves with their free-spirited sound, turning their musical world into their personal playground.


Tracklist

1. OUR

Hip-hop based track “OUR” reflects the giddy nervousness of an innocent first date with its upbeat rhythm and vibrant melody. The singing rap atop the buoyant sound unfolds the members’ unique individualities and charms.

2. Amnesia

The repetitive pattern of conflict and reconciliation in a relationship is metaphorically compared to “Amnesia”, a track that creates a distinctive ambiance with a blend of serene guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats. With TAESAN and WOONHAK on the credits for both composition and lyrics, it delves into the complex, yet closely bound emotions of two lovers who grow closer amidst their conflicts.

3. So let’s go see the stars

Rock-based synth pop track “So let’s go see the stars” sonically paints a portrait of a romantic date night between two young lovers stargazing under the twinkling sky. The band’s powerful vocals, accompanied by crisp drum beats and synth melodies smoothly gliding up and down the scales, soar effortlessly throughout. TAESAN and WOONHAK, who participated in the composition and lyrics, capture the childlike innocence of being caught while inadvertently revealing romantic feelings meant to be kept secret.

4. Earth, Wind & Fire **Lead Single

The lead single "Earth, Wind & Fire” epitomizes the free-spirited nature of BOYNEXTDOOR, trendy yet unbounded by conventions. It expresses deep love for someone as if they are one’s entire world—earth, wind, and fire—although anxiety and frustration coexists because love can be as uncontrollable as nature itself. The band showcases musical versatility with hyperpop, freely exploring the relatively untapped genre in the K-pop scene with their bold musical progression and energetic stage performance. The exceptionally catchy 'sped up' section, unfolding at rapid speed, is bound to linger in listeners’ ears after just one listen. JAEHYUN, TAESAN, and WOONHAK contributed to the lyrics, while JAEHYUN and TAESAN participated in the composition.

5. l i f e i s c o o l

The six members casually gather around to candidly discuss love and life in hip-hop track “l i f e i s c o o l”. JAEHYUN, TAESAN, and WOONHAK participated in the lyrics and composition, tailoring each part of the song to distinctively reflect each member’s actual traits and characteristics. The tight-knit bond and chemistry among the members unfold throughout the genuinely casual and candid lyrics.

6. Dear. My Darling

Rock ballad “Dear. My Darling”, enriched with retro vintage sounds and vocals, delivers well wishes to an ex-lover through the form of a letter. With TAESAN on the lyrics, also joined by JAEHYUN on the composition credits, the track conveys a peaceful heartfelt ending that many romanticize about, instead of a regretful one, bringing closure to BOYNEXTDOOR’s first love story.