Victon are a powerhouse of talent from their amazing and unique vocal talent to their sexy and aggressive raps to their incredible dance talent. These guys have it all and it's criminal to see how unappreciated they are. But this album has certainly garnered attention for them and this will hopefully put them on the K-Pop throne where they belong. This is Victon's first full-length project since they debuted in 2016 and it's an album for the ages. It certainly wasn't an album I was prepared for. I know what Victon are capable of but I certainly wasn't expecting an album like this.
The Future Is Now, which was originally scheduled to be released in November of last year, has been one I've been waiting for, for a while, and it's an album that is almost too good to put into words. It spans thirteen tracks and none of them feel like weak points as each track showcases a new sound and new experience. So in order to do this album justice, I decided to do a dive in each track.
Into The Mirror: The opening track features a nostalgic piano to get you in a mood but switches to a dance-y beat full of heavy bass and synths. The vocals are soft and sweet when they declare "I wanna feel like a bird" but switch to chant-y vocals almost as quickly as the beat switches. The raps are intense and sexy which really sets the tone for the raps on this record. This is a perfect opener for the album because it's a song that showcases their versatility in 3 minutes.
What I Said: The title track for this record features some latin-pop inspired trumpets, trap synths and flutes that flow throughout the verses, and a beat that is made to go crazy too. The stand-out point for this song though? Those raps. Delivered by member Hanse, he brings a fire and swag that any K-Pop idol could dream of having. He's got speed, flow, and a style that is rather unique for me. This song is also very sexy. It's certainly not a title track I've heard from this before and it surely knocked my socks off.
Circle: Featuring some calming synths and a softer beat, Circle slows down the pace and gives the listener a chance to chill after the fire that was just delivered. The chorus is a bit explosive that has a nice guitar groove. This song really shows off their vocal talent with each member showcasing powerful vocals. It's a song that feels like it belongs in a movie.
Chess: This song has got some powerful bass and sexy vocals to give you a whole package deal. This one is a fan favorite it seems among Victon fans and I can see why. It's got a groove and a beat that's perfect for dancing. This raps from Hanse and the little one from Seungwoo is also some of the sexiest things I've ever heard. It's a song that makes me blush because of the mood that is set. This is definitely a top contender for favorite for me.
Up To You: The emotional whiplash this record puts me through. Right after the sexy bop, we have this sweet song. It's a fun bop that I can see being perfect for the summer time. It's got some crazy synths and catchy vocals. There isn't much to say about it except that it is very sweet.
All Day: This is a guitar ballad that flows very well with Up To You. While I am known for not particularly enjoying slower songs, this one features a nice instrumental. It's just a simple by effective electric guitar melody taking center stage and a bass that makes your body vibrate. It also helps that Victon are vocal kings so they can do a softer song well. The chorus is very beautiful and their vocals that are delivered by all the members including their rappers, are perfection.
Carry On: Carry On is a solo track by leader and vocalist Seungsik. This is another ballad that showcases his vocal range. The verses showcase his lower range that flows into the chorus that features these beautiful falsettos. It feels like it belongs in a soundtrack. I can't say much else. It's a beautiful song with a beautiful melody.
Eyes On You: This is another solo track but this time the star is member Chan. He is the main dancer of the group so of course this track has to feature some nice dance breaks. There is a soft start that made me think otherwise but it kept building and building until the explosive dance break. It's got a synth melody that I've never really heard before. It's definitely a softer groove but it's still a groove and I'm dancing.
Utopia: This solo track is brought to you by vocalist Sejun. It's another groove track with a soft drum beat but sparkly synths. Sejun's vocals are beautiful and this song is very sweet and cute. This song doesn't feel quite long enough even though it's almost three minutes but the experience feels like it needs to last longer. It's beautiful.
Where is Love?: So far on this album, Hanse has really delivered aggressive raps so his solo track comes as a surprise as he slows it down. Featuring some heavy, bass-driven beats and a soft melody, Hanse really knows how to deliver for this track. He really showcases that he can rap to any beat he is given (which is why I bias him). A great track by a great rapper.
Unpredictable: This is another big stand-out track to me. It starts slowly but then the chorus kicks in and suddenly you're listening to another sexy groove. The chorus has got this hard, funky bass and falsetto vocals that give it the sexy edge. And once again, the raps here are aggressive and unlike anything I've heard. The beat switches like 3 times during this song but it's not clunky. It all flows well together to make this bop.
Flip a Coin: The second to last song on this record, begins to close the record with another large bop. It's another song that really throws you into a loop when you think it's going one way (a catchy song that feels blues inspired) it goes another (this fire hip-hop heavy track). Seungwoo has these yodel-y raps and Hanse really brings a groove to begin this song. The beat is hard and dirty and makes your body vibrate. The chorus is catchy and explosive. It's a good way to end the record and showcases what they can do.
We Stay: The final track on this record feels like a great credits scene. It's a cute song that ends the record on a high note. It's got these poppy vocals and a poppy instrumental. Victon sing their hearts out and give it all to make the listener feel satisfied once finishing the record.
Victon are opening up the new year strong and really setting a high expectation for the year that's to come. If this album came out last year, it would've definitely made it in my top 3 albums of the year. But they had to know what they were doing but setting the date back to the beginning of this year. It's like going first during a school presentation because you get to set the tone for everyone following. Except Victon basically reinvented powerpoint and made a presentation that has this incredible theme, music, and charts and they're delivering their information in this interactive and fun way and anyone following it is shaking because they know they can't compete with that. This album is absolute perfection and every track feels like it belongs and flows well together. Everyone knows how to deliver their parts and they do them incredibly well. Victon deserve more credit and I hope this record really gives them the credit that is long overdue.
Watch the music video for title track, What I Said, below and check out Voice: The Future is Now on your preferred streaming service (you're going to be missing out if you don't).
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