HYBE’s Japanese group &TEAM has been constructing as much as their second album this yr, regularly forging a softer, extra melodic sound that labored significantly nicely on summer season singles Koegawari and Aoarashi. Earlier this month, they pre-released the wintery Illumination and now now we have title monitor Yukiakari days earlier than the discharge of the total album.

This is likely to be a very simplistic remark and I don’t imply to pit teams towards one another, however given the truth that &TEAM, TXT and ENHYPEN usually share comparable producers it appears like HYBE tends to dole out its strongest songs to one of many three acts annually. In 2024, &TEAM had been the beneficiaries. Aside from is efficiency in Japanese, Yukiakari might have been delivered roughly the identical means by any of those teams. That’s not meant as a knock on lack of individuality. As an alternative, it’s a recognition that the music itself is powerful sufficient to be virtually “plug and play.”

Extra importantly, Yukiakari works as a pure climax to &TEAM’s yr. Its atmospheric sound, chugging guitar and melodic peaks recall previous singles however pull them collectively into one thing extra anthemic. It’s an excellent match for the group’s gentle, ethereal tones. This mix feels dreamlike and barely otherworldly, imbuing a really easy monitor with further texture. The refrain swoops by means of two distinct melodic segments, taking its time to supply a sustained sense of launch. The association might stand to be a bit extra distinctive, however general it is a particular hit.

Grade: B