Review: Oneus - Luna

Oneus have had quite a year. They released an LP in January, a mini-album in May, releasing two singles via the Oneus Theatre project, making a name for themselves as remake kings, remaking Thriller and their very own Valkyrie. Now, they return with a 7-track mini-album, about a month after Somi and Enhypen entitled their 8 track releases as full-length albums.

The surprising thing is the quality they maintained throughout the whole year. Their LP is one of the year's best, while Black Mirror and their Theatre singles are among the year's best. With such a level of consistency, it is no surprise their latest EP is worth praise. They hop through multiple genres with a level of traditional and orchestral flourishing.

Luna is their lead single from the new Blood Moon EP.  It is a perfect example of exactly how Oneus' sound has shaped, sounding like a much more ambitious child of Black Mirror and Lit. With the credits once again headed by famed producer Inner Child (from Monotree), it is little surprise Luna succeeds in its aims. Assisting is Seo Youngbae, another famed producer known for his musical flourishes.

Let us first start with that chorus. The chorus throughout this song is utterly fantastic. The vocal performance by Seoho, Leedo, and Keonhee is strong and tackles the song head-on. Seoho is a fantastic vocalist, and this sort of material gives him a chance to show it off a little.

At the same time, the chorus' instrumentation is golden. The basic structure is simple, with a synthwave drive so straightforward and forward-moving, it defines the song. However, if one listens carefully, they will find much more throughout the chorus. Flutes and Zithers give a distinctly traditional flourish while providing a nice bridge between the vocals and instrumentation.

The verses, on the other hand, tend to be a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes, they are amazing, as with the stunning pre-chorus and its yearning melody. At other times, such as with the second verse rap, the song distinctly feels acidic, lacking the melodic longing of the chorus Nonetheless, the verses still are a strong net positive.

One aspect of the song that deserves a lot of praise which I don't see given out for the song yet, the lyrics. Idol songs are not really known for their lyrics, often shoehorning awkward English lines. On the other hand, Luna abandons English as a language altogether, sticking with Korean. I think they have been sticking with a team of lyricists since their LP, and the results have shown, the lyrics for Black Mirror and Life is Beautiful were great, but Luna is outright beautiful.

The central analogy at the heart of the song is the comparison of Oneus' lost love with the orchid cactus known as the Queen of the Night. The orchid blooms in the middle of the night, usually with the moon blooming. However, it withers within an hour of blooming, fading as the sun rises. This flower inspired a Chinese folktale, one of yearning for love that one can never reach. Throughout the lyrics, it is clear the love mentioned is no longer with the singing character, and it is too late for them to go back.

With the basic scenario set, Oneus lets their story bloom (pun intended). The chorus sings 'Like the blinding light that bloomed at midnight (the moon), like the white orchid that blossomed to show its love to the moonlight, like a night's dream that disappears in a flash, you won't be able to walk 10 li when you follow the star (your love)'. This sort of poetic longing is what I grew up with, and it is what I want in my lyrics. This is just a small sample, and there are many memorable lines throughout Luna. Pair this with an engaging MV, the song is artistic in a way few idol releases are.

With all these elements, it is little surprise that Oneus have slowly risen through my personal bias list. Their releases have been excellent as of late, with them sticking with a basic team, they remind me a bit of ONF. Luna may not be perfect, but it does so much right it is hard not to love it.

Rating: 9/10

Image Source: Kbopping