Review: ONF provide an invigorating end to the year with 'Goosebumps'

ONF have had one of the most incredible years in 2021, going from strength to strength, with a fantastic album, several successful singles, and some strong EPs all under their belt. However, just as their popularity reached a crescendo, RBW entertainment let us know that 5 of the 6 ONF members would be enlisting for their mandatory military enlistment at the end of the year (member U is Japanese, and thus does not have to register). However, we are to receive a final album prior to enlistment, and Goosebumps is that release.

The lead single Goosebumps is quite different compared to expectations. While a sentimental or cathartic release (such as summer single Popping) would work perfectly, Goosebumps is an experimental funk dance track, more a successor to My Genesis than their safer singles. At the same time, it has a mild darker and horror-themed edge, making it fit much better for Halloween than enlistment. While the song is fine, it does feel a little off-time, making one doubt the level of planning prior to enlistment.

The MV keeps up with the dark theme as well. After the carnage in the Popping MV, it appears that we are now following the 'evil' versions of the members, and their antics from the previous dimension. It is impressive how ONF have kept their lore consistent, even as many other boy bands collapse their storylines soon.

Musically, the anchor of the song is the deep, throbbing electro-bass. Minus the occasional pause-up and pre-chorus, composer/producer Hwang Hyun and the rest of Monotree use the bass as a stabilizer, and its absence is very noted and planned when done so. The percussion on the other hand, is funky, with a much looser and chaotic feel to the menacing bass, creating an atmospheric dissonance.

Hwang Hyun also knows what to do for productional flourishes. Brass, house beats, vocoder, synth strings, and much more occasional dot the futuristic landscape of the song, all while covered by the pulsating bass. At the same time, the pre-chorus switch-up brings an entirely different set of instruments, opting instead for a jazz piano, a light choir, and a pulsating beat compared to the tense atmosphere of the rest of the song.

Of course, the intense and well-planned production would be for nothing if not assisted by a fantastic melody. Goosebumps, after New World and My Genesis, might just be the most experimental and left-field of ONF songs. This could be either a blessing or curse and is thoroughly a blessing for Goosebumps. Rather than opt for a singular AABA structure, the song instead goes for a looser build. After a traditional verse, the song falls into a dark and thematic drop, with a repeated call-and-response phrase. It soon follows into the speedy, and much more tightly-written, second verse. However, instead of the call-and-response, the central refrain is now a creeping hook, sung by Hyojin and MK (and also by E-Tion in a later modification). While the hook is solid in its own right, it improves due to the subverted release.

From then on, the middle-8 sets into a build, climaxing with some full-group vocal moments, clanging percussions, and a loose, almost glitchy, vocoder peaking, dropping into a group chant. It is very loose and stylish, almost moving towards a controlled freestyle, before we get dropped into an intense chorus repeat, with added ad-libs, sending off the song without any room to breathe. Compared to Beautiful Beautiful and Ugly Dance, both of which thrived on emptiness, the deep and crowded world of Goosebumps further subverts.

ONF have never sounded sharper vocally than here. Wyatt, rather than being stuffed into a forced deep rap, finally finds his moment to stand out with his sung flows in the verses. The vocalists have rarely sounded sharper, with Hyojin and MK standing out the best. However, it is when they all come together for the ending chant that it becomes clear the vocal force ONF have become. You can hear each and every member sharply (though particularly Hyojin), but this loose confederation stands strong.

As their last full-group song (unless they have another surprise release, though this is highly unlikely) for a while, Goosebumps is off-putting. However, as a song in its own right, Goosebumps is a highlight, and a nice treat to cap off ONF's fantastic year.

Rating: 9/10

Image Source: Fool With Thoughts