ASTRO's "Gateway" Review

(Photo Credit: Fantagio Music/Billboard)

A late review for an album released back on May 4 (cue Star Wars gifs and memes), but better late than never! ASTRO made their comeback on May 4 with the EP Gateway. The album hit number one on its debut day and they won first place on "Show Champion" with title track "Knock" about a week after its release.

Overall first impression of the album: I enjoyed it so much. Wow. The title track is definitely a different feel when compared to other songs on their discography. It feels more powerful in sound/tone. However, each of the six tracks show a slightly different side of the group, and each one is a welcome surprise.

Also, I don't quite get the "time travelers" theme they talk about in the Billboard Interview they did with Jeff Benjamin. I think the MV demonstrates this, but the album's story line, based purely on the tracks, is more the story of a relationship. "Knock" is about missing a person from a past relationship. The middle four tracks are the beginning, middle, and end of the relationship, and "Light On" is about fighting for the relationship and being a better person.

1) "Knock"

Their title track showcases their more "powerful" side that maknae San-Ha mentions in their Billboard interview with Jeff Benjamin. While the overall album feels like there is more power in the music, this in particular is a good, strong lead track for them.

The main melodies in the verses are catchy and relaxing. The vocals are light and the lyrics they sing center around missing a person. The raps that interrupt and cut through the vocals are powerful and hard-hitting, helping drive the song forward. The rap line expresses feelings of being with the person they miss, and how they will find/chase them, which leads into the chorus. This is where the vocal line is heard loud and clear, and it's their turn to have the hard-hitting sounds. While the lyrics and vocal tone are lighter and "longing," the chorus is filled with determination. The rap lines parts break up the softer vocals throughout the rest of the song until the ending/coda section, where the vocal and rap lines overlap, combing longing and determination to get a very powerful, succinct closing to the song.

Watch the official MV here:

2) When You Call My Name

This one was not one of my favorites, if I'm being honest. It does showcase ASTRO's playful, bubbly, cute side though, and that's something I always enjoy seeing.

The general feel of the song is similar to their "Hide and Seek" and "Breathless" eras. If I compare it to a newer group, it sounds like a TXT song. It's not a bad thing, it's just not what I expected from ASTRO on this album. It's a HUGE contrast to the darker, powerful "Knock," and to have the songs back to back on the EP was definitely an interesting choice. The mixing of the song is actually quiet compared to the rest of the album. I played the song in my car, and I had the phone volume all the way up, and the radio turned up to about 50%, in order to even partially hear the song, which sucked because as soon as "SOMEBODY LIKE" came on, I nearly tossed my iced tea out the window.

The song itself is soft, with lyrics talking about how their person "makes a flower bloom of laughter" and when they think of them, they "feel cozy like a cloud." The bouncy, video game-like effect on a background melody that plays throughout the song adds to this cute and soft sound. It also helps move the song forward, bouncing it along and giving it an uplifting sound.

Watch a stage performance of the track here:

3) SOMEBODY LIKE

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite song from the album. I've probably listened to it about three times a day just because I can.

"SOMEBODY LIKE" is for sure a summer song. It's bright with a simple, catchy chorus melodies. I'd describe it as a driving song, in that it pushes forward at steady, upbeat pace without being overwhelming. Also, it's perfect atmosphere music for a sunny day car ride with the windows down and the summer breeze blowing through the car. It's an uplifting pop song that, I feel, is closer to the ASTRO sound I am used to. Centered around the same few piano and guitar "motifs", if you will, "SOMEBODY LIKE" follows this staccato motif that feels playful and flirty, much like the song itself.

Our six boys sing about driving together with you, because everywhere is good with you, and how they feel like they're flying when you're together. The lyrics match the fun instrumentals and is guaranteed to get stuck in your head. It'll put more pep in your step when you listen, if you aren't already dancing along or bopping along to it.

Check out the song here:

4) We Still

This pop ballad shows a more sentimental side of ASTRO while managing to be a bright song.

"We Still" is an uplifting song about how, even though two people are far apart, they will still be together and will not forget each other. MJ sings in the second chorus, "No matter what timeline, we will meet again/Still, We still, we still, the confession that will remain unchanging/I will protect you." It references a strong connection between two people, and not necessarily romantic, which is a nice thing about this song: it can be applied to so many different relationships.

The modulation up following the rap bridge reinforces a feeling of determination and a firm belief that these two people will be reunited in the future, no matter how long it takes. There's also a piano riff from the intro of the song that repeats throughout the song, potentially signifying the continuous, never-ending circle of the relationship. This riff is loudest during the verses, but falls behind during the chorus/rap parts as background to other instrumentals to fill out the song and emphasize the boys' voices.

Check out the song here:

5) 12 Hours

The closest thing to a true ballad on the album, "12 Hours" is a smooth blend of pop and R&B, decorated with piano and guitar melodies behind a soft-hitting beat. For sure my second favorite song.

"12 Hours" talks about the 12 hours after a breakup - definitely different from the rest of the album. The arrangement of the album has allowed this track to fit right where it needs to be, story-wise and a sound-wise. Story-wise, the first three tracks of the album talks about finding and staying with someone who makes life bright and amazing. "We Still" is like a pre-breakup song. Actually, it's the break-up song. It's the song that plays while you're breaking up. Hopeful for some type of relationship down the line, but sad it's ending now.

"12 Hours" is that immediate post-breakup song, where you're emo and in your feels, reminiscing about all the good times. Moonbin sings, "I don't know what to do anymore/I can't do well without you, now I know." Rocky's part is the smooth rap that just fits so well with flow of the song. It's soft and just deep/emotional enough to fit the song's vibe - not angry, not overly emotional. It's the realization that the hope to meet in the future from "We Still" is something that shouldn't be held on. It's something that's impossible. JinJin's part goes a little harder than I'd want it to go. It's more rough than Rocky's rap, but I think it showcases the emotional pain and turmoil after a breakup. It's a response to the realization in Rocky's rap.

The song goes through all kinds of sadness and emotion felt in the first hours after a breakup. It ends with the sadness that typically settles in once you've come to the realization that it's over as Eunwoo ends with "I don't want to do anything at all."

Sound-wise, it is the perfect toned-down song that was needed. The previous tracks get slower and more soft-hitting as they go on, all leading to this. I think overall, it's a pretty perfect song.

Give the song a listen here:

6) Lights On

As much as I like "Knock", I like "Lights On" 10x more.

It's the perfect wrap to the Gateway album. It has the darker sound of "Knock," kind of bringing the album full circle. The beginning ticking clock and "Tik Tac Tok" really tie in the idea that the boys are, as Moonbin said, "travelers who travel to a different time and space" (Billboard Interview).

While "12 Hours" described the post-breakup emotions, this seems to be about being there for the same person, just in a different time. The roles are reversed now. Whereas the other songs discussed how much of a light the other person one, this time, ASTRO talks about being the light for someone else. The hook states "On your dark road, I will be your light." Then, the chorus starts with "I will become the light to you, who I missed in the darkness." The song is like a realization of past mistakes, and an effort to do better.

The dark, edgy raps of Rocky and JinJin show more determination and assertiveness through the lyrics. They are strong lyrics that declare the boys as someone that can be relied on and as people that can be leaned on. The vocals are smooth and emotional, and talk about the boys as leaders, guides, and lights. Combined, they convey the powerful determination of men trying to win the heart of their significant other once again.

Check out the final song here:

Overall, I give the album a 9/10. It was well-rounded, and well-produced, besides the weird mixing thing between tracks 2 and 3. The sound and the storyline of the album were consistent. It was a near perfect album, and deserves all streams/listens it gets.

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