Note: This is Part 2 of a Special Review I’m doing marking the anniversary of when Moonbin passed away, in order to better get to know who he was and raise awareness of mental health struggles. Please read Part One first. If you’d like to read the full post about Moonbin: click here.

(This is the disclaimer from Part One): This is a special review, so I’m starting with a personal note. I admit I didn’t know much about ASTRO before last year, until Moonbin, one of their members, passed away, but as a ShaWol (SHINee fan) and a huge fan of Jonghyun, who left us in the same way, I decided I wanted to discover who he was outside of one more sad story on my news feed. I discovered a few things. I discovered that he was a compelling actor. I discovered that he had a lovely voice. I discovered that he had a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. I discovered that he had a sweet relationship with his sister Sua, and…I discovered that I could inadvertently find myself becoming a fan of someone I wish I could’ve known and appreciated when he was alive.

But I still feel like I don’t know enough. So, then I decided I wanted to do this review, and post it this week, which is the one year anniversary of when he took his own life, as a way to learn more about him and some of the people who loved him the most, and I hope you’ll come along with me.

Album #2: All Light

All Night is more subdued than the ASTRO from Hide & Seek, but also feels sharper, another phase of their maturation. I like how the more stable piano combines with the sharper percussion; it makes the track more interesting. My favorite part is probably the pre-chorus, though that climactic high note just before the last chorus is just so ethereal and lovely. Also, when I watched the performance version, I was struck by how smooth and detailed the choreography is, especially the many moments where they nearly fall to the floor but then catch themselves in the final second, perfectly in time with the beat.

From the album, All Light, I enjoyed the insistent beat of Starry Sky, the smooth, Michael Jackson-esque confidence of Moonwalk, and the sunny guitar of road-trip song Merry-Go-Round. My hidden gem was the lighthearted, bubbly 1 In A Million, which had me bopping my head, but also the piano-led, peaceful yet uplifting Love Wheel. Overall, I really liked this album.

EP #6: Blue Flame

Blue Flame was the first song I’d heard of ASTRO’s, years ago, before I even had a blog or knew any of their names, and at the time, I was struck by how restrained it was (and by the fact that one of them was shirtless, but, you know). It feels more like a ballroom dance rather than a typical k-pop title track, taking inspiration from tango and ballet, pulling back in its verses but then rushing forward in its choruses, to great effect. I will say, though I do really like this song, I’m not the biggest fan of the rap here, since I think it interrupts the flow.

From the EP, Blue Flame, I enjoyed the percussive guitar and Latin Pop inspiration of Go & Stop, and the great vocals of When The Wind Blows.

EP #7: Gateway

Knock seems like a return to the spacier sound they started with, albeit more pared-back and less colorful. I like the strong, driving percussion throughout; it’s a good contrast to the mostly minimalistic instrumental. I don’t think it’s as sonically interesting as Blue Flame, but it’s still strong, especially in its final chorus and outro. Also, Moonbin’s dance break in the water was very striking, though it did make me a little sad.

From the EP, Gateway, I enjoyed the jaunty piano and catchy pre-chorus of Somebody Like (my hidden gem), and the combination of short distortion and more subdued vocals in Lights On. I’d actually heard We Still before, though I had no idea who it was by until the track started; I really like this one, and I’m glad I know who sings it now.

Album #3: All Yours

Though the tracks before have slowly been moving away from their debut sound, none does that as boldly as One, at least in terms of visuals and tone. It seems that every boy group is determined to wear tight leather pants, gyrate at the cameras, and put on more eyeliner than Gerard Way circa 2006. Gripes aside, I do like most of the song with its driving EDM, but I have no idea why that anti-drop at the end of the chorus is there, when it ruins what could have been such a good build-up.

From the LP, All Yours, I enjoyed the heavy distortion in Butterfly Effect, the softer pre-choruses of Someone Else, and the upbeat disco of All Good. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this album, to be honest. It was a little too same-y for me.

EP #8: Switch On

After Midnight is another track I knew before doing this review, since my YouTube recommendeds seemed determined for me to watch it in mid-2023. That aside, I really like this one. I think it’s the best example of a more mature version of their original sound, and it was nice to see them smile and have fun together in vintage clothes without trying to look too cool. It’s not the most unique track, sure but it’s absolutely a fun time, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

From the EP, Switch On, I enjoyed the summery lightness of Footprint (my hidden gem), the smooth and ethereal chorus of Waterfall, and the minimalist hook of My Zone. This whole release was right up my alley.

Album #4: Drive To The Starry Road

Candy Sugar Pop is ASTRO’s last single as six members, from around two years ago. Like After Midnight, it goes for a more fun, synth-based sound, and more colorful clothes, which I’m in favor of. I think that After Midnight is an overall stronger song, since its so unabashed and in-your-face about its own ridiculousness while Candy Sugar Pop is a bit more restrained and cool (though not by that much). I like this one too.

From the album, Drive To The Starry Road, I enjoyed the slowly climactic vocals and building guitar of Story, the fun piano hook and swingy guitar break of First Love, the uplifting instrumental of S#1, and the synthier direction that Like Stars took.

Single #1: Circles

Circles is not only ASTRO’s first release in two years and their first after Moonbin’s death, but also a special single marking their eighth anniversary, so it’s safe to say that I knew it would be a tearjerker before I even pressed play. That being said, I still had to take a deep breath when the video started and there were only four of them. It’s a lovely song about beginning again and moving on, but I admit I was paying more attention to watching them smile together in the behind-the-scenes clips that made up the music video. I smiled too, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t at least a little bittersweet. But I can honestly say that I’m very happy they have each other.

Verdict: TL;DR

My Top 5 songs are Always You, Blue Flame, Knock, Lie, and Somebody Like, with Love Wheel as an honorable mention. ASTRO gets an 8.25 out of 10 from me. They remind me a lot of TWICE, albeit with a more electronic-based sound from the outset: debuting with a cutesy, upbeat image that slowly transformed into a more mature, more synth-focused sound. Though I don’t have the same deep love for them that I do for TWICE, I definitely enjoyed my time looking through their work.

Outro: Moon Bin

So, I’ll end by saying this: I know that this is darker and sadder than I normally get on this blog, but I felt that it was appropriate this week. I can’t really say I hope you’ve enjoyed it, but I hope you come away from this knowing and caring about ASTRO and Moonbin just a little bit more. I plan to continue doing this with other idols who have taken their own lives, covering their work on the anniversaries as a way to remember them, learn more about who they are myself, and spread awareness of mental health. It’s a small thing, but it’s my way of trying to make a difference in the tiny corner of the internet I occupy.

It’s worth remembering that Moonbin was only 25 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that he would’ve gone on to do wonderful, wonderful things with all his talents, and it’s frankly a damn shame that he’ll never get that chance. Please take this as a sign to remember that ending everything is never the way, and that you can do so much more if you stay here with the people who love you. There’s always another day to pick dandelions, to snuggle with your dog, to tell your mother that you love her. Believe me, I’ve been there. I’m not saying that it’s easy, or even fun all the time to keep going. But I promise you, it is absolutely worth it.

Next time, we’re back to a usual review. Take care of yourselves out there, folks. Drink some water, take your meds, and remember to breathe. Tschüss, and Happy Spring.