P1Harmony was formed in 2020 by FNC Entertainment, which also created FTISLAND, SF9, AOA, and Cherry Bullet. They have six members: Keeho, Intak, Soul, Jongseob, Theo, and Jiung, who range from 18 to 22 at time of writing. Ah, again with them being younger than me; how is someone born in 2005 an adult? 

Nevertheless, Here are my credentials: little to none, I’m afraid. I don’t think I’ve heard any of their songs, and besides one interview with Keeho (I think?) I don’t know anything about the members themselves. So, let’s do this!

EP #1: Disharmony; Stand Out

I’ve reviewed a lot of boy groups on this blog, and so I figured I knew where Siren was going. But despite playing into some common tropes—like the somewhat droning post-chorus or the unnecessary raps—it didn’t have the drop I was expecting, instead having a fuller hook than I was expecting, which really elevated the track. The verses, meanwhile, keep the momentum, and though, like I mentioned, I have some issues, it’s a pretty good debut all in all.

From the EP, I enjoyed the hard-hitting guitar of the intro and the vocalized hooks of Butterfly. My hidden gem was the confident, rock-meets-hip-hop Nemonade, which would’ve been a good single as well, though I do prefer Siren. It’s a promising start!

EP #2: Disharmony; Break Out

Scared’s intro worried me, truth be told. While it’s not bad on its own, I’ve learned that sing-talk heavy intros are often a harbinger of a sing-talk heavy song. And it turns out I was right. There were parts of the song I liked—the melodic part of the chorus and the solid build-up in the pre-chorus—but I just couldn’t get into it. On the whole it was too harsh for me, and the pots and pans instrumental really didn’t help change my mind. Sorry, guys.

From the EP, I enjoyed Reset, which has a similar bombastic style and the kind of presence needed for a title, but isn’t as harsh-on-the-ears as Scared, and would’ve made a better single. I far preferred the first release, though.

EP #3: Disharmony; Find Out

Do It Like This is like a mashup of the first two songs, with its sing talk heavy verses balanced with more melodic moments. I like almost everything about it….except the anti-drop and main section of the chorus, which is unfortunately one of the most important parts of a song. It’s just hard to listen to, and it was close to being good, but it’s like it’s holding itself back, which is so frustrating as a listener. It’s not just a P1Harmony thing either; it’s a trend across many 4th gen kpop boy groups, like A.C.E., CIX, or even Stray Kids, and I have no idea why it’s so popular, but god, do I wish it would go away.

From the EP, my hidden gem was easily Follow Me, with its rushing verses, great pay-off in the chorus, and solid underlying beat. Another b-side that I wish had been a single. I also liked Before The Dawn’s gentle vocals.

EP #4: Harmony; Zero In

Doom Du Doom starts promisingly with that chanting hook, though I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a bit worried. The acoustic, percussive guitar incorporates this interesting wild west sound that reminded me of Seventeen’s March, and works well with their sound. There’s still an anti-drop, which wouldn’t be my first choice, but it works here, especially with a more fleshed out post-chorus. The chorus isn’t as unique as it could be, but overall the song is still pretty good, and is my favorite title so far.

From the EP, I enjoyed the laid-back beat of Yes Man, the great build up in Mirror-Mirror, and the softer sound of Different Song For Me, but my hidden gem was the swingy, confident Swagger. I am so glad that Doom Du Doom was the single and not Black Hole, because despite how great the rest of the album is, this song hurt my ears.

EP #5: Harmony; Set In

After Doom Du Doom I was hoping for an end to the issues I’d had with past titles and the start of a new era…and I spoke too soon. Back Down mainly retraces the steps of Do It Like This, from the sing-talk heavy verses to the honestly great build up that has so much potential, to the disappointing anti-drop. There’s some new ground, in the hints of rock guitar and the insistent vocals, but overall, I feel like I’ve heard this song at least five times in the last week (and two of those in this review).

From the EP, I enjoyed the build-up (though not the payoff in Secret Sauce), but my favorite was the dramatic, maximalist Look At Me Now, which again, is another b-side that should have been a single.

Next time, we’re onto Part 2. Tschüss!