Fan Chant: A Few More Thoughts About ATEEZ’s New Album GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.2

Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week, I continue to be immensely charmed by ATEEZ, and no one is surprised. If you enjoy what you’re reading, feel free to subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week!

ATEEZ are on track to potentially earn their second Billboard No. 1 album with their latest release, GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.2, a fact that makes me feel totally fine and normal.¹

Last week, I connected with the members over email to get some insights into each song on the EP, the follow-up to summer’s GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.1. One thing I know about myself is that I am often a victim of recency bias; I frequently get so excited about a new project, film, or season of a TV show that I go a bit overboard in my praise. So I need some fellow Atiny to chime in here — how does this album actually stack up to ATEEZ’s other 2024 releases, and where does it fall against the rest of their discography? Because right now, a few days post-release, I’m convinced this is one of their best albums.

I’m not ready to do a full ranking, but I feel pretty confident in saying that THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL just might be in the top tier of ATEEZ’s discography: “Crazy Form” lives up to its name, “ARRIBA” and “Silver Light” are so much fun, and the unit songs on this album are phenomenal. But then there’s OUTLAW to consider, because there are no skips in sight on that album. Elsewhere, I’m convinced “WORK” is going to be my most-played song of the year when Spotify Wrapped time rolls around, and we have to speak to someone about getting “Blind” and “Siren,” other standouts from GOLDEN HOUR: Pt.1, on some future set lists.

This brings us to the latest drop. The album’s focus track, “Ice on My Teeth,” makes a great double feature with “WORK.” The beat on “Scene 1: Value” is absolutely diabolical, and I low-key wish it was a full-length song. Mingi correctly noted “Man on Fire” as texturally similar to “DJANGO,” but the song I’ve really gathered us here today to discuss is “Selfish Waltz.”

This diva! While ATEEZ have proven time and time again that their hyper-energetic tracks like “Guerrilla” and “BOUNCY” absolutely work for them, they also crush this lush kind of synth-pop when the opportunity presents itself. “Selfish Waltz,” which Hongjoong revealed in our interview that he wrote over three years ago, feels akin to “Cyberpunk” and “Take Me Home” with just a dash of “Deja Vu”² in the mix. That run Jongho hits into the last chorus made me briefly leave my body the first time I heard it. The truth is, this is a b-side many K-pop groups would be excited to offer as a title track.

In conclusion, ATEEZ just keep getting better, and I’m exhausted. I keep thinking I’ve reached the peak of my admiration and excitement over them as a band, but they keep innovating. Fine! You’ve charmed me! Congratulations to the eight of them and to all of us Atiny who keep reaping the benefits.

¹I hope that at least a few fans can relate to this feeling — I’m in a very specific place right now where I want all the success and opportunity possible for the members of ATEEZ, and also desperately want to gatekeep them. Bring them to global awards shows! Offer them headlining slots at festivals! Stop looking at them!

²ATEEZ’s summer 2024 tour delivered my favorite live show of the year, but we need to do something urgent to get queen “Deja Vu” back on the set list.