Seeking out the sun and stars is no easy matter. But Cravity, who expressed this desire in their previous release Sun Seeker, may already be close to that brilliant light with perhaps their most polished record yet. Evershine is the group’s latest addition to their winning streak, and true to its name, it’s a bright and shining album that shows off the members’ high-spirited energy while also providing room to explore different sounds for the group.
At the forefront of Evershine is lead single “Love or Die,” a drum and bass number with prominent rock elements. Though this is a noticeable shift in style from their recent upbeat pop sound, the track also doesn’t use the dark soundscape of their early releases, despite the visuals being somewhat reminiscent of “Break All The Rules” and “Flame.” Instead, the tune feels like a natural evolution as it embarks on a slightly more mature path that’s still in line with Cravity’s vibrant musical direction.
Although title tracks under three minutes often feel underdeveloped, “Love or Die” sounds surprisingly fully realized, even with the apparent absence of a pre-chorus. From the start, strong electric guitars grab the audience’s attention. The intense energy grows alongside the rapid drum and bass rhythm, and provides a nice base for the members to express the overwhelming feelings of love:
I want you to heal me
My heart is still bleeding
I’m sure this night will come to an еnd as well
But I can’t open my eyеs without you
Love or die
The bridge offers only a brief solace before jumping right back into the chorus, not to mention an even more fiery post-chorus as Allen’s rap ends the song with a bang.
For the b-sides, “C’est La Vie” and “Cherry Blossom” are much closer to what we’ve come to expect from the group, with both being groovy and infectious pop tunes. These two numbers also showcase various sides of Cravity’s youthful image.
“C’est La Vie” is bright and punchy, utilizing a taut 808 bass and pulsing drums to produce zestful, Jersey club-influenced beats that instantly grip listeners. The lively vocal arrangement is full of catchy hooks and fun melodies, which are made even more engaging thanks to the members’ hip vocals, especially during the chorus. It’s a strong opening song, doing a fantastic job of setting the tone for the rest of the album.
In comparison, “Cherry Blossom” is light and refreshing with bubbly synths and a funky bass. The melody is smoother and shows off the group’s sweet voices more with delightful ad-libs, vocal harmonies, and a lovely high note during the bridge. Its soft and easy-listening sound matches perfectly with the flowery spring season, painting a vivid picture of a warm and relaxing walk amidst cherry blossom trees.
On the other side, “Mr.” and “Worst Thriller” bring notably different moods to the EP. “Mr.” is a heavy EDM track that sounds like a complete throwback to the late 2000s and early 2010s. Its addictive electric bass rhythm drives much of the energy, taking after many tunes played at clubs and festivals. Moreover, the enthusiastic topline adds a lot of fun to the already energetic instrumental with unexpected rap lines from some of the group’s vocalists (Wonjin, Minhee, and Seongmin) and a gorgeous vocal melody in the bridge that almost feels absurd given how wild the rest of the song is. Absurd or not, “Mr.” is certainly an exciting and welcome addition to the record.
While “Mr.” is sure to get people up and dancing, “Worst Thriller” immerses listeners in a sleepy yet weighty dream. It’s a rare take on psychedelic rock from Cravity, and probably the most adventurous the group have been in some time. The dreamy instrumental with whistles and electric guitars creates a lonely and mysterious atmosphere, appearing mellow on the surface whilst containing a heavier aura underneath all the layers. Like “Mr.,” “Worst Thriller” offers a nice change of pace within the album.
We’re brought back to feel-good and lighthearted pop with the EP’s closing number. Partially written and composed by Allen, “Over & Over” is a pop rock song that depicts the desire to revive a past relationship even if it means going back in time and losing memories:
But I still gotta let you know
Even if I lose all my memories
Even if I go back to the start
Over and over
I’ll repeat it over and over
It’s a poignant message despite the cheery melody; the refreshing guitars develop a hopeful and sunny tone that fits well with summer. There’s a pleasant nostalgia factor here, giving off a 2010s pop vibe, and wrapping up the album on a warm note.
Altogether, Evershine is a stellar EP that sits proudly next to Cravity’s best works, New Wave and Master: Piece. The group now seem well-accustomed to releasing pop excellence, a consistency and quality that few can boast. And with Evershine showing hints of further exploration in different styles, Cravity’s remarkable growth shows no signs of stopping.
(YouTube. Lyrics via Genius [1][2]. Images via Starship Entertainment.)
