Album Review: BAE173's "ODYSSEY: DaSH" Is A Delectable Mix Of Genres Representing The Best Of New Gen K-Pop

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The K-Pop industry is constantly evolving, and so is the genre. At the forefront of this shift are 4th generation K-Pop groups, re-inventing the possibilities and expanding the horizons of K-Pop. One such group that is pioneering this change is BAE173.

Following the incredible success of their 3rd mini-album "Intersection: Blaze", BAE173 is back to usher in a new era of their musical journey with "ODYSSEY: DaSH". Inspired by Homer's epic of the same name, BAE173 aims to open the doors to a whole new adventure in K-Pop, invoking a scale as grand as the Odyssey itself. While it is granted that there will be obstacles on the way, BAE173 is ready to overcome them all and discover what lies beyond infinity. "ODYSSEY: DaSH" is thus both the continuation of BAE173's saga and a brand new beginning that will take us to newer heights of creative excellence.

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Before anything else, it is worth noting that "ODYSSEY: DaSH" is a self-produced album by member NAM DOHYON, who also happens to be the maknae of the group. To have such a distinct sonic aesthetic, direction, and clarity of purpose at such a young age is not just impressive but also the marker of a prodigy. Needless to say, BAE173 is a group filled with such extraordinary talents.

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The album is a 4-track album spanning 11 minutes and 31 seconds that delves into a sense of transformation and empowerment, establishing BAE173's original identity in the music industry. The tracklist includes 3 new songs - 'get him UGH', 'DaSH' (title song), and 'toez' as well as the instrumental track for 'DaSH'.

'get him UGH' is written and co-composed by DOHYON, 'DaSH' is written, co-composed, and co-arranged by him, and 'toez', DOHYON's solo track, is written, composed, and arranged solely by the idol himself.

'get him UGH' and its Korean title "걸음마", meaning "toddler", are homophones, highlighting the clever wordplay that conveys the meaning of the song. The rap line dominates the energy of this track, which is complemented perfectly by the sweet melody. The song is a wonderful display of BAE173's duality as the members take a step away from their usual sound to go the K-Hip Hop way. The vocal break has a cinematic impact and is arguably the highlight of this song.

The rightful title track 'DaSH' packs a punch, driven by the fantastic beat and intense energy. From pop to EDM, techno and more, this song derives its force from a number of genres and stylistic novelty. It is everything a lead single should be: an ideal representative of the concept and the overall thematic sound of the album. It is entertaining, catchy, gets you pumped up, and is totally worth the hype.

Finally, 'toez' finds DOHYON in his element as a full-fledged rapper who is unafraid of experimentation to discover his unique style. 'toez' heavily borrows influences from the west, right from the opening with a quote from "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand to the touch of mumble rap that is hard to miss. Either way, it is a bop and a half that is now going to live rent-free in my mind.

BAE173's "ODYSSEY: DaSH" is more than just a mini-album. It is a manifesto, a declaration of triumph and an anthem for the youth who are constantly striving to make their dreams come true. It is brilliantly colorful, authentic, and larger than life, but at the same time, it is also relatable and easy to connect with. Now, that's what you call a complete work of art.