Following their global travels during their One Great Step world tour, INFINITE makes a solid return to form with new single “Last Romeo”. The new track should be a particular delight to longtime fans who see the boys reconnecting with their signature synth-rock sound and longtime producer, Sweetune.
Sonically, “Last Romeo” mixes ’80s-inspired production (tinny percussion, screeching electric guitars riffs and twinkling synths) with melodic piano scales and peppy trumpet blasts. Pleading to a lover to trust and let them be her Romeo, INFINITE’s boy-band belts have a melancholy feel, accentuated by the rushing production.
While EDM-heavy 2013 single “Destiny” snagged the group’s highest-charting single on the K-Pop Hot 100 to date (No. 3), the composition to “Last Romeo” recalls past hits “Be Mine” and “The Chaser”; aka the early tracks that helped gather and solidify the group’s hardcore fanbase. But there are still new surprises to be found in the track: After breaking out via his Toheart project, Woohyun sings more than ever and listeners even get a chance to hear rapper Hoya croon out a couple lines.
The official video also sees INFINITE returns to familiar territory while also boasting impactful improvements. The septet of course move as one in mind-boggling choreography configurations, but look more grown-up and sophisticated than ever. Youngest member Sungjong looks more mature, while L pulls off a fashionable, Pharrell-esque mountie hat way cooler than Justin Bieber ever did.
Though the accompanying storyline could use some work – the boys run around a library looking for a girl and try reaching for her through the shelves – the climax packs a visual treat, as the entire book collection explodes around Woohyun, making the three-minute chase scene totally worth it.
After almost a year away from the K-pop scene, “Last Romeo” should resolidify INFINITE during a competitive month when they’re competing against peer act EXO and veteran boy band g.o.d on the charts. The track is the lead single off the band’s second full-length album “Season 2” that showcases not only the group, but solo tracks by lead vocalist Sunggyu and Woohyun, as well as new songs from INFINITE-H (the duo subgroup between Hoya and Dongwoo) and the newly-created INFINITE-F (featuring L, Sungyeol and Sungjong).
Listen to a preview medley of the album below: