Rating: ★★★​​★

Artist: &Team

Genre: K-pop

On Oct. 28, Japanese boy group &TEAM made its long-awaited Korean debut with the mini album “Back to Life.” The nine-member group, which is under South Korean entertainment group HYBE’s subsidiary, XY Entertainment, has been active in both Japanese and Korean media since 2022. However, “Back to Life” marks its first album created specifically for the Korean market.

Established HYBE groups like TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, and LE SSERAFIM have experimented with dual-language discographies, but the Japanese versions of their Korean hits often underperform commercially. Given this trend, it was reasonable to expect “Back to Life,” a language-shifted album, to receive a similarly lukewarm response. Personally, I expected a well-rounded but uninspired follow-up to the group’s last release, “Go in Blind (月狼),” a dark, theatrical single with werewolf-inspired lyrical imagery. Instead, &TEAM blew all my expectations out of the water. 

If its earlier work represented the howl of outsiders searching for their pack, “Back to Life” is the sound of &TEAM finding its voice and bringing members’ global personas to life. “Back to Life” sold over 1 million copies in the first 24 hours, and the title track’s music video accumulated 10 million views in a single day. Beyond numbers, though, this album encapsulates &TEAM’s evolution from “survival show” newbies into well-rounded artists capable of maintaining an energetic and emotional balance in their music. “Back to Life” feels more distinctly K-pop in its production but stays true to the band’s themes of unity, self-discovery, and rebirth. 

When a group attempts to cater to a market abroad, it can often fall victim to a jarring genre shift. So, I was pleasantly surprised to hear this album kick off with a rock-heavy title track that mirrored the sound of previous &TEAM releases like “War Cry” and “Road Not Taken.” The accompanying music video showcases the group’s trademark werewolf lore through edgy outfits and fantastical settings. This track and its visuals are true to &TEAM’s established sound and familiar aesthetics, elevating its existing work.

The second track, “Lunatic,” marks a fresh, more experimental sound from the group. Its flirty prechorus and chorus and chaotic rockstar energy make this song fun to dance along to. With this track, &TEAM brought its high-energy performances to new and veteran fans alike, showcasing more of its capacity for growth. 

“MISMATCH” marks a bit of a shift in tone and tempo. Drawing inspiration from second-gen K-pop groups like SHINee or Infinite, “MISMATCH” has a nostalgic R&B sound and attitude. This track helps facilitate &TEAM’s transition into the Korean market and makes its songs easier for the expanding fan base to connect with — especially for those familiar with the earlier sounds of K-pop. Refreshing while still honoring mainstream old-school K-pop elements, this song has become the one I gravitate toward whenever I want a break from &TEAM’s otherwise intense signature sound. 

But the group’s experimentation doesn’t end there; “Rush” boasts heavy bass elements and experimental samples — a sonic production in the style of contemporary K-pop groups like The Boyz or Stray Kids. While this intensity is no longer my jam, I admire &TEAM for experimenting with its sound, reaching beyond what it’s known for, and reworking existing popular styles to make them its own. 

The next track — “Heartbreak Time Machine” — is a personal standout. This song is the perfect ballad addition, layering heavenly vocals over a slow, melodic tempo that beautifully breaks up the rest of the album’s intensity. Its lyrics grapple with the reality of growing up but not wanting to move on from one’s first love — potentially a nod to the group’s connections to its established fan base and signaling its desire to welcome an influx of new fans. 

&TEAM wraps up the album with “Who am I?” another soft track that provides a well-rounded conclusion to this rollercoaster of an album. The lyrics ask, “Who am I to you?” an introspective question about whether the group’s ever-evolving image still feels authentic to them. 

With “Back to Life,” &TEAM bridges its Japanese origins and Korean aspirations, reinforcing its status as one of HYBE’s stronger cross-cultural groups. &TEAM translates what remains of its original self into something more relatable for fans while staying true to its original sound. &TEAM wants everyone to know that change and rebirth transcend borders and boundaries, and the group can’t wait to bring fans along on its journey of self-discovery.