TUNE OF THE WEEK: VIXX “Eternity”

Six months after the release of their first full-length album, Voodoo, VIXX is back with their fourth EP, Eternity and being the devoted St☆rlight that I am, I just had to make the title track, “Eternity” this week’s featured tune.

As a band who has made a name for themselves through their use of strong concepts and driving beats, VIXX has once again delivered a song that embodies everythingSt☆rlights have come to expect from their beloved band. With its heavily electronic sound and underlying dance beat “Eternity” embraces the musical style of several of VIXX’s earlier works, including “Voodoo Doll,” “On and On,” and “Hyde,” which is no bad thing, as the feel of each of these songs is really what has come to define VIXX and set them apart from other K-Pop boy bands.While the sound and feel of “Eternity” could easily be defined as “classic VIXX” what sets this song apart from its predecessors, is the sad and painful picture of lost love that it paints for us as we listen. Both haunting and beautiful, “Eternity” combines the melancholy you’d expect from a song about haunted dreams with a beat you can dance to, which is a combination that can only be pulled off by VIXX.

Moving away from their supernatural concepts while still embracing the darkness that VIXX does so well, “Eternity” is based on a “time fantasy” concept and the miraculous love story that appears for a moment but lasts for eternity (hence the name of the song and album). Conveying feelings of pain, sorrow and horror as one lives through the nightmare of a broken heart, VIXX has chosen a much more mature look and theme than any of their previous concepts and I, for one, like it… A lot… As in I nearly fell out of my chair the first time I watched the MV because… HOLY BUCKETS! Like every other devoted St☆rlight in the world, I watched the teasers for “Eternity” a gazillion times and dreamed of what the actual MV would be like but never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine that VIXX would make their comeback with a concept that so strongly demonstrated the fact that VIXX is growing up. (And all the noonas rejoiced!) Yes, there have been hints of maturity from the boys before (as the lyrics to Ravi’s “Secret Night” so clearly demonstrated) but “Eternity” seems to be their statement piece, a testament, if you will, to the fact that they’re not the same arcade game playing kids they were when they debuted two years ago and I am more than okay with that. I think that for a band to survive they have to evolve and I have to say, I’m thoroughly enjoying the evolution of VIXX from superheroes to tormented lovers.

As fantastically painful as it is to watch a tormented N cast dark sidelong glances and a heartbroken Leo wail over the loss of his love (and yes, I am stuck somewhere between heartbreak and ecstasy every time I watch Leo hit that high note) there’s more to “Eternity” than VIXX’s level of maturity as they convey this “time fantasy” concept and I want to take a moment to applaud them (and the team behind them) for their excellent execution of said concept throughout the “Eternity” MV. The sets, the CG and even the choreography are all heavily laden with images of the infinite expanse of time and the horrible nightmare that inevitably follows the loss of love which, when combined, present us with an MV that’s just as addictive as the song itself. Of course the addictive nature of the MV could be solely attributed to Ravi’s fantastically floppy blue hair and VIXX “sexy wiggle dance” (as they so appropriately named it) but maybe I’m wrong…

Whatever the reason, the undeniable truth is I’ve been completely overwhelmed by VIXX’s comeback and am now hopelessly addicted to both the band and their album. “Eternity” is one of those rare songs that I can endlessly listen to and get sick of but what  really puts it over the top for me, honestly, is knowing that Ravi had a hand in writing it. (And no, I’m not just saying that because I stan Ravi… He’s not even my main VIXX bias!) I’m simply love knowing that, as VIXX continues to learn and grow as a band, the members, as individuals, are given opportunities to learn and grow as well. But I digress…

To wrap this up, I’ll simply tell you that if you haven’t already added “Eternity” to your playlist, you should. Being both hauntingly beautiful and surprisingly danceable (is that even a word?) “Eternity” is a fantastic way to add a little moodiness to your playlist without bogging it down with yet another heartbroken ballad. (Hooray!)

So now that I’ve given you my (not unbiased but completely honest) review of “Eternity” I’d like to know what you’re thinking. What do you think of the song itself? Is it really the epitome of VIXX perfection or did it fall flat for you? What about the MV? What do you think about this more mature concept and theme? Do you feel like VIXX is trying to demonstrate their maturity or are they just following the “sexy” trend that has dominated K-Pop for most of 2014? I know I’m asking all of these “serious” questions in an attempt to draw out a response but I’m more than happy to go all fangirly with anyone who wants to squeal over N, Leo, Ravi, Ken, Hongbin and/or Hyuk so feel free to leave me a comment below!