Inside P1Harmony’s 8th Mini-Album 'DUH!': A Journey of Self-Confidence and Musical Growth
- Kalindi Wimaladharma
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: May 30
Just eight months after their previous comeback, K-pop group P1Harmony returned to a dazzling stage with their explosive 8th mini-album DUH! on May 8.
With the members KEEHO, THEO, JIUNG, INTAK, SOUL and JONGSEOB having wrapped up the European leg of the [P1ustage H: UTOPIA] World Tour in January, the six-member group is back again with yet another monumental project within their discography. This time around, members JIUNG, INTAK, and JONGSEOB took part in writing across all six tracks, while KEEHO, JIUNG and JONGSEOB participated in composing them.
Let’s take a closer look at the tracks on the album.
Presented as the lead single off their EP, “DUH!” is an energetic intro into the up-tempo world the members have carved out for this particular project. Fusing elements of 90s boom bap and K-pop, the old-school hip hop track takes on the theme of self-confidence and reclamation of their power as artists on the rise that people should watch out for.
This playful song, penned by JIUNG, INTAK and JONGSEOB, features the lyric “Our name's on the plain white T.,” which, according to KEEHO, was incorporated into their looks for the music video, with each member wearing white Ts featuring their photos.
Bound to be a fan-favorite, “Pretty Boy” is a groovy reggaeton number with syncopated percussion, heavy bass and sophisticated vocals. The track was composed by KEEHO, with lyrics from JIUNG, INTAK and JONGSEOB that touch on the topics of toxic masculinity and self-confidence.
Yet another 90s-inspired boom bap track on the EP, “Murmur” opens up with a piano intro, and is essentially an open letter to the “keyboard warriors” of the world. “I know your words are nothing but some fake news // No words, baby, nothing but a murmur,” THEO sings in one of the verses, emphasizing that they will never let any negativity get to them and break their confidence.
The track was composed by Swedish singer-songwriter Calle Lehmann, best known for his work with Alesso, Panic! At The Disco and NCT Dream, and Jacob Aaron, who previously worked on the group’s previous comeback for the track “It’s Alright.”
KEEHO, THEO, JIUNG
Photo Courtesy of FNC Entertainment
The team behind the group’s previous lead single “SAD SONG” (Nathan Cunningham, Marc Sibley and Space Primates) joined the members yet again in creating another powerful, gritty club anthem infused with guitars and heavy bass. Reminiscent of early 2010s dance-pop, “Flashy” further accentuates the “bass-bumping” energy delivered throughout P1Harmony’s comeback so far.
The track was co-written and composed by JIUNG, with lyrics from INTAK and JONGSEOB.
“Over And Over” features a memorable intro built upon a Middle Eastern and Balkan-inspired saxophone, with heavy drums and bass added into the mix as the song progresses. It’s a nod to early-2010s pop, and might even remind you of iconic tracks like “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony. Another key point in the track that listeners might enjoy includes THEO’s bridge.
The song is also reminiscent of the group’s 2022 single “Back Down,” which was co-written by Patrick ‘J.Que’ Smith, who worked on the composition for “Over and Over” along with Jacob Aaron. Smith’s previous work includes the likes of Beyoncé, NCT U and keshi.
Co-produced by the group’s multi-talented maknae JONGSEOB, “Work” served as a promotional track for the EP in the lead up to its release.
Just as the lyric “…coming in icy but I’m hot” goes, the hyper-pop song features a trap beat with synths and techno-pop elements incorporated into the choruses that give it a unique feel to the group’s sound. It’s bold and feisty—staying true to the sonic journey the fans can experience from the start of the album to its end.
INTAK, SOUL, JONGSEOB
Photo Courtesy of FNC Entertainment
A peek into the DUH! promotional activities
Merely 24 hours before the release, the members took the (hot pink) stage in front of the famous Han River in Seoul for DUH! Pre-Live Stage; a fan event that was hosted to preview the songs and album versions, along with a few challenges such as the ‘Just DUH! It’ challenge. The setlist included their former lead singles, such as “Killin It,” and “SAD SONG,” while onlookers were also treated to a full performance of “Pretty Boy” and “I See U” afterwards.
The celebrations for P1Harmony’s comeback don’t end there. Over the next few weeks, Hello82 and Barnes & Noble will be hosting several pop-ups across the U.S. and Europe for the album release, where fans can get exclusive merchandise and cupsleeves.
For more information:
Hello82 Pop-Up Activities - LA, NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, U.S. and Berlin, Germany.
Barnes & Noble P1Harmony Pop-Up - Murfreesboro, Orlando, Seattle, Tempe, Washington D.C.
DUH! Fnac Release Party - France
P1Harmony is also set to take the KCON stage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles this August.
What are your top picks from P1Harmony’s latest comeback? Let us know in the comments below, or message us on Instagram or X.
TO STAY UPDATED ON P1HARMONY:
Edited by Martina Yee
Comments