There are a lot of songs out there called ‘focus’. Ariana Grande’s megahit of the last decade was one, fellow K-Pop group GOT7 offshoot Jus2’s hypnotic “FOCUS ON ME” is another. But in these one thing is always common; they’re demanding our attention. That’s not what K-Pop’s young and talented Hearts2Hearts are up to. No, from the very beginning we’re informed that their attention is what’s at stake here. To a nostalgic piano-house beat and muted cowbells, the girls utter in mantra: “I can not focus on anything but you.”
Hearts2Hearts exhibit their youthfulness (and this we reiterate; the youngest was only born in 2010) in the title’s music video, promoting their skills and carefree aura in school uniform. After all, who of us could focus on our work back then, when our crush was sat one row ahead? The song is simply light, uptempo fun.
Diving into the rest of the five-track EP, “Apple Pie” carries on the dance vibe while cranking the disco factor up to ten. Vocals are as smooth and easy on the ear as the celestial synths. So far, it’s been a direct continuation of track one’s story; we love to see consistency in albums. Though we might be caught interrupting the flow a few times – “Apple Pie” is just too good to not have on repeat.
We get to enjoy a bit more of the girls’ harmonic power in pre-released single “Pretty Please”. There probably isn’t a single instrument that sounds sweeter than their voices. Besides the obvious high notes that come later on, Carmen’s performance of the line ‘How it’s so simple / All of this, our favourite scenes‘ is purely angelic.
The decade is knocked back again from the ’90s to the ’80s in city pop tune “Flutter”, featuring a hazy starlight feel and jazzy brass. Beautiful imagery is kept in listeners’ minds with the gentle R&B ballad closer that follows; “Blue Moon” is as gentle and contemplative as you can imagine. You could throw a dart at the lyrics sheet of this song and it would land on something poetic. Case in point, the chorus, sung by all the girls: ‘In the blue moon / Our eyes reflect each other / Moonlight tinted with the glow of sunset.‘
For an EP so prettily composed – and so prettily sung – there are absolutely no notes. Hearts2Hearts simply keep delivering sonic treats to all who fancy a listen. Taking their age into consideration makes their flawless performances even more impressive. While we certainly hope the girls get their well-deserved rest throughout the famously busy comeback period, we can’t wait to see what they’ll be up to next. Hearts2Hearts, you have our attention.
Hearts2Hearts are on Instagram. You can listen to “FOCUS” here.