Just four months ahead of their upcoming national dome tour, BE:FIRST, are back. On August 28, the seven-member J-pop group — consisting of members SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO — released their second full-length album, 2:BE. The album contains 16 tracks including a collaboration with K-pop group ATEEZ. Containing themes of perseverance and pride, 2:BE represents BE:FIRST’s identity.
Explosive Introduction
2:BE opens with the strong hip-hop track “Slogan.” With elements of rock and trap, “Slogan” starts the album off with a bang. From the opening growls of SOTA to the strong vocals of the group, the demanding aura of BE:FIRST can be felt immediately.
Released four months prior and featuring as the second track of the album is “Masterplan,” an intense drill track with elements of traditional Japanese instruments. With “Masterplan,” BE:FIRST reveal that they’ve worked hard to achieve the fame they enjoy, and there’s nothing wrong with making that known once in a while. RYOKI makes that abundantly clear as he states, “We started from zero, picked up these crowns on the way / Not afraid of hard work, bringing in the luck, I’m taboo.” Featuring speedy and deep-toned rap verses and strong vocals coupled with a dynamic production, “Masterplan” is for the hip-hop lovers.
Keeping up the hip-hop vibe, “Boom Boom Back” features a playful chorus and elements of ‘90s hip-hop and modern pop. The members showcase their vocals alongside their powerful rap style to create an upbeat track that is an instant earworm. The music video is as eclectic as the song itself, with bright colors, flashy streetwear, and busy backdrops. The group sings about being hungry for more as they achieve their dreams and have no desire to go back. And why would they, when their future is much more fun.
The vibe gets groovy with “Guilty,” echoing the mood of upbeat ‘90s R&B. The members’ smooth vocals complement the sensual production, a departure from their typical repertoire. The track leans much more heavily into that moody vibe reminiscent of their B-side “Softly,” a cut from their first album, BE:1. It’s a genre that suits the vocals of the group, and although they don’t do it often, they master it with ease.
Slowing It Down
The tone of the album shifts dramatically with the mature R&B trap song, “Sapphire.” The beat is deep, with the typical emotive chords and kick and snare of an R&B track coupled with smooth, passionate vocals. The lyrics reflect the production almost seamlessly as the group sings about a lover they think about constantly. They relate this individual to a sapphire, a gemstone that is as rare as it is beautiful. Like the cool-colored gem, this lover is cold and running circles in BE:FIRST’s minds as they bluntly ponder, “Now I’m questioning / How do you feel ‘bout me? […] Look at me, Sapphire.”
The sixth track, “Smile Again,” is a complete 180 from “Sapphire,” but it still keeps up the pace with its upbeat and summery pop-production. The track serves as the necessary feel-good song with endearing lyrics and sweet vocals. It feels like it came straight out of a coming of age movie, with a chorus fitting for that beach-scene montage. The track is about the memories left behind by a lover that you can’t help but hold onto. The sense of longing can be felt as LEO gently sings, “The past where you’re still around, keeps calling out.” There is beauty in the past, however, and BE:FIRST make that clear as they wish for the object of their affections to “Smile Again.”
In this fast-paced world, BE:FIRST address that incessant need to change with the times in “Grow Up.” The seventh track of the album is an eclectic blend of house, with elements of UK garage music, that yield an addictive club song. The group laments over having to change, but it doesn’t matter how many times they’re told to grow up, because it’s as though they have stayed the same. And so they must continue to change.
The album takes a theatrical twist with “Metamorphose.” The strings that open the track feel lush, as they swell in the background, complimenting the deep vocals of the group. The track is dynamic, moving to that R&B vibe yet again before breaking out into a full-blown emotive chorus. “Metamorphose” feels almost like orchestral R&B blended with pop, telling a gorgeous story of change in the production alone. If you’re looking for a track that focuses on those belted-out notes, expressive instruments, and feels exactly like shouting in the rain, you’ll find it all in “Metamorphose.”
BE:FIRST Play Rough
Tapping back into that intense energy is the ninth track, “Genesis,” as it reels in the second half of the album. The beginning of the track is fast-paced and features an eclectic blend of synth and sound effects, echoing releases of African American rapper Lil Uzi. BE:FIRST lay into the auto-tune, with heavy rap and menacing beats. The introduction is deceptive, however. When they reach the pre-chorus, the instrumental quiets down to show off their skilled vocalists before erupting into a boisterous pair of verses yet again.
The tenth track “Selfish” shows a completely different side of the group. They let loose on this track, depicting a wild night out as they “selfishly” enjoy themselves. The instrumental is rowdy; the chorus is catchy; and the delivery is effortless. The track has an air of arrogance to it, with the chorus boasting, “Be humble, I can handle it […] As it is, I’m still Selfish,” while still remaining tasteful. If you’re looking for a track you can blast on your way to the club, then “Selfish” is the track for you.
“Bump Around” feels a bit like a modern blast-from-the-past with its 2000s house production. You’d almost expect it to have a silent chorus with an intense beat drop, but the group instead gives us a subdued, yet ominous set of vocals. “Bump Around” takes the listener on a journey with the animated bars and stable notes. It feels like the track is constantly building before its abrupt end. You can’t help but want to loop it back to experience it all over again.
“Hush-Hush (feat. ATEEZ)” brings us the album’s one and only collaboration. The track features South Korean boy group ATEEZ, who BE:FIRST actually opened for at their LA show. “Hush-Hush” is an electric hip-hop track that fuses together both groups’ talents. Each group showcases their staples, like “Fix on!” from ATEEZ’s rapper MINGI, to the deep growls from BE:FIRST’s SOTA. The track itself is dark and pleasing to the ear. The groups sing about their joint success, like when SHUNTO says, “The underdog they laughed at now wears the crown.” MINGI follows, proclaiming, “Who is first? It doesn’t matter what you think / We’re different like ATEEZ & BE:FIRST.”
Dear BESTY
Following the nostalgic interlude, “BE:0 -interlude-”, BE:FIRST reminisce on their difficult journey to stardom with the poignant pop-ballad, “Glorious.” The path to fame is never easy, and for BE:FIRST, it was no different. Over a gentle instrumental, the group displays their powerful vocals as they tell the story of their debut. They take pride in their failures and the tears that brought them to their shining present, as it made them who they are. The group sings candidly of how these difficult times shaped who they became, which was so fittingly put in the chorus: “If ‘a bit more’ seems too far / Remember how it was at the start / For us, today is a miraclе.”
The second to last track and leading title, “Blissful,” is a celebratory mid-2010s-inspired hip-hop track that feels like a gift to the group’s fandom, BESTY. It seems like after telling the story of how they became BE:FIRST, the group promises to take BESTY with them to the top. “Blissful” is an upbeat track that makes the listener just want to dance and feel, well, Blissful! The music video was recorded in New York, with the members seen trying various new things and dancing in the sun, as the perfect summer send-off. The joy just radiates off the screen and in the chorus as they reassure us, “We’ll be fine, let’s take off / I-I-I feel so blissful / At the top, Pop champagne / I’ll take you there.”
2:BE concludes in a way that is so characteristically BE:FIRST with the hip-hop track, “Mainstream.” Over a unique trap production, the group lets listeners know that they have no desire to follow trends nor do they care to know about them. Of course, they’re the trendsetters of their own style. Like LEO tastefully puts it, “What’s trending now? / What’s even the point of knowing? / It’s just “Amazing” or “Crazy” / That’s the style […] Being myself, that’s my style.” There’s nothing scarier than being a cookie-cutter artist in an industry that’s constantly evolving, so BE:FIRST seek to create their own mold. With a bold conclusion fitting of the group, “Mainstream” is for their fans and for those who dare to follow them as they pave their way.
Who is BE:FIRST?
BE:FIRST formed back in August 13, 2021 through the reality audition program THE FIRST, hosted by fellow labelmate and producer SKY-HI, before debuting on November 3 the same year. Their debut track “Gifted” topped the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart as well as the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart ,and its music video garnered over 25 million views to date. Just recently, BE:FIRST partnered with Amazon Prime to release their concert film BE:FIRST LIVE in DOME 2024 Mainstream – Masterplan filmed at the Tokyo Dome, which sold out three minutes after general tickets went on sale.
2:BE marks the start of yet another successful era for the Japanese boy group. The lead single “Blissful” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s Hot 100 Charts, marking their seventh No. 1 since their debut. Several music videos featured on the album have garnered several million views combined. With a dynamic sound and irresistible charisma, BE:FIRST are a powerhouse group you definitely need in your library.
Keep up with BE:FIRST by following them on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!
Interested in more Japanese groups? Check out our interview with PSYCHIC FEVER here!
