The nine “wolves” of &TEAM are stronger than ever in their third single album, Go in Blind. &TEAM are a global boy-group housed under the freshly rebranded YX Labels. The label’s newfound ambition is to “create new axes in the Japanese music landscape.” The nonet consists of members EJ, FUMA, K, NICHOLAS, YUMA, JO, HARUA, TAKI, and MAKI. Released on April 23, the highly anticipated single album includes six tracks including the title track and album namesake, “Go In Blind.”
The transition from 2024 into 2025 proved to be one of the most pivotal eras for &TEAM. One standout moment was their viral b-side track, “Deer Hunter,” from their previous EP, Yukiakari. “Deer Hunter” presented a mature, deep house sound new to &TEAM’s catalogue. Their impressive execution of the subgenre welcomed in an influx of LUNÉ (their fanbase name). With that growing support and attention, &TEAM were ready to prove themselves in their first promotional comeback of 2025.
Go In Blind
&TEAM are ready for their howls to be heard with “Go in Blind.” The song is intense in every facet — confident lyricism, amplified bass, heavy electric guitar, strong vocals, and hard-hitting choreography. Before the official music video, audiences were treated to a performance video of “Go in Blind.” The performance music video dropped on April 14, over a week before the single album’s official release date. Though it solely showcases the choreography, &TEAM went above and beyond in their delivery.
The nine members perform in two understated sets, further highlighting the team’s dancing capabilities and stage presence. &TEAM take the song’s title literally as they perform with blindfolds in the second chorus. The group’s synchronicity and formation changes remained intact even as they “went in blind.” There is no time for rest with the jam-packed choreography, as it ends with a powerful dance break into a chorus reprise.
Luckily for the fans, this track was available on all streaming platforms the day of the performance video’s release. “Go in Blind” feels like a more developed exploration of the electric guitar and rock sound consistently found in their discography. The depth in this title track can be attributed to star producers Soma Genda, Supreme Boi, Hiss noise, and Christoffer Semelius joining forces.
Soma Genda has been a close collaborator and integral force since &TEAM’s inception, as he was part of the judging panel for the survival program that birthed the team, &AUDITION — The Howling. Supreme Boi and Hiss noise have worked on some of BTS’s biggest hits like “IDOL” and “FAKE LOVE.” Christopher Semelius worked with renowned acts across Japan, South Korea, and the West from SEVENTEEN to Jay-Z.
Only The Prologue To The Legend
“Go in Blind” captures &TEAM’s unwavering determination to take on the world. Even when the road to victory seems uncertain, the members are ready to face any challenges head-on. The track also aligns with their DARK MOON worldview, as they incorporate lore-driven lyrics like, “I bare my fangs” and “Even if that moon’s far away, we’ll howl.”
The official music video goes above and beyond to showcase &TEAM’s worldview. Released on April 21, the music video is nothing short of epic. The music video is directed by YUANN, whose keen eye for creativity led to campaign direction for Gentle Monster and Louis Vuitton. This video is one of &TEAM’s most dynamic thus far, featuring a medley of otherworldly visuals. The jaw-dropping computer-generated imagery fused with intricate costume design transports viewers into another realm. In a series of dynamic shots, the nine members embrace their inner wolf and face the eye of a storm.
A Symphony Of Howls
Go In Blind unveils two new tracks, “Run Wild” and “Wolf Type (オオカミ系男子).” Though the two songs are sonically and thematically different, they still circle back to &TEAM’s wolf theme. “Run Wild” marks &TEAM’s second time working with renowned producer Cirkut following “Deer Hunter.” Cirkut penned numerous recent hits such as “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “360” by Charli XCX, and “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. Connor McDonough co-produced this track, known for his credits on songs like “Glimpse of Us” by Joji and “FRI(END)S” by V.
“Run Wild” is a disco pop song with an irresistible groove. The falsetto chorus and higher register vocals seamlessly float above the funky melody. The carefree lyrics are the ultimate companion to the song’s energetic vibe. &TEAM encourage listeners to live authentically and “L.I.V.E. free, run, run wild.” LUNÉ can anticipate a performance of “Run Wild” as &TEAM released a fanchant guide to the song.
The following track, “Wolf Type” is produced by Japanese music curator, A.G.O. As a producer, A.G.O is known for his R&B collaborations like “D(evil) feat. yama” and “Pink Hair.” “Wolf Type” is an upbeat love song that aligns with A.G.O’s signature laid-back sound. It is a pop song at its core but blends fun synths, percussion, and keyboard for an instrumental full of depth. The second verse switches up in sound, fusing trap elements to compliment the brief rap section.
Never An Ordinary Day With &TEAM
The fourth track, “Extraordinary day,” was previously released as a digital single in February. An uplifting mid-tempo pop track, the song served as the theme song for the 2025 Beppu-Ōita Marathon. In tune with the occasion, the lyrics are full of running motifs. It features words of encouragement like: “This long race continues / But I won’t slow my pace / The future we’ll create / Is filled with hope.” The single album closes with Korean versions of “Go in Blind” and “Run Wild” — hinting at Korean promotions on the horizon.
&TEAM is soaring to new heights this comeback. The performance video for “Go in Blind” became &TEAM’s most viewed performance video within a week of release. On April 21, the day of the single album’s digital release, Go in Blind charted 18th on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart. This feat signifies &TEAM’s highest peak on this chart. Though this era just began, Go in Blind is shaping up to be a monumental moment in &TEAM’s career.
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Interested in more albums that came out this month? Check out EnVi’s breakdown of grentperez’s debut album, here!
