[First ListeN] 8turn’s 3rd Mini Album, “STUNNING”

Natalia Kabenge

Credit: 8turn.official

Just a few weeks before their one year debut anniversary, 5th generation boy group 8TURN has come out with their third mini album “STUNNING”. Consisting of members Jaeyun, Myungho, Minho, Yoonsung, Haemin, Kyungmin, Yungyu, and Seungheon, 8TURN has been a major player since their debut just last year, and continues to prove this with each and every release.  The five song EP features title track ‘RU-PUM PUM’, an upbeat track with hip hop influence in which the members flaunt their swagger. Upon first listen, something that immediately stood out to me was the genre. Having debuted with title track “TIC TAC” just last year, it seems 8TURN is returning to what their best at—that is, hard hitting hip hop tracks. The song really sticks with you after the first listen, an extremely catchy hook making it impossible to forget. The music video is rather dynamic, with the members giving off a lighthearted feel while dressed in colorful outfits, and a cooler vibe when attired in all black.

Credit: 8turn.official

The release itself is extremely versatile. From the warm, relaxed vibe of ‘GLOW’, with a lively piano melody that anchors you throughout the song, to the acoustic guitar in ‘NOM’ that gives off a raw, rustic feel, ‘STUNNING’ is a pretty well rounded release, especially for only having five tracks. There’s something for everyone on this EP, and it only adds to their already diverse discography. One of my favorites is ‘THE GAME’, in which they take on an older hip hop sound. Much like the rest of the album, the song is high energy, and rather experimental as they add a twist of their own to the style. From their swiftly delivered raps to exceptional vocal runs, the members prove themselves to be well rounded as a unit, and quite the force to be reckoned with. 


8TURN had a strong debut in January of last year, with their debut album ‘8TURNRISE’ immediately turning heads. ‘TIC TAC’ has garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify to date, and I’ve definitely been a good amount of those. They’ve had a rather impressive run for their first year in the industry, and I’m quite excited to see how they keep pushing their music to new heights as they continue to grow as artists. ‘STUNNING’ is now available on all major streaming platforms, and I was pretty quick to add a few of these songs to my playlist!