Kep1er Kep1going Full Album Review

Inital Thoughts and Preface

I like many others was a bit frustrated by WakeOne’s utter incompetence in the first two-ish years of Kep1er’s careers but I think the girls (yes, the girls, not WakeOne) have found their footing in what it now my favourite album from them since Doublast (2022). Sadly, this Kep1er’s last album as 9, as it was recently announced 7 Kep1er members are renewing their contracts while 2, Yeseo and Mashiro, will sadly be returning to their agency, set to debut in MADE:IN in September. Although this is not the worst outcome, as this guaranteed work for the girls for at least the next few years, it’s ultimately sad they will not be 9 after the completion of this contract. Survival show groups, especially girl groups, will always hold a special place to me even if I’m not a huge fan of the group because the amount of unnecessary shit they get put through just makes their bond and chemistry really endearing. I don’t even want to imagine the level of trauma-bonding those girls have been through not only in the show Girl’s Planet 999 but also as a group managed by WakeOne, an agency that has become synonymous with treating their idols like garbage. Especially in Kep1er’s case, I am mostly sad WakeOne is probably going to continue treating them horribly, not allowing them to talk to fans, ignoring serious concerns for their safety, not managing constant online harassment towards the members, and a boatload of other bad situations. Nonetheless, I actually really like Kep1er and am interested to see what else we will get from them, as despite what some of you assholes say, they are very talented. 

On to the album, I should preface this by saying I was on vacation while it was released and managed to download it while I found some free wifi for 20 minutes, so I went in totally blind other than seeing some concept photos before I left. I have not watched the music video or any performances but look forward to it as (spoiler alert) I really like this album. So, let’s go through song by song. 

Last Carnival 

Now *this* is how you make an intro song I was immediately made aware of the sound of this album and the beginning builds up in an emotional crescendo. Several members then harmonise quite beautifully as they sing “Going around forever, I finally found my place.” However, I do wish that this hook was used more than once as I really enjoy it. The rest of the song works as an excellent lead in to “Shooting Star” and despite being an intro, it doesn’t feel as short as it actually is. One thing I really like about Kep1er is how well their voices go together, while not all may have technical prowess they all know how to maintain a sweet tone and blend together which I really appreciate. I must say this intro does feel a little bitter sweet as Kep1er will be changing soon, and the girls likely knew that while recording. 

Shooting Star

This acts as the title track for this album and is another good addition to the sweeter side of Kep1er’s discography which also happens to be my favourite. Like with the previous song their voices are blended together beautifully but there is also a smart use of audio effects in the pre-chorus that breaks up those vocals so they can be fully appreciated. This is true dreamy pop to me and it is really well put together so that it never feels too one-note. My only complaint is a wish the rap section following the first chorus was a bit better integrated. Kep1er has some great rappers so it’s understandable they want to use them, but they have been frequent victims of unnecessary raps throughout their career thus far. That being said, it’s not bad, it just may have been used better elsewhere. I really hope they use this sound more moving forward, as they’ve only really dabbled with it a bit in b-sides, because it is really great for their voices and strengths. I recently found out Kep1er’s concept revolves around them travelling to different planets, which explained their frequent sound changes. So, I’m hoping they choose to settle on this planet. 

Curiosity 

This is a fun little number that I quite enjoy. Truthfully, it’s nothing particularly inventive or new, but it does what it does well with the sweet tone and classic pop refrain of repeating the title. Not my favourite on the album, but if I’m listening to the whole thing I certainly wouldn’t skip it. 

Flowers, Flutter, Your heart

The orchestral instrument really just soothes my former-band-kid heart and I’m kinda a sucker for a string ensemble playing over a basic trap beat. It reminds me a bit of how Bridgerton made all those pop song orchestral versions for their show that I refuse to watch (I’ve studied history, that knowledge ruins a lot more than you’d think). Tangent over, this is one of my personal favourites from the album and is just a cute love song with frilly lyrics to match (frilly not in a patronising way, just the best descriptor I can think of) 

Double Up!

I’m assuming this is a bit of a reference to “Up!” which I previously mentioned was my favourite Kep1er comeback. This song captures a similar spirit but sounds quite different at the same time. Thus, the main reference is in the lyrics which is smart, because it works as a callback but also a distinct new song. It just screams pool party fun and although not my favourite on the album still worth the listen if you want that kind of vibe. 

PUSH BUTTON

I can’t decide if I like this song or not honestly. On one hand, I find the chorus hook and EDM rolling drills in the background a little addicting. On the other, objectively it’s just kind of ok and once again features a jarring rap where the instrumental completely changes to an electronic fly buzzing by your ear just to go back (to the much better one) seconds later. I will say this song does fit a rap, this one is just was not well-incorporated despite being well performed. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary for a kpop b-side and yet I can’t stop listening to it. This song confuses me more than trying to flirt with a woman. Needless to say I may have a love-hate relationship with it because I haven’t skipped it yet and keep replaying it. I might have a problem here…

Problem 

This being the next song is ironic based on my last line but believe it or not this was unplanned. I’m not sure how I feel about this 90s/2000s hip hop/r&b influence and can’t really decide if it’s been pulled off here. I do like the chorus and think it’s fun and wish they did more of that throughout. 

Dear Diary

Kep1er really excels at what I’ve decided to call “girls-next-door-lovestruck-cutesy-disney-but-better-pop” and this song is a prime example. That being said the lyrics may disagree but I cannot look them up at the moment but I certainly get the vibes this is a bit of a love song (which is not out of the ordinary for Kep1er which furthers my suspicions). It’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary, but like with other songs it’s done very well. This is definitely in the easy listening category that I know some have come to despise but I still very much enjoy. 

Grand Prix and Straight Line (Korean versions)

I personally don’t care much for songs being re-released in a different language but I understand why kpop groups are inclined to do it. I honestly had my opinions on both songs before this and they stay the same here. I love “Straight Line” and its use of the sorta-disco-revival happening at the moment in pop music. As for “Grand Prix,” … I really just don’t like this song. I find the chorus grating and a bit annoying and it overshadows the much better verses. My favourite thing about it is honestly the choreography, which realistically has no impact on the song but at least made it worth it to watch a performance. 

Final Thoughts

I honestly really enjoyed this album and there’s no song that sticks out at bad, just underwhelming or polarising. It is a good display of the girls’ skills and shows what they do well and with some tweaks I hope they continue into their new form with more of this. At the same time it is joyous and lovey-dovey it is also melancholic, particularly with the introduction “Last Carnival” that really gets me every time. While Kep1er will be changing and two members moving on to a new project, I will also still be here to support what they do next. And as I said before, if Kep1er’s concept remains, I do hope they settle on this planet and receive visits from Yeseo and Mashiro whenever they can. 

My Ranking 

Final Ranking:

1 - Flower, Flutter, Your heart 

2 - Last Carnival

3 - Shooting Star

4 - Curiosity 

5 - Double Up!

6 - Dear Diary 

7 - Problem 

Unranked:

? - PUSH BUTTON (I really can't tell if I like or hate this song)