VIVIZ (Versus) - 'MANIAC'

VIVIZ, the K-pop girl group formed by former GFRIEND members SinB, Eunha and Umji, has made waves with their latest mini-album "Versus." Released on November 2 under BPM Entertainment, this collection showcases the trio's growth and versatility as artists. "Versus" marks a significant milestone in VIVIZ's journey, offering a blend of compelling tracks that highlight their vocal prowess and dynamic performances.

The mini-album features the title track "MANIAC," accompanied by B-sides that explore various musical styles. From the chic vibe of the lead single to the chill song "Day by Day," VIVIZ demonstrates their range as performers. The album's concept photos and black and white outfits add to the visual appeal, while the choreography and performance videos showcase the group's talent beyond their vocals. This exploration of "Versus" delves into the tracklist, lyrics, and the impact this release has on VIVIZ's evolving career in the competitive K-pop industry.

Track list

"Maniac" - 3:15

"Untie" - 3:09

"Overflow" - 3:09

"Day by Day (한 걸음)" - 3:19

"Up 2 Me" - 3:00

VIVIZ emerged from the successful K-pop group GFRIEND, with members SinB, Eunha and Umji signing with BPM Entertainment on October 6, 2021. The group's name, an abbreviation of "VIVId dayZ," symbolizes their commitment to expressing their unique colors to the world . Interestingly, the Korean name of the group cleverly incorporates the final syllables of the members' birth names.

Since their debut, VIVIZ has showcased remarkable versatility in their musical journey. Their discography has evolved from the vivid color palette of "Beam Of Prism" to the pastel tones of "Summer Vibe," and the darker themes in "VarioUS". This progression has allowed VIVIZ to explore various concepts while maintaining their authentic sound. Each release has demonstrated the group's ability to incorporate complex layering and fresh elements, highlighting their duality as artists.

The anticipation for "Versus" began building with the release of captivating teaser photos that perfectly encapsulated VIVIZ's dynamic charisma and individuality. The group's journey to "Versus" has been marked by significant milestones, including their collaboration with Belgian DJ Yves V for a remix of "Bop Bop!" which marked their first entry into the U.S. market. As they prepared for the release of "Versus" on November 2 at 6 PM KST, VIVIZ continued to showcase their growth, presenting a more mature side in their concept photos while staying true to their roots.

VIVIZ's fourth mini-album, "Versus," was released on November 2, 2023, following their successful EP "VarioUS" earlier in the year. The album, distributed by Kakao Entertainment and released under BPM Entertainment, showcases the group's versatility and growth.

"Versus" was made available in two physical versions: FAKE and FATE. Each version includes a 72-page photo book, CD-R with CD envelope, random photocard (1 out of 9), random ID card (1 out of 3), sticker, and mini poster. The album peaked at number 32 on Korean MelOn charts, demonstrating its popularity.

The album's concept brilliantly ties together VIVIZ's earlier themes, as described by the youngest member, Umji. It seamlessly blends the vivid color palette of "Beam Of Prism," the pastel tones of "Summer Vibe," and the darker themes from "VarioUS". The FAKE concept photos present a mature, edgier side of the group, featuring blonde hair and smoky makeup, while the FATE concept depicts an ethereal, angelic aesthetic.

"Versus" boasts an impressive lineup of producers and writers. Felix Back and Freek Mulder served as the main producers. The album features contributions from various writers, including Amanda Thomsen, Andreas Öberg, and Andreas Ringblom, among others. Arrangers such as BYMORE and Dr. Ahn lent their expertise to the project. The EP comprises five tracks, with "MANIAC" serving as the title track, and showcases VIVIZ's distinct sound through complex layering and fresh elements.

"MANIAC" delves into the complexities of a passionate yet toxic relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of love that is both intense and destructive, using powerful imagery to convey emotional turmoil. The song's narrative unfolds in three distinct phases:

The struggle to comprehend overwhelming feelings of love

The uneasy blend of excitement and fear associated with love

Accepting and facing true feelings with courage

The repeated use of "maniac" suggests an uncontrollable and obsessive aspect to the love, which is both exhilarating and damaging. The song opens with the metaphor of discarded roses, symbolizing the end of something once beautiful. Throughout the lyrics, conflicting emotions are evident, reflecting the complexity of human emotions when entangled in a deeply felt yet flawed love.

"MANIAC" features a throbbing bass that lays the groundwork for a tentative melody, building interest throughout the verse. The instrumental fleshes out during the chorus, adding welcome distortion that gives the production some edge. The hook is divided into two parts:

A sparse section where the vocals trace the bassline

A more robust section with a soaring melody

While VIVIZ delivers an engaging performance, some critics argue that the song undersells itself, noting that the vocals remain relatively calm despite the intense lyrics. The production showcases VIVIZ's growth, presenting a more mature sound while staying true to their roots.

The music video for "MANIAC" adds another layer of depth to the song's narrative. It begins with Sinb driving a car, revealing Umji in the back seat through the mirror. The video unfolds a riveting love triangle concept, which is gaining attention on a global scale. Key visual elements include:

Eunha in an office interacting with a small piano

Umji walking alone with a suitcase

Contrasting moods and tense situations between the members

A scene where Eunha's framework flares at Sinb's car

The choreography for "MANIAC" has been praised, with the dancers embodying the performance impressively. The collaboration between the choreographer and VIVIZ was described as a pleasure and an honor, highlighting the group's dedication to delivering a powerful visual performance.

VIVIZ showcases their versatility with 'Untie', a track that takes the group in a new direction. The song features a droning intro that immediately sets a hypnotic mood, reflecting the song's theme of social media's impact on identity and self-expression. The lyrics delve into the deceptive nature of online personas, questioning what's real and what's fake in the digital world.

The track's production is noteworthy, with a distorted bassline and string plucks adding depth to the R&B-influenced sound. VIVIZ's vocal performance shines throughout, with Umji's rap section and Eunha's high notes standing out as particularly impressive moments.

'Overflow' further demonstrates VIVIZ's skill in creating catchy pop songs. The track allows each member to showcase their vocal abilities, with complex layering and fresh elements that have become a hallmark of VIVIZ's sound. The song's structure builds anticipation, featuring a pre-chorus that leads into an impactful main chorus.

The lyrics of 'Overflow' explore themes of love and passion, touching on the struggle to move on from intense emotions. The vocal delivery in this track is particularly noteworthy, with the members demonstrating their range and control throughout the song.

'Day by Day' presents a softer side of VIVIZ, offering a chill and emotional ballad that contrasts with the more upbeat tracks on the album. The song features a gentle piano accompaniment and subtle string work that complements the members' sweet vocals.

The track's lyrics focus on the preciousness of moments in a relationship, with each member bringing their unique vocal color to the emotional delivery. Eunha's high notes and adlib work are particularly noteworthy, adding depth and intensity to the ballad.

VIVIZ, comprised of former GFRIEND members Eunha, SinB, and Umji, showcases diverse vocal talents. Eunha and SinB, both light lyric sopranos, demonstrate remarkable ease in the upper range, comfortably mixing up to F5. Umji, while less utilized vocally, possesses a unique, darker tone that sets her apart from her groupmates.

The "Versus" album highlights VIVIZ's ability to handle various vocal styles effortlessly. Their performances across different tracks demonstrate their versatility, embodying whatever each song requires. The group's dynamic sounds and vocals weave together hypnotic blends, showcasing powerful yet soft harmonies.

VIVIZ has shown significant vocal improvement since their debut. The "Versus" album features less vocal touch-ups, allowing their natural abilities to shine through. The members execute impressive runs and high notes without apparent strain, indicating growth in their vocal techniques. This expansion in their vocal range and capabilities addresses initial concerns about the group's vocal prowess, given their composition of one lead vocalist and two sub-vocalists.

The title track "MANIAC" particularly showcases VIVIZ's more mature vocal delivery, combining with the song's aggressive bass sound to create a fascinating melody. Throughout the album, each track presents a unique vocal experience, from the energetic and stylish vocals in "Untie" to the soft tones in "Day by Day".