Dreamcatcher return with new mini album [VirtuouS]

K-Pop sensation Dreamcatcher have made their comeback with a new EP [VirtuouS]. The group have taken a pause between phases of their world tour to release a hard-hitting mini album, showcasing the hard rock style they’ve become known for. Debuting in 2017, the girl group has made a legacy for themselves with their powerhouse vocalists, top tier choreography and dancing, and ability to successfully combine K-Pop and heavy music. Their discography is full of different genres, all of which they pull off well, but they excel at rock-inspired concepts.

The opener “Intro: 7’ Dreamcatcher” feels reminiscent of the theatrical type of progressive rock/metal bands, and it’s a nice warmup to set the tone for the rest of the record. Following that is title track “Justice”, which falls in the same category sonically as previous title tracks they’ve released like “Deja Vu,” “Maison,” and “Vision”. It’s a bold rock track with powerful lyrics and a beautiful display of the group’s vocal talent, a staple song type in their discography. “STФMP!” brings a fun modern metalcore sound into the mix, while “2 Rings” leans into a slower hard rock vibe.

The closing track “Fireflies” takes the tone of the album in a completely different direction. Despite not really fitting in with the rest of the record, it still exhibits the mind-blowing collective skill and emotional storytelling ability the members of the group have in each of their voices. [VirtuouS] is a solid body of work overall, and the record is one of their best so far, but it would be really interesting to see the group try different styles of heavy music. “STФMP!” and “2 Rings” feel more fresh in comparison to the title track, and the members definitely have the skill and charm to lean more into those styles if they chose to. Songs like “Justice,” as great as they are, feel like safe choices for the group to be making at this point.

There’s a reason Dreamcatcher are known for the edgy, rock-inspired concept: it’s because they do an excellent job pulling it off. Musicians of all genres have tried their hand at alternative music, and often it falls flat or feels like something is missing. That’s never the case with this group, they combine the best elements of K-Pop with rock and metal instrumentals that feel authentic to the genre. This album is a perfect example of their ability to seamlessly blend the two sounds. Listen to [VirtuouS] here!