TWS address the expectations and uncertainties of pursuing their goals on ‘TO US’, their second single album. Led by ‘Call My Name,’ the three-track release draws on conversations with the six members about their experiences, their commitment to performing, and the pressures they face.
Candid snapshot of youth
‘TO US’ was developed through discussions with SHINYU, DOHOON, YOUNGJAE, HANJIN, JIHOON, and KYUNGMIN. Those conversations covered both the excitement of working toward the group’s ambitions and the doubts that arise along the way.
The six members’ relationship with their fans, known as 42, also informs the album. YOUNGJAE, SHINYU, and DOHOON contributed to the lyrics of ‘Call My Name,’ reflecting on their commitment to their supporters and the stage.
The song’s music video examines the pressures that accompany that commitment, using surreal imagery to depict the uncertainty of pursuing a dream. SHINYU moves through smoke with a flare, while DOHOON collapses from exhaustion. YOUNGJAE sits on a nail-studded chair, HANJIN hangs from a skyscraper, and JIHOON balances on a tall pillar. KYUNGMIN stands in sunlight with a scorched shadow behind him, continuing the contrast between outward appearances and underlying unease.
Questions like “What is your dream worth chasing?” and “What makes you alive?” run through the video, with the members shown facing moments of strain before coming together. The final sequence shifts to downtown Seoul, where the six perform choreography across crosswalks as the track’s piano melody builds.
Inside the tracklist
The release continues TWS’s focus on the experiences and emotions of youth, central to the style the group calls “Boyhood Pop.” The group debuted in January 2024 under PLEDIS Entertainment with a name—pronounced “Two-Us” and short for “TWENTY FOUR SEVEN WITH US”—that reflects their aim of staying connected with listeners.
‘Call My Name’ combines a drum and bass rhythm with piano through a collaboration with jazz pianist Yun Seokcheol, while ‘WE UP’ takes a hip-hop approach, pairing a Miami Bass rhythm with synth-bass and lyrics focused on ambition. The closing track, “heavy,” uses synth-pop to address feelings of pressure and offer reassurance to people going through difficult periods.
Across the three songs, ‘TO US’ connects the desire to move forward with the uncertainty and strain that can accompany it.
