ENHYPEN’s ‘Romance : Untold’: Every Song Ranked

Since ENHYPEN debuted in 2020 while the world was deep in the COVID-19 pandemic, the HYBE and BELIFT GROUP boy band embraced a dark sound and concept, driven by a larger vampire theme and lore that permeated their album releases and an accompanying webtoon series. But with the release of their second full-length Korean album, Romance : Untold, the septet are beginning what they describe as their new “Romance” series to share “the story of seven boys who vow to protect their love at all costs.”

To begin this story, ENHYPEN deliver eight tracks of fresh genres to explore with a range of top K-pop and pop hitmakers. Lead single “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” includes composition work from HYBE chairman “Hitman” Bang Si-Hyuk (who has worked with ENHYPEN since their debut single “Given-Taken”) but also is co-produced by Billboard Hot 100 hitmaker JVKE (who also features on an English version of the track). There is a breakbeat percussion and punk-rock influences in “Paranormal,” and “Brough the Heat Back” is a sweet, swirly mix of electro-pop and dance styles.

But beyond the new genres embraced, the themes within Romance: Untold show a group looking to be the ideal idol boyfriends not just to their most devoted fans but to the world in general. “XO” acts as a consent anthem, and all the members contribute to the comforting cut “Highway 1099.”

While “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” is the lead single, nearly every track feels like it could have a single on Romance : Untold. Here’s our ranking of the songs on ENHYPEN’s latest full-length album Romance : Untold.