(Music Review) Gabby Onme Releases EP, 444
Gabby Onme is a duo based in South Korea making music ranging from pop, R&B, and hip-hop. Gabby Onme is made up of Adrian and KINDA. Who both share the roles as singers, producers and songwriters.
They have released a new EP titled, 444 on August 4th 2024. If I could use one phrase to describe 444 it would be "Catch a Vibe”. Honestly, it took me some time to write my thoughts on the album because I was just flowing with how relaxing it was. Gabby Onme has released a project that anyone can vibe with. You can dance, sing, or relax while listening to 444.
'444' EP Cover
Adrian and KINDA of Gabby Onme
Sunrise
Sunrise opens up 444 much like the title states, it’s bright and warm. There is a really nice sound at the start of the song that sounds like waves splashing on a beach or a cymbal. I thought it was a perfect sound to start the song. Sunrise sets the tone of this album as a chill vibe. I love the heavy bass in the background as it keeps a steady tone throughout the song. KINDA and Adrian’s voices echo each other on the track so smoothly, you would have to listen to the song more than once to catch how well their voices flow together. I feel like that was done intentionally, as the song is so catchy and infectious.
In the 1st chorus, Adrian’s verse and the start of KINDA’s verse really show off their songwriting skills as a duo. There is a bit of word play in the lyrics that switch from each singer. Sonically, it is almost as if a baton is being passed off. The songwriting in Sunrise is truly balanced, while also sticking with the theme of time and romance.
Adrian: Wish I could start the day just waking next to your body rubbin up to me to hold me tight
then making love til we don't wake up
Kinda: Time will pass but I wish you'd wake up right next to me
The lyrics feel good to hear accompanied by the upbeat summer instrumentals. The theme of the lyrics describe a state of mindfulness and romance. Sunrise expresses being truly relaxed despite any problems that could arise. Both in relationships and in life. The season of summer feels bright, warm and romantic. Everyone is smiling more, happier and relaxing by the beach. That’s what this song sounds like to me. It is a song that takes the listener to their favorite person at their favorite place as the sun rises.
Time will pass but I wish you'd wake up right next to me
From now to days and nights and back we'll rinse wash then repeat
And if we fight and argue it's alright, we'll make up and dance the night away
Stay awake and ride the wave til we see the sunrise
Cause I can't see someone else in my life
Girl what’s a king without his queen right by his side
Sunrise
The duo has also released a music video for Sunrise and it’s just a fun time overall. Sunrise literally sounds like driving along on the coasts of blue, clear water and beautiful scenery. The music video shows exactly that, beautiful cinematic visuals paired with fun and playful moments of Adrian and KINDA on set.
2. Elastin
444 continues with the 2nd track Elastin, as a smooth and calming song. In this song, Gabby Onme maintains their unique color while also introducing different genres like Afrobeats and Dancehall music. While the song does have a chill vibe, I can tell it was made for dancing and having a good time. The steady beat in the song makes you want to move. It’s a song you can just dance to on the surface but also you can sit and relax while listening to the lyrics.
Adrian’s vocals shines with a low yet soft register that I haven’t heard in the duo’s music before, His vocal tone creates a smooth foundation for this song. While KINDA’s bright and airy high notes create a nice pop of color throughout the song. KINDA also sings in a higher tone with Adrian in the chorus, which adds to the balance. There is a really pretty sounding instrument that starts the song and continues throughout the track. This instrument stars as the feature in this song. I can not make out what it is but the best way I can describe it is natural and refreshing.
The lyrics are effortlessly lovely. It sounds like the songwriting process was a breath of fresh air, it simply just flows while also being romantic.
Vent it out and never hold back
Make sure you can hold it down and show me
All your feelings baby you don't gotta prove it
Elastin is a protein found in the skin, It makes tissues in your body able to stretch and shrink back to their original size. The lyrics describe a love that always go back to it’s original state no matter how far it stretches, no matter where the energy flows, It will always go back to the start.
Just take some time to smooth out
We'll be like elastin
Stretch out, bounce back, never break up
My favorite part in this song is at the timestamp 1:39. The chorus is repeated and the beat starts to pick up with what sounds like a kick drum. It’s genuinely such a groove, it makes you want to dance. While Adrian sings here, the punching sound of the drum makes the lyrics stand out even more. In the background, KINDA sings in a soft high note that mixes very well with the upbeat tone.
You're my Cleopatra
I can be your Caesar
Fly around the world babe
3. Bruise
Bruise closes out 444 on a mellow note with a R&B sound. Bruise has a different tone that stands out against the other 2 tracks. It is still relaxing while also describing a cautionary tale with a lover. This song has a sound reminiscent of late 90’s and early 2000’s R&B music. The layered harmonies from both Adrian and KINDA really stand out in Bruise, instantly hitting you with a wave of nostalgia.
The song opens with a heavy hitting rap from Adrian which he then turns into a smooth R&B melody. From here, KINDA harmonizes with Adrian and he begins signing in a light and higher tone that sonically takes the song upward. The way this flow was set up feels like the song is taking you up a mountain. It’s really a beautiful and smooth transition of sounds.
The lyrics in this track are darker, as it seems to tell a cautionary tale of a lover who is mysterious and ominous. Yet this person is someone who you can not turn away from. Something about this person’s energy is alluring and powerful enough to keep going back. These lyrics remind me of a a woman with dark feminine energy.
Girl it's not a simple task in getting over you
A virus you take control
You spreading out through my blood
I'm swerving through my logic
and it leads right to something sinister like her
The trumpet in the song reminds me of Latin music and New Orleans jazz. With all these different influences mixing together, this song could not be more cohesive and solid. It is an especially strong way to close out the EP, and I think it was perfect choice to place it at end. With Bruise clocking in at 1:41, it is noticeably shorter that the other songs on this EP. I like the length of this song, it feels like a postlude closing this EP out smoothly. Bruise’s position at the end of album makes me curious of how their next project will sound. Bruise also felt like it was a hint or a sneak peak into the next project.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed how this EP was structured from top to bottom. To my ears, It takes the listener on a journey of romance.
The 1st track, Sunrise is a bright yellow-orange. It describes the beginning stages of love as bright, warm and fun.
The EP dances into the 2nd track, Elastin is a deep forest green. The love described before is now going through changes. As problems arise. they are easily fixed.
Finally, Bruise is a deep purple that settles into a place where I did not expect it to go. The tone of the this EP gets darker and it ends on a note that makes you want to start from the top and see if there is any explanation for how a love that was so bright and warm could turn into a cool, deep color like a bruise.
Words by Katana. // KtopiaX
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