(Music Review) Gabby Onme warms hearts with new EP, “Valentine In December”
Gabby Onme is a duo based in Seoul, 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.
Gabby Onme has released a new EP called, “Valentine In December” on November, 30th 2024. It is filled with cozy and warm melodies that flow beautifully over gentle guitar melodies. This EP has a romantic and warm tone that is lovely to hear from the duo. The topic of romance is not foreign to the duo but this has to be the softest and sweetest approach to romance that they have presented in their discography. I really enjoyed listening to it. I thought it was beautifully done. It’s a collection of songs I can see myself playing often, If I could describe this EP in 3 words it would be timeless, romantic and nostalgic.
2018
“2018” is a melodic R&B ballad with earnest lyrics that warms the heart. I could see someone playing this song for a married couple’s 1st dance during a wedding, it has that classic and timeless vibe. I think it is such a strong way to start off the EP, due to it being such a beautiful statement song. “2018” sets the tone for the EP, as a project filled with warmth and attention to detail.
Adrian’s vocals are clear and soft, sounding almost like a whisper but with more power behind it. He carries a nice stable and steady tone that really highlights the drums in the instrumental of the song. His voice steadily builds up as the song reaches the chorus. These lyrics he sung in the bridge of the song stood out to me, they are sung and written in such a pretty way.
// You’re Bonnie. I’m Clyde
Just sit back I’ll drive
No worries inside the storms
We can dance in the rain //
KINDA sings in a high register on the chorus of the song and it sounds lovely. His higher singing voice flows into a soft and melodic tone and then picks back up higher again. This vocal pattern makes for a very catchy chorus and it sounds like it would be really nice to sing along to during a live performance.
// I’ll be there to love you
Lend you this shoulder to cry to
Holding you tight through the night
til’ dusk arrives //
The melodies are sung in a soulful way and they are paired with a steady drum and a beautiful electric guitar that sounds like it’s crying notes of yearning. The style of this song is reminiscent of early 2000’s gospel and R&B music that I grew up listening to. I love the nostalgic feel to this song.
2. R U Sure?
“R U Sure?” is a track perfect to describe modern love. The song starts with a melodic beautiful guitar, the song sounds almost acapella with the focus on the vocals. The guitar has a latin inspired sound and it sounds so pretty. The lyrics and mellow instrumentals have a similar style to emo rock music, I really like that aspect of the song. I think the title, “R U Sure?” plays with the modern love theme, since it is written in the style of texting in abbreviations.
Adrian: // I need to know if you love me or love me not // The honest lyrics are about wondering if a lover is truly involved in a relationship. The lyrics are really pulling and reaching for an answer from a lover. The lyrics play on the theme of Valentine, like a cupid waiting for a love sign.
KINDA sings a vocal riff in the chorus of the song that sounds angelic, its very pretty. This riff adds to the theme of angels, cupid and valentines. This vocal riff shows up for the first time at 0:57. The first time I heard it, I thought “wow that’s beautiful.” I really like the tone.
KINDA: // I’m looking back in the rearview // This is a lyric that was sung so heart-wrenchingly. It depicts a visual of someone watching in a rearview mirror as a lover is walking away after a heated argument or of a lover walking away with an unspoken agreement of it being the last time you see that person.
This song is layered with these beautiful echoes and harmonies from both singers, harmonies is something the Duo does often. Anytime I hear them on their songs, it gives them their signature sound, making anyone think “Oh this is what a Gabby Onme song is all about”.
Adrian: // Out of my reach, poisonous temptations. It’s so hard these days to be set in stone // Gabby Onme revisits the topic of temptation and contemplation on a lover’s thoughts often. I really like how they choose different ways to speak on the topic and it feels like a new and fresh take every time.
Adrian: //Just say my name. So sweet and sour like lemonade // I really like this lyric. It makes me think about when you know someone closely you can say their names in different tones and the way it is said can stick with you forever. Whether the tone is soft and lovely or harsh and bitter, one will always remember the way their name is said and what each tone means to gauge the current vibe of a relationship.
This song is so nice to sing along to, it reminds me of singing along to emo rock music when I was younger and still to this day honestly. It has that sickly sweet, lover-boy vibe. Perfect song for late night yearning, it’s mellow and (emo)tional.
3. Addictive LoVe
“Addictive LoVe” is a smooth R&B track, with an early 2000’s flair while still sounding fresh and unique, and making music references while still staying true to their own unique style is a successful formula for Gabby Onme.
The instrumentals in this song are so smooth and fun. It has a nice groove, making it really fun to dance and sing along too. This song describes a love that you just keep going back to, just like the hook of this song.
// You got the recipe for that
Addictive love with flavors to die for
You got the recipe for that
Addictive love it's you that I crave for //
Adrian opens up the song with lyrics that set the tone of wanting someone who is alluring and you just can not take your mind and gaze off this person. I like how the instrumentals and beat are steady and tell a story along with the lyrics.
// Let you feel the tension Feel suspense, all day, every moment //
This entire song is filled with this alluring aura and build up and It is as if the song is on a mission to find this person. The song is a trance, I love how it describes someone who is hard to shake and the song itself does just that.
KINDA sings a lyric in a higher tone that fits the romantic tone of the song. The chorus of the song is so catchy, I like the way the words flavor and recipe are used.
// You got the recipe for that
Addictive love with flavors to die for
You got the recipe for that
Addictive love it's you that I crave for //
I like how the vocal tone switches back from KINDA singing in falsetto style tones to Adrian with a deeper tone. The differences in their voices make for a contrasting but unified sound that just clicks and compliments each other tonally. Adrian’s voice sets the tone as he tells a story and then KINDA brings the song up to a peak. It really works how the duo chooses where to place their strengths in the song and generally in all of their music
Gabby Onme has also dropped a music video for “Addictive LoVe” and it fits the vibe of the song perfectly. The music video has warm, cool, and natural coloring that makes it feel cozy and comfortable. The duo dances in wide angle shots and stylish streetwear clothes. I really like the fisheye angle shots where they are wearing oversized 2000’s style business wear. These shots look so cool and are a statement. This visual is also the cover for the EP, which I think fits perfectly as it is filled with old school early 2000’s vibes.
Words by Katana // KtopiaX
