Release Date: February 14, 2025
Track Listing
- SATURN
- LOVE, AFRAID
- SATURN (Accapella)
- LOVE, AFRAID (Accapella)
- SATURN (Instrumental)
- LOVE, AFRAID (Instrumental)
Review
The last time I visited a MADEIN release was shortly after their rebrand and re-debut with the EP Rise. As I mentioned in my review of Rise, their music also changed with the reorganization from LIMELIGHT to MADEIN, moving away from some of the fluffier songs that endeared listeners to the initial version of this group.
Since the release of Rise, there has been some turmoil in the group, with one of the original trio of members, Gaeun, parting ways with 143 Entertainment because of sexual assault and mistreatment from the company’s CEO. 143 Entertainment has denied this; instead, Gaeun’s departure has been explained as being due to “personal circumstances.”
Since the actual reason for her departure will most likely never be publicly revealed, you can believe what you want. This article is not for conjecture or debate about why MADEIN lost a member, and I’ll move on to the rest of the review instead.
MADEIN Forever is the group’s first single, released as a six-member group. Despite having six tracks, it’s only a double-a-sided single with two new songs. The extra tracks are instrumental and Accapella versions of the title songs, not new b-sides.
The first song on MADEIN Forever is SATURN, a sombre ballad with light EDM undertones. Like some of the material on Rise, SATURN takes the group into unexplored musical territory. It’s interesting to hear MADEIN take on a song like this and further expand their repertoire, making it a surprise upon listening.
LOVE, AFRAID, on the other hand, is more within what one would expect of MADEIN and is a bit of a throwback to their LIMELIGHT incarnation. If you find SATURN a snooze fest, LOVE, AFRAID will wake you up with its catchy beat and infectious hook.
Although MADEIN Forever is short on new content, it contains two terrific songs that showcase the group’s differing sides. I favour SATURN more of the two since it left a stronger impression after listening to it. That’s just me, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with either track on this single.
