Warm up with WayV’s New Winter Album

There’s really nothing I love more than a winter K-pop album release. You can keep your hot cocoa, your fuzzy mittens, your crackling fireplace in a cozy cottage. I’ll be staying warm with all the latest music releases just in time for the winter holiday season.

Photo WayV

Released on December 8, WayV’s 白色定格 (Eternal White) - Winter Special Album, has seven tracks filled with sparkling magic and delicious vocals. If you’re looking for something to put on in the car on the way to drive through some holiday lights or on that long drive to visit family, this is the album for you. You don’t even need to tell your family this is a K-pop album, I promise they will like it.

WayV, the Chinese sub-unit of SM Entertainment’s NCT system, has been producing incredible music since 2019 with their 6 member boy group. Their albums often contain hip hop, pop, and even EDM influence with high energy dance routines and ethereal vocals. With two asia tours in 2024 and 2025 and participation in KCON, SMTOWN, and NCT Nation concerts, Western fans (WayZenNi) long to see them promote their music via a world tour.

Photo WayV

The first track of the album "第五个季节 (The Fifth Season)” sounds like a group of very talented carolers just arrived at your door, filled with layered harmonies and 90s style boy band vocal runs. It sounds ethereal and is a short song that you will have on loop endlessly.

The vibe quickly changes as we move to the title track, a bouncy beat with echoes of “Switch up the tempo!” - which it definitely does! “白色定格 (Eternal White)” will have even your stoic father bobbing his head along to Hendery and Yangyang’s rapping while driving the car.

YouTube WayV

"月光蚀刻 (Moment in Time)" is a personal favorite on the album, giving quintessential WayV vibes. Hearing Ten’s incredible vocals break through complex harmonies is always a highlight for me. This group works so beautifully together, each member with their own unique style and tone but melding together for musical perfection.

Group leader Kun participated in the composition and arrangement of "初白 (First Time)," resulting in a beautiful song that highlights the strengths of the members. There is nothing I love more on a WayV track than hearing the backing track fall away and Xiaojun bursting through with notes that are too high for us mere mortals to ever hit in the karaoke room.

Photo WayV

"陌生的泪 (Strange Tears)" has tone reminding me of one of my favorite album releases from WayV, Blame It On My Youth, which was their last full studio album in 2023.

I didn’t expect to hear Dem Jointz’s producer tag at the beginning of one of the songs on this cozy album, but we are once again blessed with greatness in Ncity with this collaboration. “Stay” is the all-English track on the album and brings a smooth R&B groove to the second half of the album.

Photo WayV

“我之后的你 (Lover After Me)" is a soft, sentimental, breakup song with heart wrenching lyrics like “Baby, please tell the lover after me I’m so so sorry.” Nothing says cozy holidays like yearning - but maybe that’s just me. I love this song for its choral sounding final refrain, fading out into the sparkling snow.

All that is missing on this album is member WinWin, still on a break from group activities to focus on his successful acting career. Santa, if you’re listening, we would love to see him on the next WayV album!

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