On Hellokpop Playlist: TAN Captures Hearts in 3rd Mini Album “TAN MADE”

Get it poppin’ like! TAN is back with a perfect Heartbeat pop!

The ridiculously talented rookie group, TAN, returned with their third mini album, TAN MADE [I], on August 11th and has been capturing hearts ever since.

The album name TAN MADE [I] is a combination of the phrase TAN MADE, to identify that TAN made this album itself, and [I], which means to love yourself with confidence. Consisting of seven colorful tracks in total, including the title song “HEARTBEAT,” which features electronic dance that combines rich synth sounds and colorful compound styles, TAN MADE [I] highlights the members’ growth and development. In particular, the talented seven-member group never disappoints as the members captivate listeners throughout every song on this album, proving that they are a top-tier group.

Returning after about five months with Essege in March 2023, the all-rounder group displays an upgraded irresistible charm with an alluring concept, sound, and color that only TAN can pull off.

Let’s dive into TAN’s latest album, TAN MADE [I].

Artificial Heart

Kicking off the album is the medium-tempo b-side track “Artificial Heart.” The album depicts a breakup from the perspective of a young person. Listeners can resonate with the raw emotions through the lyrics, “I can’t put it into the words, words to deal with love.”

Lyrics by JOOAN (TAN), JAYBLE
Composed by JOOAN (TAN)
Arranged by JAYLBE, Krap, JAEJUN (TAN)

HEARTBEAT

The title track, “HEARTBEAT,” is a colorful electronic dance song. The track combines a rich synth sound and comprehensive styling that really picks up the tension at the drop and harmony of the chorus, making it truly impressive. Expressing the excitement of love as “My heart is pop!” adds to the fun of listening to the song as well as watching it performed on music shows.

Lyrics by S.Tiger, Jacob Aaron (THE HUB), THE HUB 88, JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태
Composed by S.Tiger, Jacob Aaron (THE HUB), THE HUB 88, JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태
Arranged by S.Tiger

VIOLET

“VIOLET” is a beautiful disco daydream-style track with funky drum beats and groovy bass lines that will make listener’s shoulders bounce up and down. TAN’s charms are effortlessly expressed through this song, with lyrics like, “I can’t stop the rain.”

Lyrics by Jerry Carrot, HYUNYEOP (TAN), JISEONG (TAN)
Composed by Jerry Carrot, 김재종
Arranged by Kim Jaejong

FREEZE

Members CHANGSUN and HYUNYEOP wrote and composed their unit song “FREEZE.” The retro pop track is an impressive track featuring a rhythmical guitar and lyrics that tactfully express the nervousness and freezing heart in front of the one you like. Lyrics aside, CHANGSUN’s dynamic rap melody and HYUNYEOP’s captivating vocals are the true highlights of the track.

Lyrics by JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태, CHANGSUN (TAN), HYUNYEOP (TAN), Kit, JAYBLE
Composed by Kit, JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태, HYUNYEOP (TAN), JAYBLE
Arranged by Kit

JEKYLL&HIDE

“JEKYLL&HIDE” is a unit song by JOOAN, JAEJUN, and SUNGHYUK. The track is PBR&B based on the trip-hop rhythm, while the cool lyrics compare the feeling of boredom to the fictional characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. JOOAN and SUNGHYUK’s vocal scale mixed with JAEJUN’s heavy-toned vocals makes this song a true stand out amongst the b-sides on this album.

Lyrics by JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태, JAYBLE, JOOAN (TAN), SUNGHYUK (TAN), Kit
Composed by JAEJUN (TAN), 김준태, JAYBLE, JOOAN (TAN), Kit
Arranged by JAYBLE

TARZAN

“TARZAN” is the super chic unit song of JISEONG and TAEHOON. The hip-hop track features a moombahton sound, expressing a firm will to move forward without hesitation in a jungle-like society, “I’m the king representing jungle now, you know.”

Lyrics by JISEONG (TAN), TAEHOON (TAN)
Composed by JISEONG (TAN)
Arranged by JISEONG (TAN)

New Days

Last but certainly not least is “New Days.” The rock-inspired track contains the message that a new day will unfold in which we will write our own story from now on – “today we meet again.”

Lyrics by CiELO, JOOAN (TAN)
Composed by CiELO, JOOAN (TAN), ONE.KI, COUGAR
Arranged by CiELO, OLDTABLE, COUGAR

Best Album Tracks

I would be remiss not to state that there really is no “bad” track on this album. However, if I had to pick my top four songs on this album, it would be:

• VIOLET
• JEKYLL&HIDE
• HEARTBEAT
• TARZAN

Final Thoughts

TAN has outdone itself once again with its latest EP. We are well aware that members JOOAN, JAEJUN, and JISEONG have regularly written, composed, and/or produced tracks for TAN as well as other artists in the industry, but the group takes it a step further with every member participating in at least one track (some for the very first time). True to TAN’s musicality, this album is an all-kill from start to finish, effortlessly highlighting each member’s growth while still being true to its ‘no skippable tracks’ music.

TAN has real staying power within the K-Pop industry. It’s hard to believe they only debuted in March 2022, especially since they seem to get better with each and every album. It feels like they’ve spent nearly a decade together honing their craft and creating a sound that is uniquely their own, which only shows how truly talented they are.

Through seven sensational tracks, CHANGSUN, JOOAN, JAEJUN, SUNGHYUK, HYUNYEOP, TAEHOON, AND JISEONG – the album declares what SODA have known since their debut. There are no limits to where TAN can take their music. And luckily for SODA, this album drops ahead of TAN’s upcoming 7AN Made [I] Tour across the United States, kicking off in late September 2023, so here’s hoping that some (if not all) of these tracks make it onto the setlist.

• [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] TAN talks “TAN MADE [I],” Gush About SODA, In-N-Out, Future Goals, and More

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Images and Videos courtesy of Think Entertainment.