BOYNEXTDOOR's "ANIMAL" Continues a Genre-Hopping Run

BOYNEXTDOOR is adding electro-funk to a growing list of sounds as the group prepares to release "HOME: DELUXE."

The repackage of first full-length album HOME arrives September 28, led by "ANIMAL," the group's first attempt at the electro-funk genre.

A preview released ahead of the album introduced the track's heavy beat and repeated "Move like animal" hook. Jaehyun, Taesan and Woonhak are credited on "ANIMAL," alongside KOZ Entertainment producer and artist ZICO, while Pop Time and kako handled production.

The track continues a pattern of BOYNEXTDOOR members participating directly in the music as the group moves between different genres.

That range is particularly visible across the five songs added for HOME: DELUXE. Alongside the electro-funk of "ANIMAL," new track "CLICHE" moves into disco, while the album also adds dance tracks "Count To Love (Korean Ver.)" and "Boom Boom Boom" and pop ballad "400 Years."

Members have also drawn from their own musical interests when shaping previous releases.

Fourth mini album title track "I Feel Good," for example, grew from the desire to create a song audiences could jump around to during concerts. For first full-length album HOME, "VIRAL" instead looked toward the second- and third-generation K-POP that the members grew up listening to.

"ANIMAL" takes that experimentation in another direction, using its electro-funk production to accompany a message about relentlessly pursuing what you want and continuing to surpass yourself.

BOYNEXTDOOR will reveal the music video teaser for "ANIMAL" on September 24 before HOME: DELUXE is released on September 28 at 6 p.m. KST.

Separately, the group performed at the official dinner for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on September 16, attended by the leaders of South Korea and five Central Asian countries.