

In 2014, GOT7 burst onto the third-generation K-pop scene to quickly become known as a group of charismatic, occasionally acrobatic performers of hip-hop-infused idol hits. WINTER HEPTAGON, the group’s first comeback in almost three years, is a testament to how far the seven members have come over the past decade—both collectively and as individual artists, and after their 2021 departure from JYP Entertainment. The nine-track mini album includes lead single “PYTHON,” a smooth, hip-hop-infused track about trying to escape a powerful and toxic attraction (“I left my guard down for a minute/I never play with feelings, but I thought you were committed”), sharing themes with the group’s 2015 hit “If You Do.” The song was co-written and composed by BamBam, GOT7’s Thai rapper-singer. WINTER HEPTAGON also features “Yours Truly,” a sentimental fan song composed by leader JAY B, with lyrical contributions from all of the members. Past those two tracks, each member takes writing lead on one of the seven other songs, bringing their distinct musical interests to the collection: “SMOOTH” (Jackson Wang), “Our Youth” (Young-jae), “REMEMBER” (Yugyeom), “Darling” (JAY B), “TIDAL WAVE” (BamBam), “OUT THE DOOR” (Mark Tuan), and “her” (Jinyoung). Logistically, it allowed them to prepare for the album while also working on their own projects. In final form, it creates an eclectic group mini album that doesn’t ask any member to sacrifice himself in the making—an impressive feat in and of itself, a decade into a musical partnership.