To call the famous girl group LE SSERAFIM one of the leaders in fourth-generation K-pop would not be an understatement — the group is known for their catchy beats, innovative rhythms and entrancing choreography. So when they dropped their second studio album “‘PUREFLOW,’ pt.1 ” on May 22, there was high anticipation for the group’s comeback as fans speculated on what music concept the group had gone with this time. Taking on the universe of electronic and dance, the group sprung into their new album with a new sound.
The album’s prelude “Pureflow,” is spoken in both Japanese and English, expanding the group’s reach using languages outside of Korean. Most of the song is dialogue about lifting yourself back up with the group singing, “The truth is, you want someone to step into your space / Because in the end, we’re the same.”
The track follows LE SSERAFIM’s usual themes of empowerment and persistence despite adversity — although this time they’ve taken a more forward stance. The lyrics may express commentary on bringing together people who perceive themselves as different, when really there is community in simply being human and having emotion.
As a track accompanied by a uniquely abstract music video, “BOOMPALA” stands out as one of the more advertised tracks on the album. While the song’s inclusion of a “Macarena” sample adds flair to the track, it is not properly supplemented by the lyrics that follow it:
“Wake up saying hi to the mirror / Trying to find the light where the fear were / Baby say goodbye if you see her / She’s only an illusion, don’t feed her (What?) / Beating up all inner drama / Saving the shame for tomorrow.”
While the lyrics about purging doubts to invite a better self-image are good in theory, their delivery falls a bit flat and the lyrics lack the cleverness or proper delivery to convey that message. The flow of the song isn’t complementary to the sample they chose to pair along with it.
The lead single from the album, “CELEBRATION,” also comes in with a music video full of colors and entrancing visuals. While the song is upbeat and attention-grabbing, its message and vibe doesn’t quite match the message given at the beginning of the album.
The chorus expresses, “Turn up to celebrate, turn up to celebrate / We gotta run again, oh / Time to celebrate, time to celebrate / SSERAFIM on the way, oh.” Although it is a standalone song meant for dancing and EDM, this song does well at remaining true to its genre because there are very few lyrics about facing fear and coming out of it despite previous doubts. The lyrics that do discuss the original message are superficial and almost feel like an afterthought. The majority of the song is carried by the beat and repeated chorus, which fall flat in carrying out the album’s message.
The next track, “Creatures,” is more blunt in the point that “CELEBRATION” was likely trying to make. The lyrics say, “Me and my girls, we look so alike / Only we will decide our rules / Shut up and step back / Or else we go break it.” The lyrics are unique, snappy, aggressive and concise in their meaning — the girls are no longer listening to adversaries and are owning up to their party-filled, upbeat lifestyle that results from overcoming challenges.
While the song has certain lines spoken, rather than being sung, it’s done in a way that adds to the dimension of the track, instead of distracting from the message completely. However, “Creatures’” message is very similar to “CELEBRATION’s” and only further dilutes the point of the track, which already fell flat.
A more traditional LE SSERAFIM-style song, “iffy iffy,” differs from the previous tracks, which are loud and upbeat in nature. The track is calmer, more controlled in tempo — showcasing the vocal capabilities of each member more clearly.
The lyrics “I was looking at me, reflected in the mirror / A scarred face, yeah, I’m not okay / Wanna bless my way, there’s no such thing as a right answer / I can start over again like a new birthday” are deeper and touch on more emotionally sensitive topics. Thus, “iffy iffy” gives the track depth and carries the album’s initial message the strongest. Although slightly repetitive in subject matter, the track’s consistent vocal range and flowing beat makes it easier for listeners to engage with the loopable song and appreciate its deeper meaning.
Perhaps one of the calmest tracks on the album, “Sonder,” takes a completely different sound than the rest of the tracks. Each member sings slowly and the somber tone of the track becomes immediately apparent. This track gives the album additional dimension, giving listeners more than just the catchy but surface-level lyrics and upbeat tune:
“Your joy, sorrow, pain, your worries, concerns, ambitions too / Sonder, sonder, I feel it even more / Feeling every story with my whole body like I’m swimming / Wonder, wonder, hit me like thunder.”
The song branches out to include the experiences of other people, expanding the scope of the album’s message to beyond just the protagonist or the individual self — everyone in the world has their own story.
Overall, “‘PUREFLOW,’ pt. 1” by LE SSERAFIM is a decent album. The message is empowering, and the introduction of more soulful, dance and electronic-influenced beats brings a new sound the group definitely explores in several of its tracks. However, the album contains somewhat repetitive and dull lyricism, as well as flatter delivery that washes out the significance of certain tracks. At some points, it feels as if the attention-grabbing beat takes priority over the track’s dimension on an album with such a strong, empowering message.
Audrey Phoukong is an Arts & Entertainment Staff Writer for the spring 2026 quarter. She can be reached at aphoukon@uci.edu.
Edited by Avani Kumar and Luis Ortiz.
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