Kep1er is back! And they are bringing a much darker, intense energy this time around. The group dropped their eighth mini-album, CRACK CODE, alongside the music video for the hard-hitting title track, "KILLA (Face the other me)."
Stepping away from their brighter past releases, this era is focused on inner awakening. The overarching theme of the album tackles the idea of breaking internal limits, accepting your true identity, and finding the courage to face your hidden instincts or the "other me."
A Polarizing but Lethal Title Track
The title track "KILLA (Face the other me)" captures this new musical identity. It is an electronic hip-hop track driven by an energetic lead synth and heavy trap-style drums.
Produced by Kevin_D and his team, the instrumental and vocal direction feels reminiscent of the darker, switch-up heavy sounds often heard from groups like Pixy and Craxy. The song features a distinct "killing point" hook complete with heavy vocal fry on the word "killaaaaaa" and quirky ad-libs like "chica boom" and "brrrrr."
While this specific phrasing and the vocal fry are slightly polarizing for some listeners, the track structure itself is kinda solid. Clocking in at just under three minutes, it actually delivers three full choruses, a proper bridge, and an outro. Most importantly, this heavy sound plays directly to the group's biggest asset, their performance skills. The aggressive beat sets up an incredible stage presence, with Xiaoting being absolutely lethal in the final chorus.
The Eight Mini Album “CRACK CODE”
The track "I am Kep1" is one of the standouts. It feels like a bold statement that brings back the raw, explosive energy of their early survival show days, reminding everyone that the group is still here and holding their ground. Members Hikaru and Dayeon shine across the album, delivering standout rap verses on the catchy, concert-ready track "MIC CHECK."
The back half of the album explores different sonic landscapes. "Addicted 2 Ya" serves up a busy Y2K pop extravaganza that feels heavily Britney Spears-coded, packed with vocal highlights. Meanwhile “Lowkey” offers a much-needed tonal switch-up, giving listeners a beautiful taste of the group's softer, more melodic side.
Overall, this mini-album showcases an amount of artistic growth, proving that Kep1er can seamlessly tackle a darker, more mature concept while still delivering top-tier B-sides.