SS501 show both their talent and personality with their first album, a healthy mix of sounds and styles.
S.T 01 Now arrived in 2006, a year after SS501's official debut. It was delayed in part because of Youngsaeng's need to rest after having surgery on a vocal cord node. After the long wait they delivered an enjoyable album with songs that are easy to listen and dance to, and both new and old listeners would be hard pressed to find a song that falls flat.
Starting the album off with a bang is Existence, rock-popish with hard-hitting beats ala Fighter. The sound takes a small step back with Four Chance, a player's song on how to score a date. It's a funky sort of track that is quick to catch and hold the listener's attention, and was the second track to be promoted off the album. Quite surprisingly it turned out to do better than the first promoted track, Unlock.
After Four Chance, the album once more steps firmly in the rock-pop sound with the energetic, testosterone-filled Unlock, similar in style to Super Junior's Don't Don but without the crazy hair. Between Unlock and Existence, Unlock is the stronger song and the first to be promoted via music video and live performances.
Ballad lovers will be more than satisfied by the ballads offered on the album. Again is a poignant song about asking for a second chance. It shows a more serious side of SS501 than normal but the members pull it off with ease. The harmonizing is well done and Youngsaeng and Hyungjun hit some nice high notes. Again is easily the type of song that will make one glad for the invention of the repeat function. Also notable further on in the album is Sesangui Nalgae (Wings of the World) which is a touching ballad, understated music-wise with a simply melody, but it is that simple melody which serves to beautifully showcase each member's vocals.
Stand By Me brings back the poppy, happy feeling of earlier works like In Your Smile, and is the type of song that will get people bouncing in their seats. In a similar vein is Geopjaengi (Coward), a fun upbeat song about being too shy to ask someone out. It could have easily become too sugary cute but it's addictive beat and chorus saves it from that fate. Geopjaengi was the third song from the album to get the MV treatment and served to remind everyone that at heart SS501 are just a bunch of goofy dorks.
Adding a little bit of variety is Man, less rock and more urban influenced, sounding the most experimental out of all the tracks but in a strange way it works.
Continuing the fine tradition of toe-tapping songs with great arrangements is Bye Bye, a song that doesn't take itself too seriously, and Radio Star which was the theme for the radio show Youngstreet, which some of the members hosted.
Then there is Hana which at first sounds like just another sunny song but it should not be overlooked as it features some particularly strong vocals by Jungmin and Hyunjoong, giving it the extra boost it needs. Sky is a decent song but lacks any wow factor while Confession gives off a soft relaxing feeling.
Gyeonggo (Remix Version) doesn't quite improve on the original but it's a nice addition since the songs of their previous singles weren't included on this album. Unlock gets the remix treatment as well with an even more rock-influenced version aptly called the Heavy Edition because it features a lot of guitar. Perhaps someone said they couldn't get any more rockish than the original, and this was made to prove them wrong.
This first album captured the personality of SS501 as well as their talent, showing them as not just masters of dance songs but also as soulful singers who can touch the hearts of people. Although the majority of the songs are firmly in the rock and pop categories SS501 did several different genres well with Unlock, Four Chance, Geopjaengi and Again being the cream of the crop overall. For existing fans of the group it's a thoroughly enjoyable album, and for new listeners it gives an excellent example of what can be expected from SS501.
