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Astro 'Switch On': Release date, how to listen, concept and all about retro comeback

Astro will release 'Switch On' which all of the members have worked on and fans just can't keep calm

With a rush of K-pop groups and artists coming back in August, Astro has also joined the summer lineup. The six-member boy group is set to release their 8th mini-album ‘Switch On’ which has been making waves with all of the members participating in the making of it. We’d last seen the group a few months ago with the release of their second studio album.

Astro had come back with ‘All Yours’ in April, a dark and fierce album quite similar to the sub-unit release ‘Bad Idea’. They promoted the comeback with the title track ‘ONE’ and went on to win on several music shows. The album also got them their first platinum badge on Gaon Chart. Fans were excited for the recognition they were getting and are over the moon that the group is again coming back so soon.

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Release date

Astro’s ‘Switch On’ will be released on August 2 at 6 pm KST (5 am ET).

How to listen

The album will be released on all major music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, MelOn and more.

Schedule

July 31 - 'Before Midnight' on Naver Now at 11 pm KST (10 am ET) and will air every Saturday
August 2 - Comeback Showcase on Naver Now at 7 pm KST (6 am ET)
August 5 - 'After Dad Falls Asleep' with Rocky, MJ and Moonbin 
August 6 - 'Follow Me' with JinJin and Moonbin at 6 pm KST (5 am ET)

Tracklist

1. 'After Midnight' - Title track
2. 'Footprint'
3. 'Waterfall'
4. 'Sunset Sky'
5. 'MY ZONE'
6. 'Don’t Worry'

From the highlight medley, it seems like all of the songs have a common link of peppy beats, retro synth samplers and electric percussions. Even the pop-ballad ‘Sunset Sky’ which takes it slow with a guitar arrangement has a nostalgic feel perfect for the summer. Every single member has also participated in the making of the album in some way.

JinJin has written some of the lyrics for every song except ‘Footprint’. He has also helped in the composition of ‘MY ZONE’. MJ has participated in the making and the lyric writing of ‘Sunset Sky’. Eunwoo has written some of the lyrics for ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Don’t Worry’. He has also participated in the making of 'Don't Worry'.

Moonbin has written some of the lyrics for ‘Footprint’. Rocky has taken part in composing ‘Don’t Worry’ and has written the lyrics for four of the tracks except ‘Footprint’ and ‘Waterfall’. Sanha has participated in the making of ‘MY ZONE’.

Concept

The boys have been going all out for this EP with several concept photos, mood trailers and individual teasers. They also pleasantly surprised fans with the release of one set of concept photos that had the boys all shirtless making fans wonder if the tracklist would consist of any seductive songs.

Teasers and music video

The music video teasers show the boys dancing and having fun to an instrumental version of the title track. ‘After Midnight’ seems to be an upbeat disco-pop song perfect for the retro theme that Astro is going with. Full of vibrant colors, playful props and beach vibes ‘After Midnight’ is an amalgamation of everything that is summer.

Watch the music video below.

After Midnight Event

Astro has also announced a fan event to hype up the comeback. Between July 26 and August 1, fans can take a screenshot of their lock screen when it is midnight and upload it on Twitter with the hashtags - #After_Midnight_Event #ASTRO #아스트로 #SWITCH_ON #After_Midnight @Astro_Staff. Fans are allowed to post one screenshot from one Twitter account per day. Six random winners will get unreleased printed photos.

‘I love it here’

One fan tweeted, “The way they include us in the mv”. Another tweeted, “We got one before and now we got two astro literally teaching us how to count.” One tweeted, “Astro really went from using crop tops to completely shirtless i love it here.” Another tweeted, “When i told you #jinjin in purple hair was one of my most favourite looks on him, THIS IS WHAT I MEANT. look at him. JUST. LOOK. AT. THE. MAN!!!” One tweeted, “I love love love love the guitar/acoustic sounds in sunset sky sobs mj never disappoints.” Another tweeted, “Moonbin center is always powerful!” One tweeted, “Everyone enjoying: Then there is sanha:.” Another tweeted, “I actually expected Eunwoo to be sporting his pink hair in the mv asdfghjkl.” One tweeted, “VOCALIST ROCKY IN THE ALBUM.”