Ateez for ‘Golden Hour: Part.3.’ Photo: courtesy of KQ Entertainment.
Ateez’s latest single, “Lemon Drop,” deviates from the group’s usual sound, trading in some of its signature intensity and darkness for a vibrant, summer-ready groove that blends hip-hop and R&B. But here’s the thing: Ateez isn’t abandoning their style; they’re just leveling up. As band member Hongjoong revealed in a recent press conference, courtesy of Korea JoongAng Daily, this new direction is more about “diversification than a discontinuation of the band’s style.”
“Lemon Drop” is the lead single off Ateez’s comeback album and 12th EP, Golden Hour: Part.3, the next chapter in their super successful Golden Hour series. With Part.1 cinching the second spot on the Billboard 200 and Part.2 topping it with its title track “Ice on My Teeth,” this new song sets the stage for an impressive return.
The band’s tryst with summer songs isn’t new. Their 2019 release “Wave,” was a breezy beach tune drenched in the emotional tides of ups and downs. “Lemon Drop,” in contrast, embodies the raw energy of the young and carefree, matching the season’s warmth. According to member Yunho, it represents “a bit more mature side of us,” setting it apart from their earlier tracks.
Lyrically, “Lemon Drop” is a sugar-rush confession of falling hard for someone. The line “Yeah, I keep getting drawn to you, too insidious” makes that clear, as does a “muse that I admire,” who inspires them and gets their heart racing with a sense of urgency. As they sing “Love ain’t perfect,” only the thrill of the moment counts, drawn to a voice that’s “like music” to their ears. The lyrics “bitter and sweet luxury” and a playful warning to “stop tempting me” make the message loud and clear: this attraction is all-consuming, and Ateez is soaking in the thrill and tension of it all.
The music video channels a retro aesthetic, explicitly evoking the visual language of a hot summer day. Think spinning fans, clothes tumbling in washing machines, and lemon slices floating in water on an old-school TV screen. There’s plenty of sex appeal too in how they’ve been styled to match up with the song’s message. The shot then tightens on their expressions, reflecting a sense of desire which only deepens as they serenade, “Ain’t nobody, yeah/Ain’t nobody, yeah, you’re the only one I see here/Ain’t nobody, yeah/Ain’t nobody, yeah, you know you’re the hottie, yeah,” before the visuals cut to frames of dripping wet clothes, scattered water droplets, and a steamy bathroom floor. The camera zooms in on the members washing cars, cruising around, and sweating it out before finally hitting the pool for a breather. The chorus part, “Lemon drop, lemon drop, closer/Come a little closer/Tequila, tequila sunrise/We’re staying up ’til sunrise,” hits like a citrus burst while Ateez flaunts their slick moves.
The song’s lighter tone offsets the darker themes of rebellion and youthful angst that are prevalent in their previous hits, including “Hala Hala,” “Halazia,” and “Déjà vu.” “Lemon Drop” seamlessly mixes cheerfulness with a rich soundscape and Ateez’s dynamic vocals. It echoes Hongjoong’s sentiments in an 1883 Magazine interview, where he said, “Ateez has always taken on new challenges in terms of sounds and genres…While we’ve had songs where we focused on a more cinematic and dramatic style to follow a storyline, we also understand the joy of the entertainment that can be found in the music itself.” “Lemon Drop” excels precisely in that—capturing the joy of music.
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