ARrC – CTRL+ALT+SKIID
By Sonya Lee | Top Tracks: “WoW (Way of Winning) (Ft. Moon Sua X Siyoon)” & “SKIID”
[ARrC] CTRL+ ALT+SKIID Concept Photos; MYSTIC STORY
ARrC debuted on August 19, 2024, and since then they have released two single albums (including this comeback), two mini albums and one EP album. Ever since I discovered them (which was at a Korean restaurant, funny enough; their After School Club interview was playing on the screens :D), I would say ARrC has a blend of dance and R&B in their music. There is always a song that gets me moving, no matter what. Anyway, I’m rambling (this just shows how much I want people to listen to their music :)). Focusing back on this comeback, the title track, “SKIID,” has a unique sound to it. There is an upbeat sound played along with a snare drum in the production. The beginning starts with an increased pace where the song sounds like it is heading in a pure rock and roll type of energy with the guitar intro, but then it pops with Choi Han’s rap.
The overall music video highlights a back and forth of polished choreography scenes and the members’ playing day-to-day jobs, from office worker to warehouse employee. My perception of this dichotomy is to showcase the blend of merging a clean, flawless lifestyle with the grind of daily life. Then, when the two sides combine to create a new scene, this is to represent breaking away from the cycle of unchanging daily life. The lyrics represent the album title, actually, which are the keys needed for system reboots (that is where the computer elements come to play). Instead of deleting information, the song plays on the idea of starting over, which is why, instead of DEL, the title track “SKIID” is added instead. Why is there a double I? Well, it’s an artistic choice by the group of their interpretation of system errors sliding down. I’d say my favorite lines from this song are “음악이 흐르지 않는 이어폰 듣기보다는 막기 위해서 걸쳐두지” (translated: wearing earphones with no music playing, I wear them not to listen to music, but to block it out). This line really stood out to me because it gives the feeling of moving through life in a mundane manner, which is relatable.
Moving on to the next track, there’s a shift in tone. Adding to this second song are the features from Moon Sua and Siyoon. The girls are two of the seven members of Billlie! The group is under Mystic Story as well, which makes ARrC their labelmates. Moon Sua is a rapper and a lead vocalist, along with Siyoon, who’s a rapper and lead dancer. The group recently had an appearance on Apple TV original KPOPPED, where they collaborated with icons Megan Thee Stallion and Patti LaBelle. For Moon Sua and Siyoon, the duo had their
[ARrC & MOON SUA X SIYOON] WoW Concept Photos; MYSTIC STORY
Playing off the theme of “restarting” or “rebooting a system,” “WoW (Way of Winning)” focuses on the next part of looking forward. The collaboration really complements the artist’s vocals, especially during the harmonies or “there’s no time to hesitate, it’s a make or break.” The added elements of Moon Sua and Siyoon’s rap enrich the song with a soulful kick. Knowing that the girls also contributed to the track as lyricists made this song all the more touching. Through this experience, it seems both the members of ARrC and Billlie had a great time learning from each other. Overall, what I love about this track is how it shows the solution to the previous track’s loop. The creative spin on acronyms seems to be a running theme in all of ARrC’s music. Having these short creative titles allows for listeners to return, keeping their eyes peeled for other hidden messages they might have missed.
The album comes in three versions: CTRL, ALT, and SKIID. What’s so cool about this comeback is that some versions come with perfumed hand cream! ARrC collaborated with JOLSE and KEYTH (Korean Beauty Brands) to bring ARrCers the skincare they deserve! Another version of the album is the “platform” version, which has a QR code to link to the EVER MUSIC app for streaming and access to exclusive photocards. Beyond physical albums, their songs are out now on all music platforms!
Feeling lost or down? Stream CTRL+ALT+SKIID. Need a “pick-me-up” from work or assignments? Stream CTRL+ALT+SKIID. Have five minutes and thirty-eight seconds to spare? Stream CTRL+ALT+SKIID. Aside from streams, be sure to follow ARrC on their socials to see their journey. The group has already made big moves this year as they were special guest performers on the popular audition program: Show It All (Vietnam’s most well-known audition show through YeaH1). The group has also made appearances throughout Asia, be it pop-up stores, schools, or TV shows. One thing is for sure: ARrC has shown great promise over the past year, and they will continue to gain traction with this comeback and future content.
Socials: Instagram: @official.arrc, Facebook: @official.arrc, Twitter: @official_arrc, TikTok: @official.arrc
