One of the most exciting aspects of a SEVENTEEN album listening experience is the experimentation showcased throughout the records. Making a surprise premiere during January’s Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2025 runway show, Pharrell Williams debuted the collaboration, which was finally released in its official form five months later. “Bad Influence” is a low-pitched, bass-heavy ode to living without worries as the album’s only all-English track.

It’s unusually understated for a group that has some of the most bombastic and impactful singles, not to mention Pharrell’s Grammy-winning body of work. While we’re all for the Pharrell x SVT linkup — and the song is no doubt a bop and a half — the change up to a subtle sound might have been a little too unexpected and we’d like to hear them all go back into the studio soon.

One of the most unexpected genre jumps on Happy Burstday, “99.9%” lets rapper Wonwoo try on a throwback jazz concept complete with twinkling piano, crisp percussion, and bold brass horns. The sweet, confessional track reminds us that the rapper is capable of far more music beyond the Hip-Hop Unit’s signature sound and that he’s got a soft side delivering Korean lyrics that translate to cute lines like: “You’d say, ‘Am I really that special?’/ Smiling while hiding your heart/ But my heart is already at 100%/ So don’t worry — I’m sure.” 100% swoon-worthy.

While the timing of Wonwoo’s mandatory military enlistment this year may have prevented him from participating in creating the track (with Woozi writing and help co-compose the song), we’re eager to hear Wonwoo’s full work on future solo tracks.

While it’s every Carat’s dream to go clubbing with Mingyu, his dance-ready rap track is a fun shift for the rapper-singer-model; however, we don’t get to hear nearly enough of him throughout, as the production takes over large parts of the song. However, this may have been a deliberate choice, as Mingyu flexes his production skills, credited as a co-composer of “Shake It Off” alongside rising hip-hop producer ioah.

Still, we want more Mingyu! And as evidenced by global campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein and Innisfree, as well as recent appointments as brand ambassadors for Dior and Snickers, the world does, too.

As the first member of SEVENTEEN to enlist in his mandatory military service, Jeonghan’s voice returning to listeners through such a lovely, gospel-inspired ballad track makes the track all the more special. And it’s no “Coincidence” that Jeonghan perfectly embodies this track with his emotional delivery enhancing such a delicate piece.

Once again, likely due to his military enlistment last year, Jeonghan did not participate in the writing or production of this track, but it makes us all the more eager to hear what he creates when he releases more of his own solo music.

DK’s “Happy Virus” might be the most perfectly titled solo track as the vocalist with the big grin takes this light-rock/pop to deliver lines like, “I’ll be there for you…smile, smile, smile” in a song that’s sure to infect listeners with the all the fuzzy, warm feelings.

The subtle country influences on the track make it another unforeseen genre exploration on Happy Burstday, pairing well with DK’s messages of wanting to help heal and protect one’s smile.

It’s wild to think SEVENTEEN’s youngest member Dino, who debuted with the group when he was only 16, is now an adult, whipping out mature songs like “Trigger,” co-crafted by BIGHIT MUSIC producer Pdogg. We get to truly hear his growth as a vocalist through the falsetto-heavy chorus, which feels like a genuine declaration that Dino is no longer a baby.

“Skyfall” is the first of the SEVENTEEN members’ solo tracks in Happy Burstday‘s tracklist with THE 8 kicking the energy back up after the Pharrell Williams–produced “Bad Influence.” Subtle electronica beats surround THE 8’s light delivery before booming 808s, hard synthesizers, and bustling breakbeats enter the mix, creating a euphoric blend that represents the singer-dancer-model’s hope to let go and drift like a feather.

In a cool nod to his crossover appeal, “Skyfall” includes lyrics in Korean, English and THE8’s native Chinese.

Beyond the excitement surrounding three new group songs and a solo track from each member, the biggest surprise when SEVENTEEN revealed its Happy Burstday tracklist had to have been the featured guest appearance from Timbaland on Hoshi’s track, “Damage.” The track opens with a funky bassline hook that screams classic Timbaland with the Performance Unit leader introducing the track by announcing himself and SEVENTEEN’s main producing member with “Hoshi, baby/ Prod. by Woozi and…” before Mr. Mosley drops his signature “Timbo” tag.

With contributions from Hoshi, Woozi, Timbaland, and some of his go-to collaborators such as Angel “BabeTruth” Lopez and Federico Vindver, “Damage” feels like a balanced mix of the two artists’ worlds. We would to see each side push the other into a more experimental place next time, like the best Timbo bangers, but we’ll gladly take this smooth solo song for now.

A cool rush of electro-pop beats punched up by electric guitar riffs star alongside Jun in the infectious “Gemini.” In one of the album’s best-written cuts, “Gemini” paints a poignant picture using the celestial twin’s zodiac sign to represent aching over a lost love, as if the other half of its soul has been lost.

With his birthday on June 10, 1996, Jun is a true, multifaceted Gemini, as evidenced by his talents in singing, rapping, dancing, composing, acting, hosting, and modeling, all demonstrated over the past 10 years alongside SEVENTEEN.

Written and composed by Seungkwan with introspective indie songwriter Ha Hyunsang of the band Hoppipolla, the classic power ballad “Raindrops” recalls the special moments with someone who may be gone but remains in one’s heart. The emotional track is bound to stir up intense feelings as Seungkwan details the happiness and pain of his memories, ultimately coming to terms with his feelings and deciding that everything is all right.

While Seungkwan has not confirmed the meaning of the song, many interpreted “Raindrops” as a tribute to his late friend Moonbin, a member of the K-pop group ASTRO, who tragically passed in 2023. Fans have discovered a past interview with the late singer where he shares a memory of him and Seungkwan walking in the rain together. The sentimental lyrics now tied to this memory make this a poignant tribute track that Seungkwan can be proud to dedicate to his dear friend.

Vernon has shown his tastemaker music preferences through solo collaborations with the likes of A. G. Cook, Charli XCX, Omega Sapien, Tobi Lou, Drunken Tiger and Rina Sawayama, while shouting out his love for rising stars like 100 gecs and Bladee. With production that recalls William Orbit’s spacey pop-rock stylings, “Shining Star” once again showcases his artistic range with a track that employs starry metaphors to remind the listener that they still shine, even when they’re feeling burned out.

Speaking of William Orbit, can we link him, Vernon, Woozi, and the crew together for a special track on the next SEVENTEEN album?

As the member producing a majority of the songs on SEVENTEEN’s albums, Woozi had a hand in two of the group songs and five solo songs for Happy Burstday. But for his solo track, the musical mastermind rather unexpectedly does not have any credits, instead singing a track written by Bumzu (who has been a producer with the group since their debut single “Adore U”), who co-produced the track with Kitae Lee (who has credits across several SVT albums including their sophomore record, Boys Be).

The musical admiration and closeness among the three is crystal clear in “Destiny,” with references to some of Woozi’s most famous productions, as the star angelically delivers the introspective lyrics about embracing the inevitable highs and lows in one’s unfurling fate.

S.Coups is intrinsically linked with SEVENTEEN after a decade as the team’s leader — which is probably why his solo track “Jungle” sounds as if it could be a track sung by all 13 members. Celebrating the group and their fans’ journey together, “Jungle” delves into a hard-hitting, hip-hop sound that S.Coups has consistently embraced throughout his career, dismissing negativity and focusing on the positive. He sings and spits through English and Korean lyrics: “I don’t need respect, our lives are different/ I need fans, when I have them, it’s perfect/ I need love, even if the world changes, that doesn’t.”

Written entirely by S.Coups, “Jungle” is the final track on Happy Burstday to leave listeners with a lasting reminder that SEVENTEEN is a group from K-pop’s “third generation who’s been rising for 10 years” and plans to keep on doing so in the years to come.

Opening with no-frills synth beats that hint at the song being a simple dance track, Joshua delivers one of the most satisfying songs on Happy Birthday with “Fortunate Change.” Soothing synthesizers and warm guitar riffs blend with Joshua’s breezy tenor and falsetto deliveries, creating a song that forgoes traditional song structure without a second verse or repeating refrain yet still feels fully whole and encompassing as a standout solo cut.

The acid jazz influences of “Fortunate Change” are among the most unexpected yet refreshing sounds on the record. Plus, Joshua’s joy is palpable through the song as he sings about seeing the world in a new light thanks to love. It’s a universal message that SEVENTEEN can dedicate to fans, and fans can share back with them. But one can also dedicate the song to a lover, friend, team, colleague, group, relative, or anyone else you want to say, “Thanks for coming to me.”

The appropriately titled “HBD” opens Happy Burstday with one of SEVENTEEN’s most rock & roll tracks to date. However, as with most SEVENTEEN tracks, there are numerous twists and turns as “HBD” is infused with influences of big-room EDM and breakbeat percussion for a truly explosive listening experience.

Using birthdays to symbolize rebirth, the band shares their mantras to live as authentically as possible and light up life like the candles on a birthday cake. They chant in Korean and English, “Today, it’s my way/ Light a candle, make a wish — it’ll all come true/ Happy birthday to you…/ Tonight is my celebration night, I won’t stop for anything.”

As the first of 16 new tracks on Happy Burstday, “HBD” very much settles the listener into the true musical journey of SEVENTEEN’s latest album, which marks their most expansive set of genres and styles yet.

Putting together the song to represent SEVENTEEN after a decade is no easy task (Billboard’s Abby Webster somehow pulled off the impossible task of selecting their 10 best songs), but “THUNDER” feels like the kind of track that captures the true electricity surrounding the group at this moment.

With an undeniable whistle hook incorporated throughout to give it universal Top 40 appeal, “THUNDER” is a booming surge of complex, powerful K-pop that allows each of the 12 members on the record to shine through its various shifts and shakes. (13th member Jeonghan was the first member to serve his mandatory South Korean military service and seemingly enlisted before recording.)

The lyrics show a more mature SEVENTEEN that’s still bursting with rebellious youth as they try out more adult lines like “Now I’m funked up, step on the gas,” but also has SVT’s signature sense of knowing one’s self (Vernon boasts, “Rumors spread like fire, chatter everywhere/ Now they’re crowding around, ah, what a feeling”). Produced by SEVENTEEN’s longtime producer Bumzu (who is sometimes referenced as their “14th member” given how many songs he’s done with the group) with Woozi and S.Coups helping on the lyrics and composition, “THUNDER” also brings in an offbeat element that only SEVENTEEN can make work, with a chorus mostly made up of the guys trading off the chant, “ALO! ALO! T.H.U.N.D.E.R. ALO! ALO!”

It’s explosive, it’s captivating, and it’s unlike any song out there. “THUNDER” does a worthy job of serving as the representative single for SEVENTEEN’s 10th-anniversary album, indicating that the group will continue its musical greatness for the next decade and beyond.