TWS offers comfort, courage with ‘To Us’

TWS has spent much of its career singing about the excitement and awkwardness of youth since debuting in January 2024.

The boy group has described its signature sound as “boyhood pop,” a genre the group coined, built around capturing the emotions and experiences of youth as they unfold.

This time, the six bandmates want their music to offer something else: comfort for those struggling with uncertainty and the courage to keep moving forward.

The sextet’s second single album, “To Us,” captures the doubts, growing pains and moments of hesitation that TWS — Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon and Kyungmin -- has experienced as the group approaches its third anniversary.

“Our goal was to put all of our sincerity into this album, which is why we spent a significant amount of time talking to each other and exchanging opinions,” Jihoon said during a group interview with reporters at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul, on Wednesday.

“We talked among ourselves about what was on our minds right now, and what each of us is feeling in our career. We wanted to convey those genuine feelings to 42 (TWS’ fandom) through this album.”

The three-track release arrives around six months after TWS’ fifth EP, “No Tragedy,” released in April, capping a packed year that also included an eight-city Asian tour as well as preparations for its upcoming year-end performances.

“There were, of course, moments when we felt the pressure,” Youngjae said when asked whether the members found their packed schedule demanding. “But at the end of the day, we agreed that we were all just grateful to have so many opportunities to showcase ourselves to the public and our fans. Each one becomes another memory and experience for us to refer to and improve on in the future, and there are just as many fun and exciting moments that come with it.”

At the center of “To Us” is the lead track “Call My Name,” which expresses the courage to throw oneself into uncertainty when there is someone offering their trust and support.

“If TWS in the past talked about uncontrollable excitement and how it’s okay to be awkward, this time we wanted to show another side of youth — that it’s okay to go through trial and error while trying to find courage,” Jihoon said.

That shift is reflected in the song itself. Jazz pianist Yun Seok-cheol contributed to the track, adding a wistful, mature quality that grows more intense as the song progresses.

“The piano made the emotions feel deeper and more poignant, which also helped add more emotion to the overall track and our performance,” Kyungmin added.

The bandmates also took a more active role in conveying their message on the lead track. Youngjae, Shinyu and Dohoon participated in writing the lyrics for “Call My Name,” drawing directly on the relationship between TWS and its fans.

It was particularly meaningful for Shinyu, who marked his first songwriting credit through the track. He said he deliberately avoided dressing up his thoughts, instead writing down what he genuinely felt at the time. Dohoon built his lyrics around “trust” and “faith,” while Youngjae approached the song as an answer to fans who have repeatedly called TWS’ name.

The message TWS hopes to deliver does not stop with its fandom.

Jihoon said “Call My Name” is equally meaningful among the bandmates and could resonate with anyone questioning themselves or struggling through trial and error.

The other two tracks widen that message. The hip-hop-based “We Up” captures TWS’ ambition and determination to reach greater heights, while the synth-pop track “Heavy” directly addresses those who feel weighed down or alone.

Jihoon and Kyungmin described the album through the ideas of “comfort, trial and error, encouragement and courage for people who are afraid to take on challenges.”

“If there are people doubting what they are doing or going through trial and error because they feel uncertain, I think the lyrics included in the songs on this album, especially ‘Call My Name,’ are words that can comfort them,” Jihoon added. “I hope our message can give some strength to people going through their own pain and struggles that come with growth.”