‘Maestro’: Seventeen’s Latest Single Delivers on All Fronts

Seventeen rocks “Maestro” with style and swag. A fusion of elements from the band’s previous seven releases—”Adore U,” “Very Nice,” “Oh My!”, “Fear,” “Rock with You,” “Cheers,” and “Super”—as well as an entirely novel sound and concept, the music is an appraisal of the band’s meteoric rise and artistic evolution, replete with optimism and oomph. This catchy dance R&B number exemplifies how Seventeen may orchestrate their universe like a maestro as a team.

The lead single to 17 Is Right Here—an expansive package dubbed their best album that offers an ensemble of 33 tracks, including four brand-new songs to go along with the group’s biggest hits—“Maestro” kickstarts the process and how!

As evidenced by the avant-garde, cutting-edge music video that sets an enigmatic tone for Seventeen’s introspective journey, the song is steeped in the shadows of a dystopian space where anything—including music and art—can be made with modern technology, namely artificial intelligence (AI). They ask, “Who is the real Maestro?” for us to ponder the essence of creativity and artistic authenticity.

Their performances of tech-heavy sets in a fray with robots call out the band’s concerns about the way AI is employed nowadays everywhere, in music, which might end up in formulaic choices that favor algorithm-friendly sounds over those with the emotional nuance and human touch that are so essential to “true creation.”

For me, “Maestro”’s message is unmistakably the best since it reflects Seventeen’s continuous pursuit of creative excellence and accentuates their capacity to convey ideas while also underlining a knack for voicing relevant issues through visually stunning acts. Seventeen’s versatility and artistry are on full display in “Maestro,” confirming their standing as one of the leading forces in K-pop.

Featuring words by Woozi and Bumzu, “Maestro” is a dynamic dance R&B bop—composed by Woozi, Bumzu, Ninos Hanna, Andreas Öberg, Gabriel Brandes, Justin Starling, Maya Rose, Niklas Jarelius Persson, William Segerdahl, and Yeom Dong-gun, citing Melon. Seventeen’s seamless harmony creates a luminous soundscape in conjunction that showcases their musical expertise and virtuosity. The song builds in passion and profundity as solid rap, vocals, and performance take center stage.

From the beginning, “Maestro” exudes energy and transitions into an attractive pre-chorus. The smooth mix of sassy EDM beats with R&B produces a beguiling listen. The dramatic orchestration in between makes it more fun; nonetheless, I wish the chorus was more robust; it falls slightly flat in the otherwise incredibly exciting tune.

I love the gorgeous energy lift from the EDM-infused hook and the ensuing bridge, representing Seventeen’s objective of pushing artistic boundaries and exploring new frontiers, in unison.

“Maestro” embodies the spirit of unity and collective artistry, serving as a celebration of teamwork and creativity. It delivers on all fronts overall, with Seventeen continuing to prove that they are the maestros of what they do, the trailblazing music they make and that for them, the sky is the limit.

With this release, Seventeen not only hits an all-new level in artistic exploration but also hits a different one, another key event in their musical legacy—also, officially launching 17 Is Right Here. Together with “Maestro,” Seventeen shows off its range in the album with tracks dedicated to each of its three distinct units. The hip-hop unit’s carefree swagger is portrayed in “Lalali,” the performance unit’s seductive romantic mood can be felt in “Spell,” and the vocal unit’s embrace of everyday joys is embodied in “Cheers to Youth.”