There’s something undeniably captivating about the sound of JPOP. While the genre spans a wide emotional range—featuring songs that can hit you right in the heart—many tracks are irresistibly bright, energetic, and downright fun. Among the groups I follow, OCTPATH stands out as one of my favorites beyond the umbrella of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. I’ve made it a point to collect every version of their singles and their debut album Showcase.

And I’ve enjoyed them all. Immensely.

With another trip to Japan just around the corner, I’m eagerly awaiting the chance to pick up a physical copy of their sophomore album, PRESENT, but for now I’ve been enjoying the digital release.

The album kicks off with ｢FUN｣—and true to its name, that’s exactly what this track delivers. Released in the middle of summer, it’s a blazing hot, feel-good anthem that perfectly captures the energy of season.

｢Hands Up｣ – The first of the new songs on the album, this track keeps up the momentum of the opener with another infectious party anthem.

Released in February as part of the group’s first double A-side single, ｢OCTAVE｣ is sexy and dynamic, reminiscent of their debut single ｢IT’S A BOP｣. It’s a strong, memorable addition to their discography.

Originally released in the summer of 2023, ｢Sweet｣ remains one of my favorite songs from the group. The subtle changes in the 2024 version breathe fresh life into the track without losing its charm.

Another new song – and the title track of the album ｢PRESENT｣ is a fun and funky holiday song paired with an absolutely adorable music video – a standout moment that feels festive and fresh.

The second half of the group’s first double A-side single, ｢Daydream｣ is a mid-tempo track with simple yet effective production. Its sweet, dreamy vibe makes it a standout for its subtlety and emotional impact.

Another new track ｢Drive You Crazy｣ is sensual and alluring, oozing charisma. It’s one I can’t wait to see brought to life in their next concert release or dance practice video.

There’s something delightfully boyband-esque about ｢Silhouette｣—and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a playful blend of sensuality and fun, both in its sound and visual presentation.

｢Car Stereo｣ and ｢VIVID｣ These tracks round out the album’s new offerings, bringing variety and energy before the album closes with ｢Come Alive (2024 Version)｣. Also featured on February’s release alongside ｢OCTAVE｣ and ｢Daydream｣, this updated version is a strong closer and a great book-end to ｢FUN｣

As a whole, the album is solid. My only complaint? I wish it had more tracks 11 just isn’t enough. While the physical versions seem to include various video content, it doesn’t appear there’s any additional music. Still, PRESENT is a fantastic showcase of OCTPATH’s versatility and talent, and I’m excited to see where they go next.

More music reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned.