What makes Phantom by WayV notable?

'Phantom' debuted at number five on the Gaon Album Chart, underscoring its commercial success. The EP received critical acclaim for its production quality and lyrical depth, solidifying WayV's position as key players in the C-pop landscape. Released on December 28, 2022, 'Phantom' is WayV's second extended play following their debut album 'Awaken the World' in 2020. After establishing themselves in the NCT collective, this EP marks a significant step in their evolution, spotlighting their growth as individual artists within the group framework.

Phantom works well if you're into steady energy for social settings, uplifting vibes for daily motivation and short tracks for quick listens.

How many songs are on Phantom?

Phantom has 8 tracks, running approximately 28 minutes.

Phantom

WayV · 2022

28 min · 8 tracks · hip-hop

A fusion of C-pop and R&B, showcasing vibrant melodies overlaid with rhythmic hip-hop beats and emotive lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Phantom — The title track encapsulates the EP's theme of longing and desire, blending haunting melodies with powerful vocal delivery that sets the tone for the entire project.
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Good Life — This track combines an upbeat tempo with positive lyrics about self-empowerment and enjoyment, providing a contrast to the more introspective moments on the EP.
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Broken Love — With its emotional depth and exploration of heartache, this song showcases the group's vocal range and lyrical sophistication, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The EP blends C-pop and R&B influences with solid production, though it follows familiar patterns in its genre.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a strong vocal hook that sets a melodic tone, followed by rhythmic verses that introduce the hip-hop elements.
Several tracks feature layered harmonies and call-and-response sections between the lead vocals and backing singers, enhancing the dynamic feel.
The final track closes with a fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of resolution rather than a definitive end.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady energy for social settings
uplifting vibes for daily motivation
short tracks for quick listens
introspective themes for personal reflection

Maybe skip if you

prefer long, sprawling albums
seek heavy, intense soundscapes

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on December 28, 2022, 'Phantom' is WayV's second extended play following their debut album 'Awaken the World' in 2020. After establishing themselves in the NCT collective, this EP marks a significant step in their evolution, spotlighting their growth as individual artists within the group framework.
Stylistic neighbors: NCT 127· Ateez· Stray Kids