Infinite is a seven member boy band comprised of Ho Won, Sung Jong, Woo Hyun, Dong Woo, Sung Gyu, Myung Soo (a.k.a 'L'), and Seong Yeol.� Early last year, the group experienced a brief period of intrigue when Epik High's Tablo began trickling information via Twitter of the soon-to-be seven member pop group under his company, Woollim Entertainment. By June 2010, Infinite successfully debuted with "First Invasion", an impressive, first mini album filled with crisp productions, catchy melodies, and a fresh brew of styles that weren't�prominent at the forefront of Korean pop music.� Looking back, they didn't make as big of a splash as I had anticipated, but for a rookie debut, they certainly walked into the pop arena on the right foot. Now the boys are back with their sophomore EP, titled "Evolution".� Here's the tracklist: 01. Intro (Evolution) 02. BTD (Before The Dawn) 03. Can U Smile 04. Hysterie 05. ????... (Voice Of My Heart) 06. ?? --- "Evolution", much like its title, sees Infinite leaping in a slightly different direction with their style.� Darker moments seem to occupy more of this release than its predecessor.� Speaking of which - the big perk of being a boy band is that concepts aren't as far-fetched (at least they don't seem that way) as the sexy-to-cute 180 that girl groups tend to play into.� It makes it easier for guys like Infinite and boy bands in K-pop to retain a sense of identity throughout their releases.�� So even if this album isn't as bright as their first, it still feels like their style. �Of course, it doesn't hurt that it sounds pretty good, either. The lead single, "Before The Dawn", is a sticky number that finds all of its appeal in the melody of the chorus.� The melody is the core of the song, and rightfully so if they're pushing this as the lead single off of the EP.� The chorus is ridiculously catchy, and a definite ear-worm.� However, once it's over, the rest of the song remains relatively flat in comparison.� It's one of two pop-single inclinations that unfortunately mar what could have been an explosive lead.� The other is the obvious key change cop-out of a climax. On the up side, what saves a song like "BTD" is good production.� Infinite sound awesome on it, and it sounds like a song that would work great on stage. One thing I noticed when I first listened to Infinite's debut mini album was the quality of their recordings;� they were squeaky clean, and it's a sigh of relief to hear that same refined treatment on this EP. What works in Infinite's favor, and what could be considered their one advantage, is the color of their voices.� Give them a lousy song and they will still sound great.� The members have really smooth recording voices and it makes sense that their songs hardly strike a wrong chord with me. The third song on the mini album is "Can U Smile".� For some of you, this giddy little tune may sound vaguely familiar; the way the pace picks up at the chorus is reminiscent of SS501's "Love Like This". The sprinkling of nuances is what make this song feel like less of a filler track and something a little more.� Take the second verse;� you have to pry your ears to hear it, but the bass line sneaking in its little thumps and thuds between the phrases sounds so nice.� And then you have the strings, and synths, and, well, a whole lot more.� There comes a point when it sounds like there is way too much going on in the instrumental, almost masking over the vocals, but there's just enough balance to make it work. Then you have "Hysterie", the song that would have been a great lead single if it wasn't for the blatantly recycled guitar riff stripped right from their first single, "Come Back Again".� Hey, at least they're sticking to their guns and not adopting some mind-numbing new style, right? The production on this song is so awesome, I almost have no words for it.� It's a pleasant surprise to hear a K-pop group (a rookie one, mind you) infuse actual influences into their music.� "Hysterie" feels very 70s or 80s but with a contemporary twist.� Infinite's vocals, the blasting horns, the strums and trade-offs between the guitar and bass lines - everything is pulled together so impressively under a clean production that you can't help but relish the Michael Jackson flashbacks that "Hysterie" will trigger. In an almost strategic set up, the only ballad on the EP falls in the exact same spot that it did in Infinite's first mini album.� Deciding which songs will make it on an album is a tough task already, so when there's room for only one slow tempo song, it has to be spot on. "Voice Of My Heart" is not bad.� I personally fell a little harder for "Fixed Star" than this one, but there's something sweet about this that soothes the mind and the soul.� Infinite divided the lines really well, giving the right phrases to the members with the right tone to sing it.� Even if they all can't sing their heads off (yet), as long as the timbres make sense and the members approach their roles in the song with the right amount of intensity, it will work. And it did. "Evolution" ends with "I Don't Know", an edgy and very angsty number.� The melodies will have you staying, and the fact that there's an actual build up takes this song to a whole other level of enjoyment.� "I Don't Know" could do well if Infinite decided to make this a follow up track to "BTD" because it has the pulsating beat and serrated edge to keep you interested.� There's also a rather somber tension about this song that isn't necessarily felt through the other tracks, yet it still makes sense next to the rest of the album. --- Every song on "Evolution" leaves a significant gap between one another, but not enough to feel a detachment as the album progresses.� Infinite have kept their own style, and their producers have done a terrific job honing the quality of their music.� Technically, the structure of the songs leave a lot to be desired; the 'key-change' climaxes are beyond overused in this EP, but what the songs lack in form, they make up for with intricate instrumentals and beautiful melodies. Overall Rating:� 4.0/5 The quality, diversity, and taste is impressive, especially from a rookie group. --- What are your thoughts on the album? � Suggestions for a future review? �Hit the author up on�Twitter (@rothsresidence) or via�e-mail (arnold.arteaga@allkpop.com)! � Note: This article does not reflect the opinions of allkpop, only of the author.