SM Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment’s first British boy band, dearALICE, has officially released its debut EP album.
The group’s first EP album, titled “bitterSWEETsummer”, was released on June 27 at midnight (local time) across various global music platforms. The album features tracks that sensitively capture the mixed emotions of youth, combining uncertainty and excitement, and is already drawing strong interest from international fans.
This EP reflects dearALICE’s journey between Korea and the United Kingdom. It serves as a “sound diary” that blends the identity of a British boy band with dearALICE’s own unique musical style. The EP album includes a total of seven tracks, including the title track “Save us“, both the mixed and remixed versions of its debut single “Ariana”, and their second single Sweet, which was released in May.
The title track “Save us“ is a ballad with a dark and introspective atmosphere. It was pre-released on June 25 and received positive feedback. The song was produced by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jon Shave, who captured dearALICE’s raw emotions with a cinematic touch.
The track “Drums” is a rhythmic and energetic song that reflects the mood of summer nights. It was produced with the help of hitmaker Shift K3Y, known for his work on aespa’s “Whiplash”. Another standout track, “Roses”, paints the quiet aftermath of a fading summer love. It was mixed by renowned producer Oli Jacobs, who has collaborated with Taylor Swift and Post Malone, adding an extra layer of musical refinement to the album.
Other tracks include “Butterflies”, a warm and nostalgic mid-tempo song produced by Chaz Mishan, known for his work with Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys. Meanwhile, Sweet is a bright, upbeat pop track that perfectly suits the summer season.
The EP album also features two remixes of “Ariana”, the group’s debut single: the Leslie Brathwaite Mix, created by Grammy-winning sound engineer Leslie Brathwaite, known for his work with Beyoncé and Cardi B, and the RISC Remix by British producer RISC. Both versions retain the essence of the original track while boldly incorporating current trends in modern pop.
Finally, after performing at SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in Seoul this January, and in Mexico City and Los Angeles this past May, dearALICE is set to take the stage in London on June 28, with a dynamic performance expected to captivate local audiences.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS deaerALICE
