With GATHER, ONE OR EIGHT sound fully locked in. The mini album doesn’t try to explain who they are—it shows it. Confident, fast-moving, and intentional, the project pulls from hip-hop, pop, and electronic influences while still feeling cohesive. There’s a sense that the group knows exactly where they’re headed, and GATHER captures that momentum at full speed.

The album opens with “TOKYO DRIFT,” and it wastes no time setting the tone. Built around the instantly recognizable Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift theme, the track taps into adrenaline and nostalgia without leaning too hard on either. Instead, it reframes the sample as a statement—loud, bold, and unapologetic. Written by Pharrell, “TOKYO DRIFT” centers on risk-taking and self-belief, a message that closely reflects ONE OR EIGHT’s own rise. The music video amplifies that energy, using Tokyo’s streets as more than just a backdrop, they become part of the momentum. Cinematic, but grounded, it pulls you straight into their world.

“DSTM” comes in with a shift in energy, pushing the album forward rather than trying to top what came before it. The track uses the first-ever sample of Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music,” but it never treats it like a shortcut. Instead of centering the song around recognition, the sample is worked into the rhythm, adding drive and momentum without overpowering the group. It gives the track urgency while still leaving room for ONE OR EIGHT to carry it on their own terms. The result feels intentional; aware of pop history, but focused on moving past it rather than living inside it.

“POWER” lands as the emotional backbone of the project. It’s direct and propulsive, centered on themes of strength, unity, and believing in yourself when it matters most. As the Ending Theme Song 1 for the anime Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers, the choice feels natural—the track carries a sense of collective resolve and forward motion that fits the story’s spirit. Beyond that, “POWER” feels built for live performance. It’s the kind of song that grows louder and heavier in a crowd, feeding off shared energy and turning it into something bigger than the track itself.

Elsewhere on the album, tracks like “BET YOUR LIFE,” “Young & Reckless,” and “365” deepen the project without pulling back its momentum. They touch on ambition, risk, and consistency—ideas that run quietly beneath the album’s high-energy surface. Previously released tracks like “Don’t Tell Nobody” and “KAWASAKI (with Big Sean)” slide easily into the tracklist, highlighting just how deliberate the group’s rollout has been. “KAWASAKI” still hits with the same intensity, and Big Sean’s feature continues to feel purposeful, adding to the track rather than existing for name recognition.

What makes GATHER stand out isn’t just its production or its high-profile credits—it’s clarity. Since their debut in August 2024, ONE OR EIGHT have moved quickly, but never randomly. From charting in Japan to breaking into the U.S. market and making history at the VMAs, their rise has felt deliberate. This mini album captures that moment where preparation meets opportunity.

As the group prepares to take GATHER on the road with their first North and South American tour, the project feels perfectly timed. It’s bold, energized, and built to connect. GATHER isn’t just a reflection of how far ONE OR EIGHT have come—it’s a clear signal that they’re just getting started.