Seventeen's new 'Happy Burstday,' signals their best era yet: A gift for Carats—tribute to love and glorious chaos

It has been a decade of Seventeen, filled with love, chaos, heartache, accidents and some more. But Carats are still here, by their band’s side and have no intention of leaving ever.  There’s much cause to celebrate, as the band will return with their album Happy Burstday, which is set to drop on May 26, 2025, serving as an emotional tribute to 10 years of music,

The title self bursts with trademark fun and emotion, fusing the idea of a birthday with explosion of joy, memories and creativities. Perhaps, it’s not always about looking back, but charging forward. We’re ready for another round of unusual concepts, and this album looks like it will deliver both in spades.

What we can expect

The teaser clip released hints at a brand-new tour, a unit single album, and fresh SEVENTEEN content — suggesting this comeback is not limited to music alone. Think of it as a full-blown era. Musically, fans are expecting a layered album — with the group’s signature mix of genres, polished vocals, tight choreography, and storytelling lyrics.

Not just this, will we see callbacks to the earlier eras, twists on their debut sound and more emotional tracks? As Carats are quickly discussing on social media, they expect each unit to shine with their own style, while group tracks may tie the album together with celebratory energy and emotional depth. There’s a possibility of more behind-the-scenes storytelling too — reflecting their decade-long journey from trainees to global stars.

Moreover, it’s an OT13 production, which puts many concerns to rest, as Jeonghan and Wonwoo  have enlisted for military service, while Hoshi and Woozi will enlist in the latter half of the year. “Seventeen sticks together in all circumstances,” wrote one fan. “We’ll be hearing Woozi’s masterpieces again.”  Others are more concerned that there is an anagram in the title, which reminds them of the previous album Spill the Feels, which was all about loneliness.

Spilling the feels

SEVENTEEN’s last group release, Spill The Feels, came out in October 2024.  We saw a gentler, softer side of the group, leaning into raw vulnerability, with tracks about longing, connection. It also marked a turning point in their discography, one where they explored more experimental, mood-driven sounds and let the emotional storytelling take center stage. With that album setting the emotional groundwork, HAPPY BURSTDAY feels like the natural next chapter, a vibrant explosion of everything they’ve learned, loved, and lived through.