Retro R&B meets Gen Z: 'All the Poems and Novels in Me' praised by critics
Rising K-pop boy group Close Your Eyes (aka 'CLYUE') is gaining serious momentum on the global stage. Billboard has selected the group's debut title track All the Poems and Novels in Me from their first mini album eternity for its "Top 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 – Mid-Year Critics' Picks."
🎵 A soft R&B throwback that feels like 2000s soul
Billboard praised the song's nostalgic yet fresh vibe:
"Close Your Eyes revives that early 2000s R&B tenderness with All the Poems and Novels in Me, reminiscent of Day26."
Despite all the members being born after 1999, their delivery of Y2K R&B sentiment struck a chord. Billboard added,
"Their buttery vocals and sensitive lyrics bring back the emotional depth of artists like Lloyd and Omarion."
💿 Critical acclaim + strong debut sales
The group dropped eternity in April 2025. It received the highest critic score (3.5/5) for any boy group album this year on leading music webzine IZM. Sales-wise, it was a monster hit too—CLYUE sold over 310,000 copies in first-week sales, landing in the Top 5 best-selling boy group debuts of all time.
Their debut single All the Poems and Novels in Me blends vintage R&B textures with poetic lyricism. It's a song about being inspired by someone who makes you feel like a walking storybook. The track earned them their first music show win on The Show just six days after debut, followed by a win on KBS Music Bank.
🏆 Charting with back-to-back wins
After the buzz of their debut, Close Your Eyes returned just three months later with their second mini album 'Snowy Summer'. Its title track swept trophies on three major shows:
- The Show (July 15)
- Show Champion (July 16)
- Music Bank (July 18)
Their continued streak proves that this rookie group is no one-hit wonder—they're here to stay and shake things up.
📌 What's next for CLYUE?
With Billboard's recognition and a growing international fanbase, Close Your Eyes is fast becoming a top contender for Best New Artist of 2025. Their retro-modern R&B sound and literary lyricism are setting a new standard for next-gen K-pop.
