[Album Review] NEW WAVE (4th Mini Album) – CRAVITY

Another album review! This time, it is for CRAVITY’s 4th mini-album, NEW WAVE, which was released at the end of September 2022. It features the title track PARTY ROCK and the pre-release all English single Boogie Woogie. Overall, this was a fun mini-album, with the group showing off their youthful and energetic charms in both the title track and throughout the mini-album. I did think the release would have been more fitting as a actual Summer release (and not a mid-Autumn release, which was when NEW WAVE actually dropped in Korea). However, I live in the other hemisphere and the mini-album release came at a no better time as the weather was warming up and the energy that is given off this mini-album definitely fits better with the warmer season where you crave energy and a fun vibe. Anyhow, before I keep going on my life, check out my album review for CRAVITY’s NEW WAVE.

1. Boogie Woogie (Pre-Release Single) – A month prior to the release of NEW WAVE, CRAVITY pre-released the group’s first all-English single, Boogie Woogie. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to review Boogie Woogie yet (I had every intention to do so, but I keep on shelving the ISR segment various reasons on my end). It is a pop dance track that delves into bright and colourful territory. It is upbeat and super fun. I just wished the song explored the funky and groovy elements of the song more, just to give Boogie Woogie some extra appealing points and pull on the audience. (8/10)

2. PARTY ROCK (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for PARTY ROCK. (8/10)

3. New Addiction – New Addiction taps into crunchy EDM territory with a vivid pop flair. The vocals in New Addiction were super good, especially during the pre-choruses, while the rapping definitely helped hype up the song. Melody-wise, I think the song had promise. On the matter of the hooks, however, I felt they were somewhat lacking. That guitar solo during the bridge was awesome, and added a nice intensity to the song whilst also adding something different to the mix of EDM we get in New Addiction. (9/10)

4. AUTOMATIC – AUTOMATIC stays within the realm of EDM, with an even more textured synth line than before. The touch of piano between the pre-choruses and choruses (and in the background of the choruses) adds a classy touch. It was very brief, but it was my favourite part of the song. I felt the melody line was also good, and the rapping felt very sleek and sensual in the song. The raspy vocals were also a fitting touch to the song. The bridge was a surprising twist, smoothing out the instrumental. It is a very strong contrast, but it was one that fits into the bigger picture that is AUTOMATIC quite well. (9/10)

5. Colorful – Colorful features breezy moments during its tropical/moombahton instrumentation, making it an ideal song for the warmer season period that the mini-album was released in. I quite enjoyed the “wide reaching” style of vocals Colorful had. It just gives the song a bit of depth. The rap-line really shined during their parts. Unfortunately, the melody and hooks were a bit ordinary for my liking. I wished they were a bit more vibrant. (7/10)

6. Knock Knock – Knock Knock doesn’t feature intensity as like in the previous songs. Instead, you could describe Knock Knock as a softer track in a way (relative to the other tracks on the mini-album). That being said, Knock Knock is still firmly part of the electronic side of music that we have heard earlier on the mini-album. I liked the stylish and bouncy feel of the house instrumentation. The vocal work and melodies were pleasant and a strong aspect of the song. Unlike the other songs, however, the rappers didn’t shine as much, which is a disappointment. As the song still falls into EDM territory, there was room for the rappers to go in hard and bring some contrast and roughness to the song. (8/10)