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[Review] Better Do Better – VANNER

February 22, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged VANNERLeave a comment

Once again, I am late with another review. This time last week, VANNER would have been a newly debut group with one day under their belt already. They make their debut with the song, Better Do Better and more interestingly with a full studio album, V. This is a very ambitious release, considering most debuting groups only release singles or mini-albums as their first step. VANNER consist of 5 members (Ahxian, Youngkwang, Taehwan, Gon and Hyesun) and are currently under VT Entertainment.

Better Do Better is your standard pop song with the instrumental filled with tropical influences, a now very common sound in KPOP. The song features nice vocals, which is one of the drawing points to the song. It doesn’t help that the hooks (‘Do Do Do Better‘) and melody (particularly around the pre-chorus) are quite catchy and do end up making the song memorable to an extent. I wish I can say the same thing with the rapping though. It was rather plain and while the song seemed bright and happy, the song needed some intensity to keep it grounded and the rapping didn’t provide that. I think the next aspect that didn’t leave me impressed as the vocals were the flow of the track. For the most part, it was good. It is just that abrupt transition to the bridge that really catches me off guard every single time I listen to the song. And it cuts the energy that the song had channelling, which leaves me disappointed. Overall, it was a good debut track in my opinion but it had some noticeable flaws.

The music video seemed to show a mini storyline but it was pretty much so minute that I could barely tell what was happening. They were all hanging out when they saw an attractive lady walk into their mini-party. I think the video shows them as shy around her though I am not too sure as they seem to be more upfront with their feelings towards her. Based on the lyrics, it seems like they are encouraging her to express her feelings as well. Though the video doesn’t seem to show this. I am also not sure how the love triangle ties into the rest of the plotline. It was a good video with a casual feel, which suits the light nature of the song.

The song was definitely energetic, given its bright nature and its chant-like chorus. But the performance didn’t really reflect that and I am a little disappointed. I guess they focused more on their live vocals and rapping (which I must commend them on that as they sound just as good as the studio version). I would have liked a more dynamic choreography, however.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 6/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Album Review] The End of Nightmare (4th Mini Album) – Dream Catcher

February 21, 2019Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Dreamcatcher1 Comment

Dream Catcher made their comeback last week with Piri and their fourth mini-album, The End of Nightmare. Today, we will have a closer look at all the other tracks on the album because based on what I have written shows that they deserve attention as well. The album features 6 tracks in total, including an introductory track and the instrumental to Piri. Per usual, I have forgone the intro track but if you want to hear really catching opener to the album, this is the one for you. It mashes up their rock style , a classical sound and progresses somehow into an EDM track without any kinks along the way. But that’s that and we go forth with the review!

dreamcatcher-theendofnightmare-2 — *The End Of Nightmare* Album Cover

2. Piri (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Piri. (9/10)

3. Diamond – Diamond follows their usual rock dance style and it has what it takes to be a contender for the title track position. From the very start, you could tell that this was going to be extremely intense and they really delivered with that promise as you listen to the song. The style is a little more dramatic than usual, with the chorus going for this vibrating like texture, which I think was unique. The lead up to this was really cool as well. I thought the vocals were their usual style, which is always extremely fitting for songs of this nature. Dami’s rapping was, as always, top-notch, with her deep tone really suiting the song. One of my favourite bits of the song is the part of the pre-chorus where they take strip all the intensity, which kind of felt like a ‘calm before a storm’ concept. I also really like the ‘Untouchable… Unbreakable’ line in the chorus. (9/10)

4. And There Was No One Left (그리고 아무도 없었다) – If you want uniqueness in a track, then this one is for you. My description of the track will not do the song any justice, so definitely check this one out regardless of how you interpret this review. We commonly associate Dream Catcher with a rock sound but this is completely different. The members (including Dami) opt for more delicate vocals. The instrumental is very intriguing. There is a mix of acoustics and orchestra in the song, which gives the song a softer sound. It felt like a very minimalistic approach, as the song felt stripped of a number of elements but it manages to hold together. The chorus was very unexpecting drop that features some horns of some kind and feels a little odd yet sassy. I found the title to be very intriguing as well, as it sounds quite creepy. The song does an amazing job of showcasing the creepy vibes by pairing the soft vocals with the instrumentation. I am a little confused about the lyrics of the song as I can’t really tell what they are trying to convey to us. They sing about an inescapable dream and tells their lover to stay with them despite that. Very creepy indeed. (9/10)

5. Daydream – Daydream is that mandatory ballad that we all know KPOP must have in some form on their albums. Dream Catcher’s take this time around on the genre was pleasantly beautiful. It is also a departure from their harsher style, as I found Daydream to be smoother in texture. The instrumental is more straight-forward, with the piano shining amongst the rest of the instruments. I think the song also does a good job showcasing the vocals of each of the members in a more innocent and charming manner. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

dreamcatcher-theendofnightmare-3 — *The End Of Nightmare* Teaser Image

[Review] Enough – SF9

February 20, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged SF92 Comments

Also returning today is SF9 with their newest title track, Enough. It is featured on the group’s 6th mini-album, Narcissus. This is the group’s first comeback since their amazing Now Or Never comeback back in August 2018. Since then, the group has embarked in Japanese promotions for Now Or Never and held their first concert in South Korea. On top of that, Chani, the maknae (youngest) member of the group has recently gained popularity for his impressive acting on Sky Castle and has also drawn attention to the group.

Unlike Now Or Never, it actually took me a few listens to really get into the song. Enough is still a powerful song, however. It just took a little longer to really build up to a part that really feels impactful. The song mixes various genres including reggae and EDM to create a very dynamic sounding instrumental. It is very interesting and I really liked this mixture aspect of the song. The vocals and rapping were quite good, particularly during the chorus, I thought the ‘Ya Ya Ya‘ ending to the main lines in the chorus was really catchy. The really impactful section was the dance break, which provided a nice burst of intensity for the song. Altogether, the song was quite impressive. Unfortunately, my standard for their releases is based on Now or Never, which may seem a little unfair. I think it is going to be really hard to top that but Enough was a fair attempt at doing so. Don’t worry, as I still enjoyed the song and will be coming back for more in the coming weeks.

The music video showcases the members looking at themselves in the mirror. The whole idea of the album is in regards to Narcissus, who was known for his good looks and self-confidence in Greek mythology. The song essentially tells oneself or a lover that they are beautifully already and don’t need to do anything else to ‘improve’. I am not too sure about the start but I am sure the ending is about letting those thoughts about needing to improve one’s look, especially when the mirror cracks and one of the members ruin the reflective surface of the small pond they were staring into. Interestingly, the music video was quite dark for the most part and shot in within concrete walls and very bright white sets. The contrast was interesting and I think managed to show different sides of the guys in the different lights.

The choreography for this comeback looks really good. I liked how masculine the moves during the chorus looked. The dance break may be short but it really gives the performance a rush of energy and thus kicking it up a notch. And as they went faster, the fact they still managed to stay in-sync looked really cool.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] Allure – Hyomin (T-ARA)

February 20, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Hyomin (T-Ara), T-AraLeave a comment

Hyomin has returned once again with the lead title track to her latest mini-album, both of which share the title Allure. We previously saw her earlier this year through her single release U Um U Um, which I quite enjoyed. The same single and Mango (her comeback single for last year’s promotions) are also featured on the Allure mini-album.

Hyomin has been a very versatile solo artist. She hasn’t stuck to one style since her solo debut years ago. This time around, Hyomin went with a retro sound, throwing us back to the 60s. And like the artist, the song seems to take a few turns of its own. The verses start the song off as well-paced before the song launches into a faster tempo chorus, which ultimately became faster in its second half. And it is this second half of the chorus that I think was my favourite bit of the song. And the buildup was quite worth it. The song itself is about using one’s charm to make another happy. I like Hyomin’s vocals in the song. They do sound cutesy and feminine but I think that was just her using a higher tone than usual for this song. But it does suit the retro sound quite well. I enjoyed the song quite a bit, making the song’s message quite successful.

The music video shows Hyomin in a bold black dress. A waiter delivers a certain make-up product (which I am not too sure what it is, though my guess would be a lipstick as the alternate title for the song is Lip Colour). After she uses this product, she gathers the attention of the people surrounding her, to which they all follow her. I really like that ending, where they are all copying her whilst following her in a single file. It really showed a cool look and I wonder if that is part of the choreography. I also like how she managed to blend into the retro-themed video given the bold nature of the red dress.

We do not see much of the choreography in the music video. We did see some and those parts look fine to me. I am particularly drawn to the second half of the chorus, which I think was nice. I also hope to see that single file we saw at the end of the music video in the choreography, for reasons I stated above.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10 [To Be Updated]
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] In The Rain – Yoon Ji Sung

February 20, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Yoon Ji Sung5 Comments

After the disbandment of Wanna One earlier this year, fans have anticipated the different routes that each member would take. Most will be returning to the stage as artists. Others have announced that they will be taking breaks, while others have embarked upon musicals and start acting careers. For this review, we will be looking at Yoon Ji Sung’s solo debut single, In The Rain. He is actually the first member to return. Yoon Ji Sung has also been confirmed for a musical and will also enlist in the first half of this year.

In The Rain is a neat ballad that lets Yoon Ji Sung shine brightly. As Wanna One was a large group, we don’t really get an opportunity to see him stand out. Through this ballad, we get an opportunity to hear his vocals in a more clear manner. The ballad is quite pleasant and is actually mostly light-hearted. While I do find emotionally driven ballads more enticing, pleasant sounding ballads that aren’t too focused on the emotions and vocals are often refreshing, which is the case for his debut single. That being said, he does have a nice voice. Also, I found myself swaying to the music, which I think makes it a pretty successful ballad in my books. I personally think the melody could have been a little stronger to really make the song more memorable but it good as it is.

I think I am more used to the ballad music videos having this hazy filter that really reflects the sad nature of the song. In this video, however, the music video features a whole of colour, which was a little foreign for me. I also liked how the music video reflected the peacefulness of the verses and then once the song built up to the chorus, it changed into an overload of pastel colours. In the video, it seems like he is awaiting a special someone, though that is my view of the music video given that I can’t find any translated lyrics as of yet. It is a nice video that goes nicely with the song.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10

[Review] Butterfly – LOONA

February 19, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged LOOΠΔ, LOONA3 Comments

After debuting with Hi High, LOONA has returned after 6 months with their repackaged version of ++. The mini-album, now titled as ××, features the title track Butterfly. While this is good news for the group and Orbit (the fan club name of LOONA fans), there has been some unfortunate news recently. In the lead up to the Butterfly release, Yves and Yeojin were injured during their concert in a stage accident. Yves has been confirmed to continue promoting, while news regarding Yeojin’s participation hasn’t been confirmed yet. Best wishes to Yeojin for a fast recovery!

Butterfly seems like it is in line with the aesthetics we got in their pre-debut works. It also features a mature sound and stands out for a variety of reasons. The first is the song’s instrumental. The song takes on EDM in a very unique manner. It combines different sounds together to create a very dynamically powerful instrumentation that really allows for the chorus to stand out. I also like how they used a very high pitched ‘Fly Like A Butterfly’ as part of the chorus. It does sound like screeching but you can make out the words and it really adds a depth of colour to the song. The second reason would have to be the vocals. It is that one line again that I think really makes the song stand out, this time slightly lower pitch for the members to be able to sing. The rapping also has to be commended as it isn’t a powerful approach but rather more delicate. But it works well with the rest of the song. I also found it rather interesting that the vocals/raps were minimalistic, as it is usually the instrumental. The third and final reason why the song stands out is the lyrics. They are all about finding oneself and usually, songs of this nature earn applause from me. Overall, Butterfly is uniquely different but so amazing.

The music video zones in the meaning of the song but puts it into focus alongside the LOONAverse (which I actually have previously theorised about). The music video features people from all around the world, who are trying to find themselves in a complicated world. We see a lot of imagery from the LOONAVERSE throughout the video including apples, cassette tape players and eye patches to name a few. Scenes from the music videos were also imitated, while the exact locations in Hong Kong, Paris, LA and Iceland were also revisited. To me, this is a way for LOONA to tell their fans that they are also able to enter the LOONAVERSE and be together with them, while also be able to show their individuality like in LOONA”s pre-debut singles.

Matched alongside the unique yet amazing sound of the song is the choreography, which looks equally as dynamic and intense as the song. I thought the lying down at the start was really cool and the moves during the chorus looked beautiful, especially for dance moves during a music drop.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.8/10

[Review] Gravity – TREI

February 19, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged TREILeave a comment

A new boy group has entered the industry. TREI is a 3-member male group debuting under Banana Culture Entertainment, which also features EXID in its lineup. The new group features Jaejun, Changhyun, and Juntae. Despite the group just debuting today with Gravity, the group has been around since 2017, as seen through their profile, which you can view here. Jaejun, who is the leader of the group, was formerly part of the now disbanded C-Clown, which was another group under Banana Culture Entertainment (then Yedang Entertainment) between 2012 to 2015.

I personally thought the opening sequence to Gravity was amazing. The acoustic guitar and breathtaking vocals really set up the song and do a good job of introducing the new group. After the introduction, the song does lose the acoustic nature and becomes slightly more upbeat with the introduction of a soft pop rock influence. They kept this breezy vibe to the song, which I quite liked and they also manage to maintain the melody, which I enjoyed. The vocals were nice and the rapping was good. Paying close attention to the sound, you can feel the sorrowful nature of the lyrics. They did a good job of presenting us with that through the vocals and rap sequences. It is a good debut song, overall in my opinion. The one thing it does lack is memorability. It doesn’t really stand out the pack and the mature tone of the song doesn’t automatically scream out as a hit. But I still like it nonetheless. I am definitely putting this on the replaying list.

I mentioned the song had a breezy vibe to it, quite laid back and chilled. The music video, I personally think, does a good job of portraying this. The video is shot away from the hustle and bustle of city life, giving it a peaceful feel. It is the editing and filter that I personally do not like. It did give the video a likeable indie appeal but it made the music video seem ‘noisy’ and messy, in my opinion. I didn’t like how they made the screen space smaller by putting still borders around the video. It just cut the members out of frame and looked awkward. Surely, it was done to be artistic but I felt it just didn’t work.

The performance actually looked peaceful and flowy to an extent, which I think is very fitting for the song. Also, I am surprised that for a trio, they didn’t use any backup dancers. Usually, with groups which low numbers of members, they use back up dancers to kind of fill the emptiness around them. But their move did most of that, which I thought was excellent. It is a performance that I wouldn’t mind watching again.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Album Review] Just Right (3rd Mini Album) – GOT7

February 19, 2019Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged GOT7Leave a comment

The next artist that I have chosen to review as the “Past Album’ segment is GOT7. Previously, it was meant to be another group but due to the recent news of the upcoming debut of a new GOT7 unit, made of JB and Yugyeom (JUS2), I decided to do some reshuffling to prevent an overlap with their promotions (and have it not look like I am favouring one particular artist). The album I chose was their Just Right mini-album, which featured the title track of the same name. It was released back in July 2015 and was a departure from their usual sound as it went with a bright pop image.

got7-justright-2 — *Just Right* Album Cover

1..Just Right (딱 좋아) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Just Right. (9.5/10)

2. Before The Full Moon Rises (보름달이 뜨기 전에) – Before The Full Moon Rises is dry for my liking. It has elements that I find very pleasant, however. The instrumental of the track takes on a mid-tempo R&B sound. The vocals were soothing and clear, while the rapping had this chillness to it that I quite liked. There seemed to be a shift in focus towards the vocals but it didn’t feel like the vocals were showcased to their full potential. The song isn’t as memorable, with a melody that doesn’t really keep me swinging back for more. Furthermore, the identified dryness in the song doesn’t really help. (6.5/10)

3. My Reaction (온몸이 반응해) – While My Reaction takes on that same mid-tempo R&B sound as the previous song did, I liked their approach a lot more. This time around, everything I had identified as a flaw in the previous song was done better. The melodies and hooks in this song feel more inviting. I also liked how the vocalists of the group could show more with their voices in My Reaction, while the rappers were given an opportunity to shine even brighter than before. It does, however, still lack that memorable element and I felt they could have done more to really make the song even more appealing than what it already is. (7.5/10)

4. Nice – I think the best way to describe Nice is that it is rather bouncy but extremely repetitive with its sound. If you managed to listen to the song until the end of the first chorus, you wouldn’t miss out on much if you paused it then and went onto another song. That being said, I did enjoy the atmosphere of the song. It is a lot more enjoyable than the previous two tracks. The rapping was nicely laid out throughout the song. I also liked the “Dam Dam Dam Di Dam Da Di Dam” repetition in the song, which I think I did enjoy when it was first released. (7/10)

5. Mine – Apart from the title track, Mine is one of my personal favourites from the album. It starts off with a heavy drum beat and well-paced hip-hop influenced rap sequence. I also liked the roiling drum beat in the pre-chorus. The chorus takes a turn going towards a pop sound that you would have heard mostly during the 2000s and I like it. Interestingly, most of the members can be found in the verses, while Youngjae was the only member to take control of the chorus. And he does a really good job, showing us why he is the main vocalist of GOT7. (8.5/10)

6. Back To Me – Back To Me is the other favourite from this album. It starts attracting my attention for its bright pop sound and atmosphere. But it doesn’t go down the cutesy route that the title track went for, as I think the album had enough of that vibe from the one song. The chorus was quite catchy and the hooks make the song quite memorable. The “Back-Back-Back To Me” is my favourite bit of the song. I like the vocal and rap work from the members, with Yugyeom’s bridge part standing out for me. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

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[Review] Alligator – MONSTA X

February 18, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged MONSTA X5 Comments

Kicking off the series of comebacks and releases this week is Monsta X, with their latest comeback single, Alligator. It is featured on the second half of their second studio album, Take.2 ‘WE ARE HERE. The first half of the album is titled Take.1 ‘Are You There?’, which featured their most successful track yet, Shoot Out. Interestingly, the music video for Alligator seems to contain multiple connections that don’t just hint back to Shoot Out but also to other videos. But more on that later.

First of all, Alligator felt like an odd title for a song. The song essentially likens getting someone to fall in love to an alligator’s hold on its prey (adapted from SOOMPI). Looking at the English translations available, I am not 100% sure if that was encapsulated but I guess the idea of it makes sense. The first thing I noticed was the powerfulness of the track. It is quite intense and hence right up Monsta X’s alley. The instrumental takes on that dance heavy sound that is quite similar to their past tracks. And the rapping really gives it that defining punch that leads me to associate the song with Monsta X straight away. Jooheon and I.M do an amazing job with their parts in the song, both on their own during the verses and together during the bridge. The vocals in the song were quite good, as always, with Kihyun’s high note being an excellent peak to the song alongside the duo rappers. But it’s the chorus that leaves me disappointed. The melody and hooks for the entire chorus felt lukewarm at best and didn’t feel like their usual catchy nature. It might just be because the song was just released and that I haven’t played it enough to get into my mind.

Monsta X matched up the aggressive music video to the powerful song by incorporating alligators, swampland and choreography in water. I think fans would find that final choreography section to be very sexy. The video looked well put together, with the sets looking cool. The other half is what we are more seemingly interested in. We have been promised through the prologue teaser that there is a connection between this and possibly all of their music videos (scenes from previous music videos were included in the teaser). I will be completely honest – I have no idea what is going on. I can tell that there is some connection revolving around the seven sins as this is seen in this video and in the music video for Beautiful. But Lust and Gluttony have been swapped out for Agony and Loneliness. We also see an uprising against the people in charged who banned these sins, similar to the rebellion seen in The Clan series. There is a more obvious connection between Shoot Out and Alligator, with thorny rose branches and Hyungwon sitting on a throne-like structure featured in both videos. What this all means in too cryptic for me to work out, so feel free to comment below with theories!

We don’t see too much choreography in the music video. But from what we could see, I thought it looked really cool. Monsta X goes hard once again with their performances! I do want to know what moves they will pull off during the rap sections as those seemed to be the most intense parts. So, obviously, I will return in due time with an update.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10 [To Be Updated]
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Album Review] Want (2nd Mini Album) – Taemin (SHINee)

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SHINee, Taemin (SHINee)1 Comment

Taemin made his comeback last week with Want, which is the title of both his title track and second mini-album (the focus of today’s album review). There is a total of 7 tracks on the album, but the seventh track is an outro track, which is also titled as Want. Due to the nature of the track, I have omitted it from the album review for today. Also, if you are a little busy to read this album review, I can essentially summarise everything in a few simple words – I highly recommend this album. I think that says a lot but if you want a little more detail, start reading below!

1..Want (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Want. (10/10)

2. Artistic Groove – The song starts as an aesthetically pleasing track but it slowly builds into something a lot more than just that. I would personally recommend this to potential listeners. I really like the funkiness in the smooth and slick instrumental. And if you are a fan of any previous Taemin title tracks, then you will very at home with this track. But that is not the reason why I would like to recommend this track. It is due to the amazing choruses we get. I state plural because there were the ‘Artistic Groove’ chorus and the chorus that ended the song (with the two joined together as the centrepiece of the track). I don’t know about you but my jaw dropped when I first heard the first chorus and was amazed at how effortlessly the second one was brought into play. Overall, my recommendation to you all. (10/10)

3. Shadow – To me, the word Shadow, seems to be a word surrounded by darkness. Countless times a track has been named ‘Shadow’ and the song ended up being something else that didn’t fulfil my expectations. But Taemin’s Shadow is everything that I have wished for in a song named Shadow. The dramatic and creepiness (attributed through the ‘La La La’ that started and ended the song) really sets this song apart from the rest. I love the instrumental of the track, with the thumping drums and the orchestral details. Throw in his vocal work, you have a very powerful combination. I think if we are ever given the opportunity to see a live performance for this song and Taemin delivers the same exact dramatic and creepy feelings we got, while also appreciating the beauty of the instrumental, I think this could become an iconic stage. (10/10)

4. Truth – Truth starts off as an unsuspecting ballad with only a piano based instrumental to really kick things off. The song takes a turn during the chorus as EDM become prevalent. For the first chorus, this only lasted a few seconds before returning to the ballad-y nature that the song started off with. The second chorus onwards is when the song stays within the EDM realm (despite it having that piano instrumental break, which I thought was a nice switcheroo from the start). Also featured alongside the instrumental is the vocals of Taemin, which sound nice here. I have to admit that this combination has been done before (so I can’t really brag about this new formula) but it is done in a way that leaves an impression and builds up suspense. (9/10)

5. Never Forever – Never Forever takes a different approach compared to what we have heard on the album thus far. It is a soft pop song with an acoustic guitar led instrumental. And because of its differences (i.e. the song does not rely heavily on a dance beat or any EDM sounds to show theatrics), the song does stand out a fair bit. But it stands out for good reasons. The song has this mellow vibe to it and after many dance/intense songs, it is nice to have a breakthrough an acoustic sound. But makes this song even better is Taemin’s vocals, which feel wholesome and showcases a new side to the artist. Pity the song was 3:00 minutes long. (9/10)

6. Monologue (혼잣말) – Listening to the first few seconds, I was lowkey waiting for the EDM drop, as Truth had crept up on us. But I can confirm that this is a true ballad. And it is one of the types to leave your heartbroken just by listening to it. One of the reasons why I find the track so heartbreaking is the piano and violin combination. Another reason was regarding his vocals (once again). He conveys so much emotion in the song that you cannot help but feel sad. It is his best presentation of vocals in the entire album as if does feel very strong and impactful. I also loved his harmonies, which make this song even better. Overall, it ends the album review on a saddening but impressive note. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.7/10

[Weekly Chart] 2nd Week of February 2019

February 17, 2019Posted in Weekly ChartsLeave a comment

Welcome back to the Weekly Chart segment once again. It is Sunday so you don’t need to wait any longer to see which song and artist took out the top spot on the charts for this week! An album review will be coming out shortly, so keep your eye out for that.

This past week we were overloaded with multiple comebacks and debuts. Taemin, Hwasa, TST, ITZY, Infinite, SATURDAY, Dream Catcher are all on this list and are all on the charts this week. VANNER, while they also debut, fell short of the Top 30 for this week (but I sense we may see them in the Top 30 after I review them this week)!

But let’s have a quick rundown of the charts for this week. A new group has managed to grab onto the first position and that group is no other than CLC, with their track No. ONF follows with their comeback single We Must Love, while Hwasa debuts her new track, Twit, in the third position. Familiar to the Top 5 is SEVENTEEN with their hit Home and ASTRO’s All Night, who both take the fourth and fifth position respectively.

For more of the charts, scroll down below!

	10th Feb – 16th Feb 2019
	Title	Artist	Status
1	No	CLC	(▲ 1)
2	We Must Love	ONF	(▲ 14)
3	Twit	Hwasa (Mamamoo)	(new)
4	Home	Seventeen	(=)
5	All Night	ASTRO	(▼ 2)
6	Q&A	Cherry Bullet	(▼ 1)
7	Wake Up	TST	(new)
8	Sunrise	Gfriend	(▼ 7)
9	Want	Taemin (SHINee)	(new)
10	DALLA DALLA	ITZY	(new)
11	Say My Name	ATEEZ	(▼ 2)
12	Lonely Night	KNK	(▼ 6)
13	Ya	Lee Minhyuk (BTOB)	(▲ 7)
14	Valkyrie	ONEUS	(▼ 6)
15	WiFi	SATURDAY	(new)
16	Gotta Go	Kim Chungha	(▼ 4)
17	Getting Closer	Seventeen	(▼ 7)
18	Only U	IMFACT	(▲ 4)
19	U Um U Um	Hyomin (T-ARA)	(▼ 8)
20	La La Love	WJSN (Cosmic Girl)	(▼ 13)
21	TicToc	NEONPUNCH	(▼ 5)
22	Piri	Dream Catcher	(new)
23	Clock	INFINITE	(new)
24	Rooftop	N.Flying	(▲ 1)
25	HALA HALA	ATEEZ	(▼ 7)
26	MILLONS	Winner	(▼ 12)
27	Loca	Favorite	(▼ 10)
28	%%	APINK	(▼ 15)
29	I Wanna Know	Roh Taeyhyun (HOTSHOT)	(▼ 6)
30	Dream About U	NATURE	(▼ 4)

Songs leaving the charts this week include:

First Sight – Heize
Whatcha Doin’ – Yesung (Super Junior) & Kim Chungha
Millions – WINNER
Getting Closer – SEVENTEEN
Winter Breath – Sooyoung (SNSD)

See you all back next week!

[Review] WiFi – SATURDAY

February 15, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged SATURDAY1 Comment

SATURDAY made their return the other night with WiFi. This is a relatively new girl group, currently under SD Entertainment. SATURDAY currently has seven members including They made their debut last year with Sion, Sunha, Haneul, Chohee, Ayeon, Yuki and Juyeon (Juyeon is a new member added this year after the departure of former member Chaewon). They made their debut with MMook JJi BBa back in July of last year and they also released a special Christmas album for the festive season.

WiFi is that cutesy song that reminds you of the work done by Crayon Pop when they were still active. It is an undeniably colourful track that speaks about sending love signals between themselves and their crush. It is a fun tune, filled with the cutesy repetition of the word ‘WiFi’ (which is actually growing heavily on me) and the use of a bazooka or some sort of instrument of a similar nature to get that fun yet intriguing sound in the instrumental break. I also like the mini shout of their group name in the song so they wouldn’t be forgotten. The vocals were good and I personally liked the rapping style for the rap sequence during the verses. As for the trap influence during the bridge, this causes the track to be similar to Boom Boom by Momoland and I am not sure what to think of this (apart from that the bridge does not go with the rest of the song). Overall, I like WiFi but not to the extent of other songs currently hot on the charts.

Once again, we see the low budget nature of the video based on the choreography shots with the window. We cannot blame them or their company for what they had to work with. But they could have gotten rid of those shots and stayed with the built backdrops they had for the rest of the video (which actually fitted the colourful nature of the song perfectly due to their use of colours). For the rest of the video, I liked how they made it look like they applied special effects (like the floating letters) and the cutesy nature of the video.

As for the performance, I thought it was rather good. I liked how they showed the WiFi hook by using the WiFi symbol. I also liked how bouncy the dance was, particularly during the chorus. My favourite bit would have to be during the pre-chorus, as their moves seem to be somewhat more mature and smooth.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7/10

[Review] Cold – Key (SHINee) ft. Hanhae

February 14, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Hanhae, Key (SHINee)Leave a comment

It has been a while since I have reviewed an SM Station track, so it is time to get back to those very special singles and collaborations. This week, we have Key (from SHINee) gracing our screens and music apps with Cold. The song features Hanhae, a well-known South Korean rapper who actually enlisted into the military in the past week. Key previously made his solo debut at the end of last year with One Of Those Nights and you can read my review for his solo debut by clicking the link. But let’s continue on with the review for Cold.

Cold is an R&B track that feels reminiscent of the R&B sound that artists like Crush and Heize have released previously. The song doesn’t seem to be that memorable in my books. There are a number of reasons why I think that. Key presents us with a nice voice in the song but it isn’t as capturing as Heize or Crush’s husky or raspy tone when it comes to their own solo work. The instrumental feels very standard and doesn’t offer anything interesting. There is some soft electronic piano featured throughout the song which did make the song slightly appealing. But that wasn’t enough to really consolidate its overall appeal. It isn’t all bad news though as the song is still pleasantly sound and Hanhae’s rapping did attract some more attention towards the song. I wouldn’t mind listening to it every now and then. Just constant replaying will bore me out of it even more and I wouldn’t personally go out of my way to find the song.

The music video revolves around Key as an artist and that he has fallen in love with a certain camerawoman or director of the music video that he is shooting within the music video. I guess he becomes so invested in his interest that he forgets what is there for and continues to have the video filmed despite all the staff members cleaning up behind him. I thought that was an interesting way to show that his crush wasn’t interested. I liked how they shot everything used vintage cameras and the vintage filter that was applied to the scenes. I found that the music video was suitable for the song, overall but equally as dry as the song.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.4/10

[Album Review] We Must Love (3rd Mini Album) – ONF

February 14, 2019Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ONFLeave a comment

ONF made their return to the stage last week with We Must Love. Their mini-album for this particular comeback also share the same name and is the focus of today’s review. After their impressive mini-album from last year (You Complete Me), I thought it would be nice to have another look at an ONF album. And I quite glad I did because this is another impressive album to add to their discography. Continue reading for my thoughts on the individual songs on the album.

onf-wemustlove-2 — *We Must Love* Album Cover

1..We Must Love (사랑하게 될 거야) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of We Must Love. (9.5/10)

2. Ice & Fire – Despite being opposites in real life, Ice & Fire comes together to become a very slick song. It is vocally-centred, with the many falsettos showcasing the group’s potential. The song features a very trendy and appealing instrumental that was one half of the reason to why I was drawn to this song. It feels subdued compared to a standard dance track and it results in a smooth vibe, which in turn goes extremely well with the vocals. I also liked the melody of the track. It is refreshing and opens my eyes (or ears in the case of music) to the group even more. (10/10)

3. Yayaya (별일 아냐) – Yayaya opens up with strings with what seems to be a bit of tango influence. The pre-chorus switched the song to a modern electronic dance sound, before the chorus returning to show a mixture of the two genres I have identified thus far. I think this is a winning combination as the song sounds amazing. I liked how the vocals stayed within that tango influence regardless of the changes. But what really caught my attention was the rapping for this track. I think the deep voices were wonderful and the way it started off was amazing. It is another track that stands out for all the right reasons. (9/10)

4. Happily Ever After (첫 사랑의 법칙) – I think the track is very passable. I am going to be straight up with the reasoning. It just doesn’t seem to blend in well with the rest of the songs on the album and it feels like it was intentionally hidden between two amazing songs. That being said, there are nice vocals and harmonies in the song. The song also features good rapping. The instrumentation makes way for the song to be similar to a ballad but also allows some choreography to be thrown into the mix. (6.5/10)

5. I Do – I Do start off in a similar manner to Happily Ever After, so I had my concerns as the song started to progress through. But it gradually builds up into another dance track that instantly grabs my attention for the strong contrast between the verses and chorus. The verses are much softer, while the chorus goes for a harsh and rough EDM instrumental. But I think we can all agree that from the bridge onwards, the song gets so much better. The autotuned rapping gives the song a unique rough texture and the drop back to the final chorus is one-of-a-kind, ending the song in a way that makes me want to go back for more. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

onf-wemustlove-3 — *We Must Love* Teaser Image

[Review] Clock – Infinite

February 13, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged INFINITE3 Comments

I previously mentioned in previous reviews that some male groups have reached the point in their careers where they need to enlist into the military. One of these other groups is Infinite. After last year’s comeback with Tell Me, leader Kim Sung Gyu enlisted in May. And it is expected that other Infinite members would follow this year. But before that, Infinite announced their return with a special single, Clock, which was previously performed at their fan meets at the end of the year. Unfortunately, Clock will not be promoted due to busy solo schedules but it still nice to get a new song from Infinite after a year’s absence.

Clock is a mid-tempo ballad that brings the best out of the remaining Infinite members. I am super excited for this track as I have always been a fan for Infinite’s ballads and this one does not deviate from that memory. The instrumental falls under the category of a soft rock track from what I can hear and it is a very good one. There is some slight reshuffling in this track to fit the missing presence of Kim Sung Gyu and former member Hoya. Myungsoo (or L) and Woohyun takes the reigns as the main vocalists, while Sungjong, Sungyeol and Dongwoo do all the rapping throughout the track. All handle their parts exceptionally well. I am particularly surprised by the rapping done by Sungjong, as I don’t think he has ever rapped before. I also enjoyed the harmonies that they all bring together. I don’t have much else to say regarding the song but wish to reiterate my first statement – it truly brings out the best of each member.

The music video shows the members either awaiting a phone call or waiting to make a phone call (I believe there may be a mixture of each). It doesn’t really show much else besides that. The song is about waiting to be reunited, so I guess the waiting around for a phone call (or waiting for the right moment to call) serves as a mechanism for a reunion in this video. It is a touching song and put together with this video and alongside their foreseeable future, it is even more touching. I am not totally into the hazy filter, however.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.6/10

[Review] Twit – Hwasa (Mamamoo)

February 13, 2019February 15, 2019Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged HWASA (MAMAMOO), MAMAMOO6 Comments

In the past year, we have seen the Mamamoo members through multiple comebacks including Starry Night, Egotistic and Wind Flower. On top of that, we saw the members through solo songs on the albums released throughout the year and through solo works. Moonbyul made her solo debut with Selfish, which Wheein also made her solo debut with Easy. It is time we turn our attention to the maknae of the group, Hwasa, who recently gained attention for her sexy outfit on the MAMA stage. She made her solo debut today with Twit.

Listening to the song, I felt like the song was more suited for the Summer seasons. It is bright and upbeat, something you don’t get too much in these colder months (though Korea is fast approaching the end of the cold season). But that being said, it is a strong song suiting Hwasa’s image from the very second it started playing. The song shows how a person is calling themselves (and others) a dummy and twit for not being able to care for their respective lover. The instrumental is made up heavy beat and dramatic flair, offset by a light panflute that is played over and over again at consistent intervals. I find this to be very intriguing. Alongside the song, we get Hwasa’s raspy vocals that really adds another sound and texture to the song. I particularly like how she kicks her vocals up a notch via the bridge, which is where we get the vocal climax to the song. Overall, Twit is a nice song that showcases the strengths of Hwasa.

The music video opens up with the male actor trying to get the attention of Hwasa. While this does annoy her throughout the video, the guy ends up leaving her at the end of the video, making Hwasa the ‘twit’ of the video for disregarding her lover. Another take on the video (see the comment section for a more detailed explanation) is that Hwasa calls the male actor a twit for being too focused on her (the scenes throughout the video showcases Hwasa as the centrepiece (i.e.e she is the queen, all the guys are staring at her and she is uniquely confident). This causes the guy to become upset and leave Hwasa at the end, despite her best efforts of her showing him that she still cares for him. Throughout the video, we see shots of Hwasa being confidently sexy, which could be an indirect response to her recent controversy regarding her outfits at the MAMAs. Wheein also pops up in the video, where both Wheein and Hwasa are rubbing shoulders with each other. It is a very bold video, which I think suits Hwasa and the song very well.

We don’t see much of the choreography in the video. But from what I can see, Hwasa is going to be bringing sexy to the stage with this performance. On top of that, an element of fun may be present. We won’t know for sure until a live performance is available so I will be back when that occurs.
[Updated] She definitely brought her sexy game to the stage with this comeback. Though, I wasn’t as impressed with the choreography that was chosen for this comeback. It didn’t feel as enticing as I had hoped for, Her moves felt fitting with the song but I couldn’t help but describe the performance as mediocre.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 6/10 [Updated]
Overall Rating – 7.8/10 [Updated]