Category: Album Reviews

[Album Review] The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY (7th Mini Album) – TXT

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A year on from its release, it is finally time for a review of TXT’s 7th mini-album, The Star Chapter: Sanctuary. Led by the single Over The Moon, the mini-album features 6 songs in total. Overall, it was a really strong effort from TXT. Had some of the songs been longer, as I was left wanting more from most of the songs, I think the mini-album would have been much stronger. But as is, it was still an excellent mini-album to check out.

Earlier in 2024, TXT released their 6th mini-album, Minisode 3: TOMORROW (led by the single Deja Vu). Since the release of The Star Chapter: Sanctuary, TXT has returned with the digital single Love Language; their 4th Korean studio album The Star Chapter: Together (led by the single Beautiful Strangers); and their 3rd Japanese studio album, Starkissed (led by the single Can’t Stop).

The Star Chapter: Sanctuary Album Cover

1. Heaven – For me, Heaven was a really nice pop song. I liked the dreamy atmosphere within the song and the stunning vocals from TXT throughout this opening track. I also love that the melodies were pleasant and hummable. While I want to give Heaven a 10/10 because it deserves it, I am not sold on the way it ends. In a matter of seconds, the momentum building in Heaven was cut short, and it felt deliberate, as if the producers were told the song could only be in the 2:30-minute range. I was left wanting more, so I don’t think I can give Heaven its 10/10 it truly deserves. (9/10)

2. Over The Moon (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Over The Moon. (7.5/10)

3. Danger – Following on the title track, we see TXT take on an edgier vibe with Danger. I really enjoyed the low-key chorus, with the really catchy “You got me in Danger, Danger, Danger” on repeat in my head. I also enjoyed the very sexy, deep, raspy ‘What you doin’ to me?” that followed the choruses. This definitely takes me back to some of the music I grew up on. The subtle, groovy underlay in the instrumentation ties everything nicely together and also helps make Danger sound alluring. (9/10)

4. Resist (Not Gonna Run Away) – The “I can resist” line is quite a memorable opener and makes quite a presence in Resist. The instrumental was also quite cool, with the fresh guitar, thumping beats, alluring synths and (what sounds like) hand drumming. It all came together to create a stunning backing for TXT to bring Resist (Not Gonna Run Away) to life. (8/10)

5. Forty One Winks – Forty One Winks is quite a groovy R&B dance number. I do like the old-school vibes of the song, as well as how consistent the track is. TXT executed their vocals well, especially those small ad-libs throughout the song. I would have liked to hear more of Forty One Winks, given its short length of just 2:30 minutes.(8/10)

6. Higher Than Heaven – Finishing off the mini-album is Higher Than Heaven, a bright and fun rock track. Everything about the track is dynamic, and I love that consistent aspect of Higher Than Heaven. TXT’s vocals were very refreshing, and the instrumentation was just so uplifting and energetic. My favourite bit has to be the post-chorus, with the ascending ‘High’, which leaves quite a strong impression. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

TXT’s teaser image for The Star Chapter: Sanctuary

[Album Review] DRIP (1st Studio Album) – BABYMONSTER

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Less than a year since their debut, BABYMONSTER released their 1st studio album, DRIP, in November 2024. And more than a year later, I am finally reviewing it. DRIP featured two title tracks: one sharing the same name as the album and CLIK CLAK. The album also features the pre-release track FOREVER (released in July 2024), a remix of their debut single BATTER UP, and 5 side tracks. There are some terrific songs on the album, and others that were questionable. But I was nonetheless excited for their first studio album and satisfied with how far they had come in the first year of their career.

Since the release of DRIP, BABYMONSTER embarked on their first world tour, released the single HOT SAUCE (which I have yet to review) and returned with their second mini-album, WE GO UP, featuring the title track of the same name.

DRIP Album Cover

1. CLIK CLAK(Title Track) – Click here for my full review of CLIK CLAK. (5/10)

2. DRIP (Title Track) – DRIP has definitely grown on me since its release. Thus, I am willing to bump the song rating by 0.5. Click here for my full review of DRIP. (8/10)

3. Love, Maybe – Following the two title tracks, I did not expect to hear an intimate ballad. But that is what Love, Maybe is. BABYMONSTER puts their stunningly emotional vocals over a minimalistic guitar-led instrumental to make a beautiful track. I don’t have much to say aside from that BABYMONSTER nailed it. (9/10)

4. Really Like You – I quite like the old school hip-hop vibe that Really Like You gives off. The track is softer than the title tracks, serving as a nice bridge between the ballad preceding it and the rest every time I listened to Really Like You. The same goes for the music video that I forgot to review. (8/10)

5. Billionaire– Billionaire was quite a surprise for me. R&B kicks off the song, and I really enjoyed the guitar work in the track. It gives off a distinct Latin flair that feels very unique and mature. I also really enjoyed the vocal work in this one, with the members keeping their voices low. It adds to those mature vibes already mentioned. The rapping gives Billionaire its edge and reminds us of BABYMONSTER’s hip-hop roots. The deep vibrating synth during this part and the bridge was spectacular. (9/10)

6. Love in My Heart – Click here for my review of Love in My Heart. (7/10)

7. Woke Up in Tokyo (Ruka & Asa duet) – The rappers of BABYMONSTER come together to give the album, and us, an English/Japanese track. With RUKA and ASA at the helm, I expected something powerful. What I didn’t expect was a hip-hop rendition of a nursery rhyme. Safe to say, Woke Up In Tokyo is not my cup of tea, and I’m not sure the album needed this track. But here we are. (5/10)

8. FOREVER – Click here for my review of FOREVER. (8/10)

9. BATTER UP (Remix) – Per usual, I don’t review remixes and include a rating for them on album reviews. But I would like to point out how much 2010s nostalgia the remix instrumental brings to me. For my thoughts on BATTER UP, click here for my review of BATTER UP.

Overall Album Rating – 7.4/10

BABYMONSTER’s teaser image for DRIP

[Album Review] Tipi-Tap (6th Mini-Album) – Kep1er

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Next up for an album review is Kep1er’s Tipi-Tap mini-album, the group’s 6th. Leading this five-track mini-album is the title track, which gives the album its name. Both the Tipi-Tap song and mini-album mark Kep1er’s first Korean release since June 2024’s Shooting Star and the studio album Kep1going On, as well as Kep1er’s first release as a 7-member group (following the departure of MASHIRO and YESEO, who redebuted as part of MADEIN).

More recently, Kep1er released their first Japanese mini-album, Against the World (led by YUM), and their seventh Korean mini-album, Bubble Gum, (led by the single of the same name).

Tipi-Tap Album Cover

1. sync-love – First song out of the gate is sync-love, a hyper-pop track, which features some really cool synth work and rapping work from HIKARU.I really liked how pronounced both these elements were throughout the track. Contrasting them are the less-pronounced vocals and the backing to the vocal’s sequences, but they bring such a nice grounded and R&B touch to the song. I also really enjoyed the outro, with the autotune filtering of DAEYEON’s lines and HIKARU’s acapella line. Overall, a strong start to the mini-album. (9/10)

2. TIPI-TAP (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of TIPI-TAP. (6/10)

3. Drip – Out of all the different aspects that make up Drip, it is the chorus that speaks the most to me. It is so catchy and addictive, even though the main hook is just simple repetition. That and the combination of the tight beats during the refrain was super cool. I did wish there was a bit more to the rest of the instrumentation. I also like the mature vibe of the vocals, which complements the mature-leaning lyrics well. Also, Drip has HUENING BAHIYYIH performing the more substantial rapping part and completely nailing it. (8/10)

4. Bitter Taste – Aside from the title track, Bitter Taste is probably the second most skippable song to me. I just don’t remember anything from it, even after listening to the song to write this review. After really focusing in on the song, the only thing I do get out of it is that it has dreamy instrumental and vocal moments. Unfortunately, nothing else stands out to me that I find worth mentioning here. (6/10)

5. Heart Surf – Heart Surf also has a dreamy and soft vibe to it, but it is the vocal work and harmonies in this song that set it apart from the previous song. The flow of the vocals and the song overall was extremely nice. I love the subtle piercing nature of the ‘Just stop the motion’ line just before the choruses. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.4/10

Kep1er’s teaser image for Tipi-Tap

[Album Review] 導火線 (TRIGGER) (9th Mini Album) – THE BOYZ

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Released at the end of October 2024 is THE BOYZ’s 9th mini-album, 導火線(TRIGGER). Over a year later, I am finally getting around to reviewing the mini-album (sorry about that). Led by the single that shares the same name as mini-album, the release features a total of 6 songs and is a fairly consistently good mini-album from the group.

A lot has happened with THE BOYZ since the release of 導火線(TRIGGER), including the release of a studio album (Unexpected, led by VVV) and another mini-album (A:effect, led by Stylish), a change in label to ONE HUNDRED, and line-up changes due to military enlistment, health issues and other matters.

導火線 (TRIGGER) Album Cover

1. Bite Back – Bite Back sets the intense scene that is the TRIGGER mini-album with atmospheric choir, before switching into a hip-hop track featuring afrobeats. I really liked the chorus for this track, with the afrobeats, the members’ husky vocals and simple repetition of the song’s title creating quite a catchy hook. The rapping was also quite cool in this track, with SUNWOO and ERIC taking the spotlight with their parts. I wish the rest of the vocals in Bite Back were more prolific, as they gave off a one-dimensional feel. (8/10)

2. TRIGGER (導火線) (Title Track) – Click here for TRIGGER’s full review. (9/10)

3. bAd – THE BOYZ continues with the hip-hop influence through bAd. I liked how bAd contrasts with the preceding songs by having a more minimalistic instrumental. I really liked the beat to the chorus – it brings forth an old-school vibe and the rhythm was catchy. I also appreciated that the vocals had a larger part to play in the song, and that they were a lot stronger on this single. (8/10)

4. Slip Away (숨바꼭질) – Slip Away is a R&B track, with sensual vibes oozing out of the song. I love the different paces of vocal delivery, the higher tones and harmonies throughout the track. This gives Slip Away a little more intriguing factor and colour, which is beneficial for a genre that can easily come off as flat. Whilst toned back, the rapping does go hand-in-hand with the R&B colour and vibes. But there was a risk that did eventuate as a result of toning back – the raps were lost to the rest of the song. (8/10)

5. Re-Wind – Re-Wind combines the R&B and hip-hop influences we have heard thus far on the mini-album, creating a groovy and sleek intersection. I enjoyed the smoothness, and the brighter feel-good vibes, that the song gives off. The opening line “Can you re-wind it again?” is also another catchy one-liner on the mini-album. Definitely an enjoyable song, and my second favourite off the mini-album. (9/10)

6. They See Me Dream – They See Me Dream stands in place of the mandatory ballad that usually appears at the end of an album. But THE BOYZ takes the vocal focus forward into this track, combining it and their emotions, with an atmospheric instrumental that changes momentum slightly on a number of occasions to keep the track dynamic. I like how the vocals and harmonies pull the song together, while the instrumental was refreshing and dreamy at the same time. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

THE BOYZ teaser image for 導火線 (TRIGGER)

[Album Review] Whiplash (5th Mini Album) – aespa

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aespa really hit it big last year with their lead singles. After the likes of Supernova (which took the industry by storm), followed by their Armageddon title track and studio album, aespa also returned in October 2024 with another hit – Whiplash. Just over a year after its release, I have finally gotten around to reviewing the mini-album of the same name, which features 6 songs (including the title track itself). And it is a super excellent mini-album, ranking quite highly on my list of album releases. All tracks on this mini-album are highly recommended for you to check out if you haven’t already!

Since Whiplash, aespa has released one digital single (Dirty Work) and a new mini-album, Rich Man, featuring the title track of the same name.

WHIPLASH Album Cover

1. Whiplash (Title Track) – Whiplash definitely grew on me after I posted my review for the track. Given the growth, I am bumping the original review score to 8/10, though most of my thoughts remain the same. Click here for Whiplash’s full review. (8/10)

2. Kill It – The intensity and powerful energy from Kill It’s instrumental brings me to the edge of my seat each time the song plays. Combined with aespa’s commanding presence and strong vocals, aespa presents us with a killing combination that feels like a natural follow-up to 2023’s Drama. (10/10)  

3. Flights, Not Feelings – If there is one sequence within Flights, Not Feelings to recommend you check out, it is definitely the chorus. Sure, the centrepiece is meant to be the most memorable part of the song. But the all-member vocal delivery of it, as well as the steady R&B beat of the entire length of the chorus, was just stunning. I find myself vibing to the song every time it comes up in my Spotify queue. Elsewhere in Flights, Not Feelings, you have some equally stunning harps and piano, and a consistent presence of amazing vocals from the members. (10/10)

4. Pink Hoodie – Seeing Pink Hoodie on the tracklist and the fact that the first two words of the song are ‘Baggy Jeans’ instantly remind me of NCT U’s Baggy Jeans. While there are some similarities between the two songs (i.e., both fall under the hip-hop and dance genres), Pink Hoodie is definitely more palatable. The execution of the chorus was much better – there was such a cool vibe to it that I couldn’t help but nod along to the beat. The bridge has a soothing presence, driven by vocals, contrasting with the rest of the hip-hop-based track. I also liked how intense the final chorus got, giving Pink Hoodie a final push to close out the song. (9/10)  

5. Flowers – Flowers put the mini-album back in the R&B genre. I like how this is more of the classical R&B, with the prominent guitar riff in the background. The members sound stunning throughout the track, and I like how the melodies create a swaying effect. I also really enjoyed the subtle presence of autotune in the bridge, giving the track a little extra to offset it from being overly consistent. (9/10)

6. Just Another Girl – Hearing aespa have another go at the pop-rock genre is exciting. Whilst writing this review, I will admit I got slightly distracted and found myself checking out Live My Life. While not as explosive as the former track, aespa still does a great job with Just Another Girl. The deep vocals they used were intriguing, but I guess they were being nonchalant about calling out a cheating partner. The bridge is definitely the strongest and best sequence of the track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

aespa’s solo teaser images for WHIPLASH

[Album Review] I’LL LIKE YOU (2nd Mini Album) – ILLIT

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Another album review for a 2024 release. ILLIT’s I’LL LIKE YOU was released October last year and serves as the group’s 2nd mini-album since their debut earlier in 2024 (with Magnetic). Leading the 5-track mini-album was the title track Cherish (My Love) and follow-up promotional single Tick-Tack. Overall, this was a fair mini-album in my opinion.

More recently, ILLIT released their 3rd mini-album, BOMB, featuring the singles Do The Dance and Jellyous, as well as their first Japanese single, Toki Yo Tomare. The group is also due to make their comeback next week with the single album NOT CUTE ANYMORE.

I’LL LIKE YOU Album Cover

1. I’ll Like You – The mini-album’s namesake track, I’ll Like You, is both cute and smooth. ILLIT themselves, as well as the bright pops of synth in the background, contribute to the track’s cuteness. The smoothness comes from the dreamy side of the instrumentation and the melodies, which were catchy and fun. While I did enjoy this opening number, I’ll Like You does feel a bit straightforward and plain (relative to other tracks on the album). (8/10)

2. Cherish (My Love) (Title Track) – Click here for Cherish (My Love)’s full review. (7/10)

3. IYKYK (If You Know You Know) – IYKYK is another plain song on the mini-album. I wish the song was punchier, particularly for the chorus, which feels flat. This could have potentially made the “IYKYK” hook more prolific and given the song some additional flair. I did enjoy the synths in the background, particularly the panning effect, which made it sound warpy. IROHA, WONHEE, and MINJU’s rapping was also quite nice and seamless. (7/10)

4. Pimple – ILLIT puts their vocals on display in Pimple. This makes the track extremely appealing to me (after all, I am a vocals guy). I loved how dreamy they made the track sound, especially with the harmonies and pretty melodies. The medium-pop instrumental was also extremely pleasant and made for a nice background. (8/10)

5. Tick-Tack – I had plans to review Tick-Tack separately, but I (and time, but more so I) got in the way of those plans. Anyhow, Tick-Tack is definitely the hidden gem of this mini-album. It was mostly because of the fun, super-catchy chorus that Tick-Tack features. But I also enjoyed the retro video game-esque synths in the background, as well as the underlying grooviness of the instrumental. The members sound great in the track, as well. My only gripe about Tick-Tack is that it finishes as soon as it starts, leaving me disappointed each time I play the song. (9/10)   

Overall Album Rating – 7.8/10

ILLIT’s teaser image for I’LL LIKE YOU

[Album Review] GOLD (9th Mini Album) – ITZY

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The next album up for review comes from last year. In October 2024, ITZY made their comeback with their 9th mini-album, GOLD, which was led by the title track of the same name. Also featured alongside that track were five new songs and five re-released versions of songs ITZY had released earlier in 2024 as part of their BORN TO BE studio album, to include LIA, who was on hiatus at the time of their release. For the purposes of this review, given that I have already reviewed those tracks as part of the album they were initially released on, I will focus primarily on the new songs added to ITZY’s discography in October 2024.

While I am still not a fan of the title track, the rest of the mini-album was a solid release from the group. More recently, ITZY made comebacks in Korea with Girls Will Be Girls and Japan with Rock & Roll. In fact, the group will be making another Korean comeback (yup, this backlog of album reviews is definitely growing out of control) this coming Monday with Tunnel Vision. But before we can get there, here are my thoughts on GOLD.

GOLD Album Cover

1. GOLD (Title Track) – Click here for GOLD’s full review. (7/10)

2. Imaginary Friend – Click here for Imaginary Friend’s full review. (10/10)

3. Bad Girls R Us – The instrumental for this track was quite the surprise. From the house elements in the foreground to the thumping beat in the background and then the switch to an acoustic country twang, Bad Girls R Us was a very intriguing mix. This instantly draws my attention to the song. But ITZY seals the deal with their crisp vocals and rapping. Bad Girls R Us is an awesome and unforgettable track. (10/10)  

4. Supernatural – To me, Supernatural somewhat feels like a follow-up to the earlier track Imaginary Friend. Both songs have a subdued nature. But there are differences. Unlike Imaginary Friend, which was subdued through all elements, ITZY’s vocals are what bring the subdued nature to light in Supernatural. I liked that approach, but I wished the melodies were a little more developed. As for the instrumental for Supernatural, which does have a hint of that subduedness, it is also more upbeat and bouncier, which brings in energy to the song. However, those subdued notes still remain and help make the track feel aesthetically pleasing. (8/10)   

5. FIVE – The message that ITZY is better as five is such a meaningful message, especially since this comeback sees LIA return from a hiatus and the group reforming back into a quintet. FIVE is a well-balanced pop track with nice textures thanks to the synth work. The vocals were also lovely throughout the song. However, what I liked most about the track was the brief hip-hop switch-up that followed the first and last chorus. It was a memorable point in FIVE. (8/10)  

6. VAY (ft. CHANGBIN of Stray Kids) – ITZY join forces with labelmate CHANGBIN for the hip-hop track VAY. ITZY did a really great job in this hip-hop setting – I found myself vibing to their parts in the song. CHANGBIN adds his own flair through his parts, and I liked how he tempered his usual style to fit with ITZY. The instrumental was also quite crunchy, which was a nice and engaging textural component for VAY. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10 (based on the new songs on the mini-album only)

As part of the mini-album, five songs from ITZY’s 8th mini-album were re-released to also include LIA, who was on hiatus when these songs were originally released. These songs were not included as part of the final album rating  

7. BORN TO BE (Final version) – Click here to see BORN TO BE’s full review. (7/10)

8. UNTOUCHABLE (Final version) – Click here to see UNTOUCHABLE’s full review. (8/10)

9. Mr Vampire (Final Version) – Click here to see Mr Vampire’s full review. (6.5/10)

10. Dynamite (Final Version) – Click here to see DYNAMITE’s full review as part of the BORN TO BE album review. ()

11. Escalator (Final Version) – Click here to see Escalator’s full review as part of the BORN TO BE album review. (9/10)

ITZY’s teaser image for GOLD.

[Album Review] LOVE RACE (15th Mini Album) – SF9

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If you cannot tell by the title of the post, SF9’s LOVE RACE is the next mini-album up for review (still a massive backlog to push through). It is SF9’s 15th mini-album since their debut in 2016 (almost 10 years ago!), and was released back in March this year. LOVE RACE features a total of 6 songs, including the title track of the same name. It is a solid mini-album overall, per usual for SF9. There are some terrific songs on the mini-album, so it is definitely worth checking out.

LOVE RACE (the mini-album) is their first comeback since August 2024 – the mini-album FANTASY and title track Don’t Worry, Be Happy. More recently, the group is embarking on a world tour.

LOVE RACE Album Cover

1. LOVE RACE (Title Track) – Click here for LOVE RACE’s full review. (8/10)

2. Suited – Leading on from the title track is Suited, a very smooth mid-tempo pop track. This helped make the flow of Suited feel velvety and stunning, and many of the song’s best attributes stem from this smoothness. The song’s chorus was very charming. I particularly liked the upward inflexion at the end of the chorus, which gives the track something intriguing and memorable to remember it by. The vocals (and their layering) in Suited were really well done throughout. As for the rapping, I liked how they fit into the song while still maintaining an edgy tone. (9/10)  

3. Side by Side – Side By Side is a great upbeat funky number. The energy that comes off this track is very refreshing. I also enjoyed the brightness exuded from the instrumental, making it suitable for a summertime track. The vocals and rapping were straightforward yet effective in contributing towards the same refreshing energy and bright tone. For this, it is my favourite track off the mini-album. (10/10)

4. WARURU – There was a lot that stood out in the electro-pop WARURU (which translates loosely to ‘Crashing down’). Firstly, I really enjoyed how JAEYOON (as the introduction), INSEONG and YOO TAEYANG delivered the pre-chorus. They really seized the opportunity to showcase their powerful vocals and did so very impactfully. I also enjoyed the line “Now you’re not the girl I used to know” delivered by YOUNGBIN and CHANI in the verses, which were memorable lines. The WARURU repetition was also noteworthy. This is all set against a solid background that enhances the dramatic nature of the song. (9/10)

5. No No No – I quite enjoyed how prolific the instrumental is in No No No. There is a strong funkiness to the instrumental, thanks to the electric guitar and brass elements, which come through quite strongly. The rest of the instrumental is strongly upbeat and comes off as ‘loud’ (but in a good way). I liked how the members really put themselves forward in the song through their rapping and vocals. The instrumental could have easily drowned them out, but SF9 ensured they were heard throughout No No No. I do think the song could have been blended together to be a little more cohesive. (8.5/10)    

6. Love Puzzle (숨은 사랑 찾기) – We go into lovey dovey territory for Love Puzzle, which likens their lover to be the missing puzzle piece they are searching for. Love Puzzle is one of those mid-tempo pop ballads that is warm, fuzzy and lovely. The members do a nice job of making their vocals and rapping sound cohesive, as well. I find myself rather neutral towards the song (mainly because I am not the target audience), but I am sure fans are enjoying this more romantic side of the group. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

SF9’s teaser image for LOVE RACE

[Album Review] ALIVIO (5th Mini Album) – CHUNG HA

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CHUNG HA’s February 2025 mini-album release, ALIVIO, is up next for an album review. ALIVIO is the soloist’s 5th mini-album since her debut and follows the digital single Algorithm released last year. The mini-album features 8 songs, including the title track STRESS and a collaboration single with SUNMI. The latter in itself is something enticing and to look forward to, but there is a lot more to the mini-album, particularly in the latter half of the mini-album, where CHUNG HA featured strong track after track. You can read more about my thoughts on ALIVIO down below.

ALIVIO Album Cover

1. Creepin’ – The mini-album starts off with Creepin’, an R&B number with a slightly warp effect to its instrumentation. This is more of an observation and not a negative. As for CHUNG HA, she sounds amazing in the song. But overall, I found Creepin’ to be a little underwhelming and lacked something to make it memorable. (7/10)

2. Salty (with SUNMI) – CHUNG HA join forces with SUNMI to bring us Salty. With these two big names at the helm, there are high expectations for this single. In my personal opinion, they definitely delivered. I really enjoyed the retro/house combination that makes up the instrumentation, though I wished there was a little more bite to the background. The opening chorus lines “My diamonds are cold, but I’m not made of ice” and “All of my emotions they get exercise” also have a memorable ring to them. (9/10)

3. Loyal – I enjoyed the atmospheric instrumental behind Loyal, though I feel like Loyal was lacking a drop somewhere in its instrumentation. It wasn’t until the 2:05 minute mark (in a 2:42 minute long song) that Loyal’s instrumental changed gears slightly. Alongside the atmosphere are CHUNG HA’s vocals, which were stunning throughout the song. The repetition of the song’s title also helped key it in my mind. (8.5/10)

4. STRESS (Title Track) – Click here for STRESS’ full review. (8/10)

5. Beat of My Heart – The chorus for Beat of My Heart is what wins me over. More specifically, it is CHUNG HA’s breathtaking delivery of the central piece of the song that grabs my attention. The way her vocals soar in the choruses and throughout the song is really something. As for the instrumentation, it falls into drum and bass territory, and I love how much bite this influence gives Beat of My Heart. (10/10)

6. Even Steven (Happy Ending) – Even Steven is a song about getting back at the people who have wronged you. While the lyrics for Even Steven hint at a terrible past, they also give the song an empowering feeling. And as a result of this empowerment, CHUNG HA’s powerful vocals, as well as the presence of the electric guitars, add a lot more oomph to Even Steven. I also appreciate the song’s straight-to-the-point vibe. (9/10)

7. Thanks for the Memories – CHUNG HA takes us down rock territory in Thanks for the Memories, my pick for the most highly recommended track of the mini-album. I love the energy this gives the song, particularly in the choruses, and the added textures from the synths give it a fun edge. CHUNG HA’s vocals are superb, with her ad-libs feeling like the perfect icing to a cake. She nailed this song!! (10/10)

8. Still a Rose – Bringing the long mini-album to a close is Still a Rose. It begins with a powerful sample of Vivaldi’s classic Four Seasons. I liked how the sample leads into the rest of the song, which speaks to the idea that one can always emerge as a rose following struggles and lows in life. The rest of the song falls into place, with the melodies having a clean feel. The line “A rose is still a rose” is quite catchy, as well. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

CHUNG HA’s teaser image for ALIVIO

[Album Review] BLUE PARADISE (5th Mini Album) – ZEROBASEONE

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You know the term ‘no skip albums’? BLUE PARADISE, ZEROBASEONE’s 5th mini-album, can be described by that. While no song was a knockout (i.e., 10/10 for me), all 6 songs on BLUE PARADISE are of consistently high quality, making the album suitable for the ‘no skip’ description. For those tuning in for the first time to BLUE PARADISE or needing a reminder, the mini-album was released in February of this year, led by the single BLUE and the pre-release single Doctor! Doctor!. It follows their CINEMA PARADISE and GOOD SO BAD comeback last year.

Alongside BLUE PARADISE, ZEROBASEONE also released their 1st Japanese mini-album, Prezent, led by the single Now or Never (which I haven’t reviewed yet…). More recently, the group returned in September with their 1st studio album, Never Say Never, and the single ICONIK.

BLUE PARADISE Album Cover

1. BLUE (Title Track) – Click here for BLUE’s full review. (8/10)

2. Devil Game – Two elements in Devil Game really speak to me. The first is the song’s funky and groovy instrumentation. The funky bass and the background’s textural elements are all very cool. Definitely MJ-esque. The second element, and probably the most powerful in the entire song, is the vocals. I really liked all of their delivery within Devil Game, but I am loving the clear, crisp and strong vocals in the chorus, which keeps the song engaging. I love the alluring nature of the whispers in the pre-chorus, which just keeps the interest in Devil Game up. My only gripe about the song is that it has more captivating verses – everything standalone is great within the verses, but I don’t remember much from them as a whole. (9/10)   

3. Doctor! Doctor! (Pre-release track) – Click here for Doctor! Doctor!’s full review. (8/10)

4. Out of Love – The first unit track on this mini-album features Kim Ji Woong, Zhang Hao and Kim Gyu Vin. This trio brings us Out of Love, a bold pop-rock track. It basically grabs me each time and hooks me on. The energy that comes off the instrumentation is also very satisfying and just hits all the right notes that I want out of a pop-rock track. The chorus is also super catchy, engaging me more. All three members’ vocals bring character to Out Of Love – I just wish they pushed themselves further to round out the song sonically to match the bold pop-rock vibes. (9/10)

5. Step Back – We return to the funky vibes with Step Back, courtesy of Ricky, Park Gun Wook and Han Yu Jin. I enjoyed the R&B grooviness that Step Back exudes and how the R&B side of the track gives a subtle maturity to the song that the three members pull off well. The upbeat nature also gives off a fun vibe. While strong vocals were on full display, I have to admit that Park Gun Wook’s high note at the end of the bridge surprises me each time. (9/10)

6. Cruel – The remaining members of ZEROBASEONE, Sung Han Bin, Seok Matthew and Kim Tae Rae, bring us Cruel. The track is another on the mini-album that gives us rock energy. The only difference is that the track is firmly in the rock sphere, with no other influences impacting the purity of the instrumentation. I really liked the grungy vibes that the instrumentation gives. While Cruel’s vocals aren’t the strongest in my opinion compared to the rest of the mini-album, Cruel manages to stand out thanks to the members’ rapping, as well as their fresh tones in the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

ZEROBASEONE’s teaser image for BLUE PARADISE

[Album Review] SPILL THE FEELS (12th Mini Album) – SEVENTEEN

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Next up on the album reviews front is SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini-album, SPILL THE FEELS, released in October last year. Actually, it is almost to the day the mini-album dropped! The mini-album is led by the single LOVE, MONEY, FAME, featuring DJ Khaled. In addition to LOVE, MONEY, FAME, the mini-album also features 5 additional side tracks, including Eyes On You (which also has a music video, which I completely forgot about) and 3 unit tracks. Overall, SPILL THE FEELS is another fairly strong SEVENTEEN mini-album. The title track is the mini-album’s weakest track, but the rest of the mini-album makes up for this.

Since SPILL THE FEELS, SEVENTEEN saw the debut of 2 new subunits, HxW (with 96ers) and CxM (with 5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman)) and the group comeback with the studio album HAPPY BURSTDAY (yet to be reviewed) and the title track THUNDER.

SPILL THE FEELS Album Cover

1. Eyes On You – The mini-album opens up with Eyes On You, a groovy house track. I quite like the club energy that this song exudes, as well as the freshness that the members bring to the music. S.COUPS and VERNON’s rapping really stood out, thanks to the way it contrasted with everything else in the song. As mentioned above, there is a music video for Eyes On You, and the video shows off their strong bond and friendship, no matter the circumstances they are in. (8.5/10)

2. LOVE, MONEY, FAME (ft. DJ Khaled) – Click here for LOVE, MONEY, FAME’s full review. (7/10)

3. 1 TO 13 – The next track is a wholesome one from the group, whose lyrics showcase their love for each other as a group and to their fans. It is a straightforward pop number, and the members make 1 TO 13 very comfortable and familiar. I’m just not a fan of the consistently tapping in the background, which sounds like it is coming from a laptop’s keyboard or trackpad. It was a tad distracting from that wholesome nature of the song. (8/10)  

4. Candy (사탕) – The first unit track on the mini-album is by the Vocal team (JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, WOOZI, DK and SEUNGKWAN). Candy is a ballad, featuring a beautiful, jazzy piano background (that bridge was amazing!) and stunning vocals from the team (as always). It is on the shorter side. However, the way it is executed and presented is literally short and sweet, so I have no complaints about Candy whatsoever. (10/10)

5. Rain – The Performance unit (JUN, HOSHI, THE8 and DINO) is up next with Rain, my favourite track from this mini-album. I really enjoyed the disco vibes that are exuded from Rain, and I love how it propels the song forward. I also enjoyed the charisma and seductive nature of the track, as well as the members’ delivery, which allows the unit to put their best foot forward on stage (which they do!). (10/10)

6. Water – The Hip-Hop unit (S.COUPS, WONWOO, MINGYU & VERNON) is all that remains, and they give us Water. It is a synth-heavy instrumental, and the members’ delivery of Water is shrouded in autotune. Both work well together to create a dark and edgy hip-hop track. However, I personally am not a fan of the autotune. But I can get behind the hype that the members infuse into the number. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

  • S.COUPS’ teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JEONGHAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JOSHUA’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • JUN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • HOSHI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • WONWOO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • WOOZI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • DK’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • MINGYU’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • THE8’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • SEUNGKWAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • VERNON’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
  • DINO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS

[Album Review] BORN LIKE THIS (9th Mini Album) – AB6IX

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In September last year, AB6IX made a comeback with their 9th mini-album, BORN LIKE THIS, which was led by the single NVKED. I am finally getting around to reviewing the mini-album. In addition to the lead single, 4 additional tracks feature on the mini-album. As usual, AB6IX released a solid mini-album, with perfect songs marking the start and end of the album. In addition to the title track, I highly recommend you check out these tracks at the very least on BORN LIKE THIS.

In more recent times, AB6IX made a comeback almost a year after the release of BORN LIKE THIS with their 10th mini-album and single of the same name, STUPID. I have yet to review the title track, but I will do so soon.

BORN LIKE THIS Album Cover

1. In My Vein – In My Vein is a powerful hip-hop track that kicks off the mini-album very strongly. The thumping instrumental features a really cool rhythm that appeals to me from the outset. But it is AB6IX’s vocals that stand out the strongest in the song. There is a certain sleekness and classy vibe to the vocals that brings a great deal of character and tone to the song. Similarly, the rapping was also super engaging and extends that hip-hop influence. The “I have it in my vein” hook was also super catchy. Overall, a powerful opener for the mini-album. (10/10)

2. NVKED (Title Track) – Click here for NVKED’s full review. (8/10)

3. Forever Young – Forever Young combines pop-rock with a touch of old-school hip-hop in the second verse and rap portion of the bridge. I have to say that the chorus, which features the pop rock in its purest form, was extremely satisfying. The hip-hop was nicely executed and adds a further appealing dimension to the song. Overall, a decent side track from the group. (8/10)  

4. Hurt Me – Hurt Me brings Latin-pop to the mini-album. Ideally, this influence would have brought a touch of freshness to the mini-album. However, it ultimately gets overshadowed by the percussion and synths in the chorus. Where it does shine through in Hurt Me, it definitely gives the track some life, flair, and energy. Truthfully, AB6IX continues the momentum that the Latin-pop influence brings through the percussion and synths. But the balance is off for me, and I find this to be a barrier to fully appreciating the song. (7.5/10)

5. Butterfly Effect – The mini-album started off strong and ended strongly with Butterfly Effect. I really liked the combination of the synth-pop and classical elements in Butterfly Effect. It makes for a pretty and strong background for AB6IX. The changes in tempo, from upbeat to soothing, thanks to the instrumental combination, make this track super dynamic and engaging. The best part has to be the bridge, with the classical music creating a beautiful instrumental piece. To top off Butterfly Effect, there are also stunning vocals and rapping throughout the track, as well. A great ender to this mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

BORN LIKE THIS teaser image

[Album Review] ACT (5th Mini Album) – KANG DANIEL

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A year ago, KANG DANIEL released his 5th mini-album, ACT, led by the single Electric Shock. An additional four songs are featured on the mini-album. Aside from the title track, the mini-album focuses on various EDM styles. This resulted in a very cool mini-album, featuring trendy tracks and a range of songs from KANG DANIEL as a soloist. One of the tracks also features CHUNG HA, further enticing listeners.

More recently this year, KANG DANIEL released his 6th mini-album Glow to Haze, which is led by the single Episode. I have yet to review Episode, but it will definitely get a review in the near future.

ACT Album Cover

1. Losing Myself – The mini-album kicks off with an EDM track with some really cool dubstep drums and guitar riffs, with the latter giving Losing Myself a rock-leaning influence that hits super hard. I felt that KANGDANIEL himself could have provided some more powerful vocals in the track, particularly since the instrumental does drown him out slightly. Additionally, the track is too short and ends abruptly, which disappoints me. But the direction and the energy of the track are amazing. (8.5/10)

2. Get Loose – For me, Get Loose had the potential to be a cool trap dance track. But there was something that just got in the way from Get Loose in the way of reaching its full potential – the distorted vocals featured prominently throughout Get Loose. It was great at first as a textural component, but I just stayed, and I felt this got in the way of KANGDANIEL’s vocals. And with this blocking, what felt like some cool, laid-back vocals from the soloist himself, I found it really hard to get into Get Loose overall. (7/10)    

3. Electric Shock (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Electric Shock. (6/10)

4. Come Back To Me (ft. CHUNG HA) – This all-English track brings together KANG DANIEL and CHUNG HA for such a beautiful collaboration. The pair of them sound effortless together in this single, and I find that to be a super strong aspect of Come Back To Me. The soft EDM pop instrumental was another strong aspect, with that string-like instrumental piece coming through stunningly. (9/10)

5. 9 Lives – Closing out the mini-album is 9 Lives, an uplifting song about the positive mindset of overcoming challenges. This messaging gives 9 Lives impact from the onset, but more is delivered through the music. The EDM propels the song forward, while KANG DANIEL’s husky vocals just sound so captivating. The line “Like I got 9 lives” that starts and ends the choruses was actually quite catchy and punchy, particularly as the opener to the final chorus. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

KANG DANIEL’s teaser image for ACT

[Album Review] Pleasure Shop (3rd Mini Album) – KEY (SHINee)

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Yep, I am still in 2024 with some of the album reviews. Up next is KEY’s 3rd mini-album, Pleasure Shop, which was released in September last year. The six-track mini-album is led by a track that shares the same name as the mini-album, alongside five additional tracks. With KEY at the helm of the mini-album, you know it is going to be a strong and good set of tracks, and KEY does not disappoint with Pleasure Shop. It is definitely a recommended listen from me.

More recently (say in the last month), KEY returned with his third studio album, HUNTER, led by the title track of the same name.

Pleasure Shop Album Cover

1. Pleasure Shop (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Pleasure Shop. (8/10)

2. Overthink – Overthink is probably the most intriguing single on this mini-album, instrumentally, with its really cool and sharp harp-like synth and the powerful, deep beats. While both initially felt conflicting, they somehow melded with one another to balance each other out. KEY himself manages to slide over the top of the background and join the cohesiveness that is Overthink, a definite pleaser in an aesthetic club. (10/10)  

3. Golden – This dance pop track brings out a relatively more mellow sound, following the previous track. That being said, it is still quite upbeat. Just like the title of the song, Golden has a golden aura to it that makes it feel just right as the soundtrack for a sunset on a summer day. This is amplified by KEY’s vocals, which possess a particularly warm tone. I don’t think Golden stands out as much as some of the other songs on the album, but it is a nice palette cleanser for the mini-album. (8/10)

4. I Know – I love the deep funky vibes that really make I Know’s house instrumental – I wouldn’t mind listening to an instrumental version of the track just for those vibes. KEY’s bright vocals bring a nice accent to the song, as well. However, melodically, I Know feels a bit plain for my liking, especially on this mini-album. I wish there were more to I Know’s melodies to help it stand out more. (8/10)

5. Going Up – Going Up has similar deep funky vibes in its instrumental, but KEY’s vocals are so sensually alluring in this song. The bass is so powerful in this song that my surroundings feel like they are vibrating along when I play it. The synth-pop accents in the instrumental are also so beautiful. The way the ‘Up’ in the lyrics soars upwards briefly, relatively to the rest of the song, is also very unique. (10/10)

6. Novacaine – What gets me about Novacaine is the smooth vocals that KEY delivers. This, over the drum and bass instrumental, just clicks and works perfectly with one another to create such a pleasant closer to the mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

KEY’s teaser image for Pleasure Shop

[Review] Dream Bus – DAY6

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DAY6 celebrates their 10th anniversary through the release of their fourth studio-length album, THE DECADE. Leading the album are the single INSIDE OUT and Dream Bus (focus of this post). The album follows the release of the digital single Maybe Tomorrow from earlier this year and the news that the band has re-signed with JYP Entertainment. Yay to more years with DAY6. But for now, let’s celebrate with my review of Dream Bus.

Dream Bus also tickles the DAY6 nostalgia, just like INSIDE OUT. But where INSIDE OUT felt relatively more mellow and emotionally driven, Dream Bus is more uplifting and positive in both sound and message. The song itself has been described as “a pop punk track with melodic chords”. I enjoyed the upbeat and energetic nature of the chorus, which pairs so nicely with the band’s warm vocals. You don’t need to know Korean to know that Dream Bus speaks to an encouraging and (as mentioned earlier) uplifting message. The instrumental and vocals just give off this exact feeling. I liked how the drumming and keyboard feel so pronounced in Dream Bus. The synths chosen for Dream Bus just give it such a well-rounded feeling. If you have been reading the blog for a while, it is obvious that I prefer more upbeat material. So it should be no surprise that I prefer Dream Bus over INSIDE OUT. But I love that both songs feel nostalgically DAY6.

The lyrics of Dream Bus likens the path to our dreams to a bus ride. Some of the lyrics make reference to holding onto bus handles, with the motions of the bus that causes us to sway on the bus whilst holding onto handles representing our the challenges or hurdles to get us to those dreams. In the music video, the bus is actually a caravan and the DAY6 members plays ordinary people – SUNGJIN as the carefree character, YOUNG K as the office worker, WONPIL as the curious minded and DOWOON as the young kid at heart who believes he has telekinesis superpowers (the dream). They all live and travel together, and we see pretty ordinary day-to-day interactions with one another. In the end, they stop in the midst of a meteor storm (which only WONPIL recognises). Some time after, we see DOWOON back in the caravan, successfully blowing up a pile of trash, showing us that his dreams came true. I really liked his smugness about it at the end, giving us a little comedic touch to the video.

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

[Album Review] ONF: My Identity (2nd Studio Album – Part 1) – ONF

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While we are patiently awaiting the second part of ONF’s 2nd studio album, here is my review of the first part of ONF: My Identity, which was released back in February this year. Leading the 6-track album is the title track The Stranger. Once again, ONF did not disappoint with their album release, almost reaching the same heights as last year’s mini-album release (see info below). I ranked all the tracks highly, half of which received a 10/10 from me. For more of my thoughts on the album, keep on reading.

Before the release of this album, we last saw ONF through their 8th mini-album, Beautiful Shadow, which was led by the amazingly superior Bye My Monster.

Album cover for ONF: My Identity (Part 1)

1. The Stranger (Title track) – Click here for The Stranger’s full review. (9/10)

2. Night Tale – Following the title track is Night Tale, a cool electro funk number. While the song is under 3 minutes long, Night Tale packs quite a bit into its short span and effectively uses the time to make a punchy number. I really like HYOJIN’s ad-libs at the end, as well as WYATT and E-TION’s rap/rap-speak delivery in the second verse. The rest of the members’ deliveries also appear strong. The instrumental break, particularly thanks to the retro touches, definitely makes for a worthwhile dance break – exactly what the SEUNGJUN and the group gave us when Night Tale was performed on stage. (9/10)

3. Nothing But A Stranger – Next up on the mini-album are the unit tracks, with Nothing But A Stranger from the ON Team (HYOJIN, E-TION and MINKYUN). It is an R&B track that showcases what the unit is all about – vocals. I love how dreamier the melodies of Nothing But A Stranger gets as it progresses, allowing the trio to really whisk us away with their warm and comforting vocals as the song progresses. (10/10)

4. Anti Hero – The OFF Team (SEUNGJUN, WYATT and U) takes over the album with Anti Hero. The track features a rock-based track that is definitely exciting and powerful. The rock style reminds me of TVXQ’s Red Sun. I find myself head-banging along to the choruses each time I replay the song. Their rapping and vocals are on par with the instrumentation in terms of power and intensity, with WYATT’s deeper voice put on full display during the pre-chorus sequence, and SEUNGJUN and U’s vocals working perfectly in the chorus. (10/10)

5. Good Place – Good Place is probably the most unique and intriguing track on the album (and probably in recent times in KPOP overall). It is a fun house and tropical blend track, which doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary. But it also features a cool flute synth accompaniment that just gives Good Place something different to separate it from the rest. I like how the melodies and vocals were ‘easy on the ears’, which is also channelled throughout the rest of Good Place, which makes for an intriguing listen overall. (10/10)

6. Collab – Continuing on with the upbeat vibes from the previous song is Collab, a bossa nova-influenced track. It is a more mellow and pleasant track compared to the others on the album. But it is still very bright, bouncy and has some boldness to it. I liked how pronounced their vocals and rapping were over the top of the instrumentation, and the brass elements were very appreciated. It is more on the ordinary side, however. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.3/10

ONF’s teaser image for ONF: My Identity (Part 1)