NCT DREAM’s Candy (the mini-album) was one of the last major releases of 2022. Featuring the remake of H.O.T’s Candy as the title track, Candy also featured 5 additional side tracks for the festive season. For me, this mini-album never had a dull moment and rounded out their super successful and massive year which featured the releases of Glitch Mode and Beatbox. Due to my personal lag with publishing album reviews in 2022, I ended up posting a singular album review for the entire album featuring both title tracks.
As a quick side note, despite how I started off this review above, this is not the final album review for a 2022 release which I will be posting. The final three album reviews for 2022 releases will be posted next weekend and into next week. This will mean that I will be starting album reviews for 2023 releases some time later this month.
2. Graduation – Graduation sparked concerns of the group disbanding, as the song is all about graduating to the next stage of one’s life. And I can completely understand where the concerns were coming when I read the English translation of the lyrics. However, there is no disbandment news in sight and I think NCT DREAM was gearing up for a comeback later this year. Anyhow, Graduation is a beautiful song of lovely vocals and nice rapping to express the message aforementioned. I liked how it wasn’t strictly a ballad (instead, it falls into the R&B genre), with the rapping taking over a decent portion of the song. But it doesn’t undermine the vocals, which each member contributed towards. Even some of the rappers dabbled with falsettos in the song. Overall, Graduation is the song that sticks in your mind thanks to its message and is hard to get out thanks to its execution. (10/10)
3. Tangerine Love (Favorite) – Tangerine Love (Favorite) returns to upbeat and funky vibes with its retro synthpop sound. I really like the super catchy chorus in this song, and the rapping was definitely a highlight. But again, the vocals excelled, with Haechan to member that we need to commend thanks to his high note. The synthesizer at the end was a really cool touch. (9/10)
4. Take My Breath (입김) – The choruses for Take My Breath were super striking thanks to the pounding effect of the instrumental. Similarly, I thought the way the rapping started off the song and how cool the rapping was throughout the song was another striking element of the song. Other than that, the other parts of Take My Breath made for a standard yet pleasant pop track. (8/10)
5. Moon (문) – We arrive at the ballad of this mini-album. Given that this is a Christmas theme album, this ballad is the first song to truly elicit the dreamy side of the festive scene through its instrumentation. The piano melody makes for a stunning background, while the vocals are both superb and captivating (as expected). The harmonies are amazing, as are the ad-libs. (8/10)
6. Walk With You (발자국) – We end the special mini-album on a very upbeat note. I liked the textures in this dance track and the brightness that the members bring to the song. I like how the production stayed fun and enjoyable. NCT DREAM nails the song with their usual high-quality delivery in both the vocal/rapping styles. (8/10)
Another mini-album I reviewed over the weekend was Xdinary Heroes’ second mini-album, Overload. This one features the title track Hair Cut and five other side tracks, with each track exploring the rock genre in a unique and different manner from what other Korean bands have been putting out. With their discography thus far, it is definitely looks and sounds like Xdinary Heroes is carving a niche for themselves. Released in November 2022, this is the second album review I have written for the band, the first being Hello, World (which was released in July 2022 and features the title track Test Me). And as of this week, Xdinary Heroes released their third mini-album Deadlock and the title track Freakin’ Bad. But before I review the new single, here is my take on Overload.
Overload Album Cover
1. Zzz.. (잠꼬대) – Zzz.. starts off the mini-album, with a track that goes in multiple directions (more so than the title track). But the multiple directions all give Zzz.. an intriguingness to it. There is a mix of pop rock, electronic synths and groovy undertones to this track that somehow gets glued together to create an interesting track. Xdinary Heroes delivers some pleasant and others colourful and playful vocals, which I find to be super cool and characteristic. We do finish with the same laugh that is present in the title track, bridging the first and main track on the album together. (8.5/10)
3. LUNATIC – Playful eerie vibes begin the track, before LUNATIC goes down the powerful rock route. There is head nodding potential behind this track. What I appreciate with LUNATIC is that it doesn’t go in different directions, keeping a consistency that feels refreshing following the first two songs on the mini-album. I also appreciate the charisma that the members bring to the song via their vocals, which makes LUNATIC a great listen. (8/10)
4. Crack In The Mirror – The drumming in Crack in the Mirror was amazing and definitely was my favourite element of the song. For me, it took the song places that the other instrumentation just couldn’t. Aside from that, more head nodding potential and some great vocals moments round out this song. (8/10)
5. Ghost – I found the vocals in Ghost to be really interesting. The way they dragged out the ending of each line in the chorus was quite unique and gives Ghost so much creepy character. There was also some decent rapping in this song, which I enjoyed. The instrumentals were good, but were toned down to give off a more creepy vibe, complimenting the vocal style chosen. (7/10)
6. X-MAS – X-MAS is not Christmas carol or jingle. With Xdinary Heroes at the helm, powerful rock takes over pretty quickly. The pre-choruses and bridge was a bit dreamy, and I think the band plays into the idea of a music box at the end of the choruses. But apart from that, Xdinary Heroes completely smash out the song in a non-festive way. Parts of the song felt more so like a hype song, while the guitar work stands out. Catchy melodies and hooks make the song memorable, though I wished they were a bit more colouful with their delivery, as they have been in their other songs. (8/10)
Ha Sung Woon made his comeback in August 2022 with the mini-album Strange World and the title track FOCUS (my personal pick for Best Solo Choreography (Male) of 2022 in the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards). 8 months on, I am finally reviewing the album. It was on the list of albums that I wanted to review from 2022, but was forgotten on my list (until this past weekend when I finally sat down and took another listen to write the review). Strange World and FOCUS is also Ha Sung Woon’s last comeback prior to his mandatory enlistment in the South Korean military, which he will finish up in 2024. This does mean it is unlikely we will be hearing new music from the soloist soon, so let’s have another listen to the album in the meanwhile.
2. Say Yes (어떻게 생각해?) – Say Yes is a cheerfully bright pop track that brings a smile to your face. I liked the subtle piano in the background, which helps adds a peppy vibe Say Yes. I also really liked how Ha Sung Woon presented himself in this track, especially following the more mature tone of the title track. It is no doubt that the contrast between this song and the title track is literally day and night. Maybe if it wasn’t placed behind the title track, the contrast wouldn’t be such a major thought whilst listening to the track. (8/10)
3. Baby Blue (바다) – We enter R&B territory for Baby Blue. It is a smooth track and Ha Sung Woon’s falsettos are really captivating in this track. Unfortunately, I don’t really see much else to Baby Blue that is worth commenting on. But it is still a decent listen, overall. (7/10)
4. Too Little Too Late (with JAMIE) – Too Little Too Late is another R&B track, and this one has more to talk about. The talk is all good news, as I quite enjoyed this track. The instrumental had some great character. There is also a vibrancy coming both Ha Sung Woon and JAMIE’s vocals (who both sound wonderful together and throughout the song). Their harmonies are also quite great and definitely strengthen the song. The brass in the background also helps out with making the song extra vibrant, as well. (9/10)
5. Daylight – The final song on the mini-album is Daylight, which is a really nice and pleasant ballad track. The acoustic guitar centric instrumental brings a wholesome vibe, which Ha Sung Woon reflects really well throughout the vocals. Interestingly, Ha Sung Woon employs a low and huskier tone during certain parts of the song. An interesting delivery choice, but it works tremendously well to bring that wholesome effect to life. (8.5/10)
DRIPPIN just made a comeback with the single SEVEN SINS. But before I get around to reviewing that release, I thought I should quickly push out the album review for DRIPPIN’s Villain: The End, the group’s first studio length album. It was released back in November of last year and features the single The One as the title track (and 9 other side tracks). It serves as the final part of their Villain trilogy, which features their VILLAIN and ZERO eras/comebacks, also from 2022. Overall, Villain: The End is a very strong album that once again shows the potential of DRIPPIN.
Villain: The End Album Cover
1. I.N.O – I.N.O serves as the introduction to the studio-length album. To me, this track was quite eerie. It starts off stormy, building to orchestral elements. Towards the end, I.N.O becomes more electronic based, with the final moments of the track reminding me of electric guitars, hinting a rock influence, which the title track The One and other tracks on the album ends up serving to us.
3. Silence –Silence was chosen as the follow-up track for promotions, and I think it was an excellent choice. There are a few elements that I really liked, which helps the track standout to me. Firstly, the pop rock gave Silence a very upbeat feel, whilst also packing a powerful punch. Secondly, there was also electronic synths mixed into Silence alongside the pop rock influences, which gave the track groovy undertones. Thirdly, the members did extremely well in the song, showcasing a vibrant tone in the song. Silence also has a memorable yet simple melody. I did wish for more memorable rapping in the song, which could have taken Silence to the next level. (9/10)
4. MONSTER – We enter grungier territory with MONSTER. The start of the track has so much character, and the rock influence in MONSTER has so much head-banging territory. The standout member in this song is without a doubt Alex, whose raspy/hoarsely shouts just prior to the choruses and brief rapping in the second verse is so impactful and leaves a strong impression. Together, this track definitely is an exceptional sidetrack that I really enjoyed. (10/10)
5. HOME – Taking down the album by a few notches is HOME, which serves as the album’s ballad. It isn’t one of those super emotional and tear-jerking ones, nor is it slow and stilling. Instead, HOME does feature a relatively strong chorus, which occurs due to the accumulation of piano, strings and vocals. Speaking about vocals, HOME definitely showcases strong delivery from the entire group and is definitely the showstopping element of the song. There were also some great harmonies. (8/10)
6. UTOPIA – I personally felt that UPTOPIA could have been more bombastic with a heavier presence of bass. This would have really upgraded the song for me. But as it is, UPTOPIA was still a solid track. I really liked the house style of the instrumental, and the vocals and rapping was displayed in a very consistent manner. There was a memorable yet simple melody to the song, that helped boost up its appeal. The zippy/high pitch whistle-like synth was also another memorable element of UPTOPIA. (8/10)
7. DEJA VU – Going for a sleeker vibe is DEJA VU, which I am totally digging. I liked the darker atmosphere that comes about from the instrumental. The bass does wonders to the song, while the beat brings that funky undertone to the song. The strings in the pre-choruses was a nice touch as well. The rapping adds to that sleekness, with the low and slow delivery also coming off as sensual. The vocals also elicit a mature energy, which goes hand-in-hand with the other elements in the song. Altogether, DEJA VU becomes my pick for the album’s hidden gem. (10/10)
8. ESCAPE– A funky beat and whistles make ESCAPE feel quite classy. The song had me unconsciously head bopping along as it progressed, and the whistles were hard to get out of head. The vocal work was a strong aspect of the track, with Hyeop’s clean high note and ad-libs being a highlight. The weakest aspect of the song, for me, was the second verse rap sequence. It didn’t fit in well and disrupted the flow of the song. I also wished the transition between the second chorus and bridge was a lot smoother. (8/10)
9. Champion – The very calming and atmospheric backing to the verses was a stunner in Champion. This ends up building into an atmospheric band piece for the choruses, while the rappers take the bridge into a heavy rock territory. It was a ride through different styles, but it feels cohesive. I liked the consistent and balanced approached the vocals took. Also, we heard the return of Alex’s deeper tone for his segment in the bridge, and Dongyun’s uptick in tempo for his rapping felt fitting. (8.5/10)
10. When I’m With You – The studio album ends with a pop track that sounds sweet and lovely. I liked the combination of guitar and synths in the choruses, coming together to create a very interesting but fun texture. The cheerful tone the members bring via their vocals makes me want to smile and this helps ends the 10-track album on a very positive note. (8/10)
At the end of 2022, MINHO made his long awaited solo comeback with his first mini-album ever, CHASE. This is led by the single of the exact same name, along with four additional side tracks and the single Heartbreak (which was released a year prior to this mini-album release – link in the review below). MINHO becomes the final member of SHINee to release a solo mini-album, nine years on since fellow member Taemin made his solo debut – the first SHINee member to do so. But this review is all about MINHO, so let’s see what I thought about MINHO’s solo debut mini-album.
2. Runaway (ft. Gemini) – Runaway is the song with the most substantial hip-hop influence of all on the mini-album. I really liked the smoothness of the instrumentation, which translates well to the melodies and both MINHO and Gemini’s flow in Runaway. I enjoyed the oriental influences that came off the instrumental as well. It creates a really intriguing atmosphere in the song, and the combination with the hip-hop made was a very interesting vibe. (8/10)
3. Prove It – Next up on the mini-album is Prove It. It is more of a R&B track, with a bit of groovy vibe thanks to the guitar riffs. This is further emphasized by the presence of some brass, which brings a splash to colour to the instrumental yet also maintaining Prove It’s mature exterior. Minho himself brings a lower and breathy tone to the song, which I quite enjoyed. I just wished the melodies and hooks were more memorable. (7/10)
4. Waterfall (ft. Lim Kim) – Waterfall, to me, was the mini-album’s most interesting side track. I really liked the wobble-like sound effect in the background, which mimics the idea of how water wobbles. You might also stretch out and describe as the sound of what a ripple effect in water might sound like. Either way, it is definitely a scene setter. Lim Kim’s unique vocals really bring some freshness to the song, while Minho’s showcases a higher tone in this song. Both harmonise extremely well with one another, and this creates such a harmonious yet atmospheric track to listen to. (9/10)
5. Choice – Choice brings a breezier vibe to the mini album. It is also a lot brighter, thanks to the pop direction that the R&B song takes in the chorus with the retro video game-like synths. MINHO also supplements this, by bringing a more expressive delivery through both vocals and raps present in the song. I also enjoyed the keyboard present in the song, especially during that outro, which just gives Choice a bit more colour and character. (8/10)
The next album review on the blog belongs to P1Harmony’s 5th mini-album, HARMONY: SET IN. The new mini-album was released in November and features the title track Back Down and 5 additional side tracks to round out the mini-album. This release is also the group’s 3rd release of 2022, following DISHARMONY: FIND OUT (led by Do It Like This) and HARMONY: ZERO IN (led by Doom Du Doom). So let’s see how HARMONY: SET IN stacks up against the other two mini-albums that P1Harmony has released in 2022 whilst we await news for their first comeback in 2023.
2. BFF (Best Friends Forever) – BFF comes off as a fun and bright pop dance track, all about wanting to be best friends forever (hence the title). The guitar in the background is the showstopping element in BFF that gets my attention. It brings such a funky element to the song. Paired with the brightness that the members bring via their vocals and raps, BFF is a massive hit and an enjoyable listen to me. (10/10)
3. Secret Sauce – Secret Sauce is a hybrid hip-hop track that is an interesting listen. Even until this day, I am not sure if I am a fan of the song. It is bold and different, which I am all for. But the synths in the choruses give off a screechy effect, which I find very discomforting. Vocals and rapping wise, Secret Sauce is a solid effort from the group, and I can totally hear character and profile. The synths elsewhere were quite, like in the instrumental break, an appealing aspect. It is just the background to the chorus that irks me. (7/10)
4. One and Only – The appealing aspect of One and Only, in my opinion, is the perky and powerful energy that is exuded in the choruses. It packs a punch and definitely is something I enjoy. The rest of the song follows a fun refrain, which helps make the choruses more impactful. I also commend the instrumental of the track. Trap is a sound that we often get in KPOP, but it is usually quite dry and typical. But here in One and Only, the trap elements were a fun application, and I liked the tropical vibes that were coming from the song’s melodies. (9/10)
5. Look At Me Now (태양을 삼킨 아이) – Rock takes over the mini-album in Look At Me Now. From the 808 bass and the electric guitar riffs, Look At Me Now is such a sexy application of the rock genre and P1Harmony nails this track. They really carried themselves well in this song and I can see a future for the group in the genre. Overall, Look At me Now satisfies my cravings for the rock genre, giving me exactly what I want when I hear the genre. Now if more rock songs in KPOP apply this style, but also innovating it in a way that keeps it fresh and unique, then I will be a very happy listener. (10/10)
6. Better Together (배낭여행) – Closing out the mini-album is the mid-tempo ballad. I find the song to be a nice way to ease out of the mini-album, given that is was quite a full-on listen. I like the presence of the violins and guitar riffs in Better Together, in addition to the pop vibes that come from the rest of the instrumental. Vocals and melody-wise, Better Together was very pleasant and comforting to listen to. (8/10)
KARA definitely made a splash with their reunion at the end of last year with group promotions to celebrate their 15th anniversary. MOVE AGAIN was the mini-album released at the end of November to celebrate the milestone, which features the title track WHEN I MOVE. It is also the first KARA release since 2016, following the group’s departure from DSP Media, their company at the time. In addition to the title track, the mini-album featured an additional 3 sidetracks. As KARA used to have a strong hold in the JPOP market as well, a Japanese version of the title track was also released, alongside with an additional side track that I have included in this album review, as well to celebrate KARA’s latest mini-album. Keep on reading to find out my thoughts on MOVE AGAIN and co.
MOVE AGAIN Album Cover
1. Happy Hour – Easing us into their grand return is Happy Hour. And this is a stunning mid-tempo pop track. There is a very comforting and warm feeling to Happy Hour that paints a smile on my face every time I listen to the song. This is, without any doubt, an effect of KARA’s vocals, who makes the song sound nostalgic for old fans and so so inviting for new fans. If anything, more harmonies would have strengthened this track. But as it is, it is already too good. (10/10)
3. Shout It Out – As you would expect from the title of Shout It Out, the song brings a celebratory anthem to the mini-album that keeps the energy at an incline. And this attracts me to the track. The instrumental features dance pop vibe that feels unapologetic KARA. And just like the first song on this mini-album, Shout It Out brings a smile to my face – though this is slightly different smile as I enjoy the energy and upbeatness to the track. The instrumental also keeps the song from slipping into cringy territory (which the vocals were heading in) and brings certain elements (i.e. cymbals) in at just the right times to heighten the song further. (9.5/10).
4. Oxygen – Emotions take over the mini-album through the sidetrack Oxygen. It is a ballad that you really need to stop and listen to take it all in. And I cannot help myself but do that each time I hear it. So, my thoughts will be very short. The vocals in this song are stunning and you can hear the emotional heft behind their vocals. The members are backed up with the dominant presence of acoustic guitar that I found to be soothing and captivating alongside the vocals. (9/10)
5. Queens (Japanese Album Only) – As mentioned in the introduction to this album review, Queens is featured only on the Japanese single album which WHEN I MOVE (the Japanese version) was also released on. Queens has a bit of a quirky yet fun instrumental to it. For the most part, the instrumental keeps the playful track alive alongside the presence of the subdued vocals that didn’t offer much to the song in terms of memorability. But following the second and final choruses, there are these shoutier moments that really helped liven up the track and insert some much needed energy to make Queens appealing. (7/10)
Red Velvet is the next group up for an album review over this Easter long weekend. In November 2022, the group returned the next installment of The ReVe Festival 2022 series, The ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday. The new mini-album release features the title track Birthday and four additional side tracks. The Birthday era follows the release of Feel My Rhythm and The ReVe Festival 2022 – Feel My Rhythm, which was released back in March 2022. Again, this new mini-album is a great addition to Red Velvet’s discography and has a number of standout tracks on the mini-album, which I highly recommend you listen to. To find out which ones in particular, continue on reading my album review.
2. BYE BYE – BYE BYE is without a doubt one of the strongest standouts on this mini-album. It is a R&B single, but the instrumental elements (in the form of groovy bass and a heavy beat) give it boldness which attracts attention. I know it attracted mine! The vocals are equally as good, with Wendy’s vocals in the second verse getting a massive thumbs up from me. The harmonies are to die for. There is also something very intriguing by the dragged-out delivery of the song’s title in the chorus to fit in with the infamous Für Elise melody. BYE BYE definitely is a cool listen. (10/10)
3. On A Ride (롤러코스터) – On A Ride plays into the group’s Red side with such a playful and fun instrumental. It is definitely a strong point of On A Ride. Again, solid vocals from the group. These vocals do help ground the song in my opinion, preventing the song from spiraling out of control from its instrumental. I did wish the vocal hooks were a little more impactful and memorable, just to take On A Ride to the next level. (8/10)
4. ZOOM – Red Velvet putting ZOOM on this mini-album tells me they are all about business. ZOOM is such a dramatic and memorable song. I remember falling for the song the first time listening to it, and I have enjoyed every time I have listened to the song since then. It tackles R&B, but with a very trendy groovy instrumental. ZOOM has the best showcase of the group’s vocals. I like how they play with high and low tones in the song. The prolific and plentiful hooks are also undeniably catchy. There is a lot to like in ZOOM! (10/10)
5. Celebrate – When I listen to the song and read the lyrics to Celebrate, I feel like the mini-album has come full-circle. Celebrate is a warm and inviting R&B song. Just like everywhere else on this mini-album, Red Velvet’s vocals were so strong here, especially when it came to the harmonies. The melodies were quite dreamy and flowy. The instrumentation was soft, allowing the vocals to do most of the speaking. (8/10)
ITZY also made their comeback in November 2022 with CHESHIRE, the title of both their latest title track and mini-album release. Alongside CHESHIRE, there is three side tracks on the mini-album, including the pre-release Boys Like You. Unfortunately, I have decided to not review Boys Like You in the usual spot of an International Song Reviews post due to time constraints (otherwise at the rate I am going, I might not get this particular album review for another few months). But I will definitely me sharing my thoughts on the group’s first all-English track, just like the other songs on the mini-album. CHESHIRE follows the group’s SNEAKERS and CHECKMATE mini-album release.
On a quick side note, but has JYP Entertainment given up on ITZY’s album art? The album cover below is just so plain and boring. This follows the revised album art that was release for the CHECKMATE mini-album, which I thought was rather low standard for album art.
2. Snowy – Snowy has a certain sinister vibe that comes and goes, which is thanks to the Für Elise sample that is present in Snowy’s chorus. This is further emphasized by the piano that follows the sample and the vocal tones that the members adopt. To be honest, the chorus (which contains the sample) feels more like the pre-chorus, and the “Na Na Na” segment that follows feels more like the chorus. I wished there were more obvious segmentation of the song, so that it does not feel like a blur and make the different parts more clear-cut. The sample and hooks do make the song catchy enough for me to be intrigued and like it. (8/10)
3. Freaky – I did like their vocal work in Freaky. It felt very clean and showcases their vocal capabilities. The instrumental, whilst does fall into the R&B genre, was pretty forgettable. The detailing we hear in the background was very subtle and faint, but they do have their place in making the song more interesting. Without them, Freaky would have been extremely plain and very empty/lacking. (7/10)
4. Boys Like You (Pre-Release Single) – I found Boys Like You to be a very catchy track. It feels very juvenile, almost childish. But this expected with a teen-pop song. To the point that it feels unfitting for this mini-album. But there is a bit of charm to it. I really liked the post-chorus shouty affair that follows the second and final choruses. It felt bold and showed some good control from the members part. (7.5/10)
Heads up. I will be posting one album review each day throughout the Easter long weekend – starting today and ending on next Tuesday. Song reviews will be back from Wednesday next day.
First up on this album review long weekend is VICTON’s CHOICE, the group’s 8th mini-album release since debut. The mini-album dropped mid-November 2022. and features the title track Virus and 4 sidetracks. This album release is the group’s first release as a five member group, following the departure of Chan from the group and the continued hiatus (at the time) of Seungwoo (who was serving his miltary enlistment). It also appears like CHOICE might the group’s final release for while, after two additional (Seungsik and Senjun) enlisted earlier this year. But who knows, there might be plans for a four member lineup comeback on the cards for VICTON. For now, here are my thoughts on the song’s on the CHOICE mini-album.
2. Boy Who Chases Time (시간을 달리는 소년) – I personally quite enjoyed the subdued nature of Boys Who Chases Time. There is something alluring from this energy that makes the song quite enticing and captivating. It might be the weighty feel of the song or even possible the delivery of the entire track, which the members nailed. The chorus on takes on a punkish pop vibe, which I thought sounded very cool. The guitar work in this song is superb. A strong sidetrack, indeed. (9/10)
3. Alive – Funky vibes peek through in Alive. This comes about from the presence of lo-fi beats in the verses, which keeps the subdued profile that the preceding song had. But the song progresses, Alive does becomes relatively bolder and this help creates a more riveting listen. Hanse’s rapping really stands out in Alive and infuses such a cool vibe to the verses. He brings so much character to quite an empty set of verses. Sejun and Seungsik’s vocals in the choruses were also a captivating element to the song. Another strong song from the group. (8/10)
4. Better Place – Bringing a much brighter and uplifting tone to the mini-album is Better Place. The retro electronic nature of the instrumental gives off a childish yet cute vibe. It does become quite repetitive towards the end, but that isn’t too much of a deal breaker for me. The members help overcome this by driving the song forward with their vocals/raps. I also enjoyed how the members effortlessly moulded themselves to fit the brighter style, especially since I associate the group with weightier and mature songs. (8/10)
5. Feels Good – Feels Good continues the brighter and uplifting tone. All the members had a hand in writing in this, which makes this a notable release for fans of VICTON. To me, Feels Good is a bit more standard and doesn’t evoke the same reaction that Better Place did. It is still an enjoyable listen, however. The track does feel a lot inclusive, with the members all coming together to do the cheers in the background at the end. The melodies also give off a warm vibe. (7/10)
Congratulations to Stray Kids for being voted the Best Overall Artist and Best Male Group of 2022 in the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. In addition to that Stray Kids also took home Best Stage Presence, Best Group Choreography – Male (for MANIAC), Best Electronic Song (for MANIAC) and Best International Song by a Korean Artist – Japanese (for CIRCUS). For more of the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards, click here.
It has been a long time coming, but here is the album review for MAXIDENT, Stray Kids’ 7th and their best selling release yet. I have been waiting a long time to actually sit down to review the album, but time and other things just got in the way. I have been actually been holding back on the album review segment as well, just because it didn’t feel right to proceed with the segment with listening deeper to MAXIDENT. Released back in October 2022 with CASE 143 as the title track, MAXIDENT went on to do over 2 million in album sales. And I think I read somewhere today that the album ended up being one of the best sellers globally in 2022. Massive feats for Stray Kids. In addition to CASE 143, there are 7 addition track (3 side tracks that I have reviewed in separate song reviews, 3 unit tracks and the Korean version of their Japanese single CIRCUS).
5. 3Racha – The self-titled 3Racha track by the 3Racha producing team (Bangchan, Changbin & Han) should come as no surprise for being rap-centric song. 3Racha is a super intense track with the unit rapping about their success and achievements thus far in their careers. Based on their delivery, they each really showed their rapping potential in the song. Changbin is usually the member that I focus on, but both Han and Bangchan really showed their passion and skills in this song. The ending did fizzle out the intensity and momentum that the three were hurling at us throughout the song, but it doesn’t necessarily ruin the experience as they killed it in the song overall. (8/10)
6. TASTE– Lee Know, Hyunjin and Felix takes the album down a mature turn with TASTE. I really found the smoothness and mysterious tones to TASTE were strong characteristics of the song, and this adds to the sensual energy that the song delivers – I never knew organs can sound like this. Each of the three members stand out in their own way in the song, but I think Lee Know really takes the spotlight with his vocals. Given that the trio are also the members of the DANCERACHA unit, TASTE is well-designed for the trio and lends well to feature a memorable choreography routine thanks to the presence of instrumental moments for the trio to showcase something impact on stage and the intensity of the song. (9/10)
7. Can’t Stop (나 너 좋아하나봐) – Out of the three unit tracks, Seungmin and I.N’s Can’t Stop was my favourite. You might boil it down towards me having a bias towards vocalists per my past reviews, but Can’t Stop was quite an unexpected surprised. It was a simple pop rock that sounds so cheerful and had a great feel-good vibe to it. Can’t Stop necessarily didn’t show off both VOCALRACHA’s vocal capabilities, but it was a fun listen. And that I thoroughly enjoyed. (9/10)
That promised album review that I mentioned during the week will be coming tomorrow. But before we get to that album review, I will be reviewing another album to get momentum going with the return of the album reviews. And today’s album is HIGHLIGHT’s AFTER SUNSET, the veteran group’s 4th mini-album (13th mini-album overall when including the mini-albums under their former group name B2ST). I have chosen AFTER SUNSET for review over some other albums as I did not review their earlier 2022 comeback with DAYDREAM (the group’s 4th studio album) led by the single DAYDREAM due to poor planning on my end. So I thought I make it a priority to review the group’s next album release, which happens to be AFTER SUNSET. Continue reading for my thoughts on HIGHLIGHT’s latest release.
2. PAPER CUT – Following the title track is PAPER CUT, which dabbles into the R&B genre. For a song titled after something that can be quite painful, the verses for the song were noticeably smooth. This contrasts really nicely with the relatively more explosive chorus. The synth that makes up the centre of the chorus was quite memorable, but also helps set a moody and mature tone to the song. (8/10)
3. S.I.L.Y (Say I Love You) – Dreamy vocals take over in S.I.L.Y for this pop ballad. It is a neat song, with a promising yet hidden chorus. However, even months after the album’s release, I still take a while to register that I am listening to the choruses, as there isn’t a distinct moment of transition between the verses and choruses. (7/10)
4. PRIVACY – The first thing that really grabs my attention from PRIVACY is the zippy synth that kicks off the song. I also enjoyed the bass and crunchiness of the overall instrumental. I really liked the fact that the dance track really jumps out you. Even though some might say the instrumental is of a noisy kind, the members could still be heard vividly and they really showed their style in PRIVACY. (9/10)
5. I Don’t Miss You – Final song on this mini-album is I Don’t Miss You, another R&B track. This one is more on the traditional side in pretty much all aspects. But this doesn’t make it a bad song. Matter of fact, I Don’t Miss You is still a strong showing from the members. I liked their different vocals tone throughout the track, from breathy to low to clean. The inclusion of the voicemail just before the final chorus was also quite fitting. (7.5/10)
I am finally restarting the album review segment today after taking a bit of a break from writing them as a result of the finalisation of the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards post. And with a break and the backlog that existed prior to the pause, you can imagine that I have a lot to get through. The first album to be reviewed upon this restart is WEi’s 5th mini-album release, Love Pt. 2: Passion, which was unveiled back in October of last year. This mini-album features the title track Spray (link below). It follows the release of Love. Pt. 1: First Love back in March of the same year and their Japanese debut with Maldives, which I have yet to review as well (but it is coming soon). So, let’s not delay the restart further and dig right into Love Pt. 2: Passion.
Love Pt. 2: Passion Album Cover
1. Moonlight – Starting off the mini-album is Moonlight, an inviting and wholesome pop number. It is the type of song that brings a smile to your face, thanks to the subtle sweetness that comes from both the instrumentation, melody and members’ vocals. I really liked the simplicity of the melody and I also really enjoyed the softness that the piano brings to the song, contrasting very neatly with the relatively heavier beats in this pop song. (8/10)
3. Higher Ground – Following from Spray is the impactful and powerful Higher Ground. It is without a doubt an eclectic piece with the multi-EDM, hip-hop and rock influences that make up the background, all of which comes together to create a very intense number. Personally, I did feel the choruses was a bit too shouty for my taste. But I do acknowledge that this helps increase the boldness of the track, which the members really did put their all into ensuring that Higher Ground comes off that way. (8.5/10)
4. ROSE – The oh-so-familiar Latin influence makes it comeback in ROSE. I really enjoyed how concentrated it was in the song. Alongside the hip-hop beats, ROSE actually comes off as a fun, cool and memorable number. The members did a great job of embracing the Latin flair, which makes ROSE an even better song. The rappers, in particular, really impressed me in this track. (9/10)
5. Special Holiday – More smiles are plastered to my face when I listen to Special Holiday. It is pretty much your standard pop track. There isn’t anything new in the song that makes me go wow, but I did like the cheerfully expressive tone the members brought to the song through their vocals. There was also a peppy energy to the song that helped make the stand out a bit. (7/10)
6. Umbrella (우산) – Umbrella follows on neatly from the previous track with its softer pop approach to close out the mini-album. Relatively, it is still fairly upbeat and I can imagine an endearing choreography routine to the song, as a result. I liked the heavier prominence of the piano in the instrumental, which was a delightful aspect of the song. The vocals and rapping were very nice and felt quite wholesome. (8/10)
Another album review! This time, it is for CRAVITY’s 4th mini-album, NEW WAVE, which was released at the end of September 2022. It features the title track PARTY ROCK and the pre-release all English single Boogie Woogie. Overall, this was a fun mini-album, with the group showing off their youthful and energetic charms in both the title track and throughout the mini-album. I did think the release would have been more fitting as a actual Summer release (and not a mid-Autumn release, which was when NEW WAVE actually dropped in Korea). However, I live in the other hemisphere and the mini-album release came at a no better time as the weather was warming up and the energy that is given off this mini-album definitely fits better with the warmer season where you crave energy and a fun vibe. Anyhow, before I keep going on my life, check out my album review for CRAVITY’s NEW WAVE.
NEW WAVE Album Cover
1. Boogie Woogie (Pre-Release Single) – A month prior to the release of NEW WAVE, CRAVITY pre-released the group’s first all-English single, Boogie Woogie. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to review Boogie Woogie yet (I had every intention to do so, but I keep on shelving the ISR segment various reasons on my end). It is a pop dance track that delves into bright and colourful territory. It is upbeat and super fun. I just wished the song explored the funky and groovy elements of the song more, just to give Boogie Woogie some extra appealing points and pull on the audience. (8/10)
3. New Addiction – New Addiction taps into crunchy EDM territory with a vivid pop flair. The vocals in New Addiction were super good, especially during the pre-choruses, while the rapping definitely helped hype up the song. Melody-wise, I think the song had promise. On the matter of the hooks, however, I felt they were somewhat lacking. That guitar solo during the bridge was awesome, and added a nice intensity to the song whilst also adding something different to the mix of EDM we get in New Addiction. (9/10)
4. AUTOMATIC – AUTOMATIC stays within the realm of EDM, with an even more textured synth line than before. The touch of piano between the pre-choruses and choruses (and in the background of the choruses) adds a classy touch. It was very brief, but it was my favourite part of the song. I felt the melody line was also good, and the rapping felt very sleek and sensual in the song. The raspy vocals were also a fitting touch to the song. The bridge was a surprising twist, smoothing out the instrumental. It is a very strong contrast, but it was one that fits into the bigger picture that is AUTOMATIC quite well. (9/10)
5. Colorful – Colorful features breezy moments during its tropical/moombahton instrumentation, making it an ideal song for the warmer season period that the mini-album was released in. I quite enjoyed the “wide reaching” style of vocals Colorful had. It just gives the song a bit of depth. The rap-line really shined during their parts. Unfortunately, the melody and hooks were a bit ordinary for my liking. I wished they were a bit more vibrant. (7/10)
6. Knock Knock – Knock Knock doesn’t feature intensity as like in the previous songs. Instead, you could describe Knock Knock as a softer track in a way (relative to the other tracks on the mini-album). That being said, Knock Knock is still firmly part of the electronic side of music that we have heard earlier on the mini-album. I liked the stylish and bouncy feel of the house instrumentation. The vocal work and melodies were pleasant and a strong aspect of the song. Unlike the other songs, however, the rappers didn’t shine as much, which is a disappointment. As the song still falls into EDM territory, there was room for the rappers to go in hard and bring some contrast and roughness to the song. (8/10)
Also flagged early last week, I would be fast-tracking (depending on which album you are looking at) the album review for 2 Baddies and Ay-Yo, NCT 127’s 4th studio album and the repackaged version of the same album, respectively. Both albums features the title track of the same name (links below) and a total of 13 additional tracks. 2 of these 13 additional tracks were added to the album as part of the repackaged version, which dropped on 30 January 2023. The original version of the album, 2 Baddies, dropped back in September 2022. This 4th album is another strong display from the group and there are a few 10/10 tracks on the album. Find out which tracks I am talking about, and my thoughts on the entire album and the repackaged version below. I fear if I continue waffling on in this intro (as I am doing now), this album review will never see the light or day (at least until next weekend).
2. Faster– Faster served as the opening track for the 2 Baddies version of the album. And it was a great start. Faster is loaded with energy, but it is all delivered in a subtle manner. And that is what I really enjoyed about the song, as it is all quite unsuspecting. I really liked the minimalist hook to the song, which is an add on to that subtle touch. Elsewhere, there was powerful bass to the song that just heightens everything else and acts as a solid base to the song. The members brought texture to the song via their rapping and there were some growling to bring forth an aggressive side to Faster. The car sounds in the background were also a cool touch to the song. (9/10)
4. Time Lapse – A mid-tempo R&B track follows the title track. I am not entirely fond of the electronic start. It is another case of an intro that adds no value to the song. The electronic elements do appear in the song, but I don’t think that justifies the start. Aside from that, Time Lapse was a satisfying track. I did want more of a backing during the choruses to give the song a bit more substance. It felt a tad empty, in my opinion and there wasn’t anything for the vocals to anchor themselves to. Talking about vocals, it was Time Lapse’s wining element. I really liked how the vocals and harmonies pull you in and captivate you, especially during the chorus where all the members sung together. (7/10)
5. DJ – DJ is one of the new tracks added to the album alongside the release of Ay-Yo. I really liked the jazzy vibes that this track has. It brought a smile to my face. You can say the exact same thing with the energy that the members put into this song. DJ also stands out for me for its balance between vocals and raps. NCT 127 tends to be geared towards the rap, as they are hip-hop dance genre type of group based on their choreography. However, I really liked the pleasant nature and the bigger presence the vocalists had in the song, whilst the rapping gives DJ a nice boost of enthusiasm and makes it feels like a NCT 127 release. (8.5/10)
6. Crash Landing (불시착) – Crash Landing brings about a nice balance between hip-hop and R&B. I liked how the percussion was used, giving off mini/soft punches in the instrumental. The twinkling like synth that starts off the song and makes its presence known by repeating in the background was quite intriguing. Again, the vocalists flourish in this song, with their smooth vocal delivery during their parts and the simple R&B melody that they brought to life in Crash Landing. And I liked how the rapping also stood out with the chanting in the chorus and how they made the rappers made themselves known in the second verses. (8/10)
7. Designer – Designer starts off like any other NCT 127 song, where the synths here hinted at some badass and possibly tough and powerful. But the song, very shortly after the opening second of the song, breaks down into a much gentler song thanks to the twinkling percussion and a more mellow approach to vocals and raps. The union of vocals in the chorus was a highlight in my book for Designer. I like how the raps still had a rough exterior to them, which keeps the song feeling like an NCT 127 track. I also enjoyed the change in momentum for the bridge. Come to the think of it, the cohesiveness of Designer is definitely a standout element of the track. (9/10)
8. Gold Dust (윤슬) – Doyoung and Jaehyun’s acapella (with slight autotuning) was an impressive start and end to Gold Dust, respectively. The R&B ballad continued with a very minimalistic approach to the instrumentation, allowing the vocals for NCT 127 to really stand out and be the main driver of the song. The melodies were wonderful and so charming. The rappers kept a low profile during their segments, but still had enough kick to make themselves known in the song. I really liked the way Mark built up the song in the bridge and Doyoung carried on the momentum effortlessly in the bridge. Everything in this track oozed a golden tone to it, which makes perfect sense give the title of the song. (10/10)
9. Black Clouds (흑백 영화) – Black Clouds is another track I am impressed with. This is a more vocally driven track, with Black Clouds gearing towards a pop/R&B style ballad. That being said, Mark and Taeyong’s rapping does fit into the track really well. This is thanks to what sounded more like a band instrumental that brings a good beat and substantial definition to the song. I really like it when the members all sing together, especially for the “Rain, Rain Up in my head” post-chorus hook. The melodies in Black Cloud also made is a super easy listen, which I really enjoyed. (10/10)
10. Playback– I am not fond of the metallic percussive synth that appears in the instrumental. While it has it charm and is quite playful, it is quite jarring and sticks out like a sore thumb in my opinion. Its presence, no matter how hard I try to suppress any thoughts about it, just distracts me from the other elements of Playback. Though what I could make out in Playback were playful melodies and neat vocals. The slight buffering at the end of the bridge was cool (I honestly thought my internet was down at that point for a brief second). (6/10)
11. Skyscraper (마천루) – Skyscraper is the album’s most loaded and intense hip-hop affair on the album. It is the third new song added to the repackaged album. It definitely adds a blast (and more!) of energy to the album’s tracklist. I really liked how the powerful side of the group is shown in Skyscraper, in both vocals and rapping. I did think the song could have used a more innovative instrumental. Add in some electric guitars and unfamiliar synths that brings a whole lot more texture to the song. This way, Skyscraper could have stood out and been an alternative title track choice. (8/10)
12. Tasty (貘) – Tasty is a cool track, bringing together hip-hop and EDM. A typical combination for NCT 127, but Tasty overlooks that. I liked the descending rhythm the track had and how the vocals contributed to the rapping in this song. I also found a lot of the rapping to be alluring and tempting (i.e., the deep ‘So Tasty’ we get in the chorus). Tasty had some really strong hooks that is constantly replaying in my head and I liked the intensification of the EDM for the dance break. It was an unexpected amplification that just emphasized that cool factor. (10/10)
13. Vitamin – Vitamin brings forth a funky tone to the album, reminiscent of the 90s. The hook was super catchy and definitely concentrates NCT 127’s hip-hop presence quite well. The addition of brass for the final chorus was a very welcomed and logical addition for this song. Elsewhere, I think the song could have used some extra work. But Vitamin is definitely a strong song, nonetheless. (8/10)
14. LOL (Laugh-Out-Loud) – The brass makes a return and has a heavier presence in this upbeat and funky pop dance track. I liked the feel-good vibes of this song and how pleasant the vocals and rapping sound in the track. LOL is not the most memorable track on this album, but it is the album’s most brightest and vibrant track. (8/10)
15. 1, 2, 7 (Time Stops) –1, 2, 7 ends off both the 2 Baddies and Ay-Yo album and also has an accompanying music video. I really enjoyed the groovy undertones overall smoothness of the track. You can also feel the sweetness behind the members and their voices. It all makes for another pleasant track. And a nice one to ease out of this album, as well. Mark and Taeyong’s rapping in this song is also a fun sequence in the song. (8.5/10)
As flagged a few days back, I will be posting the album review for ANTIFRAGILE, LE SSERAFIM’s second mini-album since their widely successful and catchy debut with FEARLESS (both the title of their first mini-album and debut title track). Only one song review stood in the way of publishing this album review (i.e. side track Impurities). But with that review posted on Thursday (link below) and I reviewed ANTIFRAGILE (the group’s most recent title track, link also below) back around when it was first released in October 2022, it is time for me to post my album review for ANTIFRAGILE. Their new mini-album is miles away from the standard set by FEARLESS, which I had described as ‘fair’ at the time of review. There are a few nice gems on this new mini-album, so keep on reading to find out which song(s) I am referring to and to check out the improved mini-album release that belongs to LE SSERAFIM.
ANTIFRAGILE Album Cover
1. The Hydra – Through The Hydra, we get an EDM introductory track. It was a very cool single with the members narrating in their respective languages (Korean, English and Japanese) about being antifragile (which leads into the title track that follows). It is definitely very trendy and the instrumentation has such a sense of confidence and sassiness that I find to be very memorable. (9/10)
4. No Celestial – Bringing pop rock to the mini-album is No Celestial. This style of pop rock is reminiscent of early 2000s pop rock and is another cool track on this mini-album. LE SSERAFIM doesn’t hold back in the song, throwing the F-word at us throughout the track without any consequence and giving us what I would describe as a powerful chorus that is just a vibe. Their vocals were superb throughout. All this praise means No Celestial is my recommended side track from this mini-album. (10/10)
5. Good Parts (when the quality is bad but I am) – Ending the mini-album is Good Parts, which is a much softer pop track. Just from the tone and vocal delivery, this song expresses a more vulnerable message to the audience. I really liked the harmonies in the song, the velvety instrumentation and the melodies were really soothing and touching. I also like how Good Parts manage to show a different colour to LE SSERAFIM, indicating their potential and range. (8.5/10)
KPOPREVIEWED 