The album review that I was supposed to post last weekend (which ended up being delayed to Monday and then Wednesday) was for DRIPPIN’s third mini-album, VILLAIN. It is also another January release (only three months behind now, no biggie). The mini-album features the title track that shares the same name as the mini-album, an introductory track and four side tracks.
VILLAIN is the first time I am covering DRIPPIN in the album review segment. I remember vetting the album way back in January to see whether I should write an album review for it, and it got my attention then (that explains the existence of this album review). While my excitement for the album and its track has probably evaporated over the last three months, I am still keen on looking at new artists in segments. Furthermore, one of the songs on the album earns a 10/10 rating from me. Keep on reading to find out which one!
VILLAIN Album Cover
1. 7Villaz – DRIPPIN sets the tone for this mini-album with the super intense and powerful intro EDM track, 7Vilaz. It contains samples of the title track’s main hook in the background, which is a nice way to tie the intro to the title track (which is next up on the album). It has been a while since I heard some I was describe as high octane, so this is quite a fulfilling piece. (8/10)
3. Switch – Switch continues on from VILLAIN with a groovier instrumental. If I had to describe it in a particular way, I would say that Switch’s instrumental sounded almost ‘retro sci-fi like’. There is also a familiarity with Switch’s background. Aside from that, Switch had a lot of good energy and momentum, which makes it is a very satisfying side track. In addition to that, you have solid vocals and rapping from the members. My favourite parts have to be pre-choruses and the brief rap sequence at the end of the bridge that starts off with the line ‘Break the rules’. Both were memorable manners of delivery, in my opinion. (9/10)
4. SHY – The album mellows out a bit with SHY. To me, it sounds like a nice summery track that sounds sweet and cheerful. There were a few good hooks in the song that helped make SHY pleasant and enjoyable. It isn’t the most amazing track on the album (it is more so typical), but still a decent listen. (7/10)
5. Delusion – Delusion is my pick for best side on this album release. The intensity that comes from this track is one reason (and leads into the next). Another reason is that when I listen to this song, I am picturing an action-based story music video would be the ideal accompaniment to the song. Furthermore, I liked the consistent vocals in Delusion, which brought forth an emotive side to the song. I found that quite interesting and I am all for it, as it has impact. (10/10)
6. Remember – The album ends with another summery sounding track, thanks to the tropical elements of Remember’s instrumentation. Its upbeat and quite satisfying to listen to. Like the other summery track on this album, Remember isn’t as memorable as the other side tracks on the album. I wished it (and SHY) was released on a separate summer album, that way the song would feel more ‘at home’ and give way for DRIPPIN to deliver a more consistent album. (7.5/10)
Next up on the album review front is YENA’s solo debut mini-album, creatively titled as x‿x (SMiLEY). It features the title track SMILEY (which features soloist BIBI) and dropped on 18 January 2022. There are four additional side tracks on this album, as well. This release is YENA’s biggest promotion (to date) following the disbandment of IZ*ONE in early 2021.
Overall, another strong album release, this time for a solo debut. It is already led by the amazing title track, SMILEY, which you can read the full review below. And the additional four side tracks definitely showcase more of YENA’s potential as a solo artist going into the future. I can’t wait to see what new tracks YENA will comeback with in the future! Until then, here is my album review for x‿x (SMiLEY).
PS. The second album review that was supposed to come out today will be delayed until tomorrow. 🙂
x‿x SMiLEY Album Cover
1. Before Anyone Else – Starting off her first mini-album is a ballad. Usually, the ballads are kept towards the second half or ends of an album, and I can see why that is the case with this song. Personally, Before Anyone Else isn’t my cup of tea, simply because it a fairly slow ballad. I like my fair share of ballads, but this one didn’t have too much going on in it and felt too consistent from start to end. And it also started off the album in a pretty sluggish manner. Despite that, the ballad did what ballads do best – that is showcase the vocals. And Before Anyone Else did just that, with Yena coming off as dreamy and soothing throughout this song. (7/10)
3. LxxK 2 U –LxxK 2 U continues the rock sound from the title track, combining it with pop. The chorus was extremely memorable thanks to the melody and the energy that comes off it (head-banging in a way). What really stood out to me in Lxxk 2 U was how the rock element complimented YENA, never overpowering or overstepping the artist. Even during the bridge where we got angsty YENA, the intensity of the autotune and rock increased sufficiently to give off that angsty vibe but keep it within the wheelhouse of YENA herself. Compared to the rest of the song, the bridge was a bit of a curveball, but it managed to work without departing too far from the rest of Lxxk 2 U. (10/10)
4. PRETTY BOYS – PRETTY BOYS almost comes in as my favourite side track on this album (potentially a tie with Lxxk 2 U), but narrowly misses out. I really like the funky vibes from this track and the retro direction that the instrumental took. It is pretty much on point with what else is going in the industry at the moment. The repetitive hooks throughout PRETTY BOYS really made the song catchy for me. Combine that with the energy of the upbeat instrumental, you have a winning formula. However, when it came to her raps in this song, I wished the instrumental concentrated slightly, just to give those raps a bit more zing in this already upbeat track. (9/10)
5. VACAY – The album ends of with a fairly straight forward pop track. There is some good energy that comes from this track that reminds me of Summer, and I think this is a great song to have on repeat during those incoming hot months (for you Northern Hemisphere people). One thing that I haven’t yet commended YENA on for are her high pitch vocals. And while she does extremely well with them throughout the album, VACAY really showed off her tone and control. I also like how she manages to portray that summer energy in her voice as well. (8/10)
I am now back with the album reviews after an intermission last week to focus on the remaining songs from last week’s wave of comebacks. I am hoping to get another two album review out tomorrow, but I Today’s focus is on AB6IX’s Complete With You, which is a special album release. It features the title track 1, 2, 3 and was released mid-January. It also features four solo songs from each of the members. A similar album full of solo releases from AB6IX dropped in 2019, 5NALLY, which I have reviewed if you want to check out other solo songs from the AB6IX members. I regard that album to be the AB6IX’s first special album, making Complete With You their second special album release since debut.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the review, you will notice a ‘recommended’ sticker has been added to this review. That sticker is there to show that I recommend this album (and any other album with the sticker) to everyone out there, as the album is of a high calibre and shouldn’t be missed. That essentially is what I think of Complete With You. The individual solo tracks on this album each showcase the strengths of each members and I was extremely satisfied whilst listening to the album. Even the title track was quite enjoyable and catchy, even after many weeks after its release! Do you agree with me? Let me know in the comments section below!
2. VENUS (Kim Donghyun Solo) – VENUS is an ultra-smooth R&B track that just captivates. There are very strong sensual vibes throughout this song thanks to the instrumentation. Very different to his solo song from the 5NALLY album. In particular, I really enjoyed the guitar work in this song for highlighting those sensual vibes I just mentioned. Donghyun’s vocals also sleek and fits the sensual nature of this song very well. His rapping was also a nice treat, adding another dimension and powerful energy to Venus through its autotuned and roughened texture. Definitely a standout on this album. (10/10)
3. CONSOLATION (위로) (Park Woojin Solo) – It comes as no surprise to me that Park Woojin’s solo song would delve into the hip-hop genre. CONSOLATION’s flow is definitely the standout feature of this song and it showcases Park Woojin’s rapping skillset in a very strong limelight. I felt as if Woojin did not take a breath in this track and consistently delivered his lines without hardly a break! I liked how the instrumental of CONSOLATION kept a low profile (almost a fast-ish tempo lo-fi featuring a squeaky synth, which I did not mind) throughout, allowing the focus to be purely on Park Woojin. (8.5/10)
4. CRAZY LOVE(Jeon Woong Solo)– Aside from the title track, CRAZY LOVE is the other upbeat track on this album. It is more consistent from start to end and could have benefited from more variety within itself. The R&B instrumentation felt very ‘rinse and repeat’ to me. But what really saves CRAZY LOVE are the melodies that formed up the chorus. To me, they had a memorable and appealing ring to it, which made it very enjoyable and satisfying. Woong’s vocals also had this raspy approach, which added some additional depth to the song. (8.5/10)
5. IN YOUR EYES (너의 눈에 내가 보여서)(Lee Dae Hwi Solo) – Finishing up the solo tracks and the album is Lee Dae Hwi with IN YOUR EYES. The song takes the form of a ballad. What stands out in IN YOUR EYES are Lee Dae Hwi’s vocals. He sounds so soothing and definitely delivered the emotions that is being conveyed in the vocals. The melodies utilise Lee Dae Hwi’s vocals so well, adding extra sway to the song. The electric guitar to the song was also a nice touch, adding a bit of flair to the song. (9/10)
As promised yesterday, an album review just before 6PM KST. Why specifically before 6PM KST today? Well, that is when the comebacks for the second half of the month begin and I have previously mentioned that this second half of the month is going to get crazy. Anyhow, the album review is for ONEWE’s fourth mini-album, Planet Nine: Voyager. It was released 4 January 2022 and features the title track Universe_ that also dropped on the same day.
Not to spoil this album review, but it is already the highest rated album of the year for me. Now, that isn’t saying much given that we are only in the third month of 2022. But, based on past experience, the high rating Planet Nine: Voyager has received is actually in the range of being one of the highest rated albums ever reviewed! And if this high rating is an indication of anything, it is definitely the high praises I give it. Let me know if you agree with my thoughts for the overall mini-album and tracks below!
2. Envision_ (우물 속 작은 아이) – Envision_ takes the form of a pop rock ballad that I would describe as ethereal. The paced nature and atmosphere created by the instrumentation was just stunning and an excellent backdrop to this song. The drums added that perfect amount of punch to the song to keep it from drifting away or being repetitive. The vocals were extremely complimentary to the instrumentals and the melodies gave the pop rock ballad that swayable effect I personally love in ballads. I personally cannot find any issues with this song based on my personal taste. (10/10)
3. Montage_ (꿈속에서 놓친 너, 옅은 잠결에 흐르길) – Montage_ goes for a much more intense profile that instantly appeals to me. It is the side track that really spoke to me when I was vetting the album to see if it was worth reviewing (spoiler: it definitely was worth reviewing!). This is thanks to the rock elements in the instrumental. The solo guitar moments and the intensity brought on by the drums for the final chorus all made this song top notch as well. As for the vocals, I liked how controlled and balanced the members kept themselves throughout the song. The opening melodies for the chorus were also stunning. (10/10)
4. Trigger_ (시발점) – Trigger_ also instantly stands out for the smooth vocals and piano melody in the verses. It definitely got a few ‘oohs and aahs’ from me. Elsewhere, Trigger_ is an interesting song, opting for various textures and influences. We get a bit of elegant balladry, rock intensity and hip-hop styled rap in it. Together, they are mashed to create a track that somehow clicks. I did think the rock elements could have gone a bit harder, just so they can be more pronounced. But Trigger_ undoubtedly works. (9/10)
5. Orbit_ (궤도) – Orbit_ leads us back into ballad territory, but the song is much more than just a typical ballad. It may not be as groundbreaking as the previous tracks on this album, but Orbit_ is beautifully executed (as is the case with every other ONEWE song). The acoustic guitars really set the tone, while the subtler rock influences allow the song to expand further than just ballad territory. The vocal work is also very beautiful and a delight to listen to. (8.5/10)
6. From_ (선물할게요) – The final song on the album is a straight-up ballad. We do get a bit of inclination from the instrumental that enables the presence of rock influences, but I feel that From_ never really departs from its ballad roots. What makes From_ a stunning end to the album are the vocals and harmonies, which creates a soothing and likeable atmosphere to end the album with. I found myself drifting away as I was captivated by the members. My only disappointment with this track is that it is simply the end of the album. (9/10)
Next to get an album review is UP10TION, for their 10th mini-album, Novella. This was released on 3 January 2022, the same day in which their title track Crazy About You also dropped. Like their most recent comeback (SPIN OFF), this one featured only seven members with Kim Woo Seok and Lee Jin Hyuk sitting out due to solo promotions (and their solo careers, while member Jinhoo is currently serving in the military.
Novella is another really strong album release that I should have covered earlier in the year. Unfortunately, their comeback has since fallen off my radar and I won’t be surprised if it has fallen off other people’s radars, as well (it seems to be the usual occurrence a few weeks after an UP10TION comeback). So it is nice to get it back on my radar through this album review and I hope that this album review is a nice reminder that UP10TION made a comeback earlier in the year! Maybe you will even find another favourite song somewhere on this album. Continue reading to see my thoughts on the album!
Novella Album Cover
1. Give Love – Starting off Novella is Give Love, which I can best describe as a stylish beginning to the mini-album. Give Love dips into the deep house genre, creating a very sleek and elegant profile. The piano that kicks off the song and reappears throughout the song really emphasized this, as well. The chorus, which reverts Give Love into a dance track briefly, had great energy. The synergy between the deep house and dance sides of the track is quite cool. I also really enjoyed the vocals and rapping in Give Love, which had some pop and (like the other elements) all contributed to the sleek/elegant nature of the song. (8.5/10)
3. PANDORA – PANDORA has some dark energy that I am totally down for. It’s their strongest track on this album, both in terms of energy and execution. This also would have been a cool title track (my mind is whirling with different dark concepts – for some reason, the medieval era jumped into my mind), as well! I enjoyed the dramatic and intense flair that PANDORA had. The whistle was pretty cool, and I liked it as a bit of a centrepiece in the instrumental. The members really came through with their vocals and rapping, all showing intensity and power behind their delivery. (10/10)
4. Incredible (설레 (雪來)) – Despite it opting for funky and groovy sound that has dominated KPOP for a while now, Incredible somehow comes off as quite fresh. Not sure how, but it just does. Incredible has this bright tone that I enjoyed and I also found the vocals to be quite vibrant. On the other hand, the rappers ground the track with their deeper rapping tones, which added maturity. (9/10)
5. FALL – FALL is a pleasant track on this album. It comes to life thanks to pop band instrumentation that makes for a nice background piece. It isn’t too heavy or too light, opting for a nice balance that I personally find likeable. I like how most of the vocals glide over the instrumentation, while other members, like the rappers, brought a raspy tone to FALL (which compliments the use of the band instrumentation quite well). The melodies were also quite nice, helping bring some emotional heft to the song. (8/10)
6. SAD ENDING – Finishing off the album is SAD ENDING. It is quite a somber end to the album, based on its tone and title. But it is a nice display of UP10TION’s vocals, especially with its straightforward execution and delivery. The melodies were really nice. I like the R&B instrumentation, especially with the guitar in the background. The entire instrumental gives off a delicate feel, which compliments the vocal tone of the song. I just found it to be the least interesting side track on this album. (7/10)
Next up on the album review trail is is MIRAE’s third mini-album, MARVELOUS. Featured on the album is the title track that shares the same name as the mini-album and also five other new tracks. This album dropped in the second week of January, more specifically on 12 January 2022.
This album is centred heavily on the pop genre. The first half of the album was very strong and really showcased MIRAE. The second half faltered slightly, but it still contributed to an enjoyable album overall. Let me know which song was your favourite and whether you agree with my thoughts below for each Keep on reading for my thoughts on each song, along with Marvelous’s full review (the title track, that is). Let me know if you agree or disagree with me in the comments section below.
MARVELOUS Album Cover
1. Future Land – Future Land starts off the album by swinging with a hip-hop infused funk sound. It is an impressive track as it kicks the whole album with a very energetic and positive note. The funky sound brings a fun vibe to the song that I just want to go back to. The rappers, which dominate the likes of Future Land, really nail their parts in the verses/choruses and helps bring that hip-hop side to life. The vocalists come off strong just as well as the rappers, just they don’t get much of the bright limelight. I wished the final chorus was a bit more concentrated, just to give us that ‘icing on the cake’ effect at the end. (9/10)
3. JUICE – I found JUICE to be a such a clean track. It delves into the pop genre, which I find the members and producers to have nailed perfectly. I like the slightly funky tinge the guitars brought to the song. The melodies and hooks were very catchy, while the rapping and vocals were executed perfectly and I had no issues with them. My only complaint about JUICE was about how it was over so soon (just under the 3 minute mark). But when I think back in retrospect, maybe that was intentional to make JUICE succinct and hence super effective. (10/10)
4. Final Cut – Final Cut sounds like it could have been a very edgy track title. But instead, Final Cut has a summer holiday vibe, with a lot of its instrumental reminding me of descriptive words such as ‘tropical’ and ‘island getaway’. TWICE’s Alcohol-Free also popped into my mind whilst listening to the song. Aside from that mismatch expectation, Final Cut was a decent track, with enjoyable melodies and a bright profile. (7.5/10)
5. Amazing (소름) – Amazing is another promising track on this album. It delves into the pop genre once again. There were pleasant melodies. The vocals and rapping are pretty good. Everything compliments each other very well. Unfortunately, Amazing doesn’t stand out as much on this album to me because I felt the song was somewhat under-developed in comparison to the other side tracks on this album. I guess it could be the typical and standard aura that comes off it, but I also felt the those mentioned elements (instrumental, vocals and rapping) all could have gone further. (7/10)
6. Dear My Friend (일곱페이지) – The line ‘You are my friend, my friend’ is quite a memorable one. The album ends with Dear My Friend. It is a lot more mellow and wholesome sounding, which makes senses based on the vocals. I liked the mixture of vocals and rapping in this song, along with the synths in the instrumental. Everything comes together to create a pleasant end to the album. (8/10)
The next album from the current year to be reviewed is P1Harmony’s third mini-album, DISHARMONY: FIND OUT, which dropped on the 3rd of January 2022. It was the group’s first comeback in almost a year, following the title track Scared and their second mini-album, DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT (which I did not write an album review for).
I was a bit on the fence of writing this particular album review, given that it is two months after its release. The deciding factor came to me when I listened to the album earlier in the week (to help pick the next few albums to be reviewed). I had some good thoughts about each of the songs and there was also a standout song on here in the midst of all the good thoughts I had. So, I decided I would write an album review for DISHARMONY: FIND OUT, and share the album around, just in case you didn’t check it out already. Hope you enjoy the album, as well!
2. That’$ Money – Following the title track is That’$ Money, which is a hip-hop track that packs a punch. I find this song to be extremely effective on all fronts. The instrumental had really strong rhythm. Subtle at first, but it ended up developing into the main pull to the song. The chanty line that kicked off the song, which ended up being That’$ Money’s main hook, was extremely catchy and memorable. The members also sounded amazing in this song, with their delivery adding a dynamic touch to the song. (9/10)
3. Follow Me – Follow Me also had a strong sense of rhythm during the verses. The momentum gave the song a powerful aura that I could not get enough of. But what really got me was the explosive chorus, which takes on a powerful EDM drop. Piecing the verses and chorus together, you get a very driven track. Unfortunately, everything else felt weak in comparison. It isn’t disappointing, but the other elements within Follow Me could have been more developed to be on par with the momentum of the instrumental. (8/10)
4. Bop – Compared to the two previous side tracks, Bop relies more on the members than the instrumental. The instrumental was good, but it isn’t as dynamic as in That’$ Money or Follow Me. The members did a good job of holding ground for Bop, with a lot of the delivery tweaked to be smooth to compliment the instrumental. I also enjoyed the subtleness of the instrumental elements, for example, the backing harmonies. But it isn’t an as memorable track (both musically, lyrically and delivery), as per the other tracks, which reduces its appeal for me. (7/10)
5. Before The Dawn – P1Harmony has aligned more so with the hip-hop genre, so their rappers naturally are shown off more often. But Before The Dawn flips that, with the vocalists being the main stars in this song (despite the rappers taking bulk of the song). When I listen to Break The Dawn, particularly the vocal sections (i.e. vocal delivery, melodies etc.), I can’t help but think that this song could have gone miles in the Western industry. It just has this Western feel to it that makes it so promising. The rapping, even though are the shiny centre of the track, backs up the vocals and my thought on how good the song could be in the Western industry. (10/10)
6. Peacemaker – Peacemaker is a pop ballad that has very warm and hopeful lyrics. And the same thing can be said about the song. In addition to that, I also find it to be quite a wholesome to end the album with. Its placement and presence seem a bit typical, but it was nice nonetheless. Once again, the vocals shine brightly in this song. But the rappers do a great job with their parts as well. (8/10)
Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10
Do It Like This / DISHARMONY: FIND OUT Teaser Image
Finally, the first album review for an album released in 2022. I am only two months behind. Of course, I start off with the first major release of the year, that is Kep1er’s debut mini-album, FIRST IMPACT. For those who missed Kep1er’s debut, they began their careers on 3 January 2022 with WA DA DA. This followed a slight delay due to some of the members testing positive to COVID-19 in December 2021, just before their original debut date. FIRST IMPACT also features two new original tracks, and three tracks from Girls Planet 999, the show in which they were formed from. I didn’t pay attention to the survival show when it first aired in early 2021, so I am not familiar with the songs from Girls Planet 999 apart from O.O.O when it was first released.
Overall a fair album to kick off their careers. I do hope that the quality of their subsequent comeback tracks have more impact and this is reflected throughout the albums as well. Do you agree me? Have a read of my thoughts below and let me know in the comments!
FIRST IMPACT Album Cover
1. See The Light – See The Light is the album’s introductory track. While it is a satisfactory introduction to the group and the album, I found it to be a bit all over the place. Each EDM segment we get in this song (I would say there are 6 very distinct segments throughout this less than 2 minute track) is quite different to the other and makes it hard to focus on other elements in See The Light. More memorable lines/moments would have also been nice. (7/10)
3. MVSK – Without a doubt, I am with the crowd on this one. MVSK is the album’s best track. I just love the attitude and personality that oozes from this song. I found the house elements in the instrumental to be very dynamic. The pauses in the chorus (which in turn gave off a choppy effect) and in other parts of the chorus made the song feel unique and also helped propelled the song forward. It also grabs my attention. The vocals here (from delivery to mixing) was really well done and impressive. (10/10)
4. Shine (Kep1er Version) – As mentioned, this is the first time I am reacting to most of the songs from Girls Planet 999. Shine is pretty energetic in many ways and shows off the group in an incredible youthful light. The chanty moments of the song (start of the song, start of the second verse and end of the song) were quite memorable. It also complimented the instrumental of the entire song, which gave me pop anthem vibes. For the most part, the vocals and rapping was pretty good. But I wished the members toned some of the cutesy vocals down. It just gave a cringy factor to the song. (8/10)
5. Another Dream (Kep1er Version) – Another Dream is a ballad, which is a common performance piece in the finale of any MNET KPOP survival show. As usual like the other finale episode ballads, the melodies are stunning, and I like the hopeful energy that comes from Another Dream. The swayable nature of the song is present, and this version no doubt shows off Kep1er’s vocal potential. It is not the most memorable side track on this album, but it is definitely up there. (8/10)
6. O.O.O (Over&Over&Over) (Kep1er Version) – I do remember listening to this song when it was first unveiled as the main song for the show. Back then, I didn’t care for O.O.O as much. And unfortunately, I don’t think my perspective of the song has changed. The chorus has the right tone for it to be a main track, with it being bright, youthful and energetic. It does lack the same flair when compared to the Produce 101 main tracks, but I could overlook that. It is what happened elsewhere in the song that didn’t sit well with me. I always thought dramatic flair that featured in the bridge was a bit odd. I didn’t mind it at the start as an opener, but it just felt awkward in the bridge. The hip-hop influenced rap second verse sequence was also a big questionable moment for me. It really cut the flow of the song, and didn’t fit in. (7/10)
The final album from 2021 that I will be reviewing is ONF’s Goosebumps, the group’s sixth mini-album. It follows a string of releases from the group in 2021, including Beautiful Beautiful (featured on their first studio album, ONF: My Name), Ugly Dance (featured on the repackaged version of their first studio album, City of ONF) and Popping (featured on their summer popup album of the same name). After the release of Goosebumps in early December, it was announced that ONF will undertake their military enlistment at the same time to reduce their hiatus. And by the end of the year, five members (excluding U, as he is not a Korean citizen) enlisted in the military, thus pushing the group into hiatus until (and I am guessing here based on the usual two year enlistment period) the end of 2023.
But while ONF is currently not releasing any music, they did leave us with Goosebumps, which features the title track of the same name and four other side tracks. Overall, Goosebumps was a terrific album that boasts high quality and enjoyable tracks. All the songs on here definitely throws me back to some form of ONF release, and has a unique tone that tells me that it is ONF’s album from afar. Check out the release below and let me know if you agree with my thoughts!
2. Whistle – Following the title track is Whistle, and it is a very creative and unique track on the lyrics front. Essentially, the members sing in a perspective a cat who is close by to their owner, who is actually a cursed human that is now being punished for their past actions in their human relationship with said owner. But they want the curse to end, and the only way for that to happen is for their lover to whistle. It is quite an abstract idea, but one that makes Whistle standout as a track. I like the sorrow, reflective and pensive tone the members take in this song, while I like the somewhat jazzy nature of the instrumental. There is a bit of bass and pop melody infused into the chorus, which makes it a strong centerpiece. But the best part of Whistle for me is the bridge, which had enough change to be different, but stay within the boundaries of the song. (9/10)
3. Fat & Sugar – Fat & Sugar is a return to the upbeat, vibrant and energetic energy that I associate with ONF. It takes a form of a funky hip-hop song that makes me groove along to the music every time I listen to the song. The chorus is extremely memorable, thanks to the repetition of the ‘I like bad things, Fat and Sugar, Fat and Sugar’. It does seem a bit childish (I remember passing over this song initially because of this childish tone), but it quite charming after many listens. I like the character they brought to the song through their vocals and rapping, which helped make Fat & Sugar so much more appealing than you think. (8.5/10)
4. Alarm – The album takes a turn with Alarm, this time entering ballad territory. It is a stunning piece. The verses were a bit typical and the instrumental is pretty standard for the ballad. But the stunning nature of Alarm comes during the chorus, where there is so much vocal layering. However, not once does it sound or feel overwhelming. It adds complexity to the otherwise simple track. Vocally, they sounded amazing throughout. The harmonies in this track are to die for. Talking about harmonies, the unexpected incline at the end of Alarm just makes the song even better! And of course, the swayable melody is also there. (10/10)
5. Show Must Go On –As mentioned in the introduction paragraph, this is ONF’s last album for a while. And a song titled Show Must Go On is very fitting for this hiatus. The direction that the song took us in was unexpected, however. But I love the fast pace nature of Show Must Go On and how it gives off and reminds me of the group’s title tracks. The fast pace nature also provides great energy and the chanting at the end is quite satisfying. It feels like ONF is going out with a big bang (in a way) with this release. (9/10)
Another album review that has been a long time coming. UNIVERSE is the next instalment in NCT’s career, with 21 of the 23 active members participating in the release of the group’s third studio-length album (Lucas is on hiatus from his controversy, while WinWin had schedule conflicts, preventing both of participating from recording and promotions). UNIVERSE officially dropped mid-December, on the same day that Beautiful was officially released as a promotional track. Another title track, Universe (Let’s Play Ball), dropped four days prior. In addition to these two tracks, there were another 11 tracks on the album (3 of which were based on the group’s standard units – NCT 127, NCT DREAM and WayV, while the other performed by their rotation unit, NCT U).
Overall, I would say this is a very good album. There were some standout tracks mixed throughout the song, and NCT definitely showed themselves off strongly throughout UNIVERSE. But that is just my thoughts on the album. Check out the tracks and my review of each song below to see if you agree!
Universe Album Cover
1. New Axis – Impressively kicking off the third studio album was Taeyong, Mark and YangYang with this short track. New Axis takes on a hip-hop profile. The focus is purely on the three members, with the instrumental opting for a minimalistic approach. The trio definitely opened up the album in spectacular fashion with their dynamic and immensely powerful rapping performance. They don’t hold back in this track! (9/10)
3. Earthquake – NCT 127 shakes up the world with their side track Earthquake. If you want a really powerful and intense dance track, Earthquake is the song you are looking for. Such words are usually what you associate with NCT 127 already, so it should not come as a surprise. I really enjoyed the amped up nature of this hip-hop track. It is quite a noisy one (which may be a flaw to some), but this just made Earthquake even more impressive to me. As for the members, they did a great job with their vocals and rapping. I found they fitted right in with the noisy and intense environment that is the instrumental and their delivery made the song even more dynamic. (8/10)
4. OK! – OK! is brought to you by Taeyong, Yuta, Ten, Mark, Hendery, Jeno and Yangyang. With a line up like that, I think it is clear that OK! also encroaches into hip-hop territory as well. OK! is a satisfying listen, with another strong display from all the members who participated in the song. There is also a memorable ring to the ‘OK!’ in the chorus. The bridge was my favourite bit, especially when some of the members bring a faster pace to their delivery. The instrumental was quite minimalistic, with a few added details that I thought gave OK! an intriguing nature to it. The metallic xylophone percussion is a good example of this. The flutes, however, reminded me a bit too much of NCT 127’s Favorite (Vampire) for my liking. (8/10)
5. Birthday Party – Johnny, Yuta, Jungwoo, Hendery, Jaemin, Shotaro, Chenle and Jisung come together to give us Birthday Party. Based on the initial seconds of the song, it appears that Birthday Party takes on a more energetic tone. I liked the rapping in this song, with the members bringing a bit of a playful tone to the mix. The elongated ‘Woooow’ was questionable, but I think it can be overlooked. The vocals were superb when they were in play. For the instrumental, I liked how colourful it felt. I also appreciated the attempts to change up the song towards the end as Birthday Party was borderline repetitive at that point. (8/10)
6. Know Now – Know How features Johnny, Doyoung, Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Yangyang and Sungchan. It starts with (and ends with, completing Know Now as a full circle) some scratchy gospel samples that made for a cool opener. Following that opener was a fun melody and a bright instrumental piece. I like how that melody was a consistent piece in pretty much all the elements (for most of the vocals, rapping – to a degree, and the instrumentation), which cohesively pulled Know Now together. Know Now was such an enjoyable listen for me. (9/10)
7. Dreaming – Dreaming is performed by the members of NCT Dream. I liked its mix of softer tones for the verses vs. the harsher nature of the chorus. The softer moments of the song had this music box-like focus piece, which felt very nice. The harsher chorus features a funky synth EDM piece, which provided a decent rush of energy to the song without taking it too far or making it feel too different. I also liked the layering of vocals and rapping throughout, regardless of the backing piece. (9/10)
8. Round & Round – Taeil, Ten, Jaehyun, Xiaojun, Haechan and Sungchan comes together to bring us Round & Round. It is a decent mid-tempo R&B track. The instrumental had a dynamic touch to it, with the various effects added in to increase the momentum of the song. I quite appreciate that, as it didn’t make Round & Round a typical mid-tempo track. But aside from that, nothing else really stood out at me. (7/10)
9. Miracle – The final NCT fixed unit track on this album belongs to WayV (sans Lucas and WinWin, who I already mentioned didn’t participate in this release). Miracle also opts for a mid-tempo R&B profile. But I felt Miracle was more impressive. The song came off as quite sophisticated, expensive, classy. This was felt most in the instrumental, which was smooth. The guitars were definitely the icing on the cake for me. It also effected the rapping in this song, with the rappers really jumping out at me due to the energy they put into their delivery. The vocals were clear and crisp, and the layering of both vocals/rapping at the end was extremely satisfying. (10/10)
10. Vroom – The album takes a turn from here with its sweeter sound. Kun, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Hendery, Shotaro, Chenle and Jisung features in Vroom, and it’s a nice melodic track (for the most part). The pre-chorus really stuck out, mainly because it didn’t go with a sweet sound, or can be described as a ‘nice melodic track’. Instead, it intensifies briefly before reverting to a sweet sound in the chorus. It is interesting and different, and unexpectedly work. Still a bit foreign after all this time, but not detrimental to the track. (8/10)
11. Sweet Dream – Wishing the listeners a ‘Sweet Dream’ are Taeil, Kun, Jaehyun, Haechan and Chenle. Extremely velvety vocals are the centrepiece of this song. They are present on top of a warm R&B instrumental. It started off like a piece as you would hear in a coffeehouse, but the instrumental built over the course of the song. I liked the addition of the subtle brass in the background. I do think that coffeehouse impression was still maintained throughout even as the song built. (8/10)
12. Good Night – Taeil, Doyoung, Xiaojun and Renjun sings us a soft and delicate ballad. It starts as a lullaby, with a slow swayable melody – one of the highlights of the song. The instrumental does build over the length of the track, and this does bring it back a soothing ballad territory. Not complaining though, as it helped maintain Good Night as a decent piece. Elsewhere, the vocals from the quartet were also quiet soothing and captivating. The emotional input from them made the song even better! I also loved the way Renjun ended this song. (8.5/10)
This is such an long overdue album review. If memory serves me right, I made promises last month that I would write this album review. Well, sorry for the delay. But as they all say, better late then never. ENHYPEN made their comeback in October 2021 and in January 2021 with DIMENSION: DILEMMA (their 1st Studio Album) and DIMENSION: ANSWER (their repackaged version of the 1st Studio Album). Leading the charge on these albums, respectively, are the title tracks Tamed-Dashed and Blessed-Cursed (links below). In addition to these title tracks, six side tracks, an intro, interlude and outro. Before I delay this review any further, let’s get right into it!
Dimension: Dilemma Album CoverDimension Answer Album Cover
1. Intro: Whiteout – As usual with all of ENHYPEN’s releases thus far, we are treated to another Jake narrated intro track. This one is quite exciting thanks to the electronic instrumentation that features in the background of this track. It started off as a suspenseful piece, which works extremely with the narration, before developing into a vibrant, bright and poppy piece. (8/10)
3. Upper Side Dreamin’ – I liked the retro hip-hop vibe this song had. It isn’t like Blessed-Cursed on many fronts, however, though I am not entirely sure if this is a good thing or not. Upper Side Dreamin’ is more vibrant and brighter with its energy, and was quite upbeat from the get-go. But the vocals felt disappointing. They brought a one-dimensional tone to the song, thanks to the heavy usage of autotune. It is still bearable, and I feel like the melodies make up some of the autotune. But not exactly enough, which leaves me not enjoying Upper Side Dreamin’ as much. (7/10)
4. Just A Little Bit (몰랐어) – Just A Little Bit takes us a different route, with a dreamy pop track. The acoustic guitar dominates the background and adds a hearty touch to the song. The added details, like the twinkling chimes and the soft pounding beat, to the instrumentation definitely brought out a dreamier tone. Just A Little Bit also stands out thanks to the vocals, which were really nice. They too complimented the dreamy nature of the song and also had a memorable hook to it that I really enjoyed. (9/10)
5. Go Big or Go Home (모 아니면 도) – Go Big or Go Home is one of my picks for favourite side track from this album. The party/club vibes that comes from this song is just on point and definitely makes me feel lively even just by listening to it. Its instrumental feels like it could have been big hit in the ’00s and it for sure would have been a highly requested song at the parties I went to. While the vocals were a bit held back, it doesn’t break Go Big or Go Home. (9.5/10)
6. Blockbuster (액션 영화처럼) (ft. Yeonjun (TXT)) – Blockbuster features the like of Yeonjun from TXT, and kicks off with a dynamic and angsty rap sequence. Blockbuster ends up being a mix of EDM and rock element, which is what I would think a collaboration between TXT and ENHYPEN would be like (based on the sounds of the respective group). I liked how edgy it felt, while the vocals and rapping was very fulfilling. (9/10)
7. Attention, Please! – In a similar manner, Attention, Please! brings on a nostalgic vibe, reminding me of the punk rock we got in the 90s and 00s in the Western music industry. I really like how ‘full-on’ and satisfying the instrumental for Attention, Please! was. Definitely a highlight on this album, and it is a song that I would demand to see a live performance for (think live band, crowd cheering and hyping the group, and the group going all out while performing this track on stage). (10/10)
8. Interlude: Question – Ending the DIMENSION: DILEMMA studio album is the interlude track. It is another narrated track from Jake. But the instrumental here was quite fun and energetic. I also like the changing nature of the instrumental, going from soft and chill to subtly dark and intense, before leading into a retro influenced ending. (8/10)
10. Polaroid Love – The only new side track added to the repackaged album is Polaroid Love. This is slightly different to anything we have heard preceding it. Polaroid Love is a R&B pop track that is easy on the ears and has a certain softness to it that makes it delicate but appealing. Similarly, the vocals also encompass these exact same feelings and vibes, and also adds a tinge of cuteness to the song (which I am sure fans are enjoying). I found the chorus to Polaroid Love to be very catchy and the instrumental to be pleasantly upbeat. (8.5/10)
11. Outro: Day 2 – The outro track (also narrated by Jake) starts off with a pulsing background and atmospheric vibe. It’s good, but it wasn’t the same as the interlude or the intro track for this album package. (7/10)
It has been a few weeks from the last album review. But with the 2021 KPOPREVIEWED Awards winners announced during the week (congratulations to all the winners!), it is time to go back to doing the album reviews. And first up is a December release. ATEEZ made their comeback at the start of last month (and year) with ZERO: FEVER EPILOGUE, which is lead by the title tracks Turbulence and The Real (Heung Version). In addition to these tracks, the mini-album consist of 2 other new original tracks, 2 Korean version of past Japanese releases, an outro and previously heard versions of some of their past title tracks that the group previously performed on Kingdom: Legendary War. For the purpose of the review, I will be including all the songs on the album in the final rating aside from the Kingdom: Legendary War versions of their title tracks, as I have already discussed those versions in the past. Without any further delay, here is my review for ZERO: FEVER EPILOGUE.
2. Be With You – Be With You is a beautifully instrumented classical ballad that just manages to take my breath away. The piano and violin strings in this song are just stunning, while the vocals and harmonies expertly brings out that emotional tinge that makes Be With You so captivating. Even the rappers tweaked their delivery to be more vocal style to fit in with the balladry genre. Like most ballads, this one builds into that breath-taking piece before easing out so wonderfully. I love this typical trajectory, especially when it is done right. (10/10)
3. The Letter – The Letter takes on a soft R&B pop direction. The opening verse made it feel like a coffee shop music with a bit more oomph. But as the song progresses along, it diverted down a slightly more dynamic path with the inclusion of synths. The vocals and rapping in The Letter were also quite good and adds more dynamic traits to the song. Altogether, it had a nice kick to it and wasn’t as dry if the song had stayed with its coffee shop vibe. (8/10)
4. Still Here (Korean Ver.) – Still Here is a Japanese track that was previously released on the group’s second studio Japanese album, Into A to Z. Still Here is actually a neat pop track, consisting of a decent dosage of synths. I also liked the other parts of the instrumentation, including the guitar in the verses and that atmospheric in the bridge (which gave us a reprieve from the synths mentioned). The vocals and melodies in this song were memorable, while the rapping in the pre-choruses and at the end of the song added more dynamism to the song. (8/10)
5. Better (Korean Ver.) – Better is also another Japanese track, but is from the group’s first Japanese mini-album, Treasure EP. Map to Answer. Better’s biggest selling point is its repetition in the chorus. It is just do memorable and catchy. The group’s vocals and rapping are on point throughout Better and were the group’s best presentation on this album. Jongho’s high notes at the end was quite amazing. Interestingly, Better feels very ‘at home’ for ATEEZ, but also evoked a nostalgic vibe for me with its balladry approach. (9/10)
10. Outro: Over the Horizon – The outro consists of a very atmospheric instrumentation and a narration (by an unknown member). The narration can also be found as the words wrapped around the logo on the album art. It brings us to the end of both the album but also the Fever series as well, which the group has been actively promoting since mid-2020. This outro track does make me wonder, what is next for ATEEZ?, which I am sure is its intended effect as well. (8/10)
The first official album review I have written in the near year belongs to EVERGLOW, who made their comeback with their 3rd mini-album, Return of The Girl, last month. Leading the album is Pirate, which is followed by four additional new songs (all of which are reviewed below). Return of the Girl is another promising release for the female group, with amazing songs throughout that pushed the album into ‘recommended territory’. Check out the song’s below and see if you agree!
Return of The Girl Album Cover
1. Back Together – Interestingly, the album starts off with a ballad in the form of Back Together. It starts off as soothing and mellow ballad with a meaningful tone. Along the way, Back Together picks up and amplifies its instrumental whilst still having the vocal work remain in that ballad territory. Having this occur once was definitely amazing. But what I really liked about the song is how it dips back into the soothing and mellow start and resurges once again, replicating the same cathartic feel a second time around. Back Together also emphasizes and showcases EVERGLOW’s vocals, which were stunning throughout the song. (9/10)
3. Don’t Speak – Don’t Speak is a funky retro track. I really like the personality and character behind their vocals, especially in the verses. It added to the already appealing instrumental, which was super vibrant and bright – exactly what you look for in a retro dance track. The chorus seemed to bring a bubblegum pop tinge to the song, which was pleasant. I wished the chorus had a bit more funk to it, so that is concentrate what we got in the verses. The rapping and the EDM backing was a great change up. Overall, Don’t Speak was a nice track. (8.5/10)
4. Nighty Night – Judging from the title of the song, you would have expected that Nighty Night would be a lullaby. Well, don’t be surprised, but it was no lullaby. Nighty Night was a EDM dance track. I really liked the energy and intensity that came from the song. It definitely promises a great stage. Vocally, I didn’t hear anything worthwhile mentioning, though they definitely did contribute to the energy already mentioned. (8/10)
5. Company – Company is an even more concentrated and intense EDM track. There seems to be an exotic influence in the instrumentation, which adds a different flavour to the song when you compare to other (possibly more straightforward) EDM tracks. I liked the stomping effects that the chorus, though I did wish it hit harder and were more profound. On the note of the vocal department, Company showcases and has more memorable vocal work which adds so much more to the song. And like Nighty Night, Company definitely promises another great stage. (9/10)
Kicking off the new year is an album review for Hwasa’s latest single album release, Guilty Pleasure, which dropped at the end of November of last year (kind of weird saying that when last year was only two days ago). The single album features the title track I’m a B and two other new tracks from the Mamamoo member. Guilty Pleasure and I’m a B follows Hwasa’s 2020 comeback, Maria, which I reviewed both the mini-album and title track for.
Guilty Pleasure Album Cover
1. FOMO – FOMO is an all-English track that starts off with R&B sound. It is a sound that suits Hwasa and the song had a good beat and rhythm. I quite enjoyed her vocals, especially when it was strengthen by the backing vocals. Striking would be the word I use to describe her. But I note that FOMO wasn’t going anywhere, and I didn’t think I would like the entire song if it were just like this repetitively. That mentality was thrown out the door up when we approached the 1:20 minute mark, where FOMO breaks down and Hwasa brings in this soft, moody and ambient piano ripple. Her voice goes soft and whisper-like, and this really extremely bone-chilling. That change was an extremely bold, and worked a treat as it pays off in making the song memorable and unique. (9/10)
3. Bless U – Hwasa wows me in Bless U with her vocals. Hwasa already has unique vocals in general and the huskiness and raspiness helps Hwasa stand out from afar. But in Bless U, she builds up her vocals and soars to make this a showstopping track. I cannot help but close my eyes to take it all in. The instrumental was a bit plain for the most part, but I liked how it kept a minimalist vibe so that the focus is purely on Hwasa’s vocals. Despite that, there is still a bit of build within the instrumental of Bless U, and I did like how the song ended with electric guitars. (8.5/10)
ONEUS is nominated for Best Male Group and Most Underrated Artist, Best Outfits (for Black Mirror) and Best Electronic Song (for No Diggity) in the 2021 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support ONEUS by clicking here to vote for them today(!) as this is the last day in which you can vote!
For the final review of the year, I have elected to review ONEUS’ November album release, BLOOD MOON. I chose BLOOD MOON to be the final review of the year based on the fact that LUNA was such an amazing title track and comeback (based on my personal thoughts – you can read more of my thoughts on the comeback in the full review that I have linked below in the body of the review). I personally felt this held a lot of promise for their album. Well, I don’t want to spoil anything, but based on my personal thoughts it seems like BLOOD MOON is exactly what I had expected. Alongside the title track LUNA, the album also features the tracks Life Is Beautiful and Shut Up 받고 Crazy Hot (which were released as part of the ONEUS Theatre series), a very captivating intro track and an additional three new songs from the group. So without further ado and for the final time in 2021, here is the album review!
BLOOD MOON Album Cover
1. Intro: Window (창 (窓)) – Window hits hard as an intro track. It blends together the traditional oriental sound, with modern day trap to create a powerful, memorable and unique opener to the album. Choi Ye Rim, a Korean traditional musician, provides the song with the folksy vocals from traditional Korean music, and her presence was extremely strong and riveting. ONEUS brings rap and performance to make Window high intensity and bold opener to the album. (9/10)
3. Yes or No (사랑의 결말은 모 아니면 도) – Yes or No is fun and upbeat change to the album’s sound. For the most part, I quite liked it. The instrumental has this summery vibe to it, thanks to the brass elements within Yes or No. The chorus was quite catchy and there was good energy coming from the chorus. The vocal work is pretty good, and the rapping added a bit of heaviness and edgy vibe to the song. However, I wished the producers omitted the xylophone taps, as it heavily weighs down the quality of Yes or No. Firstly, I felt they were a distraction from the song and its reemergence on a regular basis was quite annoying. Secondly, I am not sure what value or purpose they had in Yes or No. Thirdly, it added a monotonous element to the song, which went against the rest of the song. It was a flaw in the song that had a big impact in the end. (8/10)
6. We’re In Love (헤엄쳐) – We’re In Love was an extremely nice pop track. The entire track was pretty standard and didn’t offer anything innovative. But it manages to tick the box for sounding good and I also felt that We’re in Love was a breezy listen. I can imagine blasting this song on a road trip when the weather is perfectly sunny. The vocal work was great and helped made We’re In Love feel bright and positive, while the rapping helped give the song an electrifying zing and more energy to make it lively. (8.5/10)
7. Who You Are – Who You Are is a R&B track. It too is a bit standard in terms of instrumentation, but I felt that Who You Are is a polished ender to the album. The instrumental was smooth and it had an appealing vibe to it. The song itself shows off the team’s vocals abilities, especially as they soar as the song progresses. (8/10)
Ha Sung Woon’s November comeback release is next up on the album review chopping block. The mini-album, which is his sixth one since his solo debut three years ago, is titled Electrified: Urban Nostalgia and is lead by the title track Electrified. As mentioned in Electrified‘s song review post, this mini-album is the last release from Ha Sung Woon whilst under Star Crew Entertainment – the company he has been under since his debut in 2014 as part of HOTSHOT. Thus, this release closes a chapter in Ha Sung Woon’s career. Since the announcement that this would be his last release under his old company, Ha Sung Woon has signed on with Big Planet Made, which is currently home to Soyou, Huh Gak and future debut female group VIVAZ (consisting of Eunha, Sin.B and Umji – former members of GFriend). So while Ha Sung Woon is settling in with his new company and is preparing for new releases, let’s have a listen to Electrified: Urban Nostalgia.
Electrified: Urban Nostalgia Album Cover
1. Back To You – Starting off the album is the blissful sounding Back To You. I really like the airiness of Ha Sung Woon’s vocals throughout this track. Definition to Ha Sung Woon’s vocals was added by the use of backing vocals, and the slight use of autotune at certain times helped blend everything together with the electronic pop instrumentation. Regarding the instrumentation, I liked its lightness and it had such a neat vibe to it. I also really like the presence of the piano, which helped keep Back To You grounded in my opinion. The melodies and hooks were all soothing and catchy as well. A strong start to the album. (9/10)
3. Fairy Tale – Smoothness takes over the album through Fairy Tale. It is a R&B ballad that sounds really smooth but has a very typical instrumentation. I did think the typical nature of the instrumentation made the song dull at first, but subsequent listens and the song’s overall smoothness has changed that impression. However, I still wish the instrumental isn’t as typical as it is. Ha Sung Woon sounds really nice, utilizing his husky vocals and falsettos throughout the song. The melodies in this song are quite good as well, pulling me in. (7.5/10)
4. Love Sound (ft. Rauas) – Love Sound gives off Christmas vibes. I am not entirely sure if this was meant to be the intention, but I don’t mind it. It gives Love Sound a happy and cheerful tone, which definitely makes the sound more appealing and inviting for me. It also helps change up the tone of the album a bit, as well. The rest of the instrumentation follows that happier tone and brings out that swaying effect I talk about often (regarding ballads). Ha Sung Woon’s vocals, which is pretty much in falsetto mode for majority of the song, also passes off as playful and sweet. Rauas’s hip-hop sequence was quite enjoyable and added a mellow touch to the song. (8.5/10)
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