Originally, I was going to do a full album review for Secret for this week’s ‘Past Album’ review. However, a few things popped up last minute and I decided to go with an album with fewer songs, instead. After all, I already skipped the album review on Sunday, so I didn’t want to miss out on this one. Secret release Letter From Secret back in 2013 and it was a return to the group’s cutesy concept. Unfortunately, the album and title track didn’t do too well when it was released, so it never got that much attention. I find the songs on their album to be very nice and today, I will be sharing this album with you.
2. Daddy Long Legs (키다리 아저씨) – The title of this song is rather odd like it isn’t the first title that comes to your mind when you hear this sweet ballad-like song. After some digging around, the song title seems to allude to someone with a fatherly figure. While this could easily be applied to a lover, I think the song is more directed to the member’s fathers. After all, the song has quite an innocent sound (or at least I assume it is). I really like the melody of the track and the guitar in the background, which gives off that swaying effect that I look for. I also enjoyed their vocals in this song. If it were to be memorable for anything, it would most likely before its touching lyrics towards their fatherly figures. But it is still quite pleasant, overall. (8/10)
3. ONLY U – Only U is a rather bittersweet song. The song is once again another ballad. While the lyrics seem to be about regretting letting someone go (let it be a past lover or a friend who they friendzone and now regrets), the song is still quite light. Rather than being straightforwardly sad, the song sits in a weird limbo based on its light tone and their sweet style vocals. However, I do hear the hints of sadness in their voices, which does complement the song’s message. I like Jung Hana’s rap sequence is the entire verse section of the song. The only downside to the song is that Sunhwa sounded like she was straining herself in the bridge and this didn’t sound as pleasing compared to the rest of the song. But to me, it is another great ballad. (8/10)
4. B.O.Y (Because Of You) – Out of the three ballads on the album, this one probably is my favourite. Unlike the other two which used a softer approach in its sound, B.O.Y used a harsher mix of instruments and this made the song feel more vibrant out of the rest. I would say that B.O.Y could be taken as a ballad, but it can also have some dance moves to it. But don’t let its vibrancy fool you. The song isn’t a vibrant song when you consider the lyrics. It is another emotional song that talks about how they cannot move on after a breakup. Once again, their vocals do a fantastic job of portraying these emotions and I also liked the harmonies during the chorus. (9/10)
DIA returned two weeks ago with Woowa and their latest mini-album, Newtro. Unofrtotuately, the group’s latest comeback hasn’t got much attention from what I have noticed. And from what I understand, the physical albums were delayed and hence this impacted their chart performances. Very disappointing. But that is why today’s album review is here! I enjoyed all the songs on the album and I want to let you guys know about these songs as well!
2. No (안할래) – Following right after the addictive Woowa is No, which is another favourite track of mine. I find the song to be very dynamic with its vibrant use of that squeaky synth during the instrumental. Usually, I would find such a thing annoying, but it really popped well in this song. The lead up to the chorus was probably my absolute favourite part of the song as it gave the song a little flair in a memorable way. I also liked the keyboard that featured during the bridge of the track, which I think flowed really well with the rest of the song. The vocals were also extremely nice, another highlight to No.(9/10)
3. 5 More Minutes (5분만) – 5 More Minutes begin with a sing-rap sequence which was rather nice. Based on this, you can tell that this was going to a typical pop song. The chorus practically confirms this with no unexpected changes in the music. It is a sweet song that managed to bring about a smile, which I think the main aims of the lyrics were to do. The song focuses squarely on the vocals of each of the members. I personally won’t say DIA is known for their vocals but this was a fair effort and I really liked how innocent they sounded in this song. I also like how they didn’t go down the sad ballad route, which was a nice change up to normal expectations. (8/10)
4. Crescendo (손톱달) – While I liked most of the song, Crescendo started off with this really odd synth that really sounded like it was off-tune. Apart from that, everything else about the song was rather likeable. It sounded like it started off with a sweet sound, like what we were presented in 5 More Minutes. However, the second verses bring a bit of trap into the song. Interesting and not entirely misplaced. Once again, the vocals were at the forefront of the song, with the members singing at a higher pitch and in falsetto. I also think this song showcased the best harmonies from the members than any other song on this album. (8/10)
Unfortunately, I have run out of my ‘stockpiled’ past album reviews, so I had to write a fresh one up today. And I couldn’t decide which artist to pick from since there are so many. I have done two male groups in a row, so I thought I refocus on the female groups. And so, I picked WJSN’s second mini-album, The Secret, which was released back in September 2016. This was the very first era that WJSN caught my attention with and since then Secret has been a longtime favourite of mine. So it only makes sense to see what else the mini-album, which Secret comes from, has to offer. So let’s get onto it!
2. BeBe – BeBe is a very memorable track. Unfortunately, it was more about the fact that it was the song that followed Secret. But listening to it now, the track has a very bright pop feel that I don’t mind. It does follow a youthful approach without going overboard in the cutesy domain, which I am glad did not occur. It is quite enjoyable, with nice vocals and the single rap sequence was nice. The track was relatively fast pace and it could have slowed down a tad bit to be a little more favourable. But overall, BeBe is a nice track. (8/10)
3. Would You Kiss Me? (우주키스미) – Would You Kiss Me? is a nice sweet pop track. Well, it started off with that thought. And it carried that idea for the majority of the track. But like many listeners, I find that trap breakdown very mismatching and ill-fitting for the tone of the track. I guess it was something formulated to fit the experimental trend. But other songs work because they come together well, which is not the case for this track. If I were to talk about the sweeter moments alone than I would have enjoyed it. (6/10)
4. Prince (짠!) – Prince sounds like a standard sidetrack. It is a good track, heavy-handed on the synths in the instrumentation. There are trap-like breaks in the song, which I thought was fitting for the heavy use of synths. But the song does feel weighed down and hence it doesn’t have that necessary pop to be considered as a title track. The vocals are good, but they felt overshadowed by the instrumental. On the other hand, the rap sequence really shined and was my personal favourite part of the song. (7.5/10)
5. Robot – Robot is probably my pick for most memorable sidetrack on this mini-album. I liked how they departed from their pop sound and went with something a little more electronic. I think the instrumental was very catching, even though it was quite repetitive. It reminds me of those retro sounds you often got in games. There are some squeaky effects towards the end, which I thought kept the song interesting. The vocals were nice in the song and the rapping was quite cool. I actually liked the high-pitch echo that followed Exy for the rap sequence. It may not be the sound I drift towards, but they pulled it off well enough for me to do so. (8.5/10)
6. Good Night (이층침대) – It is time for that mandatory ballad on most mini-albums. And while sometimes the mandatory ballads are pretty good, other times they are a miss. Unfortunately, Good Night falls under the latter. Like the title, Good Night makes me drift away from the album. I forget about it and hence the ending is also forgotten. The vocals were nice but because it was so light, I didn’t feel a connection with it. (6/10)
It is time for another album review! Today, I wanted to review someone who deserved an album a very long time ago. After waiting for 9 years, Park Bom has released an album for the very first time. Unfortunately, it is only a single album made up of 3 songs. But it still better than nothing! The lead title track is Spring, which features fellow 2NE1 member, Sandara Park. Despite her hiatus for a while now, Park Bom has proven to still be extremely popular with both her album and single soaring towards the top of the charts. So it definitely makes sense for us to check this album out!
2. My Lover (내연인) – My Lover is a little brighter than Spring in its sound. I would say that the song has a ‘Spring’ in its step. It is also a mellow sound, which I think is quite nice. And because of this, the song falls towards the pop spectrum. I really like the piano but thought it could have been more prevalent over the rest of the instrumentation (which drowned out the piano). It is one of those songs that get you swaying along, despite it being a tad upbeat. And if you know me, swaying earns you ticks! I think Park Bom vocals are quite nice in this song, especially around the bridge of the song. Sometimes I felt like she was pushing a little too hard. (8/10)
3. Shameful (창피해) – Shameful is a dance track that takes upon the more typical trend of music currently (i.e. tropical). It was a little unexpecting, but it gives us a little more variety. And this is quite effective, given how she hasn’t released music for 8 years now. Though, I don’t think we will see any dance performances any time soon based on her Spring performance. While it is typical sounding for today’s standard, it was a fair song. The instrumentals popped, and I thoroughly enjoyed her vocals in the song. More impressively was her attempt at rapping. It isn’t exactly the best execution that I have heard from a vocalist, but it wasn’t terrible. (8/10)
Just before the clock ticks over to the next day, I come running with Friday’s album review! Jeong Sewoon made his comeback last week with the upbeat Feeling, which featured Penomeco. And that title track was featured on his 4th mini-album, Plus Minus Zero, since his debut! Jeong Sewoon is one of the artists that I keep coming back to because his songs are so good and this album is just further undeniable proof of this fact. Let’s see what I had to say about his new album below!
2. My Ocean(나의 바다) – My Ocean is a ballad. A beautiful sounding ballad. It is one of those songs which you have to stop whatever you are doing and listen to it in stillness, in order to get a complete sense of the song. The song features a piano-only instrumental. Simply, that is it. There are not strings or percussion. Just straight up piano. And it was a very beautiful backdrop to Sewoon’s voice. It isn’t a song to show off vocal techniques or high notes. Instead, the song remained very consistent and his voice painted the picture of the ocean in which he continually referred to as part of his lover. And for that, I think this is the best song on the album. (10/10)
3. Your Favourite Song (니가 좋아한 노래) – This is also another ballad but it seems to delve into the R&B side of music. It seems like the song talks about the regrets after a breakup but it is too late to fix anything. The song is also quite nice, with a slight huskiness identifiable in his voice. It features guitars in the instrumental. But it seemed to have been filtered as it sounded distant and hollow. Not saying it was bad because it was a rather nice touch to the song, which I would have otherwise said was plain. (8.5/10)
4. Distance – Distance is a mid-tempo R&B track. The song starts off with some whistling and felt like it was going to be a slow song at first. But the song starts incorporating other instruments and this continues throughout the song, creating a very satisfying build-up. I thought the melody in this song was rather nice. The combination of the build-up and the melody make this song a little bit catchy. I find his sing-speaking second verses to be an interesting spin and was a fair attempt of keeping the song interesting. There does seem to be a barrier of some kind that prevents me from 100% liking the song but I am not exactly sure of what is holding me back. (8/10)
5. Going Home – We return to a ballad with Going Home. It is another good ballad but lacked the boldness that My Ocean thrived upon. The instrumental for this track is a more typical style, with the inclusion of piano, strings and a slight touch of drums in the background. Once again, Sewoon’s voice shines brightly. The raspiness in his vocals was defining in this song. For his young age, it is always surprising to hear such a mature sound from him and that makes this track stand out a little bit more. (8/10)
6. White – Listening to the start, you could tell that the song was going to pick up. The song started off like those live performances where the vocals are being presented over simple guitar instrumentation. And I couldn’t see the song remaining that way for its 3:45 length. So, when the song did pick up, I was extremely glad. And it was a nice pickup, as well. A well-presented melody and the nice soothing instrumental went well with each other. What I didn’t expect was that second pick up where the song becomes even brighter and infused with even more instrumentation. And I love this second rush of energy, which keeps the song interesting in the best way possible. (9/10)
It is time for another ‘Past Album’ review. This time, we turn back to Monsta X, who returned with the fierce Alligator earlier this year. Actually, this album review was written and scheduled to be published around the same time as Alligator’s release. But to avoid clashing, I decided to wait a bit before releasing. And here it is, after a month and a bit! The Clan Part 2. Guilty was released in October of 2016 and it was their second release in The Clan series (which I previously made a music video theory post, as well).
2. Be Quiet – Unlike the title for the song, Be Quiet isn’t quiet in any sense. Instead, it offers loudness and energy with its hip-hop centred sound. The song reminds me of their debut track for its synth-based instrumental. I really like the ‘Be Quiet’ whisper, which still manages to stand out amid all of the loudness that surrounds it. I felt like this could have been the song that allowed the rappers to shine. Instead, they didn’t get much of the song, which I felt was a little disappointing. But despite that, I still thought the raps (and the vocals) were still good elements to the song. (8/10)
3. Blind – Blind the blandest dance track on the album for me. I just don’t find it as interesting or exciting as the other dance tracks on the album. Blind seems to have some R&B mixed into it and it resulted in an okay track. But I felt like they could have done more to really make it appealing. The vocals and raps were good but it felt like it could have been stronger. Same could have been said regarding the hook of the track, which I thought was rather weak, resulting in its bland nature. (5/10)
4. Queen – Queen seems like it could be an elegant track, but it stands out more for its rough textures. It is also a good hip-hop hype track that really grabs your attention. The rappers are the winners for this track, with the song being built for just them. The vocalists of the group weren’t let down as they had parts that were quite melodic, especially after that brief pause in the bridge. I also liked the ending of the song (or rather, that part of the song as it appears in the track beforehand). Very catchy and a great way to get the hype up. (8/10)
5. White Girl (하얀소녀) – The song tones down the tough and dance-heavy side of the album by opting for an acoustic sound. And this Is much appreciated since the album is quite on the heavy side thus far. Vocals were the focus, with all the members (including Jooheon and I.M) singing in the song. And they give the song a nice delicate touch on top of the acoustic instruments. I thought the harmonies in the song gave the song a beautiful feel. While it is distinctively different from any of the other songs on the album, it is a hidden gem in the midst of the other dance tracks. (9/10)
6. Roller Coaster – Roller Coaster returns to the dance side of the album. And like what the name suggests, the song is like a roller coaster. There is a lot going on and there is many twists and turns that are not anticipated. So, repetitiveness is not an issue with this track. And while a correct term to describe the song would be ‘messy’, the song actually comes together nicely, and it is quite pleasant sounding. The song doesn’t showcase their best vocals or rapping but both elements are still good. Overall, I thought it was a nice upbeat song to end the album on. (8/10)
Mamamoo returned last week with the very last instalment to their 4 Seasons 4 Colours project. It is in the form of their 9th mini-album, White Wind, and the title track, gogobebe (link below). It definitely has been an interesting and worthwhile project, as we got enjoyable and well-liked tracks every few months. This is something MooMoos have been appreciating from the group. And now that it is over, I think everyone hopes the girls will be able to have a long rest before for their future activities. But before we say goodbye to the project for one last time, let’s have a look at their album!
White Wind Album Cover
1..Where R U – To me, Where R U is a flowy R&B track that showcases the lighter side of the group’s vocals. If you are looking for a song that showcases their signature power vocals, then this isn’t the song for you. Instead, the softness is what speaks volumes in this song. The instrumental say compliments the softness of their vocals, opting for a simple and light house instrumental. I think another thing that I don’t speak too much about Mamamoo is the fact they manage to be extremely cohesive as a group in their songs. And this is a recipe for success, as established by this song. My personal favourite part of the song has to be the bridge, due to the presence of the heavy drum beats, which is what the song needed. (9/10)
3. Waggy (쟤가 걔야) – Mamamoo goes softer with Waggy. The song feels like it is one of their gag songs and I think the live stages lead us in that direction. But rather, the song seems to like their crush to an extremely cute puppy. Or that they are directing the lyrics just at a puppy. It is a light-hearted song that really makes the song sound fun. I thought the trumpets were a nice addition to the light song. There are two other things about the members that I want to quickly point out (and yes, their vocals are superb here). Moonbyul shines the most for me. I really like her vocal lines that came out so smooth and her rapping was quite fitting. Finally, I love how Hwasa sang some French and Solar responded with ‘what are you saying?’. It made me chuckle and gives confirmation of that fun vibe. (8.5/10)
4. 25 – 25 is Wheein’s solo song on the album. And she does a really nice job with this ballad-like track. From what we know already, Wheein has a very nice voice. And 25 does an amazing job of highlighting this. I thought the slight breathiness to her vocals gave the song a very nice texture. I think the main issue with the song for me was the instrumental. It didn’t necessarily captivate me, which left Wheein’s vocals a very large gap to fill. Yes, there was some buildup along the way, but I felt like it wasn’t enough and hence it felt too consistent from start to end. Unfortunately, that was the case and it left feeling slightly disappointed with the song. (6/10)
5. Bad Bye – Bad Bye deviates from what we heard so far on the album. It is a power ballad, showcasing that noticeably absent powerful vocal form that the group is more commonly known for. They put a lot of emotion into the song, fitting in the with the clear message that comfort isn’t always a good thing in a breakup. There is no doubt that their vocals were flawless. But can we take a moment to discuss the amazing rap sequences that Moonbyul got to bring to the song? I was floored with her delivery and how it managed to also pack a punch during this emotionally-driven song. My favourite part, once again, is the bridge. Why? Well, we hear all the members in a short time frame and it shows how well they compliment each other. (10/10)
6. My Star – When I think of a song named My Star, I don’t think of something dramatic, edgy or powerful. But that is what Mamamoo’s version of My Star is. And it is extremely drawing, as a result. The extremely heavy beat really makes this song stand out, alongside their vocals which take that powerful form once again. It is one of those songs that you need to listen to really feels its energy and punches. No text description would do this song justice. It left me speechless. (10/10)
7. 4Seasons (Outro Track) – I don’t review outro (or intro) tracks as they tend to be instrumental-based only. This has vocals, hence I felt the need to talk about. On top of that, 4Seasons is the final song of the entire series, so I think that is a bigger motivation to quickly describe the track. The song is an R&B track with an airy feel. It has great vocals and wraps up the entire series in a breezy manner, which I think was very suiting for a series about seasons and the weather. I like it for its length, which felt just right. I think this is the style that I don’t enjoy at full length. But this was good and satisfying to my ears. (8/10)
Today’s ‘Past Album’ Review is ASTRO’s 2017 comeback, Baby and Dream Part 01 mini-album. This review was actually intended to be released earlier in the year. But since ASTRO returned with All Night and their All Light studio album, I decided to postpone it to avoid any clashes between the two albums (I am worried that it might cause confusion for some fans to why I reviewed a previous album and not their latest one). But fast forward 2 months, I think it is time to release this album review to read! So let’s get going!
Dream Part 01 Album Cover
1..Dreams Come True – Dreams Come True begins with a quirky bubble sound in an 8-bit format, which really starts off the album on a unique touch. It progresses into a standard pop dance track for the chorus which I think was nice, but I am a little disappointed that it lost some of that uniqueness. I did like the violins in the background, which I thought was a nice small detail to add to the song. The vocals were nice, especially with that falsetto high note towards the end. The overlapping with the rapping did make the ending a tad messy for my liking but it was still a good ending overall. (8/10)
3. You Smile (니가 웃잖아) – You Smile has that Summertime band instrumental feel but ASTRO manages to transform it into a dance track. Come to the think of it, this reminds of their previous comeback at the time of release (Breathless). It is slightly different with the chorus sung individually and the track isn’t overly pop. I enjoyed the vocals in the song. But I think I liked the rapping more, as it felt more suited. The deep voices of the rappers go really well with the fresh feel of the song, hence why they stood for me. (8/10)
4. Because It’s You (너라서) – Because It’s You is a ballad that thanks their lover for being there for them and the joy for being by their side. It is a really nice ballad at the start that gradually builds up to a very melodic chorus. It showcases their vocals in a light that I personally have not really seen too much from ASTRO, especially in their earlier days. I would love to hear the rappers sing in the song alongside the rest of the members, especially since they only got a very small portion of the song. I felt like that could have really been nice as it could have doubled up as a song for fans, given the message of the song. (8.5/10)
5. Dream Night – Dream Night takes on an upbeat pop instrumental. I did enjoy the energy and bright atmosphere they had within the song. I also thought that the song did well with their vocals. It just didn’t have that excitement to really make it… well… pop. It is another one of those songs that have an instrumental that felt too typical and consistent over the entire length of the track. Furthermore, I wanted a little more to the raps. They could have been more interesting and defined to really stand out. (6.5/10)
6. I’ll Be There – I’ll Be There is another ballad-like song. But instead of relying on a beautiful melody like in Because It’s You (see track 4), the song relies more on their youthful side. It seems light-hearted and more carefree. Once again, the vocals are on full show but not to the extent as the previously mentioned ballad. The rapping seems to be more reminiscent of their title tracks hence why I can’t really describe the song as ‘beautiful’. I would have liked a more memorable instrumental and less abrupt ending. Personally, the song in passing would be overlooked as it was forgettable for the most part. (7/10)
7. Lie (다 거짓말) – We have another ballad-like track and this one features a very nice orchestral-like instrumental, which really makes the track feel so much more heartbreaking. Lie seems to hint at a broken relationship caused by the lies of their lover. A lot of the lyrics seems to show the members alone due to their lover not being there anymore and that they have to lie as a result to keep up the impression that they are okay (That’s my personal take on the lyrics. The translations that I found don’t really make sense). I thought the song was also a nice presentation of vocals and I really liked how they integrated the rapping into the sad song. (9/10)
8. Every Minute – The album ends with Every Minute, which is a return to their bright and youthful style that ASTRO presented for this comeback. The song features a slight retro and funk touch within its electro-pop instrumental. As a result, it felt like a fun song. I liked their change up for the bridge and the rebound-like transition between this part. I do have to admit the ‘Every Minute’ repetition feels like it would get really annoying with repeated listens but for the time being, it is keyed into my mind as a good hook. (8/10)
Park Yuchan made his solo comeback a few weeks back with his very first solo album. Both the album and title track are titled Slow Dance. If you missed the review, you can find a link to it in the review section below. I was contemplating whether to review this album when it was released (like I do for most albums). Though, I needed very little persuasion after seeing a number of people requesting me to have a look at the album, along with the number of retweets and likes that I received on Twitter for the review. And I am glad you all directed my attention to the album as I have found some really memorable songs. So without any more delay, I present to you my thoughts and opinions regarding Yuchan’s album.
2. Strong – Strong is that sleek type of song that you just want to continually replay. Like Slow Dance, the song doesn’t have that ‘KPOP feel’. The instrumental for the most part is acoustic and has this Western feel to it which I really enjoy listening to. I am loving that guitar that features towards the end of the song (the highlight of the song!!). But there is that odd electronic record scratch in the instrumental (at the start and after the first chorus). If you thought the song was getting boring in any way, the scratches attempt to regain your attention (as it is louder than the rest of the instrumentation). And boy, did they surprise me (I had the volume up). Like the instrumental, Yoochun’s vocals aren’t KPOP-like. I really like his husky tone and the melody just makes it so better. (10/10)
3. We Met Again (재회) – We Met Again is a ballad fitting for an OST to a romantic drama. For those who don’t know, one of the criteria I have with ballads is a ‘swaying effect’. I know, it sounds very elementary. But you know those songs where the crowd puts their hands up and sways along to the flowy instrumental? That is what I look for. And this has that exact swaying effect. The melody was very beautiful. Once again, the guitar was nice in this song. The title alludes to a very emotionally driven song. But I found that his vocals didn’t feel that emotional. Instead, I think the best way to describe the song is that it takes you on a journey. Once the song ends and he sings the final line ‘I’m standing in front of you’, you also feel like you have walked the same path as Yoochun and arrive at the same place as he did. I can imagine a music video of him walking along a breezy road as this is where I want to be listening to this song. This was my interpretation of the song and the exact feelings I had while listening to the song for the first time. (9/10)
4. Thorn (가시덤불) – Thorn is another ballad and it starts off with Yoochun’s deep vocals. I really like the raspy sounds he produces when he goes quite low. It gives a nice texture and immediately separates this song from the previous ballad. And I liked how he maintained the same voice from start to end. I found this to be very impactful and made this song stand out in its own way. The instrumental was your typical classical instrumented ballad, but it sounds so beautiful. When done right, I fall for the song and this is one of those cases. Like the previous track, the title hints towards a heartbreaking song. The lyrics that I can find seem to reflect upon pain and suffering one have experienced. He vocals just make it sound so real and painful. The song brought me to a standstill for both meaning and execution. (10/10)
5. Magic – Following two ballads, Magic changes up the mix with a more upbeat song. I like his vocals in this song. Instead of going for what he has already presented with us in this album, his vocals are rather nasally. I also enjoyed the falsettos he gives us. Both of these aspects combine to become a very nice vocal combo. The instrumental features this groovy beat that I think it rather infectious. You could feel the happiness coming off the song. Overall, I thought it was a smooth song. Not the most outstanding song on the album in my opinion. But because this song is surrounded by ballads, I am glad that there was some good energy coming from a song off the album. (8/10)
6. Everything Is Memorable (뒤돌면 모든 길이 추억이라) – This song is another ballad and I think he goes slightly deeper than in Thorn (Please note I don’t study music – nor have a musical bone in my body. So, this whole blog is based on what I feel and what I think of when it comes to a song). He vocals don’t remain too deep however for the length of the song. For the second verse onwards, he pushes his vocals out and it showcases his ability and variety. Instead of a ballad like we have gotten thus far, there seems to be a soft jazz influence to the instrumental, giving it a different feel to Thorn or We Met Again. It is another good song from Yoochun but I don’t necessarily connect with the song and hence I don’t enjoy it as much as his previous ballads. (7.5/10)
7. Graduation (졸업) – ‘Completing’ the album is Graduation, seems to be another ballad. But rather focusing on heartbreak or emotions, Graduation is rather uplifting and bright. I genuinely like the melody from start to end. The verses were very refreshing and the way he sings the chorus gives me the impression that he is rather proud. Given a song titled ‘Graduation’, this makes quite a lot of sense. I thought the ending was rather odd. It seemed like he pushed a lot of lyrics into a small section of the song and it felt somewhat rushed. But he manages to pull it off without a hitch and hey, it is another happy song to just kick back to and enjoy. I honestly have nothing else to say about the song, which is not a bad thing in this case. (8/10)
For this week’s ‘Past Album’ Review, I have decided to go with another disbanded group. Sistar, who used to be a part of Starship Entertainment, made their debut back in 2010 and disbanded after 7 years in 2017. One of their most iconic tracks ever is Alone and it is also the name of the mini-album that I wish to review today. It was released back in 2012 and was quickly followed up with their Loving U promotions From memory, Sistar caused a stir for their very sexy comeback, outfit and dance back in 2012. Do expect a lot more Sistar album reviews coming your way in the future, as I have a lot of albums from the group to review (a gold mine, if you ask me!). So let’s start things off today! (As per previous reviews, I have omitted the intro track, Come Closer, from my review).
Alone Album Cover
2. Alone (나 혼자) (Title Track) – Since its release in 2012, the track has definitely grown on me. Hence, I have decided to bump the review score up to 8/10 (from 7.6/10). A lot of my thoughts regarding the song was very elementary. I find the song very enjoyable now and am very impressed with the many elements within the song. I just don’t think it is as great as their more recent Summer releases before disbandment. Click here to read the 2012 review for Alone.(8/10)
3. No Mercy – When you look back at Sistar’s discography, No Mercy is a pretty good taste to it. It is a normal pop song that uses electronic-based instrumentation. We hear something similar later but what sets this song part is that there is less autotune. Yeah, Dasom and Bora still have autotune but Soyou manages to flourish in this song alongside Hyorin, which was very nice. I enjoyed Bora’s rap-chant section in the bridge, so clearly not all autotune is bad. I thought it brought a dynamic feel to the song. I also thought the chorus, while it was standard, did a good job of throwing more energy into the song and gives it a memorable melody. (8/10)
4. Lead Me – To me, I think this was the first Sistar side-track that I basically fell in love with at the time of its release. I think it was because we got to hear more of the other members (despite Hyolyn still getting the majority of the song). But also I felt that it was very well-polished and easy on the ears. Actually, I think the more correct word is calming. Not only that but the vocals from each member were on point. I thought Bora’s rap was equally as good and I like the intensity she gave the song through her rap section. I also like Hyolyn’s ad-libs throughout the end of the song, which really added a nice level of appeal for me. (9/10)
5. Girls On Top (널 사랑하겠어) – Girls On Top has a funky electronic sound, giving it a somewhat retro vibe to it. Other than that, it is a typical pop song, so it similar to No Mercy. And they keep the electronic theme going by autotuning the vocals. It is fitting, so I didn’t mind too much of it. But my issue is that all the members were heavily autotuned, giving off the impression that they cannot sing. Obviously, Hyolyn is an exception and she was only autotuned (but still not to the degree of the other members) at the start of the song. Her vocals during the chorus were pretty much ‘untouched’. I did like the chorus as she managed to bring a level of fierceness to the song. But since the album is very Hyolyn dominant, I wanted more of the other members to shine. (7.5/10)
6. I Choose To Love You (Hyolyn Solo) – When I say that the album is Hyolyn dominant, I meant it. The album features her solo single, I Choose To Love You, which is an OST track for How To Love Smart 2 (according to Wikipedia). The song is a ballad and it has a nice flowy melody. Actually, if I remember correctly, this is the very song that introduced me to Hyolyn and her group. Her vocals bring a sense of warmness and feel fitting for a cold day. As much as I want the other members to stand out, this song does an excellent job of showcasing Hyolyn’s vocals for the audience. (8/10)
TXT, the newest boy group from Big Hit Entertainment, made their official debut last Monday. And due to their association with BTS, we all know that we have to check out their work. Hence, today we will be looking further into their very first mini-album. For those who don’t know, TXT is a 5 member male group consisting of Soobin, Yeonjun, Byeomgyu, Taehyun and Huening Ka. The group’s name, TXT, stands for Tomorrow X Together. Now, let’s get on with the review!
The Dream Chapter: Star Album Cover
1..Blue Orangeade – Blue Orangeade is a fairly light song to kick off their first album release. While the start kicks off in an intense fashion, the rest of the song felt very ordinary. The melody was not that strong, and the song felt repetitive. But while it may be ordinary, it does have some good aspects that do draw my attention to the song. I think the song managed to showcase their vocals and rapping in a decent manner. It matches the lightness of the instrumental and doesn’t feel overwhelmingly bold. I also enjoyed that acapella effect that was built into the instrumentation. It is something a little different to what we hear often nowadays. Overall, I think just wanted more grabbing, like the title track, since this is the first song on their first album. (7/10)
3. Our Summer – Our Summer is my favourite sidetrack on the album. It features a nice light tropical house instrumental. But what sets this song apart from the first song (as I described them both as light) gradually builds up and launches itself into an upbeat instrumental that manages to be very appealing. Yes, it is a song of an overused genre, but it doesn’t mean it is a bad song. I liked how peaceful the verses of the song is and how they continue on with the peacefulness and pleasantness in the chorus despite adding more to the instrumental. Their vocals are very refreshing. I think the track would have been nicer with a rap sequence but what we got is already amazing. (9.5/10)
4. Cat & Dog – Cat & Dog has a very neat hip-hop influenced style. It also shares a cute message of wanting to be their lover’s pet, as that way they will be closer to their lover for the majority of the day. And I do like the song quite a bit. It is fun, youthful and inviting to listeners. I do think the autotune was a bit much and that they could have gone easier on that front. I think given the hip-hop influence, their rapping does shine considerably. I also quite like the ending as it is memorable as it goes that extra mile for me. From the ‘I Just Wanna Be A Dog’ line to the barking, the song ends with a unique touch and made me chuckle yet wanting more. (9/10)
5. Nap Of A Star (별의 낮잠) – This ballad starts off with amazing vocals. The breathy nature and the soft volume they add to their usual vocals really give the song impact. The harmonies are also very beautiful, while they also seemed to be heavily utilised in the song to give it some definition. Otherwise, the song would have been very bare. The instrumental is simple, featuring guitar all throughout and some deep percussion, which was added later on. Nothing else was used, so it solely relies on the vocals. The combination of everything really makes it an amazing ballad that ends the album on a very peaceful and warm note. (10/10)
(G)I-DLE returned last week with their brand new single, Senorita, which is featured on the group’s 2nd mini-album, I Made. Today, we will be having a closer look at the album and the other tracks that are present alongside Senorita. But if you don’t want to read the full album review, I got you! Just a very quick summary of the review before we get started – everything is fantastic. Not one bad song present, so the album gets my nod of approval (and that ‘Recommended’ sticker below). But if you want an in-depth dive, continue reading below!
2. What’s Your Name – What’s Your Name stands out for its heaviness. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing as I cannot pinpoint any song with a heavy instrumental like this (i.e. it is somewhat refreshing). And as the song is quite heavy, they didn’t too much to the instrumental to give it an overpowering effect. Instead, I liked the EDM drop, which gave the song some nice texture and energy at the same time. The build-up was also memorable, partly due to the vocals as well. While we already mention vocals, I thought that they stood out based on this element alone in this song. Their vocals were quite simple, but it managed to work well with the instrumental. Likewise, the raps also get the same comments and I think the more melodic approach with their delivery in time around. (8.5/10)
3. Put It Straight (싫다고 말해) – (G)I-DLE’s approach to a ballad is very interesting. And it is the style that I am very into. The first thing that grabs your attention is their vocals. All members take a husky and low tone vocal approach, which I think was amazingly done. I liked how the music worked alongside the members. Usually, the instrumental is laid down first with the vocals following. But for this song, particularly the verses, the instrumental moulds itself around the vocals. Their vocals also seemed to be emotionally driven and with further inspection, the song talks about loneliness in a relationship. But when you read the English lyrics of the song, you just can’t help but notice how eerie the song sounds as a result. (9/10)
4. Give Me Your (주세요) – Once again, the group changes up style with this song. Give Me Your shares the opposite feeling to the previous song, reflecting upon one’s feeling to their partner. And with that, the song takes a brighter tone, which I much appreciate. The style they went for reminds me of the folksy songs that IU releases every now and then. Once again, no rapping in this as rapping would fit this folksy style. Instead, all the members opt for vocals Soyeon does get close to rapping, but it stays close to her preceding vocal section. I personally don’t mind the song but it isn’t my cup of tea. (8/10)
5. Blow Your Mind – When Blow Your Mind first started, it felt like a very straightforward and serious R&B track. Minnie does a good job of making us think this way. But once the song picks up and the chorus kicks in, the song seems to get a retro influence in the instrumentation. The ‘You You You… Oh Oh’ repetition (my favourite bit of the song) that follows the chorus gives it a quirky nature, becoming the second unexpected changeup. Soyeon returns to rapping in this song and manages to slay her lines remarkably in this song. Once again, I think this was an amazing ending to the album. (9/10)
Mamamoo isn’t back with a brand new comeback just yet! In fact, they will be returning towards the end of next week with the final instalment of their Four Seasons Project. But that doesn’t stop us from reviewing one of their past albums. Pink Funky was released back in 2015 and it features 6 songs in total, including the title track Um Oh Ah Yeah and the pre-release single, Aah Oop! (links to their respective reviews below). Um Oh Ah Yeah is also the very comeback that grew the group’s popularity due to their unique performances and the song’s very catchy nature.
Pink Funky Teaser Image
1..Freakin Shoes – Freakin Shoes feels like an odd title but it actually makes a lot of sense. Essentially the song likens a pair of new shoes to a person’s crush. Simply, they need to be bought before they are off the market. It is a fun light-hearted song that leads onto the main title track quite nicely. The song features a variety of sounds and vocals from each member, showcasing their capabilities in this somewhat cutesy pop sound (though there seemed to a slight dash of hip-hop influence at the start). When I first re-listened to the song to write the review, I thought the instrumental during the chorus was similar to the later-released Aze Gag. I also thought this song was quite catchy with its chant-like and repetitive chorus. It isn’t overly repeated, which I think makes this track refreshing rather than annoying. (8.5/10)
3. Sting (따끔) – While the first song deserved its popularity, Sting is the under-appreciated song on the album that deserves some love as well. It is a ballad about realising you still have feelings for a former lover despite thinking you have already moved on. Sting features amazing vocals that really make this song as amazing as it is. Wheein, Hwasa and Solar all do an amazing job with their voices in the song, especially during the bridge which really gave the song that powerful tone despite it being a emotionally driven ballad. If you like Mamamoo for their vocals, then this is the song for you. Moonbyul fans, unfortunately, Moonbyul didn’t have any lines in the version that is featured on the album. However, there are live performances with a special additional rap section, which I thought was fitting and nicely done. (9/10)
4. No No No (갑과 을) – No No No starts adding more funk to the album. It is quite energetic and bright, which I thought was rather fun. Penned by Moonbyul, the song is written to (or in regards) to her ex. It is all about her ex underappreciating back then but now (since she is popular and successful) that they have changed their attitudes about her. I like how the lyrics showcase a more confident side of the girls, which I think is quite appropriate given the background story of the lyrics. I quite liked the vocals of the members, including the rap sequences done by both Hwasa and Moonbyul. The chorus was quite groovy as well. I did notice some Esna influence in some sections of the song and this reminds me of Aah Oop! (8/10)
5. Self Camera – Self Camera takes on a soft R&B sound with some funk mixed into it. And like the first song, this one likens love to a camera. Once again, the vocals of the members stand out in Self Camera, especially in the final moments of the song. I also thought there was an easy-going tone with the song, which does slightly draw some attention to the song. However, I felt the song was weaker than the rest. I didn’t instantly standout, which seemed to be the case for the other songs when I think about it. However, it is still a nice song to listen to. (7.5/10)
It is time for another album review and today we will have a closer look at SF9’s latest mini-album, Narcissus, which was released last week. It features the title track, Enough and five other amazing songs. And I cannot emphasise that enough. This is one extremely high-quality album, where every song is praised. I barely have anything negative to say about the songs, as you will find out as you read the review. Furthermore, it is extremely rare for me to actually enjoy every song in the album. Okay, before I continue to ramble on, I hand you over to the actual review.
2. Play Hard (화끈하게) – Play Hard is exactly what the song’s title suggest. It urges you to enjoy yourself and have a great time living life after a hard week’s worth of work. I am totally loving the chorus for the song. The saxophone infused upbeat chorus is extremely fun sounding and definitely gets you into the groove for partying. I like how the rappers got a lot of parts in the song, with their deep voices complimenting the bright and energetic nature of the song. I also really liked the shared lines between in the chorus as well. I find it a little intriguing that there is also a dance break in the midst of the song, as the song pretty much covered the necessity of that already. But I guess the song is about partying, so why not have some more fun while you are it? (9/10)
3. Heartbeat (하필) – Heartbeat starts off in an ambiguous nature, as you are a little unsure what direction the song would take. You do here a paced heartbeat in the background, but it doesn’t really tell you how the song would progress. The song starts taking shape once the song once Rowoon starts singing and the amazing guitar starts, with the latter leaving me floored. The chorus confirms the presence of a pop track in our midst and I think I really like the nature of the chorus, giving me nostalgia to past pop songs. The rapping was quite awesome in this song. It isn’t the main element in the song (as the vocals are, which are equally as nice). The only thing that I don’t agree with on the track is the autotuned ‘I can feel your heartbeat’. Yes, it does feel very fitting for a pop context. But I think it just ruins what the song really built up to. (9/10)
4. Life Is So Beautiful – Another good track from the group but it doesn’t scream at me straight away. Instead, it takes a few listens for me to really appreciate its pretty intense drop and overall sound. To me, the EDM chorus stands out the most. The build-up in the pre-chorus promises it to be something quite fast-paced. But the actual chorus ended being dragged out and slower than expected. I think that really did a lot to attract my attention. The vocals in this track, along with the rap are, once again, extremely commendable. I like the underlying of electric guitars at the end. It could have been easily missed, however, due to the intensity of the chorus. (8/10)
5. Fall In Love – Fall In Love is probably the closest song to a ballad on the album. It does still have a dance influence due to the presence of the consistent drum beat in the background. But it is the piano that is the most dominant instrument in the instrumental and it gives the song a really beautiful melody. And due to the presence of the beautiful melody, the vocals benefit as they are given a platform to really shine. But as usual, their rappers managed to slide perfectly into the song and I am impressed with that. I think this would be a very nice track to listen to on a rainy day and I might just put this one on during the next wet day that comes by. (9/10)
6. The Beat Goes On (무중력) – We return to upbeat vibes for the last track on the album. There is a very cheerful vibe to the song that sets it apart from the rest of the album. I also like how it isn’t a really hard-hitting track. Instead, there is a hint of softness to the track that really holds it down and feels refreshing. For this track, I prefer the vocals to the rapping, as the song focuses more on the vocals, while the rapping is more of a side element. I liked the melody of the track, especially during the chorus, which is lead by Rowoon and Taeyang. I also like the ‘Beat Goes On’ line that brings everyone to the microphone. And honestly, it wraps up the album neatly. (9/10)
LOONA returned last week with XX, which featured the title track Butterfly. It also features 4 other new tracks (which I will be reviewing today), on top of the tracks featured on their ++ release, which we first saw in August of last year. Their company has been teasing this comeback for some time. The first teaser was released in October and it featured the ending of the Hi High music video but in reverse. Interestingly, the order of ++ songs on XX is actually been reversed as well. While I think I may have cracked that code, there is still a lot more cryptic messages to work through. In the meantime, here is my review for XX.
3. Satellite – Satellite is a very interesting track. It combines several appealing techniques to really make the song feel quite bold (but in a subtle way). The song starts off with a bouncy instrumental and very clear vocals. The pre-chorus takes a slight turn with a short yet sweet build-up, layered on top of a rolling drum beat. The chorus is what got my attention. It starts off with very melodic and wave-like vocals, which later moves onto a faster beat which provides a nice rush of energy to the chorus. It isn’t a combination that doesn’t really seem fitting, but it works effortlessly in this track. The rap sequences that make up majority of the second verse was also another well-done section, adding some texture to the track. I particularly like the inclusion of Kim-Lip’s section which sound like an electronic powering down (sorry for my unimaginative descriptions of each section). The rest of the track continues the same standard. Personally, Satellite is a very strong track if you are looking for something aesthetically pleasing. I also think this is a wonderful addition to their portfolio thus far. (9/10)
4. Curiosity – Curiosity throws a hip-hop feel to their aesthetic works that we got during their pre-debut period. It does create an interesting mix, to be honest. I just felt that there seemed to be a lot to focus on during the chorus and the instrumental, while it featured a deep sounding synth that sounds somewhat unique, was overpowering the vocals at times. But hey, that was my first impression. With more listens, the song is getting slightly better. But the one feeling that has remained from the start was how lacklustre the rap sequence felt. I wanted more. More definition and something to really kick the song up a notch. (7/10)
5. Colors – Colors is undeniably their most colourful work on the entire album. I attribute that to the certain level of brightness that you could feel during the chorus. The instrumental had a lot going on as well, which I think also contributed to this feeling. Once again, the instrumental did feel somewhat overwhelming, especially for the vocals of this track, which opted for a soft approach once again. However, I did like the instrumentation for the track, particularly the rolling drum beat during the chorus. The song also features a very conflicting dance break. It just doesn’t go with the rest of the song but for some reason it draws attention to the song in a way that I cannot really understand. To me, it attracted some good attention rather than a negative response (in my case at least). (7.5/10)
6. Where You At – Where You At is an R&B dance track that actually has a very addictive chorus. There isn’t much going on within the song, but it was still a very strong track overall. The ‘Where You At’ repetition within the chorus instantly gets me singing along. Come to the think of it, the entire track is quite pleasant, and I think the soft nature of the song is a major charm that they played right. The instrumental is on the more typical side of the spectrum, but I still thought it was nice. The vocals had this electronic filter applied to it, which also gave it a nice effect. It isn’t as extreme as autotune and worked well with the soft nature of the track. Interestingly, the track does not feature a rap. I personally think this was a good move as it would cut the softness of the track. (9/10)
One of the good things about doing this ‘Past Album’ reviews segment is that I am able to readily revisit groups who are now disbanded. These non-active groups have amazing albums and songs that just need some attention, even after years of release. The first now-disbanded group that I will be looking at is Miss A with their 2nd studio album, Hush. Hush shares the same name as the album’s lead title track and it also features some songs from the group’s first mini-album (Touch) and second mini-album (Independent Women Part III). For today, I will review only the songs that were present on the Hush album. As for the other songs on the mini-albums, I will return to them another week.
Hush Album Cover
1..Come On Over (놀러와) – Come On Over begins the album with a seductive sound. The track isn’t your most bombastic opener but it does do a good job of introducing the album. I really like the vocals in this track. They are quite breathy and this contributes to the sensual nature that I can detect. The combination of the R&B instrumental and vocals remind me of Uhm Jung Hwa’s songs. But the winning element for me is the rapping which I think is perfect for this track. (9/10)
2. Hush (허쉬) (Title Track) – Usually, I simply put a link to the review for the title tracks. But today, I have decided to offer an explanation. Times have changed and over the years, the song has grown on me immensely. It has grown so much that it has become my most favourite Miss A title track. Hence, I have decided to bump the original 8.5/10 to a 10/10. Obviously, all of my previous thoughts regarding the track have changed however I have decided to keep the original review as is. Click here to read the original full (but now practically invalid) review of Hush.(10/10)
3. Love Is U – One of my favourite tracks on the album is Love Is U. I thought the introductory was very misleading, as soon after the song becomes quite energetic. Showcased from the beginning of the song to the very end is the vocals of the group, which I thought was spectacular. The rapping was equally as nice. The chorus, even though it repeats the title, was my favourite part. I especially liked the ‘Love Is U, U, U’ part of the chorus. (10/10)
4. Spotlight – Spotlight follows the energetic sound from the previous song. I like the brightness of the track, which is quite fitting for a song titled Spotlight. While I did like the song’s pop instrumental and vocals, the song did feel rushed, particularly between the verse and chorus. I also did think the song was repetitive, especially after many listens. The best part of the song was the bridge with the ‘Oh Oh Oh’ and the rap sequence, which I think gave the song some much-needed intensity. (8/10)
5. Hide & Seek – Hide & Seek is another favourite of mine. It brings back the edgy vibe that Hush delivered but it goes with a rock-pop vibe, which I thought was quite addictive. The hooks did not help ease that criterion as I clearly remember the song being engraved into my mind when it was first released in 2014. The rapping just before the chorus was my favourite part of the track because it brings the best out of Jia, who is often overshadowed by the rest of the groups. (10/10)
6. (Mama) I’m Good – Do you see something about the album thus far? Even Track Number 6 is a favourite. It is a feel-good track that really makes you smile regardless of how you are feeling before the track. The instrumental is extremely bright, as you would expect from this type of song. Once again, the vocals are on full blast with this track being their best effort on the album. It is also very catchy. (10/10)
7. Like U – Like U brings back that sensual vibe through another R&B number. It provides us listeners a break from the energy filled album thus far but also serves as a great ‘interlude’ to the rest of the album. The vocals are brought back into play with no rapping within the track, which I thought was a suitable omission for this track. Unfortunately, this track wasn’t a favourite as it didn’t have that memorable element to hold me with. But it was still nice nonetheless. (9/10)
Touch Album Cover (Source: Mithunonthe)
9. Touch (터치) – Once again, I am here to offer an explanation. The original score was a 4/10. But that included the music video and performance, which to this date, I still do not like. Likewise, my original thoughts regarding the song still stand. But back then, there was no breakdown of the final review score and I do not believe a 4/10 represents my thoughts then or now in regard to the song/music. Hence, I have decided to bump the score to a 6.5/10. Click here to read the full review of Touch. (6.5/10)
10. Over U– Repetition may be this song’s main charm. ‘Over U’ is repeated during the chorus and while you may think this might get annoying, it becomes engraved into your mind. Trust me on this one, as it is one memorable song. The verses are what keeps the song moving along as it is rather different. Their vocals also bring some freshness as it moves along, especially Jia’s rapping which I think adds a kick to the song. (9/10)
Independent Women Part III Album Cover
11. Time’s Up – Time’s Up is also another addictive song. To me, it feels like a shuffling song (and here I show my age). I also liked the pre-chorus slowdown, which I thought really gave the song an intriguing turn. The post-chorus instrumental break was quite dynamic and showcased a burst of energy. I also thought the ‘Bye Bye Bye’ was a very delicate touch to the harsh club/dance beat. The rest of the song was equally as good, I just don’t have the space to write all about it! (10/10)
12. If I Were A Boy – If I Were A Boy features a much slower R&B instrumental and raspier vocals from the members. And while we have seen this combination elsewhere in the album, I just cannot seem to really enjoy this song. It is paced so slowly that it feels unfitting for the album, which has featured an overload of energy. To think of this track as a breather doesn’t really help its case. It just isn’t a memorable song and it still has some nice moments. (7/10)
KPOPREVIEWED 