Album Reviews – Page 41

[Album Review] Take 1. Are You There? (2nd Studio Album) – Monsta X

October 28, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged MONSTA X2 Comments

Monsta X returned earlier this week with their second studio-length album, Take 1. Are You There, which featured Shoot Out. The album features 10 songs, however (as usual), I have omitted the introductory track from the review. While there are other album reviews currently waiting for older releases, I decided to bump Monsta X’s album up for review to avoid falling behind for more recent releases. And it is also too good to pass! Continue reading for more of my thoughts on each song on the album!

monstax-areyouthere-2 — Take 1. Are You There? Album Cover

2. Underwater – Underwater is a strong to start to the entire album, minus a very significant change in the song’s instrumental. It is extremely calming and soothing during the verses and the chorus. I really like the melody of the song during those parts and its smoothness. However, it isn’t a Monsta X song without some EDM. And we get that is very small doses. Very small unnecessary doses. I would have loved the song without those erratic changes in the instrumental but it too sudden of a change for me and I just can’t get used to it. (7/10)

3. Shoot Out – Click here to read the full review of Shoot Out. (8/10)

4. Heart Attack – I personally like the way the start of the song hyped you up for the rest of the song. It is a rather simple tactic, but it really left a lasting impression. I thought the heavy bass was complimentary to the hype factor. Also, I thought the xylophones in the instrumentation were very interesting. The rapping perfect for the song and the vocal work was amazing. The song did get repetitive towards the ending but that was the main charm of the song, so I am not too troubled by it. (9/10)

5. I Do Love You (널하다) – Taking a step away from the dance tracks is I Do Love You, which is a nice house song that focuses on the vocals of the members. The rapping was nice, but it took more of a back-seat approach, giving the vocalists time to finally shine on the album. I thought the song would have been more suited for a release during the Summer season due to its brightness. I like the bridge of the song, particularly with (who I believe is) Minhyuk’s section (who also had the section ending the song), which quite refreshing. (9/10)

6. Mohae (어디서 뭐해) – While the last song was more of a breather, we quickly return to the dance elements that we know Monsta X for. And once again, the raps do shine in the song. The rap took up the majority of the second verse and it must be one of the best verses on the album. I thought the chorus was quite addictive and I really liked the melody. While the vocalists did an amazing job with their section, I wish to turn back to the rappers, who also had singing parts during the bridge, which I automatically liked. (8/10)

7. Oh My! – This has to be their best song on the album. I am not going to even ramble on with this statement. Did you hear that line just before the chorus? So, addictive and very dynamic. I thought the chorus was very catchy and the ‘Oh My!” hook was so damn good. I also like the two deep drum beats that you hear with the ‘Jak Jak’ lines of the song. Really brings out the hype factor (which I mentioned earlier for another song). Both the rapping and vocals were superb. (10/10)

8. Myself – Nothing points to intensity better than a repetitive deep drum beat. But what makes this song so interesting is its approach in terms of both vocals and raps. Both elements of the song were a lot huskier than usual, which makes this so damn good. It isn’t anything you expect but it adds to the intensity. The song mixes R&B and Monsta X’s usual dance style, going for something in between. The song itself reminds me of a VIXX b-side as there is also a level of eeriness, which I thought was quite cool. It is another perfect song on the album but it just misses out on the title of ‘Best Song’. (10/10)

9. By My Side – What is missing from the album? The ballad, of course. By My Side is the closest we get to the ballad. It is slow and calming. It is just the song uses more bass than usual ballads and has a horn-like squeaky sound that you would consider atypical in ballads. I personally like it despite it not being the most pleasant synth out there, but it gives the song an intriguing vibe. Once again, the vocals were at the forefront for the ballad, but the raps were equally as good. (9/10)

10. Spotlight (Korean Version) – I have previously reviewed the Japanese version of the song. Click here to read the full review of Spotlight. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

monstax-areyouthere-3 — *Are You There* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Regular-Irregular (1st Studio Album) – NCT 127

October 25, 2018October 25, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NCT1272 Comments

Due to my studies, I had to drop album reviews. But now, I have time and it is time to catch up on some many album reviews. The first album I have chosen to review is NCT 127’s first studio album, Regular-Irregular. This is the first album release to feature Jungwoo as the 10th member of the subunit and it also features the English version of their title track, Regular, which was recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel. This is one long review, so let’s get going!

nct127-regularirregular-2 — *Regular-Irregular* Album Cover

1. City 127 (지금 우리) – Opening the album is a very classy sounding and melodic track that does not disappoint. There are a few things that draw my attention to the song including the already mentioned melody, the soft nature of the piano instrumental (which also allows the song to easily become a dance track), the very addictive whistling tune and the vocals/raps of the song. It is a rather peaceful song, which is usually not my preference for the opening track (You want my attention, you need to go big). But they do just that with City 127, which is rather unique. (9/10)

2. Regular (Korean Version) – Click here to read the full review for Regular. (6/10)

3. Replay (PM 01:27) – While Replay does play towards the trend of electronic music in the industry, it does a good job with its aesthetics (compared to their title track which tackled the Latin trend). The entire track was rather soft with its sound, which is reflected nicely in the drop of this song. It fulfils the need for a beat drop, yet it stays within the theme of the first half of the album. I liked how the vocals and raps also played to vibes of the song, which in turn, creates a winning track. The track does not include Mark and Taeyong, which is a pity, but it is interesting to see some other members shine. (9/10)

4. Knock On – Knock On is a ballad that sounds very soothing. It is the type of song that I would enjoy listening to on a rainy day and the instrumental makes it great for a bedtime playlist or café as well. Once again, the vocals are amazing in this song and I don’t think there was any rapping, which would have ruined the style and momentum of the song. I really liked the chorus, with Doyoung, Jaehyun, Haechan and Taeil shining the brightest in this song. (8/10)

5. No Longer (나의 모든 순간) – Another ballad appears, and the consensus is that this is a lot more emotionally driven. Performed by Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Yuta, Jungwoo and Haechan, the song focuses squarely on the vocals of the group. And they do an amazing job. I thought the chorus was nice, with its well-balanced start and sudden vocal push. I liked how they managed to pick up the song towards the end yet ended so nicely. The layering was short but sweet. The more I listen to the song the more I am drawn to it. It is my pick for one of the best ballads of the year. (10/10)

6. Interlude: Regular to Irregular – This is the turning point of the album. Up until this track, everything has been rather classy and ‘regular’. In this intermission, we hear Jungwoo narrate in Korean, Yuta narrate in Japanese, WinWin in Mandarin and Johnny in English, to music heard previously in the NCT 2018 Yearbook #1 video. Towards the end, the song takes a turn and becomes a little erratic (to the reverse version of Fire Truck), which starts off the ‘irregular’ side of the album. Very unique to split the album like this.

7. My Van (내 Van) – My Van is performed by Mark, Taeyong, Yuta and Jaehyun. Going back to the ‘irregular’ theme, the song takes a sketchier approach with its sound. The song takes on hip-hop and the combination of these two elements remind me of Fire Truck. I liked the instrumental for this song, mainly because of its uniqueness and it offers something that we don’t listen to often. (8/10)

8. Come Back (악몽) – Come Back was featured on the group’s Japanese debut album, Chain, which was released earlier in the year. It is their most upbeat sound on the album (excluding the bonus track), but it does work well with the classy feel from the first half of the album. Good vocals once again and the much-desired rap sequence in this song was amazing and ‘lit’. I think the only complaint is that I wanted to hear more of the rap earlier and for a much longer period. (8/10)

9. Fly Away With Me (신기루) – Out of all the ‘irregular’ tracks on this album, I think Fly Away With Me hits the mark extremely well. It is a soft pop track that really does the job well. The aesthetics of this track are also on par with the other songs which I mentioned aesthetics for. Amazing harmonises in this song and the bridge was a winning section that I really got me coming back to this song after it ended. And the fading ending was beautiful. (9/10)

11. Run Back 2 U – The bonus track was surprisingly the most upbeat song on the album. It is one of those tracks with multiple music styles joined together, such as trap and other electronic genres. They go well with each other. The song is well-situated in the hip-hop genre as well. It also features the fast-paced tempo that no song on the album managed to deliver and also a really well delivered (and fast) rap sequence, which I quite liked. It is good but not necessarily my cup of tea. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10

nct127-regularirregular-3 — *Regular-Irregular* Teaser Image

[Album Review] New Kids: The Final (2nd Mini Album) – iKON

October 7, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged iKonLeave a comment

As mentioned previously, iKON has returned with their third release of the year. The group started off the year with Return, their first studio album and the insanely popular title track, Love Scenario. In August, the group returned with their first ever mini album, New Kids: Continue, which featured Killing Me. And now, the group has returned with New Kids: The Final and the title track Goodbye Road (link for this is posted below). Today we will be having a look at their latest mini-album, so let’s not delay any more.

ikon-newkidsthefinal-2 — *New Kids: The Final* Album Cover

1..Goodbye Road (이별길) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Goodbye Road. (8/10)

2. Don’t Let Me Know (내가 모르게) – Don’t Let Me Know falls into the category of an upbeat track, very different to their title track. But while this was upbeat, the song wasn’t as intense as their past dance tracks. Instead, it felt like a traditional pop sound. The song was quite plain, without much to really make it feel that special. The chorus was relatively simple yet addictive. The group opted for their anthem style ending for the chorus that they do regularly (i.e. when all the members sing together). Vocally, the song was quite good, and the rapping was, per usual, amazing. I personally like iKON’s more intense side, but this was still pretty good. (7.5/10)

3. Adore You (좋아해요) – Adore You combines the bright nature of the previous song and matching it with the tempo of the title track. This becomes a winning combination as it manages to develop a very powerful ballad. I like the simplicity of the instrumental, going for a raw and acoustic sound instead of the usual synths. Like the previous two songs, amazing vocals and rapping once again from all the members. I particularly love Yuhyeong and Jinhwan’s vocals during the bridge, which gave the song a nice peak. Once again, the group opted to sing together for the final chorus, which felt very fitting for the song. (9/10)

4. Perfect (꼴좋다) – The initial comments made for Adore You can also apply to this song. But it ends up having a completely different sound, which I think was a nice relief. I think this song is more ballad-y than the previous track as it doesn’t really move anywhere. Great vocals once again and the rapping was quite good. I like the ad-libs for this track, as they felt improvised rather than rehearsed. I think if I were to be critical about anything, it would be the ending. It just didn’t feel right. I felt like a fade-out would have been nicer (and less sudden) but also it would complement the stylistic choices of the song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

ikon-newkidsthefinal-3 — New Kids: The Final Teaser Image

[Album Review] WJ Please (5th Mini Album) – WJSN (Cosmic Girls)

October 4, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged WJSNLeave a comment

WJSN recently returned with this latest title track, Save Me Save You and mini-album, WJ Please. WJSN also confirmed they are a growing group this week as they won their very first weekly music show award on SBS The Show. While The Show is a relatively small weekly music award, it shows the groups appeal to the public with their music and concepts. Congratulations to the girls! And to celebrate, let’s take some time to have a closer look at the other songs on their mini-album.

1..Save Me Save You (부탁해) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Save Me Save You. (Originally a 7/10. However I wish to change this to a 8/10. It has grown on me a fair bit)

2. You, You, You (너, 너, 너) – You You You changes up the album with a ‘sunnier’ track that is filled with so much more brightness and innocence. The track feels like it is perfectly suited for the Summer season, which South Korea had just left. To me, the instrumental felt like a well-balanced mixed between their fantasy concept/sound and that Summertime vibe, which I have already mentioned too many times. This means it is well suited for the group’s portfolio. You You You featured nice vocals and a really cool rap sequence, which I really enjoyed. For once, I thought the fading out at the end was perfect as the leading out moment. The track just felt like it ended too quickly and was mushed together at some parts. But overall, great b-side track. (8/10)

3. I-YAH (아이야) – Once again, an orchestral instrumentation automatically earns points with me (as you may know). And it doesn’t stop throughout the song, maintaining a consistent level of energy throughout the entire track. I like how powerful this track was. It reminded me of Infinite’s instrumentation, which is well known to incorporate (or find a way to incorporate) the orchestral side of music. The instrumentation is only one part of the deal, with the vocals and rapping being the other part. Both aspects were extremely powerful. As much as I loved the vocals in this song, I think the rapping had the edge. This song is memorable with all these parts working together. (10/10)

4. Masquerade (가면무도회) – Starting off this track is a ballroom piece of instrumental which felt elegant. This elegant feeling continued to feature as the song continued into a smooth sounding dance track. The verses were nice but not major standout sections of the song. Instead, that honour is given to the chorus which has a burst of energy which makes it extremely appealing. I would have liked to have heard a stronger hook, as what we have doesn’t really hold me in place (I am more there for the burst of energy). But once again, amazing vocals and rapping from the members again. (8/10)

5. Hurry Up – Hurry Up is an upbeat retro song that is their most direct contact with the familiar and popular style in KPOP. And while it is bright and sunny, like You You You, it is their most lacking track. It just feels like a song that you get on Hairspray but was easily forgotten. There were some good vocal moments in the song and I like how the rap was incorporated into the song. But besides the retro instrumental and their vocals, the song was quite plain. It didn’t feel catchy or addictive, like other retro songs from other artists. (6.5/10)

6. You & I (2월의 봄) – This serves as the ballad on the album. You & I has this soothing feeling from the start and I like how they carried that throughout the entire song. It is a good track to end what seemed to be an upbeat album. It was a tad slow for my liking and it did feel rather plain. The instrumental could have been a little more interesting, but it paints a calming atmosphere, which goes back to my previous points. I like the harmonizing in the song. But I feel like the rapping and high-note felt unnecessary and cut the atmosphere in a way that spoiled the ending. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

wjsn-wjplease-3 — *WJ Please* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Alone In The City (3rd Mini Album) – Dream Catcher

September 30, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Dreamcatcher1 Comment

Given the amazing title track, I thought I would prioritise the album review for Dream Catcher’s latest mini-album. And this is where we are today. The female group returned recently with What and Alone In The City (their 3rd mini-album since debut). The album contains a total of 6 tracks, including an introductory instrumental piece (which sounds amazing) and the instrumental for their title track. Like usual, I elected not review these two tracks but have done so for the songs in between.

dreamcatcher-aloneinthecity-2 — *Alone In The City* Album Cover

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

3. Wonderland – Wonderland can be considered the opposite of the group’s title track. It is slow and smooth, almost like a sensual R&B song. Almost though, because their vocals don’t really fit into that image. Their vocals were good, but I am not too sure what their lead to. I thought the ‘Hush Hush Hush’ chorus was nicely done, being a key memorable section of the song. I find the rap interesting because I feel like they could have gone for an intense rap sequence. But rather, they kept to the song’s direction and made it soft and not like rapping whatsoever. Overall, the song was nice and a nice compliment to their intense title track. (8/10)

4. Trap – Jumping on board with everyone on this Trap bandwagon, I was totally interested in this song as it sounded nice during the highlight medley. But unfortunately, I think I am the only person on this planet that doesn’t feel too impressed with the track. I enjoyed the chorus on its own. However, I felt like they could have had more interesting verses and a better drop. These sections did pull down the song. Vocals were nice but the raping was underwhelming. I really did try to enjoy the song like how everyone else did but I can’t really get over this disappointment. (6/10)

5. July 7th (약속해 우리) – I think the best song on the album (apart from the album’s title track) is July 7th. It takes on a reggae sound without necessarily going down a typical route. Also, I liked how it didn’t use much, besides a simple beat that didn’t get too repetitive, surprisingly. It was a great song that showcased their vocals. I believe Dami (the rapper) had a singing moment in this song and if this is the case, I want to hear more of her voice. Simplicity is key and this song proves just that. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

dreamcatcher-aloneinthecity-3 — *Alone In The City* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Present: You (3rd Studio Album) – GOT7

September 27, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged GOT72 Comments

It is time for an album review! GOT7 recently returned with their chart-topping 3rd full-length album, Present: You and the title track, Lullaby. The album consists of 15 songs, which include 4 versions of the title track and 7 solo tracks. I will not be reviewing all four versions of the title track, hence this album review will be looking into the first 12 songs on the album. And as a 12 song review is quite lengthy, let’s get right into it.

got7-presentyou-2 — *Present: You* Album Cover

1..Lullaby (Title Track) – Click here to read full review of Lullaby. (9/10)

2. Enough – Enough’s starts was a very mediocre at first listen. But once the chorus kicked in and my ears are filled with the upbeat and energetic sounds, I found myself enjoying the song. The chorus definitely was a dynamic component of the song and my favourite section. I thought the vocals were excellent, particularly during the bridge of the song. The rapping gave the song that familiar hip-hop feel that you got from Teenager (from one of their past albums). (7.5/10)

3. Save You (지켜줄게) – The instrumentation for Save You reminds me of ‘90s hip-hop. The same synths were used and some of the rap lines gave off that feeling. I thought the pre-chorus instrumentation was a great build-up technique and grabbed my attention. Following that was the really upbeat and energy filled chorus, which was also memorable. The song did feel somewhat repetitive, with nothing new to offer. The ending was rather abrupt and I feel like they could have eased out, as that would allow us to end the song without this need to relieve intensity. (7/10)

4. No One Else – The first aspect of the song that I noticed was the shuffling effect and smaller details within the R&B instrumentation. The second aspect was the husky vocals during the first verses, which I thought was cool. The third standout aspect was how the song seems to break boundaries by going down a non-traditional route with its choruses. The verses were more upbeat than the chorus, with the chorus feeling almost acapella like. I thought this was really cool and very unique. I also like the pulsing outro, which really fits in well with the song. (9.5/10)

5. I Am Me – I am glad they chose this song as the secondary promotional track during their first week of promotions. Not saying any of the other songs didn’t deserve a chance but this song was impactful. It was the first b-side to really capture my attention. I thought the chorus was rather aesthetic and the drop was extremely dynamic. BamBam’s rapping was beautiful., while Jackson and Mark were given equally as beautiful vocal lines in the song. And this is on top of the usual vocals from the vocalists. I think the final thing to really mention about this track were the lyrics, which I guess were about loving yourself, despite your flaws. (10/10)

6. Sunrise (JB Solo) – The song felt like something you would get from DEAN or Crush. Sunrise is a slow R&B song that brings out JB’s vocal capabilities. During the verses, he goes with a husky approach, while in the chorus, he sings with a falsetto. I like the softness in the bridge. Usually, I would comment by saying how that was easily missed or not audible. However, since the rest of the song is already quite soft, the bridge fits in well. The song had style and you can’t expect nothing less from the leader. (8/10)

7. OMW (Mark Solo ft. Jackson) – With all the solo songs on this album, Mark’s solo song featured Jackson, for some odd reason. While I do like Jackson and his solo track on this album, I wasn’t much of a fan of his section in this song. Firstly, it took time away from Mark and secondly, his delivery in this song isn’t his best (i.e. it felt like he was trying to fit in). Mark, on the other hand, made sure the song fit for himself. His lines were clear and I thought the chorus was the catchiest of all the solo songs. His singing in the bridge was also quite awesome! (8.5/10)

8. Made It (Jackson Solo) – Jumping right at you is a very strong hip-hop connection. This is type of song that I expect to hear when people say hip-hop. And it is surprisingly as there is only a few of these songs in KPOP. Jackson drives the song with his delivery of the lines and the instrumental does a good job, alongside his rapping, of hyping us. It is rather short, which is a little disappointing, as I would have liked to hear more it. (8/10)

9. My Youth (Jinyoung Solo) – Jinyoung’s song is quite upbeat and has this modern pop sound which sounds very nice. While the song does sound like it is the most plain in terms of creativity, the content within has a powerful message and it impacts you. Jinyoung’s vocals were also nice. I haven’t heard his voice shine like this in a very long time. I really like the ‘I’m Still Young’ hook after the chorus, which sounds so dreamy. I thought his deep vocals during the bridge brought contrast to the song, especially after the falsetto hook. (9/10)

10. Nobody Knows (혼자) (Youngjae Solo) – I have a thing for songs with an epic vibe. Nobody Knows delivers in terms of this ‘epic vibe’. Throwing in Youngjae’s vocals, you have a breathtaking combination. The song starts off eerie and soft. The build-up is practically non-existent, opting to suddenly throw you into the chorus. And this is where the epic vibes come from. His vocals were top notch, there is no doubt about it. I thought the bridge of the song was really interesting, which had this unexpecting Latin feel. It adds a little colour to the song, since the colour is rather grey. (9/10)

11. Party (BamBam Solo) – If you have been a reader of this site for some time, you probably know what is coming. The autotuned vocals in this song do irk me. That is probably going to be my only complaint, as I do like other sections of the song a fair bit. The instrumental has a very strong chill vibe (more than anything else) but is still fitting for a party. There is a hype factor that makes you want to get up and dance. And the parts that aren’t autotuned, such as the chorus, were nice. The song does go through very quickly, which is a little disappointing when you find yourself in the groove of the song. (8/10)

12. Fine (Yugyeom Solo) – I love the eerie vibe that Fine portrays. I personally do not think it is its main intention, but it does a pretty good job at it for me. I kind of expected that he would go down the hip-hop route for his solo track, as that is what I commonly hear is his influence. I thought the build-up to the chorus was amazing and gave off an epic vibe. I like how loud and faster his bridge (or whatever you call the final section of this song) gets, which allows the song to peak and end on a plus. (9/10)

Overall Album Review – 8.5/10

got7-presentyou-3 — *Present: You* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Remember Me (6th Mini Album) – Oh My Girl

September 23, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged OH MY GIRLLeave a comment

I hope you have been enjoying these album reviews as much as I have been enjoying them. Today’s album review is for Oh My Girl, who recently returned with a brand new title track and mini-album, both titled Remember Me. This is the second time I have revied their mini-albums, with the first being their Secret Garden mini-album earlier this year. And before I start waffling along for this introduction paragraph, let’s just move on to what we are all here for – the actual album review.

ohmygirl-rememberme-2 — *Remember Me* Album Cover

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

2. Echo (메아리) – A part of me says that I would totally jump on board if the song was released in the midst of other Summer releases. But I am held back from completely investing myself in the song. Echo has a very carefree vibe to it, which suits the season of holidays and sun. But there is something within the song which keeps stagnant. Maybe it is the lack of energy. And it is this ‘stagnant’ feeling that makes the song not reach its full potential. It doesn’t stand out from the crowd, instead opting for the hidden route, which doesn’t honestly help the song. I thought the vocals and rapping were good. Overall, it was a good song, but I just didn’t feel 100% for me. (7/10)

3. Twilight – Twilight goes for a club beat instrumental. But before you think it is a completely different changeup to the group’s regular sound, the song feels very Oh My Girl’s territory. The song has a super catchy hook and I liked the build-up to the chorus. I thought the drop to the chorus was a little lacking (it should have been something like the drop at the bridge). The song features great vocals, especially Seunghee’s high note and Mimi’s rapping in the song (the latter’s part felt very fitting for the atmosphere). It’s their best song (following the amazing title track) on this album. (9.5/10)

4. Illusion – I feel like Illusion is the sequel to their fantastic b-side track, ‘One Step Two Step’ to an extent. It gave off that feeling, which I thought was nice. There was a rap sequence in the song which did feel a little different, but I am not too bother by it. I thought the chorus has a nice melody and the song has this innocence sound to it, which I liked. The vocals were nice, but I am not too keen on that anthem chanting that featured in the song, which felt misplaced for this style. (7/10)

5. Our Story (우리 이야기) – Our Story is the ballad that you get on most albums. It has a nice melody. It was a little bland for my taste at first but as I listened to more of it, I enjoyed its soothing nature. The song a beautiful instrumental and features great vocals from all the members. It isn’t too much of a stand out track (as it is the ‘mandatory ballad’ on the album), but it allowed the album to end on a lovely note. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

ohmygirl-rememberme-3 — *Remember Me* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Thumbs Up (7th Mini Album) – Pentagon

September 21, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Pentagon1 Comment

After releasing their trendy Shine song, Pentagon has returned to see whether they can pull off what Shine managed to accomplish for the group. And while their comeback may have been masked by certain news, they have managed to pull off a great comeback week with their latest title track, Naughty Boy. And they managed to equally release a high-quality album, Thumbs Up, which is what we will be looking at today.

pentagon-thumbsup-2 — *Thumbs Up* Album Cover

1..Naughty Boy (청개구리) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Naughty Boy. (9/10)

2. Just Do It Yo!! (저두요) – This song feels very fresh, especially when you think how most songs are either synth driven or emotionally centred. So when we get these type of pop songs, I can’t help but enjoy their cheerful vibes and the pleasant atmosphere. The song showcases very powerful vocals from all the members (and this includes the rappers). I like the instrumentation, which seems to be prominently guitar and drums. I also like how there was a ‘live’ feel to the song as if they recorded in public due to the presence of the background noise. Its chorus was also just as great as everything else in the song, making this a favourite of mine. (10/10)

3. Skateboard – Attracting my attention to the song is the repeated whistles that feature as part of the instrumental of the song. They ended up being quite catchy. It is another fun-sounding track but going back to something more fitting for a dance performance. I thought the chorus was rather dynamic with their vocalisation of some of the lines. I like the moments in which they all participate together. I would have liked a stronger rap sequence that could have been intense, which would have given a nicer texture to the song, as it feels relatively smooth. (8/10)

4. When It Rains At Night (밤에 비가 내리면) – Given the title of the song, it was expected it was going to be more of a ballad type. Pentagon has one good ballad (Beautiful – released last year) that I am aware of, but ballads are not something that the group releases often. I like the song for its instrumental, which I thought was very beautiful sounding. Like the instrumental, the vocals are also quite nice, and I liked how they managed to fit the rappers into the song (as both their tones are very different from each other and more aligned with the upbeat side of music, like their title tracks). (9/10)

5. Thumbs Up! – Ending the album isn’t technically a fun-sounding song. It is the pop song that I tend to like for its straightforwardness and very refreshing tone. You can’t help but smile along to this song. Once again, the vocals and the rapping were all very nice but they weren’t standouts for this album. There isn’t anything too special about the instrumentation in the song but that is one of this draw points, as I listed above. It did get a tad repetitive for my taste towards the end, as they could have done something during the bridge for a little changeup but besides that, it was a nice song. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

pentagon-thumbsup-3 — *Thumbs Up* Teaser Image

[Album Review] We Go Up (2nd Mini Album) – NCT Dream

September 18, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NCT, NCT DREAMLeave a comment

Despite already releasing a full-length album along with the other 2 NCT subunits, NCT Dream returned 2 weeks back with their second mini-album to date, We Go Up. I touch upon this during my song and album review of We Go Up but this is Mark’s last release with the group as he prepares for graduation from NCT Dream. But do not worry, as he (along with Haechan) will be returning next month as part of NCT 127 for their official first full-length album, so keep your eyes open for that album review. But we are here for NCT Dream, so let’s get moving along!

nctdream-wegoup-2 — *We Go Up* Album Cover

1..We Go Up (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of We Go Up. (9/10)

2. 1,2,3 – Changing up their style, the group’s second song on the album consist of a softer tone but remaining within that pop tune sound. And its lightness is well appreciated as I think (apart from the title song) 1,2,3 is my favourite track on the album. Vocals were nice and pleasant, while the rapping during the bridge gave the song what it needed (i.e. intensity which pairs well with the soft sound). My favourite part would have to the chorus, especially the ‘1,2,3’ lines as they felt well balanced and nostalgic. (9/10)

3. Beautiful Time (너와 나) – Beautiful Time describes the nice memories of a relationship, reminiscent of the good old days. The tone of the song seems to go towards that direction, but I thought it was relatively interesting how the instrumental during the chorus felt like it encroaching the upbeat side of music. In a way, it presents a cheerful tone to the song, which sets the song’s tone. I am, however, not much of a fan of their vocals and rapping in this song. It was good, but I just didn’t feel connected with them despite many listens. (7/10)

4. Drippin’ – Dripppin’ is a very intriguing song for its unique sound. It contains trap elements within its instrumentation, but it doesn’t go completely in that direction. I personally think the vocals bring a slight hip-hop influence to the song and they nailed the vocal components in my opinion. The little falsetto ending to the lines during the verses added a little kink and uniqueness to the song, which I thought gave it some character. The rapping during the verses was also quite good though they could have been more intensified to make the song even better. (8/10)

5. Dear DREAM – Ending the album is a bitter-sweet song. To put it into some context – Mark, who is the oldest member and 20 y/o, is graduating from NCT Dream as it is intended to be a group for members who are in their teens. If you look at the entire song, it is basically send off for Mark. I personally didn’t notice this section of the song until I read about it in the comments, but Mark’s final rap line was “Hope we always feel like-” and the rest of the members vocalise ‘home’ in the background. I thought was well played and showed the meaning behind the song in basically one line. The sweet side of the song is amazing vocals and rapping that filled the song. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

nctdream-wegoup-3 — *We Go Up* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Warning (2nd Mini Album) – Sunmi

September 16, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SunmiLeave a comment

It is time for a look at newer album releases. I have been catching up on some older albums lately and technically, this is still considered to be catching up as it has been a few weeks since it dropped. However, it is still a more recent release as promotions are still ongoing. Sunmi has returned with her second mini-album, Warning, since her solo debut. Featuring on the album is Siren (the title track), Gashina (released in August 2017) and Heroine (released in January 2018), along with a few more new tracks. So without any delay, let’s continue on with the album review!

1..Addict – Once again, Addict is an introductory track. The entire track is in English, which is a blessing for us international fans as we can finally understand something! The question asked is ‘Who is running the show’ and clearly, the answer is Sunmi herself. I find the track quite addictive. It isn’t perfect, however, as I expected a more powerful drop, given the build-up at the start. That could have made the track pop out even more, serving as a very appealing introductory track. But what we have here is already quite great. (8/10

2. Siren (사이렌) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Siren. (9/10)

3. Curve (곡선) – I love her vocals in this song. So seductive and sensual with her nasal voice, reminding me of some other really underrated nasally artists like Lim Kim. She goes for the same type of music as those artists, with a jazzy instrumentation and something that you won’t get on a traditional pop album. I also thought the chorus was extremely catchy, going with that repetition which works majority of the time. I think they could have introduced something extra to the song during the bridge, which would have made it more interesting. But once again, what we got is already quite good. (8/10)

4. Black Pearl – Following a similar path as the previous song, Black Pearl takes on a jazzy instrumentation infused with R&B, which I thought was quite nice. The brass ensures the song doesn’t feel empty, which could easily have happened. I really liked her vocals in the moments leading up the chorus. While she does bring the nasal voice back, I am not as impressed with her vocals in this song. It just isn’t as interesting as in the previous song. (7/10)

5. Gashina (가시나) – Click here for the full review of Gashina. (6/10 – at the time of writing the review. This was a major mistake as it became a favourite of mine. Hence, I have bumped it up to a 9/10).

6. Heroine (주인공) – Click here for the full review of Heroine. (10/10)

7. Secret Tape (비밀테이프) – There is an interesting sound with this song and I feel like this track could have been really good. Sadly, it serves as the outro track, lasting for less than 2 minutes. I liked the idea of her voice being masked by the effects of a recorder or tape, which I thought added class. And when that mask was taken away, we get something upbeat, which I thought was missing from her album (apart from the three title tracks) and needed kick to the slowness that it presented. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

sunmi-warning-3 — *Warning* Teaser Image

[Album Review] I Am WHO? (2nd Mini Album) – Stray Kids

September 13, 2018October 29, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Stray KidsLeave a comment

This is the final “catch up” album review as I plan to get started on some album review for new releases this weekend. This is also the first time I will be reviewing Stray Kids’ album, who made their debut earlier this year with District 9. However, I am WHO? is the title for their more recent album, which features My Pace (link below) as the main title track. The group has also been releasing performance videos (or mv-like videos for all their tracks, so I linked down below so you can view them (simply click on the link at the title of the song).

straykids-iamwho-2 — *I Am WHO?* Album Cover

1..WHO? – I do not commonly review the introductory track. But this one was much longer than most intro tracks and featured lyrics, which isn’t something too common. It is performed by Woojin, Felix and Han. A few of the titles of the songs on the album pop up in this track but I think it was a coincidence rather than intentional. I like the vocal and rapping elements in this introduction, my favourite being Woojin’s whispering. (8/10)

2. My Pace (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of My Pace. (9/10)

3. Voices – Voices is the hip-hop song that fulfils my craving for hip-hop, a genre that I don’t often delve into. It reminds me of the hip-hop songs that you commonly get in the Western industries back in the ‘00s. The song has a very impactful sound that is very rough around the edges but is quite heavy in terms of emotion. I thought the song showcases both their rapping and vocal potential, something I haven’t heard from them yet. I really like the roughness and intensity that the rappers bring to the song and the chorus was superb and melodic. (9.5/10)

4. Question – Question gets the album on a more upbeat and energetic note. In this song, we see different rap and vocal styles that we haven’t heard on the album yet. Whoever did the whispering rap section that opened the second verse sounds so good (I have replayed the song multiple times for that one section). I like entire chorus as it is however thought Felix’s English hook post-chorus extremely catchy and the main selling point of the song. The song does feel like it is missing something though, but I cannot pinpoint what that is. (8/10)

5. Insomnia (불면증) – While I did like other songs on the album more than Insomnia, I think it was the first song to jump out at me to confirm its album review. I thought the song was extremely dynamic, with its soft start and very unexpecting chaotic chorus drop. The fluctuations in the energy from the different sections is very interesting, which I think makes sense given the title of the song. Once again, the vocals and raps were quite good. But since I tend to listen to albums prior to going to sleep, this one isn’t too ideal for that period. (8/10)

6. M.I.A – I personally do not like to label songs as the ‘weakest song’ but it gives you an idea of what type of songs I like from an artist and what I don’t like. This one was a miss for me. I am not a fan of heavy autotune, so with majority of the song being filtered with the autotuned didn’t do much for me. On the plus side, however, the song was quite smooth. Vocals were good but I think some of the rapping in this song was more enjoyable (as it gave the song some roughness to offset the smoothness). Besides that, I don’t have much to say about the song. (6.5/10)

7. Awkward Silence (갑자기 분위기 싸해질 필요 없잖아요) – Ending the album is Awkward Silence, which is extremely fun and playful. A different route once again when compared to the rest of the album. I actually really like the song. The crow squawking during the ‘awkward silence’ just before the chorus was a very nice touch and gave the song that ‘not-so-serious’ element. I thought the bridge of the song was quite nice and Felix’s random inserts were quite enjoyable (also love the Australian accent that trickles in – Australia Represent!). It ends the album on a happier note, which I quite like. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10 [FIXED]

straykids-iamwho-3 — *I Am WHO?* Teaser Image

[Album Review] ++ (1st Mini Album) – LOONA

September 10, 2018September 17, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged LOOΠΔ, LOONA4 Comments

I know the album reviews are coming out at really odd times but bear with me for just this week as I make an attempt to catch up on the reviews. The next album that I will be reviewing is LOONA’s debut mini-album, titled as ++. It features both Hi High and favoRiTe, which I have both written separate reviews for. For those who also know about the music video theories that I had promised to write up, I have decided to put them on hold due to the sheer amount of time it takes to write them. They will be up sometime this year, so do not worry! But today, we are here for the album, so let’s get going!

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

3. favoRiTe (Pre-Release Song) – Click here to read the full review for favoRiTe. (9/10)

4. Heat (열기) – Heat fits the more aesthetically pleasing side of LOONA that we got through their pre-debut singles. The song has a very mature feel to it, something that you would not expect if you know LOONA through just their debut track. I like how peaceful the song sounds. It flows very well, and the minimalistic vibes of the instrumental allows their amazing vocals to fill the void and shine very brightly. I thought the suspense building, despite the minimalistic vibes of the song, were pretty good as well. (8/10)

5. Perfect Love – Perfect Love has that upbeat feel that you expect from a Summer season song. It is literally your standard pop song but done right. The chorus features a simple yet addictive hook, in my opinion. I think more could have done to the verses to really bring the song to another level, as it felt very plain. The song ends off with a short instrumental section, which I thought was cool. But not so much for that squeaky synth. And while the song does have fantastic vocals, it needed some rapping in it. That would have added a layer of texture. (8/10)

6. Stylish – I like the vibes from this song the most as it has a ‘stylish’ feel to it. It takes on that aesthetically pleasing sound and mature sound, like Heart (earlier song on the album). I like the start of the chorus, which has the instrumental omitted, allowing for the vocals (and filtered background vocals) to be in the spotlight. It created a nice level of suspense and amazement, which I thought was quite cool. I would like to see a performance for this song, as the song has that epic feel suited for the stage. Once again, I think the song could have used a rap sequence, but it was still amazing anyway. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

[Album Review] Another (3rd Mini Album) – Jeong Sewoon

September 9, 2018September 8, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Jeong SewoonLeave a comment

Finally getting around to completing the album reviews for this week. I haven’t cancelled them (or else I will fall behind even further) so I will be posting 3 album reviews in the span of a few days. This album review is for Jeong Sewoon’s latest mini-album, Another, which I think he has completed promotions for already. So let’s stop wasting time and get on with this album review!

1..20 Something (Title Track) – Click here for the review of 20 Something. (7.5/10)

2. Waterfall – I think the first thing that grabs me is his husky voices. And I love the mash-up between the classical piano and the synth-heavy instrumental, which peaks during the chorus. The chorus is quite chaotic but the good kind. There is a sense of order that makes it very aesthetic to listen to. I also like how his vocals manage to be put on display, as his voice could have been pretty much hidden under the chaos. I thought the song had an impact, making it one of my favourites on the album. (9/10)

3. Eye 2 Eye – The song is quite different from the chaos in the second song. It goes for an acoustic approach and shows off the husky nature of his voice even more than the previous song. It is songs like this where the instrumental allows the vocals to shine, allowing you to appreciate the vocals even more. The instrumental was quite ballady, but it had that foot-tapping effect that felt country-like. I love the acapella ending and that very light high note at the start of the final chorus. Also, the song was quite catchy. (9/10)

4. La La – Opening the song was the very surprisingly low tone in his voice, which I thought was extremely nice. It creates some contrast and texture in the song, which I thought gave the song some colour. The instrumental already presents the song with some colour but more is added with the said introduction. I like the build-up to the bridge, but it could have used a high note to really pick it up even more. I would like to see a performance for this song, mainly because it could have been similar to his debut stage (which I actually quite liked). (8.5/10)

5. I Wonder – Once again, we return to a more acoustic sound. The guitar is the only instrument within the instrumental. While that is a little different from the majority of the songs in the industry now, it too does a good job of allowing his vocals to shine. There is a dreamy notion regarding his voice that makes you sway you along. The whistling was quite nice and his falsetto during the final chorus was quite nice. (8/10)

6. Shadow – Once again, we find a song that allows for the vocals to shine. It takes the electronic application and balances it with the acoustic sound, which allows for the vocals to shine. As mentioned, there is a nice balance and I can’t help to think if all the songs on the album build-up to it. The song felt like an OST for some Korean Drama. And while I have mentioned his singing, Sewoon also takes on rapping in this song, which I thought he nailed quite well. Overall, I thought it was a nice song to end the album on. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

jeongsewoon-another-3 — *Another* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Summer Magic (2nd Summer Special Album) – Red Velvet

September 2, 2018December 9, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Red Velvet1 Comment

Taking on Summer once again is Red Velvet, following the success of Red Flavour and The Red Summer (released last year). The mini-album, Summer Magic, features 7 songs. I will only be reviewing 6 of the song (with the last one being Bad Boy (English Version), which I believe they performed at a KCON event). And with Summer wrapping up in the Northern hemisphere, let’s quickly have a closer look at the album before it gets too chilly.

redvelvet-summermagic-2 — *Summer Magic* Album Cover

1.Power Up (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Power Up. (6/10)

2. With You (한 여름의 크리스마스)– With You reminds me of Summer due to the presence of the instrumentation (hollow drums reminding me of the Caribbean and the tropics). The song itself also features great vocals from the members. The best part was when they sing together for the chorus, while some of their solo moments to give the chance for each member to stand out. There is a hint of catchiness making this a decent song to listen to. Not sure how Christmas relates to the Summer sounding track (I, unfortunately, do not have time to look up lyrics for this review), as the final Korean word in the title is ‘Christmas’. (8/10)

3. Mr. E – This song reminds me of another song which I cannot pinpoint yet. But its sense of nostalgia is greatly appreciated. It has that exotic vibe which sounds quite nice. The song itself is quite addictive, consisting of a very catchy hook and great melodies throughout the rest of the song. Like the previous song, the song also features great vocals. I also liked the rapping in the song but would have liked some more, to be honest. (8/10)

4. Mosquito – Probably my most favourite song on the entire track list. From the instrumentation to the vocal work, everything seemed perfect. But it is even better when everything feels epic. I like the hip-hop feel in this song, which gives a little flavour to the song that is unlike any other on this album. It also gives this song that extra edginess, which is why I describe it as ‘epic’. I liked how the instrumentation was relatively simple, but the suspenseful thumping came at the right time. Favourite line of the entire song has to be the ‘Na Na Na’ (10/10)

5. Hit That Drum – Following nicely from Mosquito is Hit That Drum that carries the same momentum. It sadly isn’t as epic sounding, but it has that catchiness that the previous song through its chorus. I have been humming the song since I first heard of it. It does remind me of another KPOP song, but I cannot figure out which (or even its it was by Red Velvet or not). It does need a little more of something to make it even better, but it was still another favourite. (9/10)

6. Blue Lemonade – Blue Lemonade aims to be a refreshing song and it nails its job perfectly. While its elements are very traditional, the overall feel of the song has that fresh tone which you want to hear with any new song. I like the bubbly effects the song contains, which personalises the song to the group very well and allow for the title to come to life. Once again great vocals, especially the ending to finish off the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

redvelvet-summermagic-3 — *Summer Magic/Power Up* Teaser Image

[Album Review] New Kids: Continue (1st Mini Album) – iKON

August 30, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged iKon1 Comment

As you may tell, I am currently prioritising some of the albums released earlier in the month, hence if some of your favourites recently came back, their album reviews should be out around mid-September. iKON is one of the artists who made their return to the stage at the start of the month with Killing Me and their first mini-album, New Kids: Continue.

ikon-newkidscomplete-2 — *New Kids: Continue* Album Cover

1..Killing Me (죽겠다) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Killing Me. (9/10)

2. Freedom (바람) – I thought the song would have had great potential with its rock influence, if only it didn’t take on a chorus that felt like it resembles something that came from the Disney channel. The verses and bridge were good, just the chorus felt like a letdown. Nonetheless, it was good head-banging music despite being described as a soft rock. I did like the fast-paced nature of the song and everyone sounded quite good. (7/10)

3. Only You – Only You takes that Summer sound that you get throughout the Summer season and mash it with iKON’s traditional hip-hop sound. In the end, we get a decent song. There was a slight reggae feel to the song, from what I heard. It did feel quite generic around the chorus but it wasn’t too bad that it affected the rest of the track. I liked the rapping in the song and the vocals were still quite good. (8/10)

4. Cocktail (칵테일) – Cocktail is probably my most favourite track on this list. The atmosphere that comes from this track makes you feel quite happy and lively. I thought the tiny quirk (where they go for a quick falsetto) at the end of each vocal line during the verses was nice. The vocals and rap combination was also quite cool in this song. And I like how they bring everyone together at the end of the song for the outro. And you can’t really help but sing along to it. (9/10)

5. Just For You (줄게) – Just For You is a nice ballad to end the album with. I like how the resident rappers also sing in this song (which they have done with other ballads in the past). But their vocals are top notch here, giving the song some interesting textures. The vocalists themselves did a nice job. The instrumentation was also quite nice and the launch back into the final chorus was quite impactful. Overall, it is a nice song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10

ikon-newkidscomplete-3 — *New Kids: Complete* Teaser Image

[Album Review] The Great Seungri (1st Studio Album) – Seungri (Big Bang)

August 28, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BIGBANG, Seungri (Big Bang)Leave a comment

So I wrote yesterday that I would be reviewing Seungri’s full album later this week. I just did not remember that I had organised for this to be done the day after. But we are here to look back on the release of Seungri’s first studio album, which is titled as The Great Seungri. His entire album seems lean towards electronic music, with the exception of just a few tracks. But that is all for you to read later on.

seungri-thegreatestseungri-2 — *The Geeat Seungri* Album Cover

1..1,2,3 (셋 셀테니) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of 1,2,3. (10/10)

2. Where R U From (ft. Mino) – Click here for the full review of Where R U From. (8/10)

3. Love Is You (ft. Blue.D) – Love Is You showcases a groovy R&B sound which I really like. It attracts my attention straight way, especially with the guitars throughout the song. Seungri has a nice voice in this song, which makes it even greater. Joining Seungri is Blue.D, who I just found out is a YG trainee. She has a very nice husky voice, which complements Seungri’s vocals very well. It was quite disappointing when there wasn’t enough opportunities for the two to sing together. There were some and it left me wanting more (I am not considering the chorus as the focus was on Seungri the entire time and she was only heard as backup vocals). But other than that, it was a good song. (8/10)

4. Mollado (몰라도) (ft. B.I) – The next song on the album takes on that Latin trend that KPOP has been having this year. It combines that Latin sound and EDM, creating a very catchy and upbeat sound that sticks in your head for quite a while. The song also features B.I from iKON, who delivers a really cool rap sequence for the bridge of the song and takes over the hook at the end. Little confused to why they allocated that part to him but I am not complaining. (8.5/10)

5. Sweet Lie (달콤한 거짓말) (ft. Dannic) – What makes this track so awesome is the build-up to the epic drop and the epic drop itself. I honestly pass over the vocals. They are good, and the production did a good job of letting the two come together but they just weren’t at that same level as the instrumentation. It remained too consistent here, staying within the same style for the entire song. I feel like if his vocals were tweaked a bit or some autotune was applied, this would have been much more appealing. (7/10)

6. Be Friend – As soon as the song starts, you are basically thrown into this extremely upbeat yet cheerful atmosphere. The instrumentation reminds me of a G-Dragon song, while his vocals felt like some that iKON would be releasing as a b-side track. The combination of the two does work together and allows Seungri to deliver a catchy song. A part of me also thinks this song could work as a soccer anthem, just some tweaking in the lyrics would be required. (8/10)

7. Hotline – The instrumentation and the hook for this song would work extremely well for Psy. It also sounds like the perfect song to slide into a random group at the club to. Just listening to this track, you can basically imagine a club-themed music video, which seems to be something right up YG alley a few years back. It is another song that hypes the crowd up and attract your attention. It had a powerful build-up and great level of energy to it, which I like. (9/10)

8. Alone (혼자 있는법) – Following the electronic music theme that this album had going on, Alone brings a different feel to the table. Something which the album hasn’t experienced yet, emotions. I also like how ‘different’ the synths during the chorus felt. Instead of usually featuring an increasing tone, it felt more like a downward spiral, which I thought was interesting and quite cool. It did get a little repetitive towards the end, but it was still good. (8.5/10)

9. Good Luck to You – The album saves the best track for last. The song starts off generic but once it gets to the chorus, another epic drop presents itself. I liked how there was two sections of the chorus drop, which felt like it prolonged the awesomeness of the chorus. The lyrics for this song were cool and Seungri’s vocals here has to be my vote for best on the album. I would have liked for there to be a rap of some kind of give the song some edge, which would have it made more interesting. But overall, one really great song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10