Album Reviews – Page 43

[Album Review] Love Yourself: Tear (3rd Studio Album) – BTS

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BTS1 Comment

Apologies for the delayed release of this album review. I just had some last minute things to focus on. Here is the long review for BTS’s latest album, Love Yourself: Tear. They had their comeback stage at the Billboard Music Awards this past Sunday and officially kicked off their promotions in South Korea last night. So with no further delays, here is my review!

bts-loveyourselftear-2 — *Love Yourself: Tear* Album Cover

1. Intro: Singularity (V Solo) – Opening the album is an R&B track with a really ‘smooth’ instrumental that does a really good job of reeling you into the song. While this is the case, the song is a tad too slow for my liking. But as it features only V, it allows him to stand out. His vocals are extremely husky here and it sounds awesome when it is on a blank canvas, like this minimalistic instrumental. (8/10)

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

3. The Truth Untold (전하지 못한 진심) (ft. Steve Aoki) – The group previously collaborated with Steve Aoki for Mic Drop last year, so it was quite surprising to see another collaboration between the two. This around, however, the focus is on the vocal line, who put out a really beautiful ballad. Their vocals alone just amaze me. I loved how it climaxes at the bridge by bringing some percussion into the mix. And the ending was just perfect, giving the song the perfect ending. (10/10)

4. 134340 (Pluto) – The song manages to becomes its own thing by the inclusion of the flute in the instrumental. You don’t really hear them all too often in KPOP, so it definitely has this fresh feel. The song ended up having this jazzy or coffee shop vibe, which I thought was rather cool. I like how the vocals pushed the boundaries of the song, particularly the chorus and how the rapping sat so well within the boundaries. (10/10)

5. Paradise (낙원) – Unfortunately, Paradise didn’t really appeal to my taste, mainly because it became rather repetitive towards the end. The song had thumping from the very start, which I thought gave the song a strong foundation. I think I am going to side with the raps in this song, rather than the vocals. Don’t get me wrong, the vocals were fantastic but the raps felt like they had more edge. I did like the end where everyone was singing together though. (8/10)

6. Love Maze – Once again, the song features great vocals and rap sequences where the emotions that the members put in were easily felt. The harmonies during the chorus were quite nice. But I wasn’t too drawn to the song as it felt quite ‘simple’. The song doesn’t really scream excitement and the instrumental felt plain than anything else. It was a decent song, just not the best. (7.5/10)

7. Magic Shop – As I hear more songs that mixes amazing vocals with EDM or electronic based music, I am definitely falling harder for them. Magic Shop definitely throws in amazing vocals and raps, similar to what we would get from a ballad from the group. But with the addition of a great drop and EDM-based, it just gives the song a boost of life. The song wasn’t exactly catchy but it was breathtaking. The only other thing that I wasn’t keen on were the raps. (9/10)

8. Airplane Pt 2 – This song features a Latin-based sound, which seems to be a growing trend within the industry. In this song, the members take you to a trip around the world with their lyrics. The raps did a good job at keeping the song feel so linear. They also added some roughness through the huskiness of the rapper’s voices. The vocals were nice. But I wasn’t really drawn towards the song. (7/10)

9. Anpanman – Anpanman is a Japanese cartoon superhero character, which I assume would be famous throughout Asia. The song falls onto the hip-hop side of the group, however, there was this enjoyable yet fun element to its sound, which made it memorable for me. Not particularly a fan of the vocals of the song, which were drawn out or adjusted to be deep. The rapping and bridge, on the other hand, were great points throughout the song. (7.5/10)

10. So What – Despite it featuring a heavy beat and a house genre instrumental, the song was quite easy on the ears. The song was exceptionally groovy and had a burst of energy from the chorus. It is one of the songs that I would consider to be actual ‘hype songs’ and can easily be slipped into a playlist at a party. Really liked RM’s opening line to the rap. Overall, it was one great song. (9/10)

11. Outro: Tears – The song focuses on the rapper line. Like how movies tend to end on cliff-hangers, this song is probably the equivalent of that. The song basically keeps you on edge the entire time and despite it closing up very nicely, it does make you want the next album release instantly. It also shows off the rappers and their potential once again. The instrumental was a lot darker in comparison to rest of the album. The only section I am not into is Suga’s autotuned rap but it was one damn good outro song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

bts-loveyourselftear-3 — *Love Yourself: Tear* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Heal (4th Mini Album) – Lovelyz

May 20, 2018May 20, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged LovelyzLeave a comment

Apologies for the lack of album reviews in the past week. I had to drop them temporarily due to my studies (it got hectic real fast). Now that the first hurdle is over, I am glad I can finally edit and publish on that I was holding for a few weeks now. Lovelyz made their comeback with That Day, which earned them their second trophy. It is the lead title track off their 4th mini-album, Heal. With no further delay, here is my album review!

2. That Day (그날의 너) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of That Day. (7.9/10)

3. Bizarre (미묘미묘해) – Bizarre is an upbeat and bright pop track with a cutesy vibe and retro feel. It is super catchy. It follows well after the title track with its ‘fun’ sound. Despite that, there was a ‘serious’ pre-chorus, which zoned right into the strong vocals and built up perfectly into the chorus. The verses were extremely colourful, which I really liked. Most awkward part of the song was definitely the end, where this deep tone came in. Quirky can be used to describe it but too random for my taste. Overall, a near-perfect song. (9.5/10)

4. Temptation – This contrast nicely with a more serious and mature tone. I really like the synth in the background that gives the song an almost futuristic sound. While the vocals don’t really hit that peak as in their previous two tracks, it sounds equally as nice here. The chorus provided a blast of energy which made it feel so refreshing. And the change-up did wonders to the track. Lovelyz don’t rap too often, so it did feel a little foreign to hear a rap sequence in their song. Following the rap was a soft piece of melodic music. Not too much of a fan of that but it gave a very different feel. (9/10)

5. Watercolour (수채화) – The mandatory ballad on all album releases is back to bite us. The song does showcase nice vocals, like in their previous tracks. There were nice ballads. However, it felt like your typical sweet-sounding ballad that girl groups tend to throw onto their albums. It sadly is the least interesting track on this album but still decent to listen to. (7/10)

6. SHINING★STAR – The song fondly reminds me of their previous album. It starts off with a very typical pop sound but instantly changes up with a chaotic piece of music lasting for a few seconds, which reminds me of ‘retro sounding video games’. The thumping in the verses and fast tempo really makes the song stand out. Chorus was nice however I felt the vocals were overshadowed by the intensity of the instrumental. From the second verse onwards, the song was quite repetitive, with nothing new to offer. The end of the song follows an energetic formula but was sadly too abrupt for my taste. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] Void (1st Mini Album) – The Rose

May 3, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged The RoseLeave a comment

The Rose probably is high up there on the list of underrated artists that need recognition fast for their talent. This is especially since after their latest comeback with Baby (link below). They have a unique sound that is unheard of on the KPOP platform, which makes them stand out. So, it only makes sense to have a closer look at their very first mini-album, right? Well, that is what we are doing today! Also featured on the mini-album are their two past title tracks, which I have very brief comments regarding them in the review below (since I have not done a review for them).

1..Candy (So Good) – What really draws my attention to most of The Rose’s songs is the British Pop and indie feel, which they were first known for. It is extremely unique in both the KPOP and Korean music scene. Candy features really husky yet nice and interesting vocals. It is the literal icing on the cake for this song. As for the song, I thought the song would have built up but it remained relatively consistent. While I have mentioned this being an issue for past songs, this is a key charm of this tracks. Its only main flaw is its shortness. (9/10)

2. Baby (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Baby. (9.6/10)

3. I.L.Y. – What this song is a beautiful ballad. It starts off extremely slow (which works really well) and then the introduction of the drums (and some energy) into the ballad really gave it a fresh breath of life. The chorus was also extremely nice with harmonies throughout the chorus giving the song that beauty to making it beautiful. (9/10)

4. Sorry – Sorry was released back in August 2017. It features an awesome opener (which is also the start of the choruses) that really grabs your attention from the get-go. Their vocals were also a defining moment of the song with the huskiness on display (but not as much as in the first track). I found the chorus to be a great section of the song to just ‘rock’ along with. Since its release in August, I found that I would continually come back to this song. Even until this day, I haven’t grown tired of it, which shows its longevity and quality. (10/10)

5. Like We Used To (좋았는데) – Like We Used To was released in October. Unfortunately, out of all the tracks that they have released thus far, this one is the least interesting (in my point of view). The instrumental does stand out as there were plenty of good moments within the song (despite the depressing lyrics). The vocals, on the other hand, were lacking and just plain. (6/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] EAU DE VIXX (3rd Studio Album) – VIXX

April 26, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged VIXX1 Comment

Smelling beautiful for their comeback is VIXX and their 3rd studio album, EAU DE VIXX. The new album features 12 songs, including Scentist and Shangri-La (links below). I only reviewed 11 as the 12th track is the instrumental version of Scentist. This is another long review, so let’s get right into it!

vixx-eaudevixx-2 — EAU DE VIXX Album Cover

1..Scentist (향) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Scentist. (8.8/10)

2. Odd Sense – There were parts of the song which I liked, while there were parts I wasn’t a fan of. Let’s start off with the positives. I really enjoyed the build-up during the pre-chorus and at the start of the song (0:10-0:13 of the song). The way the chorus actually ended was interesting and unique sounding. Also, Ravi’s rapping overall in this song was quite cool, slaying with each line. Moving to the negatives. Unfortunately, the vocals felt standard and the verses were quite plain. The song also felt dragged out. It also didn’t feel that catchy. (7/10)

3. Silence – Unlike what the title seems to allude to, the song is not ‘silent’. It opts for trap elements and a pretty good beat. It also has a very appealing sound as it doesn’t go overboard with obnoxious drops (which would have worked in this song). The build-up to the chorus was awesome. The vocals and raps were amazing. It was quite catchy, with the English lines in the chorus being my absolute favourite. The only aspect which I didn’t like was the bridge but it was still one great song. (9/10)

4. My Valentine – This song has a seductive sound yet a somewhat minimalistic instrumental. I really like the short piano moment between the vocals and raps during the verses. Once again, I thought the verses were boring and that extremely deep ‘How Do I Know That?‘ line was unfitting for the majority of the singing (which was at a higher pitch). I did like the falsetto singing but it wasn’t enough to win me over. (5/10)

5. Circle – Circle is a slow-ish R&B song that sadly is another miss for me. It just felt bland and doesn’t really draw any attention to itself. The song, too, focuses on falsetto vocals, which were okay. I did like how the song ended with a subtle hint of piano, while the word ‘Circle’ repeated throughout did echo in my mind afterwards. (6/10)

6. Good Day – What makes this track stand out on the album is its upbeat vibes and the energy. In addition, I really liked the guitar in the instrumental. Unfortunately, I thought the vocals were kind of meh and the raps weren’t that memorable. But despite that, it was a funky track and the instrumental did its bid in making this song enjoyable. (8/10)

7. Escape – Like in the previous track, there are guitars in the instrumental. However, this song features guitars that are more fitting for the seriousness. Jumping out at me is how ‘VIXX’ the song is. Over time, they have managed to develop a certain sound that I associate with them and this song fits perfectly into that association. The vocals were good but not the best on the album. However, the raps do stand out quite a bit. The song didn’t have a strong hook but I can’t explain why I kept coming back for more. The ‘Run Away’ whisper at the end as the song faded out was also quite cool and definitely left an impression. (8/10)

8. Trigger – I thought the song had a smooth yet classy R&B sound to it. For the first time in this review, the verses were really cool and the pre-chorus was equally as awesome. The slight delay before the drop was used quite well here and it showcased an extremely catchy chorus. Great vocal work and Ravi’s rap (per usual) is amazing. Another great song on this album. (9/10)

9. Resemble (닮아) – This is the mandatory and only ballad featured on this album. It just isn’t really a strong track for the group and out of all the songs on the album, this was the least interesting/most skippable. The song did have an instrumental that was somewhat jazzy. And that felt like the most interesting thing to point out. (5/10)

10. Navy and Shining Gold – To give some background information, the two colours in the title are the official colours for VIXX and fandom. Using that information, it is clear that this song was for their fans. The upbeat chorus just makes you want to dance along. All the members showcased great vocals. It is a song that is aimed to make you feel good and that it does well! (8.5/10)

11. Shangri-La (도원경) – Click here for the full review of Shangri-La. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.5/10

vixx-eaudevixx-3 — *EAU DE VIXX* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Boyhood (1st Mini Album) – UNB

April 22, 2018April 21, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged UNBLeave a comment

UNB is the male unit formed from the survival show The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project. They recently made their debut a few weeks back with double title tracks, which you can find down below. I have also made a series of special posts dedicated to The Unit, which you can find here by clicking any of the links (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Below are my thoughts on their new album. The female unit (UNI.T) will make their debut sometime in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled for their title track and album review!

1..Sense (감각) (Title Track) – Click here to read full review for Sense. (8.7/10)

2. Only One (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Only One. (9.5/10)

3. Ride With Me – The hip-hop styled song was incredibly catchy. It did sound underwhelming at first, however with multiple listens, the song becomes quite addictive. The song had a really cool melody, shining the most during the chorus. My favourite bit was the second half of the chorus, with the catchy line “Left, Right…“. The song had great vocals and the rapping was quite decent. While it does lack impact in some ways, the song does become addictive. It could potentially have been a contender for the title track if it had somehow had a little more energy inserted into it. (9/10)

4. Rebooting (믿어줘) – Rebooting falls on the standard side of the spectrum. It is the most passable track on this album as it does feel quite plain. The pop sound was still pleasant, however and its features a modern instrumental. The rapping was good and the vocals were nice. The chorus was by the far the most interesting part due to its upbeat nature but it made the verses seem empty and plain. The bridge was also commendable but it too felt like it was going towards the ‘standard zone’. (6.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

unb-boyhood-3 — UNB/*Boyhood* Teaser Images

[Album Review] Blooming Days (2nd Mini Album) – EXO-CBX

April 19, 2018April 19, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EXO, EXO-CBXLeave a comment

EXO-CBX made their long-awaited return with their second mini-album last week. The title track and mini-album share the same name, Blooming Days. A common theme that you will continually read throughout the review are comments in regards to how awesome the vocals and harmonies are within the album. For other comments, scroll down below!

exocbx-bloomingdays-2 — *Blooming Days* Album Cover

1..Monday Blues – Opening the album is a smooth R&B track which features amazing vocals and harmonies. It is one of those songs that I can’t help swaying along to (which is a good thing though). It is rather slow-paced but it still features a decent chorus that seemed catchy. I really liked the ‘owoo-owoo-owoo‘ repetition, which was my favourite part. I am not a fan of the bridge, however, which felt rather boring when compared to the rest of the song. But overall, it was rather easy on the ears and felt like a well-paced song for the opener, leading onto the title track. (8/10)

2. Blooming Days (花요일) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Blooming Days. (9.1/10)

3. Sweet Dreams (내일 만나) – The song has a moderate upbeat nature, which made the track extremely pleasant to listen to. Also featuring (and it seems to be a common theme in the album) are the harmonies and amazing vocals from the trio. I can say everything about the song was decent however it just didn’t seem to catch on. Likewise, the song just didn’t seem to peak, instead remaining consistent with how it initially started. (7/10)

4. Thursday – Returning to another R&B (and somewhat jazzy) song, first impressions for this track was that it was rather soothing and calming to listen to. The chorus shined brightly as the chorus was a lot louder compared to the verses, with the contrast working extremely well. Out of all the songs on the album, I like the vocals here the most. Especially, that falsetto bridge where Baekhyun and Chen alternate. (8/10)

5. Vroom Vroom – Upbeat track that sounds like was it was going to be an addictive addition to the album. And that it was. The chorus was rather unexpected, being dominated by loud synths that competed with the vocals. Yes, it was rather chaotic but it worked surprisingly well. The retro vibes were also quite strong. Also, almost non-existent on the album so far are the raps, which were nice and well-fitting to the song. (9/10)

6. Playdate – While this song showcased great vocal work and harmonies as well, it felt relatively plain and just didn’t feel captivated. It seems like a sweet swoon designed to swoon some fans but it just doesn’t really appeal to me. The falsetto was nice and the bridge was rather good. (6/10)

7. Lazy (휴일) – Like the previous track, I wasn’t really falling for this track. It had a nice sound and was pleasant sounding. I thought the chorus was rather simple, yet classy and elegant. The instrumental break was interesting, with a somewhat quirky synth in the background.But it just didn’t feel as memorable as I had expected it. Once again, nice vocals and the harmonies were great. I also felt the ending was a little too soon, as they should have eased off with the song, instead. (6/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.6/10

exocbx-bloomingdays-3 — *Blooming Days* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Positive (6th Mini Album) – Pentagon

April 8, 2018April 8, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged PentagonLeave a comment

Pentagon made their comeback at the start of the week with Shine. Shine is the title track off their 6th mini-album, titled as Positive. Pentagon’s last album review. Demo_01 and the title track off that album (Like This) put the group on my radar. And like that mini-album, Positive has proven to be a worthwhile album release. For more of my thoughts on the individual songs, read down below!

pentagonpositive-2 — *Positive* Album Cover

1..Offroad – What really jumps out at you with Offroad is its striking yet cluttered instrumental. Despite it being jam-packed and somewhat messy, it works as a very cool aspect of the song. On top of that, it remains in the background, with the vocals and raps staying at the forefront of the song. Both elements were nice but I really like the huskiness of the rapper’s voices in this song. What it could have used was some hype, which would have made this track even better. It is a great opener track, overall. (9/10)

2. Shine (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Shine. (8.7/10)

3. Think About You (생각해) – The song can be described as a slow R&B song with jazzy vibes. Following the intensity of the opening track and the upbeat nature of Shine, it was definitely a nice breather. The song seemed to focus more on the vocals but the rappers still had their moments throughout the song. There was a particular cheerful tone to the song. The song just ended up not being that memorable but it was still nice overall. (7.5/10)

4. Do It For Fun (재밌겠다) (Rapper Unit) – We all know (and I keep on saying time and time again) that rap-based songs aren’t really my cup of tea. But Do It For Fun is one awesome track. It was easy on the ears and quite catchy with the repetition. Given my past comments regarding the rappers, the delivery of their lines was really nice. Towards the end, it does turn into an anthem, which I thought was quite cool. It did go back to the way it started, which was an interesting change-up. Not sure which one would have been the better ending, but both were completely fine. (8/10)

5. Nothing I Can Do (보낼 수밖에) – This felt like your traditional ballad. However, there were some unconventional aspects of the instrumentation (especially in the chorus). Once again, the song focuses heavily on the vocals (but don’t worry, there were raps sequences in the song). All other aspects of the song were awesome. If I were to pick a song to compare this one too, it would be Pentagon’s Beautiful (which was my pick on non-title track of the year last year). I particularly like the violins (or guitar, not sure) at the end of the bridge. (8.5/10)

6. Let’s Go Together (함께 가자 우리) – This track as this ‘feel good’ style, which made it memorable for me. Once again, the vocals and raps both sounded quite pleasant in the song. I really liked the pre-chorus build-up where we get a taster from both sides of the team. The chorus itself was quite nice, with some harmonies between both the rappers and vocalists (which isn’t something you hear all too often). Likewise, the bridge was awesome due to the presence of harmonies. Its overall sound was an excellent way to end the album, where it made you feel good and cheerful afterwards. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

pentagonpositive-3 — *Positive* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Invitation (1st Studio Album) – UP10TION

April 1, 2018April 1, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged UP10TIONLeave a comment

After 6 mini-albums, UP10TION had returned to the industry with their very first full-length studio album, Invitation. While they have yet to release a hit since their debut, this high-quality sounding album seems to confirm that this chart-topping track is just right around the corner. So let’s get this album review going! Per usual, I have left the intro track off the list.

up10tion-invitation-2 — *Invitation* Album Cover

2. Candyland (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Candyland. (7.7/10)

3. Target On (반해, 안반해) – Despite having a very standard instrumental, I think the song has potential to be a contender for the title track. Right off the bat, it suits the UP10TION’s sound. It had a great level of intensity and the chorus can be deemed as catchy. While I don’t have that much to say about it, I would return to the album to listen to this song. (9/10)

4. Finally (오늘이야) – In general, I liked the instrumental for this, particularly the drum beat. This pop song managed to showcase both the potential for the vocalists and the rappers of UP10TION. The fading out at the ended seemed a little force in my opinion. But other than that, its simplicity speaks volume, especially when we are continually inundated with EDM and more intense genres. And like the previous, it is another track that I would love to hear continuously. (9.5/10)

5. Habit (습관) – We have the first ballad on the album. The stormy sound effects do set the mood of the song, automatically making the song emotional. The start of the chorus was amazing and it is another ballad that has that swaying effect (which earns big ticks for me). The start of the rapping sequence was awkward but the rapping (overall) was decent. The change-up in the bridge was nice, while the vocalists got another chance to shine. (8/10)

6. Mixed Signals (모호해) – Opening Mixed Signals are some odd synths and a cough. And while it might be a little non-traditional, its uniqueness makes the song intriguing. I hope my ears are not playing tricks on me, but those some synths seem to play throughout the song (though very quietly). The song is perfect for hanging out on a Summer’s day. I particularly thought the bridge was cool and the drop into the final chorus made the final moments of the song pop out even more. (9/10)

7. Always (이대로) – Right off the bat, you get this cheerful sound from its uplifting instrumental. This makes the song pleasant and refreshing. Once again, the raps and vocals were on point. It features a catchy chorus and melodic hook. While the song does suffer from the ‘standard syndrome’, the group managed to nail its delivery very well. (9/10)

8. Superstar – I really like the ‘secret agent’ styled instrumental, which made his track feel quite cool. I also liked the ‘Superstar’ repetition at the start of the song (which was also played throughout the song). The chorus was also quite nice and it reminded me of a song that I just cannot think of right now. I think both the vocals and raps could have been more powerful, with some aggressive vibes fitting the instrumental perfectly. (8/10)

9. Love Sick – The song has this one guitar riff which I thought was awesome (just before the chorus). While we are also talking about the chorus, it was extremely explosive. I think the song could have benefited more if you listen to it with good speakers capable to inserting some bass into the song. I personally want to see a performance to this song and I think it is another track that could have rivalled the title track. (8/10)

10. Still With You (시간아 멈춰서) – This is the second ballad on the album and it is the one song that I am on the fence on. One part of me likes the normal pitched vocals, but I am not a fan of the falsetto vocals by Jinhoo here. Its effect is decent but it just felt pushy. Only the vocalists performed this song if I am not mistaken. And other than the falsetto, I think it was a decent track. (7/10)

11. I Need You (예고 없이) – I love the explosive nature of the instrumental of this track, which grabs your attention. It also is the one that features the rappers to an approximate level, who tend to be limited to a few seconds in some of their songs. And before you assume that I was not a fan of the falsetto songs here (I know, how contradicting of me), I think they were a much better match for the song. Once again, I would love to return to listen to this track, mainly due to its energy. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

up10tion-invitation-3 — *Invitation* Individual Teasers (taken from Wishnote)

[Album Review] 0+1=1 (I Promise You) (2nd Mini Album) – Wanna One

March 25, 2018March 25, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Wanna OneLeave a comment

Wanna One is the latest group to make their comeback in the past week. They completely took over the latter half of 2017 with their comebacks and it is expected, with their fan following, to do extremely well this year as well. Their second mini-album consists of Boomerang, two versions of the pre-release track (I.P.U) and 4 other songs. So let’s get going with Wanna One’s album review!

wannaoneIpromiseyou-2 — *0+1=1 (I Promise You)* Album Cover

1..Gold – There was an epic and grand feel to this track. It isn’t the most amazing track out there but it was a nice opener to the album. The EDM (and rolling drum beat) instrumental was awesome. The vocals were quite smooth, while the rappers were also quite nice. The song had a nice melodic hook that was enjoyable and pleasing to listen to. (8/10)

2. I.P.U (I Promise You) (약속해요) (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for I.P.U. (8.4/10)

3. Boomerang (부메랑) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Boomerang. (7.1/10)

4. We Are – This seems to be the weakest track on the entire album. It has potential to be an awesome track. However, some aspects do hold it back. The drop could have been more epic. Everything in the EDM instrumental works, just the drops just didn’t feel special or mind-blowing. Rather disappointing, if you don’t mind me being blunt. The vocals and raps each add a different texture but it all cohesive. Finally, the final moments of the song just feel like an unnecessary extension of the song. It draws it out longer, which doesn’t make much sense. (6/10)

5. Look (보여) – Just with one listen to the track, I want to see this being promoted alongside the title track (or even replacing the title track). The instrumental to this track is particularly attention-grabbing and epic. When the song first started, I thought the song went with a jazzy style but I was caught off guard with the EDM elements that emerged later on. I also liked the launch into the final chorus and the choppy effect at the very end of the song. (9/10)

6. Your Name (너의 이름을) – Your Name is a ballad on the album. It has a nice melody and the vocals were quite heartfelt. The rappers also contributed by ensuring the song wasn’t boring or too repetitive. I really like the orchestral-like instrumental and everyone knows I am a sucker for violins. I liked how all the members sung together in the final chorus. (8/10)

7. I.P.U (약속해요) (Confession Version) – Different versions of the same song make you feel different emotions. I.P.U‘s original version (see track 2) is EDM based, while this version is more ballad-like. And it is clear that the song works both ways. In a way, the song sounds very emotional and extremely heartfelt. The vocalists shine with the ballad style, while the rappers (with some tweaking) managed to work well despite the limited scope of the instrumental. Some reshuffling and parts were removed but everything worked. Overall, it was a nice closer to the album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

wannaoneIpromiseyou-3 — *0+1=1 (I Promise You)* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Yellow Flower (6th Mini Album) – Mamamoo

March 18, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged MAMAMOOLeave a comment

Mamamoo recently made their comeback with Yellow Flower, their 6th mini-album. It is definitely amazing to see how far the girls have come since their debut days and how they managed to rise to the top of the industry. The mini-album consists of Starry Night, Star Wind Flower Sun and Paint Me (which I have all previously reviewed and linked below). On top of that, there are another 3 different songs on the release. There is also an intro track and like normal, that is not included in the review.

mamamoo-yellowflower-2 — *Yellow Flower* Album Cover

2..Star Wind Flower Sun (별 바람 꽃 태양) – Click here for the full review for Star Wind Flower Sun. (9/10)

3. Starry Night (별이 빛나는 밤) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Starry Night. (7.2/10)

4. Be Calm (덤덤해지네) (Hwasa Solo) – We all know that the Mamamoo members are all talented with their vocals. We have yet to see Hwasa shine on a solo front yet and Be Calm finally gives her the chance. While her husky vocals do this song justice, I just think this song wasn’t that captivating enough. There were some good parts that made this track still good. Firstly, her vocals. Secondly, the electric guitar and drum instrumental. Thirdly, it makes me want to sway along. And fourthly, it is a relaxing track. (7/10)

5. Rude Boy – Rude Boy is a very catchy song. The first verse just seemed to pass along and I didn’t really care for it. But the chorus brought my attention back to the song. It has an awesome hook and I thought it was cool. From then on, I liked all the other parts of the track. The song had a body roll type of instrumental. Moonbyul’s raps were also amazing. That pause, however, felt too sudden for my liking but the launch back into the final chorus was awesome enough to forget that issue. (9/10)

6. Spring Fever (봄타) – I can’t help always point out that all members are singing in the song. I don’t know why but it just happens to be the first thing I notice. The vocals aren’t that breathtaking like in Paint Me, however, it still compliments well with the acoustic sound of the song. Harmonies are also spectacular. Oddly (and this will be hard to explain), the acoustic sounds managed to make me feel like I was listening to some dance music. Finally, I didn’t expect the song to have a rap but it ended up being quite fitting. (10/10)

7. Paint Me (칠해줘) – Click here for the full review for Paint Me. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

mamamoo-yellowflower-3 — *Yellow Flower* Teaser Image

[Album Review] 10 Stories (1st Studio Album) – Kim Sung Kyu (Infinite)

March 15, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged INFINITE, Kim Sung Kyu (Infinite)Leave a comment

Kim Sung Kyu has been one of my favourite artists in the industry for a long time. That includes his works as part of Infinite and his solo career. 2018 marked the start of a new era for Sung Kyu with the release of his first full-length album, 10 Stories. As this review is quite lengthy, I am going to get straight into it.

kimsunggyu-10stories-2 — 10 Stories Album Cover

1..What Did I Say? (뭐랬어) (ft. Punchnello) – The album opens up with your standard ballad. It unfortunately wasn’t memorable and was the most passable track on the album. His vocals did have an echo-like effect which gave some colour to his vocals. Punchnello’s raps were heavily autotuned but was felt fitting for the song. The instrumental didn’t really have anything spectacular, which contributed to its small impression. (6/10)

2. Stay (머물러줘) – This song reminds me of his past works. I really liked the electronic keyboard in the background, which gave the song a really nice texture. His vocals were at the forefront of the song and I really liked the chorus of the song. Talking about the chorus, it had a great opener and nice rhythm. The saxophone in the bridge was a nice touch and kept the song from becoming too repetitive. In a way, the track is quite relaxing and for that, I like it a lot. (8/10)

3. True Love (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of True Love. (8.4/10)

4. Attraction (끌림) – Despite the other instrumentations, the keyboard stood out quite a bit. The chorus was quite interesting. The defining points in this song aren’t his vocals but rather the instrumental breaks throughout the song. Definitely the song’s unique charm. The slight autotune here was nice and is something that I tend to associate with Kim Sung Kyu’s solo work. There was also a faint whisper in the background for the final chorus that added something a little extra to the song. (8.5/10)

5. Vanishing Days (지워지는 날들) – When you first hear Sung Kyu sing, you can feel the emotions that he pours into his vocals. These strong vocals are balanced well with the piano instrumental. The second verse adds violins, which you all know I am into. The vocal build-up alongside the instrumental make this song stand out even more. That extra-long pause at the end of the song did catch me off guard but it was such an epic moment because the song returned to how it started initially, just with a guitar instrumental instead. Very fitting for a sad movie. (10/10)

6. Tall Sunrise (ft. JW of Nell) – The song opens up with Sung Kyu autotuned too much for my liking. However, I did like the “Can You Stay” lines which felt so smooth despite the heavy-handed autotune. I really like the chorus which was upbeat in comparison to the verses, yet still managing to connect well with the verses. The other negative that I wanted to make about this track was the autotune made both Sung Kyu’s and JW’s vocals so similar, it was quite hard to distinguish the different parts. (6/10)

7. Sorry – Sorry combines various synths to create the fine details for this track’s instrumental. That, the consistent hollow thumping and the vocals (which were on point all throughout) made this one of my favourites. My only complaint would be the first chorus felt too short. While not a complaint, the bridge was quite interesting, using only real instruments as opposed to the rest of the track which was synth heavy. Foreign but interesting. (10/10)

8. City of Angels (천사의 도시)– City of Angels is another song that reminds me of his past tracks. The instrumental for this track was relaxing and calming, yet I can’t pinpoint what cause this effect on me. The vocals, once again, nice, with some lines being quite melodic (such as the opener), leaving a strong impression. (9/10)

9. Sentimental – When you listen to the song, you get a hint of happiness. The instrumental did a good job conveying this to us. Vocals were also good; however, it was relatively plain when you look at the entire track. On top of that, the song did get a little repetitive due to the consistency of the vocals and instrumental. There was an added effect at the end of the track but it felt too late as an attempt to change up the song. (7/10)

10. Mirror (거울)– The album ends with a ballad. While I tend to think ending albums with ballads tend to be a weak point, this has to be an exception. His vocals are quite unique in this particular track, like no other on this album. I particularly like the push his vocals gave during the chorus. The piano only instrumental was also quite nice. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10

kimsunggyu-10stories--3 — 10 Stories Teaser Image

[Album Review] Dream Your Dream (4th Mini Album) – WJSN (Cosmic Girls)

March 11, 2018March 11, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged WJSNLeave a comment

WJSN has returned with their 4th mini-album, Dream Your Dream. This is their first comeback since their Happy promotions last year. I honestly do not know what else to say in this introductory paragraph. I am glad that I have been writing more album reviews for female groups and by the end of this month, I should have a few more for male groups. But we are here to look at WJSN’s comeback, so let’s get back on track for that!

wjsn-dreamyourdream-2 — *Dream Your Dream* Album Cover

1..Dreams Come True (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Dreams Come True. (8.3/10)

2. Love O’Clock – The track opens and closes up with a classic clock ticking. But within seconds, the song takes a turn by developing into a fun, energetic and upbeat track. I absolutely love the cutesy feel of the song and the catchy nature of the chorus. The vocals were nice, particularly the ad-libs. What the song also needed after a while was a rap sequence and it delivered that during the bridge with a smashing sequence. It is a great song that I am dying to see a live performance. It is my favourite track and a definite highlight of the entire album. (10/10)

3. Renaissance – This particular song feels like a direct follow-up to Secret, in my opinion. Despite that, however, there were moments in the song that didn’t feel right. The transition between the rap and vocals in the second verse felt awkward and cut the flow of the song. Don’t get me wrong, though, because the raps and vocals were amazing. Repetitiveness also seemed to be an issue as the song failed to have a slight change up to keep me interested as we got to the final chorus. (7/10)

4. Starry Moment – Starry Moment in another standard KPOP song. I did like the retro vibes that were channelled throughout the instrumental. The vocals and raps during the end of the choruses were good. I just feel like the song could have had a catchier hook to get me more into the song. The bridge of the song was also another strong point of the song. But despite all of that, this track seems to be the most passable when you look at the album as a whole. (7/10)

5. Thawing – Really good song despite it falling into that cutesy domain which tends to be a hit or miss for me. There are some quirky sounds in the song to add to that cutesy feel. They were nice details that I enjoyed. There were three stand-out parts in this track that I would like to point out. First, Cheng Xiao’s rap just before the first chorus. Secondly, the ‘tuttutu‘ repetition. And thirdly, the bridge which had a retro twist. All these parts made the track more fun and enjoyable to listen to. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

wjsn-dreamyourdream-3 — *Dream Your Dream* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Black Dress (7th Mini Album) – CLC

March 8, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged CLCLeave a comment

Please note that starting from this week, album reviews will be published on Thursdays and some Sundays. This should allow me to keep on top of these reviews and allow me to review a wider range of artists. Song reviews will be released as soon as I start writing them and I am not overwhelmed with work or university.

CLC dropped their 7th mini-album on the 22nd of February (just a few weeks ago). It is my first time writing an album review for the girl group, who has released a few fantastic title tracks. Black Dress, since the review, has become a track that I am looking forward to listening to every time I go to YouTube or when I plug in my earphones.

clc-blackdress-2 — *Black Dress* Album Cover (Source: ALLKPOP)

1..Black Dress (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Black Dress. (8.7/10)

2. Like That – The song started off like slow song or ballad-like. But within a few seconds, the song takes a turn. It develops into a pretty decent dance track. Per usual, I found the vocals really nice and it was through the vocals that the song built up into a likeable track. The EDM chorus was also captivating despite it being a common formula nowadays. Out of all the members, I think Ye-eun (the rapper) shined the brightest in this song, with her raps being standout moments in the song. (8/10)

3. Distance – Out of all the aspects of this song, the chorus was the main highlight. And I think that is due to the vocals in this song. The harmonies in this song just further back this up. Ye-eun also provides a really decent rap segment for the song, proving her capabilities to adapt to many genres of music. My main complaint about the song is the lack of energy. The song could have used some intensity to make it sound better. (7/10)

4. To The Sky (Pre-Release Track) – To The Sky seems to keep CLC attach to that bright and vibrant sound that they debuted with. It is an upbeat track that has a very fun vibe to it and its energy makes it addictive. Its energy was also appreciated after the preceding low-energy track. Chorus was nice, especially with the chanting type format. Compared to the rest of the album, it was nice to see something a little different to the other songs. (8/10)

5. 7th – Ballad tracks are usually known to be slow-paced songs. 7th is the opposite of that in the sense that it isn’t a slow ballad and paints a picture of a nice Summer’s day. The song features sweet vocals and also showcases their best vocal performance on the entire album. The instrumental had a very relaxing vibe, while the bridge took a jazzy turn. It is another great song, ending the album on a high note. (8/10)

Overall Album Review – 7.9/10

clc-blackdress-3 — *Black Dress* Teaser Image (Source: Imgur)

[Album Review] One Shot, Two Shot (1st Mini Album) – BoA

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BOALeave a comment

BoA, for her first time in her career, released her first mini-album. It is something you just don’t really notice until someone tells you but once you are aware of it, you are amazed. Her solo comeback in South Korea also coincided with her solo comeback in Japan, where is also quite famous. The title of her mini-album, One Shot, Two Shot, is also the name of her title track. The mini-album also features two recent tracks of BoA, which I have reviewed separately as they were released.

boaoneshottwoshot-2 — *One Shot, Two Shot* Album Cover (Source: ALLKPOP)

1..One Shot, Two Shot (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of One Shot, Two Shot. (8.5/10)

2. Everybody Knows – This track has a very chilled vibe. Interestingly, the song doesn’t peak, which gives it a unique and distinct charm. It started off with some ear-catching synths, which also featured in the chorus. For the most part, the song was quite soft with its instrumental, which is why I thought the intro synths were cool. Also fitting in with the soft instrumental are the soft vocals that BoA presents us. I think the piano during the bridge was the strongest moment of the entire track, with it also going well with the soft instrumental but at the same time contrasting nicely with the synths and chill vibes. (8/10)

3. NEGA DOLA (내가 돌아) (Pre-release Track) – Click here to read the full review of NEGA DOLA. (7.6/10)

4. Your Song (ft. Junflo) – Your Song features strong hip-hop influences, which isn’t anything that new. However, the reason why I think this is another strong track from the list is due to the how the vocals of both BoA and Junoflo compliment with each other. BoA brings that softness mentioned previously to the track, while Junflo brings a certain degree of harshness through his rap. The ‘That’s My Jam, That’s My Song’ and the ‘I Hate You Girl’ repetition is quite addictive. The changeup in the bridge allows the song to feature an awesome dance performance and while it does seem unexpected, it works wells with the song. (9/10)

5. Recollection – Recollection manages to give off an epic feel, despite it being easy-going. Once again, BoA’s vocals are on full display throughout this song. You can’t really say that the beat dropped in this song, as there is more of an inclination in the beat when the drop should have been present. That being said, the instrumental did not have much going on besides a very appreciating funky beat during the chorus. Besides that, I don’t have much else to say regarding this song. (8/10)

6. Always Always (ft. Chancellor) – I personally did not notice the constant thumping in the instrumental until it reaches Chancellor’s part. I mean it was always there from the very start but it felt more prominent during Chancellor’s part, so I really didn’t notice it during BoA’s verse. I bought BoA shined (yeah, a common theme in this album) but Chancellor was very close to having his part being overshadowed by the instrumental. The chorus was also very flowy and the ending of the song had a minor difference to the rest of the song, which was interesting, (7.5/10)

7. Camo – Click here to read the full review for Camo. (9.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

boaoneshottwoshot-3 — *One Shot, Two Shot* – Snapshot from Music Video (Source: FUSE)

[Album Review] Miracle (2nd Mini Album) – Golden Child

February 24, 2018February 23, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Golden ChildLeave a comment

I know this particular album review might be a little late but at least I didn’t hold onto it for an even longer period of time. Golden Child made their return at the end of January with their latest title track, It’s U, which featured on their second mini-album, Miracle (奇跡/기적). The album features 5 songs and one intro track, which I have omitted from this review.

goldenchildmiracle-2 — *Miracle* Album Cover

2..It’s U (너라고) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for It’s U. (7.7/10)

3. Lady – From their promotional tracks, you get a sense that Golden Child’s music centres around a youthful sound. Hence, this song took me by surprise. There is an epic sound to the song, which was quite unexpecting considering the soft start. It’s a heartfelt song, where their vocals do most of the conveying of the emotions. The vocals are amazing, though I thought for a moment I was listening to Infinite. The raps were also quite good. The best part of the song has to be when all the members start singing the second half of the chorus together. (9.5/10)

4. Crush – You are launched into a rock-themed song but the chorus seems to be more pop than rock. Despite this, I found that the chorus wasn’t that distinct to the verse. It took me a while to register that the chorus had already started the first couple of times I heard the song. The ‘Oh Crush‘ repetition was really addictive. The ending was also another abrupt one, which I am not much a fan of. Out of all the elements, I liked the rapping the most, which felt fitting for the rock instrumental. (8.5/10)

5. All Day (모든 날)– It’s time for the mandatory ballad on the album. The vocalists indeed shined the brightest in this song. Listening to the song, I can imagine a live performance where the audience is swaying along with their light sticks, creating a beautifully coloured sea for the members to see. The rappers also did a good job but my favourite bit has to be the harmonies at the end of the bridge, which made the already so good song even better. (8/10)

6. I’m Falling – Ending the album is a standard pop song. But it is a really good pop song. The instrumental was nice, with the EDM another unexpected turn featuring on this album. The pause and buildup in the pre-chorus was also another likeable section of the song. I feel like the raps outshined the vocals, as the rap section in the bridge was awesome. Great way to end the album! (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

goldenchildmiracle-3 — *Miracle* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Director’s Cut (Special Album) – SEVENTEEN

February 13, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SEVENTEENLeave a comment

SEVENTEEN made their return last week with Director’s Cut and the new title track, Thanks. And as you may know, I am a big fan of SEVENTEEN’s work, so I had to review their latest release. While it can be seen as a repackaged album for Teen, Age, Director’s Cut is marketed as a special album instead. It features 4 new songs, on top of the 13 songs from Teen, Age.

Per usual, I will only be reviewing the 4 new tracks on the album. Only they will contribute to the overall album rating. If you want to read my review for tracks 5 – 17, they can all be found on the Teen, Age album review post, which you can access by clicking here.

seventeendirectorscut-2 — *Director’s Cut* Album Cover

1..Thinkin’ About You – The album opens up with your standard pop song for the most part. There were some good synths, particularly in the final chorus, which did grab my attention. There was a nice rhythm and the post-chorus of the song was quite catchy. I did like the raps in this song over the vocals. The song just wasn’t mind-blowing but rather decent to listen to from time to time. (7/10)

2. Thanks (고맙다) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Thanks. (9.5/10)

3. Run To You (지금 널 찾아가고 있어) – Besides the title track, Run To You is my absolute favourite. The track has a rock-based album which you know that Seventeen would nail on stage with an equally rocking performance. I like the slight pause they include just before the chorus for the raps (which are amazing). The only let down would be the vocals, which seemed to force the song to fluctuate its intensity, which cuts the flow of the song. It was good for contrast though. (9/10)

4. Falling For U (Jeonghan & Joshua) – For the two members of the Vocal Unit who don’t really get much recognition for their vocals (compared to the other 3 members), it is pretty nice to hear them shine in their own collaborative track. The jazzy instrumental, the singing and rapping. Everything about this track was really cool. I also enjoyed the ‘Falling For U‘ repetition, which I would consider as the highlight of the track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10