Album Reviews – Page 44

[Album Review] To. Heart (1st Mini Album) – fromis_9

February 10, 2018February 10, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Fromis_9Leave a comment

Once again, I am delayed with another album review. Fromis_9 made their formal debut with To Heart last month on the 24th of January. They previously made their first appearance on the stage of MAMA in Japan with Glass Shoes and that particular version of their pre-debut song is featured on the album. It is another relatively short review as it is a mini-album but I thought the album had a decent selection of songs that I wanted to write about. So without further ado, here are my comments on Fromis_9’s first mini album.

fromis9to.heart-2 — *To. Heart* Album Cover

2. To Heart (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for To Heart. (8.2/10)

3. Miracle (환상속의 그대) – The first thing that jumps out at me is the use of the EDM instrumental for such a sweet and cutesy song. Its use here is not overwhelming, allowing for the vocals to be heard clearly. The chorus did feel more pop but that isn’t really an issue. I like the slow down for the ‘dugeun, dugeun‘ (just before the chorus) and the ‘Love Me, Take Me, Kiss Me‘ lines at the start of the song. The only thing that I think would have made the track more memorable is a catchier chorus. This particular song relies heavily on the instrumental for both character and appeal. A more defined and catchy chorus would have made relieved the instrumental of that burden. (7.5/10)

4. Pinocchio (피노키오) – Suiting the title, there is a playful sound to it. The chorus did seem to divert towards a more tropical sound as well, which left me smiling. It actually thought it was a TWICE song before actually remembering whose album I was listening to. The instrumental worked well with the vocals and raps to make the song attention-grabbing. Sadly, I am not that keen on the bridge, as the EDM seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was still listenable. (7.5/10)

5. Be With You –Be With You is your standard pop song, though, for a second I thought they were going with a ballad from the very start. I like the no vocals section of the song and I thought it had a sweet feel to it. For some sections, it reminded me of 90’s KPOP such as Fin.K.LBesides that, there wasn’t anything that special about it. (6.5/10)

6. Glass Shoes (유리구두) (MAMA version) – Click here to read the full review for Glass Shoes. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.5/10

fromisto.heart-3 — *To Heart* Teaser Image

[Album Review] The Perfect Red Velvet (1st Repackaged Album) – Red Velvet

February 9, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Red VelvetLeave a comment

Red Velvet has been promoting their latest song, Bad Boy, for almost two full weeks. And while it has taken me a while, I am officially here with a review for their repackaged album, The Perfect Red Velvet. There are three new songs on this repackaged album and they are reviewed below.

For any other songs from their Perfect Velvet album (tracks 2 – 6 & 8 – 12) can be found on the Perfect Velvet album review post (which you access by clicking here). These songs will have no effect on the ‘Overall Album Rating’ number given at the end of the review.

redvelvettheperfectredvelvet-2 — The Perfect Red Velvet Album Cover

1..Bad Boy (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Bad Boy. (8.7/10)

2. All Right – Taking a complete detour from the title track is All Right. The song itself is quite bright and upbeat in comparison to the main track of the repackaged album. All Right is quite catchy and the atmosphere that comes off from this just makes you want to smile. The vocals were nice but the raps were the main detail I wanted to touch on. Without it, the song would have been repetitive and boring. So, the inclusion of the raps was a really strong point of the song. The instrumental break was equally as cool. (9/10)

7. Time To Love – The RnB song is actually quite nice. What I really liked about the song is the harmonies during the chorus, where all the members sing together. It gives the song a sense of warmth, which is something I like. The song itself reminds me of One Of These Nights, just with a better kick and melody to it. I also find the ending of the song quite nice, which might just be a first for me. It did take a few listens to actually get into it but once I did, I could not stop listening to it. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Review – 8.7/10

redvelvettheperfectredvelvet-3 — *The Perfect Red Velvet* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Faces Of Love (2nd Mini Album) – Suzy

February 6, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SuzyLeave a comment

Unfortunately, last week I could not put out any album reviews due to it being a busy week. Now, with more time on my hand, I am aiming to get out 3 album reviews this week. Starting off this trio is Faces Of Love, which is the second mini-album release for Suzy, who is making her first comeback since her solo debut and the disbandment of Miss A.

suzyfacesoflove-2 — Faces Of Love Album Cover

1..In Love With Someone Else (다른사람을 사랑하고 있어) (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for In Love With Someone Else. (8.4/10)

2. Holiday ft. DPR LIVE (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Holiday. (6.6/10)

3. SObeR – I have no idea why the title of the song is written in that manner. But besides that, SObeR has a really likeable percussion based instrumental. Yes, it gave the song its minimalistic vibe but it still makes it good. I like how the chorus is set apart from the rest of the song by adding just a few more instruments. The vocals throughout the chorus and the bridge were exceptional. More importantly, the changeup towards the end of the song saved the song more boredom caused by repetitiveness. I personally think this is a standout track for this mini-album. (9/10)

4. Bad X (나쁜X) – Bad X features an acoustic sound, which I think is quite nice. The chorus was a turn that I did not expect vocally but it sounds good. The vocals are quite nice but I am not a major fan of the final section of the song. The song is quite good when you listen to it as we go through the album but it just doesn’t really stand out on its own as a single. (6.5/10)

5. Sleep Well, For Me Too (잘자 내 몫까지) – The song felt like a lullaby with such great vocals from Suzy herself. It has a nice piano dominate instrumental but it just isn’t the most interesting song on this album. (6/10)

6. Broken Heart (서툰 마음) – It is another ballad. I like this track more than the preceding ballad because of the buildup that was present. This is solely due to her vocals, which she showed a nice spectrum of on this album so far. I feel like the song could have used a flowier instrumental or melody (which I only felt towards the end of the song. I did like the bridge the most but it felt too short for my liking. (7/10)

7. All Night (너는 밤새도록) – I liked the initial effects that were placed on her vocals, especially when they came into focus after a few seconds. Despite the upbeat feels that you get from this song, it is apparent that the emotions from Suzy are quite loaded, making it an interesting song. The ‘Na Na Na’ is a reflection of this. The harmonies in the track were great. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.2/10

suzyfacesoflove-3 — *Faces of Love* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Carnival (5th Mini Album) – B.A.P

January 27, 2018January 27, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged B.A.PLeave a comment

Last week was an extremely busy week, so I haven’t had the chance to sit down and listen to the newer albums. However, I have previously written some album reviews for situations like this, so I can at least post one on a weekly basis. One of these albums is B.A.P’s most recent mini-album, Carnival, which was released back in February 2016 (2 years ago).

1..Today (Intro Track) – Despite this being an intro track, I would love to hear a longer version. I love the epic feel that comes from the instrumental of the track. Daehyun’s vocals are excellent, but I would have liked to see how the other members would have contributed to the song. It is an epic intro track that opens the album up perfectly. (10/10)

2. Carnival – Carnival is a super catchy track that is bound to make you smile due to its happy and carefree atmosphere. The saxophone works well in the song and the energy that the members put into the song is definitely what brings the song to life. Per usual, both the vocals and the raps of the song are amazing. (10/10)

3. Feel So Good (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Feel So Good. (9.5/10)

4. Go – Continuing the bright theme of the album is Go, which feels like that great Summer hit we look forward to each year. The song lack some intensity but that is made up with Zelo raps and the post-chorus. The chorus itself is catchy, especially how everyone joins in the final chorus. The ad-libs at the end was a great addition to the song. (9/10)

5. Albatross – From the very first second, the song launches you right into it. It is a great rock song that fits well with the bright energy concept that the album has been going for. The slowdown in the bridge, along with the breakdown was really cool moments in the track that were both needed. Bang Yong Guk’s raps (particularly the one ending the second verse) were by far my favourite section of the entire song. (9/10)

6. My Girl – The song gives off a One Direction feel, particularly the chorus. In the entire album, this particular song is the weakest and that may be attributed to its soft rock sound. I feel like this song just proofs the ability of B.A.P to fit in their genres into whatever genre that they attempt. There is a great ending to this song, which makes the entire album have a great ending, as well. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.25/10

[Album Review] Secret Garden (5th Mini Album) – Oh My Girl

January 20, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged OH MY GIRLLeave a comment

From what I can see from my notes, I don’t do many female artists album reviews, which is quite a disappointing aspect of this site. This year, I will strive to do more album for female artists (and hopefully do more album reviews in general). Starting off this goal is my album review for Oh My Girl’s latest mini-album, Secret Garden.

OhMyGirlSecretGarden-2 — *Secret Garden* Album Cover

1..Secret Garden (비밀정원) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Secret Garden. (8.3/10)

2. Love O’Clock – What drew me to this song is definitely the clock sounds at the very start of the song. They were extremely fitting, not just for the title but the overall feel of the song. The vocals were nice but it was best showcased in the pre-chorus. To me, there was a beautiful feeling that I felt through the catchy chorus. The one part that felt mind-blowing was Mimi’s raps, which had such good intensity but managed to work perfectly with the rest of the song. (9/10)

3. Butterfly – Compared to the previous two tracks, Butterfly takes a mid-tempo approach. For the most part, it was another forgettable track. The only comment I could make was in regards to the sweet melodies. But the bridge was the very part of the song that had me coming back. It felt like it shouldn’t work with its different rhythm but it worked, which was definitely intriguing. (8/10)

4. Sixteen – To me, this song felt like a continuation of Perfect Day, which was released last year on their Coloring Book mini-album. I know they are completely different songs, but I got the same vibes from them. The piano was incredibly striking and the vocals were good. There was a good build-up leading up to the chorus. Chorus itself was catchy. The only letdown was the rap of the song. (7/10)

5. Magic – Ending the album is a much softer song, a complete change-up compared to the rest of the album. What I like about the song is how the vocals and raps felt like they were being whispered, which gave the song some character. I thought the bridge was quite quirky, which made the song intriguing. Overall, it allowed the entire mini-album to end on a great note. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

OhMyGirlSecretGarden-3 — *Secret Garden* Teaser Image

[Album Review] The Hottest: N.Flying (3rd Mini Album) – N.Flying

January 11, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged N.FlyingLeave a comment

This is my first N.Flying album review. When I first heard the highlight medley prior to the official release of the mini-album, I knew I had to sit down and review the album. This is their 3rd mini-album to date and titled as The Hottest: N.Flying.

nflyingthehottest-2 — *The Hottest: N.Flying* Album Cover

1..And So, We (그러니까 우라) – Opening up the album is a track that felt so similar to an OST to a cheesy drama. The song overall, especially the chorus, felt very poppy. It was also quite bright and refreshing, similar to songs that you would get during the Summer season. It is a great song to nod along to, with great vocals and raps. For some reason, I really like how the song ended. It seems like your standard ending but I am somehow digging it. (8/10)

2. Hot Potato (뜨거운 감자) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hot Potato. (8.6/10)

3. In The Back Alley (골목길에서) – The song opens up with a very serious rap sequence which did a good job at gaining my attention. Compared to the previous two songs, the level of energy is toned down, which provides some relief, since it could have been overwhelming. I thought the raps and vocals were well balanced. Despite the presence of the thumping drum beats, the song is soothing to listen to. The best part of the song would have to be the bridge, which gave the song its needed peak. The only downside to the song is the abrupt ending. (8/10)

4. I Know U Know – There are many elements of this song which I liked. I liked the guitar in this song. But more than that, I loved the build-up for this song. At first, I thought it was just going to be a ballad but it ended up turning into a pop song. The unexpected turns the song take do give it an appealing touch. The hollow electronic drum beats during the chorus were really nice. I also liked the high note at the end. (9/10)

5. The Best (이보다 좋을까) – Unfortunately, The Best seemed to be my pick for the least interesting song on this album. It opens up as a jazzy number and quickly turns into a pop band track. I thought the vocals and raps were nice. The chorus had a sweet sounding melody. Besides that, I don’t have much else to say about the song. (6/10)

6. Just This One Day (딱 하루만) – I think the one thing we must comment on in this song is the chorus. It was that rock sound that seemed to be missing from this album. When I first heard it, I was digging the head banging vibes. I like the scratching record which you heard throughout the raps sequences. The way the ad-libs were layered at the end gave the song a more appealing manner. The vocals were a little plain during the verses, but they contrasted nicely with the chorus. The only thing I am not keen on is the rap-speak during the bridge. (8/10)

Overall Album Review – 8/10

[Album Review] Universe (6th Mini Album / 2017 Winter Album) – EXO

January 3, 2018January 3, 2018Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EXOLeave a comment

Welcome to the first album review of 2018 and we are starting off with the last major release of 2017. EXO returned on the 26th of December with their 2017 Winter album, Universe, which has become the fourth Winter album release of the band. The track has yet to be performed on any of the weekly music shows but was performed at the MBC Music Festival that occurred on the 31st of December. This album has caught me off guard with its high quality and has officially become one of my favourite releases of 2017. Scroll down and read the review to find out why I think so!

1 & 2. Universe (Korean and Chinese Versions) – Click here for the full review of Universe. (10/10)

3. Been Through (지나갈 테니) – To me, this is the best song on the entire album. It grabbed my attention from the very start with its addictive nature and the overall aesthetics of the song. The vocals were really smooth, with some of the members using a huskier voice. The use of their voice has an added layer of percussion after the chorus added a nice touch and ‘o-whoo’ was oddly fascinating. The song had a nice launch into the chorus and it leaves you breathless. The instrumental was a show-stealer with its hollow effect and sounds. (10/10)

4. Stay – The song starts off like a ballad but it slowly builds up to something quite upbeat. In a way, this make the song unique because it still manages to hold back its energy and not overwhelm the listener with too much energy. The song has extremely strong chill vibes. The speed of the rap sequences contrasted with the mid-tempo pace of the song but I felt the autotune was unnecessary. The way the song ended with the ‘Stay’ sung by Suho, accompanied by the piano, was haunting but well done. (9/10)

5. Fall – Fall features a guitar dominate instrumental. There were a few subtle synths thrown into the song around the rap part and they surprisingly fitted in well with the song. Once again, the vocals and raps were on point. The chorus was probably the main highlight of the song with its dramatic ‘Fall’ repetition (also my favourite part of the song). The addition of the ad-libs in the second and third choruses kept the song from getting too repetitive. (9/10)

6. Good Night – This is the least interesting song on the entire album. But that being said, it is still a decent song to listen to. It is a soothing ballad, with all the members singing and shining in the song. The ad-libs that were layered on top of the main vocals of the song gave the song a more artistic twist. (8/10)

7. Lights Out – EXO ends their album with the vocals of 4 members (Suho, D.O, Chen and Baekhyun). The song does feel a little stagnant as the instrumental doesn’t really develop in any way. However, the vocals were the main driving force of the entire track. The falsettos which made up the chorus really gave the song some character, while the slight use of the choir in the background made the song feel more intense and aesthetic. Overall, it was a breathtaking song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

exouniverse — *Universe* Music Video Screenshot

[Album Review] Going Seventeen (3rd Mini Album) – Seventeen

December 27, 2017December 23, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SEVENTEENLeave a comment

Welcome to the final album review of 2017. While there was one major release yesterday, I am currently on holidays and bulk wrote many of the reviews released this week. You will see that particular album review next week, so please be patient. I thought it would be nice to go back in time to one year ago (December 2016) when Seventeen made their comeback with Boom Boom. That was the title track of Going Seventeen, the focus on today’s review.

goingseventeen17-2 — *Going Seventeen* Album Cover

1. Beautiful – The track features Joshua, Hoshi, Mingyu, DK, The8 and Dino. It is an upbeat track that displays vibrant energy and feels great as a Summer track (despite it being released in Winter). I think all the members that featured in the song showcased their vocals and rap skills very nicely. It was quite catchy to listen to. (9.5/10)

2. Boom Boom (붐붐) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Boom Boom. (8/10)

3. Highlight (Performance Unit) – The Performance Unit ended up releasing a music video for this track and ended up redistributing the lines for the entire Seventeen group to perform on stage. I like the mixture of pop and EDM, which allowed the Performance unit a chance to showcase more of their individual talents (including the dancing and the vocals). The drop made it epic and a standout. I usually don’t like autotune but whatever they were singing during the chorus, it sounded amazing. (9/10)

4. Lean On Me (기대) (Hip Hop Unit) – I liked how each member opened the song up with one line by singing (and this was seen a few more times throughout the song). I also liked how harsh Wonwoo’s raps sounded despite the song being more along the lines of RnB and featuring a jazzy instrumental. Mingyu’s vocals for the chorus were fresh, while Vernon’s part during the bridge gave the song some edge. It has head-bopping potential and extremely appealing. (8/10)

5. Fast Pace (빠른 걸음) – This track features the entire group. The song aims to go for a more mature sound with a strong impact from the very first second. Wonwoo’s intro and Mingyu’s 24/7 lines were the two that I remember strongly. The raps were perfect but I felt the vocals could have been huskier to make it even more sensual. (9/10)

6. I Don’t Listen (몰래 듣지 마요) (Vocal Unit) – Structurally, this is a very interesting song. Jeonghan and Joshua have softer vocals, so they had a soft instrumental to compliment the vocals. DK, Woozi and Seungkwan have more powerful vocals and they complimented the louder and more powerful instrumentals. I thought that was an example of good production. Naturally, the emotions could be felt flowing from their vocals and the ad-libs were amazing. (9/10)

7. I Don’t Know (글쎄) – This particular song featured S.Coups, Jeonghan, Jun, Wonwoo, Woozi, Seungkwan and Vernon. I enjoyed the subtle guitar in the background and ‘Woo Woo Woo’ in the chorus. The contrast between verse and chorus, in terms of intensity, was appealing. It just didn’t seem as memorable as their other tracks on the album. (8/10)

8. Flower Smile (웃음꽃) – What makes this song memorable is the fact that each member got some time (regardless of length) to show off some of their vocal talents. The chorus is also quite swayable, something I like when it comes to ballads. The emotions come in an overloaded form. What seals the deal for me is the guitar instrumental and the strong harmonies (particularly in the second chorus). (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

goingseventeen17-3 — *Highlight* Music Video Snapshot

[Album Review] Ego (8th Single Album) – B.A.P

December 18, 2017December 17, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged B.A.PLeave a comment

B.A.P has returned with their brand new single album, Ego. This is B.A.P’s third comeback of 2017 following Rose and Blue. Thier title track, Hands Up, still follows B.A.P’s traditional fierce sound but their accompanying song on the album feature a somewhat softer sound, making Ego stand out to me. To see more of my review, scroll down below.

1..Hands Up (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hands Up. (7/10)

2. Moondance – Moondance felt like something that would have fitted very neatly onto VIXX’s latest mini album. But here, B.A.P does a wonderful job with the various twist and turns that the song has. I love the pre-chorus, which gives the song only a second to build-up to a very cool and ear-catching chorus. The vocals in the song were quite nice, giving off a very attractive appeal. The raps were also tweaked from the usual fierce style to a slower pace and becoming somewhat sensual. The instrumental is quite ‘lit’ but in a subtle way. (9/10)

3. Think Hole – I love the bass during this chorus and the very soft yet catchy ‘Falling Falling Falling For You’. The contrast between the vocals in this part and the instrumental was a very appealing part of the track for me. The raps and vocals of the members were highlighted to show off their talents and skills in a subtler way (compared to their previous title tracks), which was something I like. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] Moonrise (2nd Studio Album) – DAY6

December 8, 2017December 7, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged DAY6Leave a comment

After a year of monthly singles, Every DAY6 has come to an end. Every DAY6 is a project conducted by DAY6, where they released two songs on a monthly basis for the entire year. With December finally here, it is sad to say that the monthly expectation for DAY6 has also ended :(. But that being said, DAY6 has left 2017 with two studio albums, Sunrise and Moonrise, both of which features all the songs released in 2017, plus a few extra goodies. For this particular album, I don’t have access to the CD Only tracks (14-18) so I will not be reviewing them.

1..Better Better – Better Better is an ideal way of opening up the album. The song has a really addictive chorus that is definitely able to induce the good old head-bang. The vocals and instrumental of the song gives off an explosive energy, which definitely hypes you up for the songs to come. (10/10)

2. I Like You (좋아합니다) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for I Like You (released in December). (9/10)

3. What Can I Do (좋은걸 뭐 어떡해) – Click here to read the full review for What Can I Do (released in August). (8/10)

4. I’ll Remember (남겨둘게) – This song was part of their September release. It is an interesting track that manages to do a lot. The start of the song gives off the impression of an upbeat song but the vocals bring out a more emotional side of the track. The start had an amazingly powerful guitar and rolling drum beat, something of which I liked. (8/10)

5. Whatever! (놀래!) – Whatever! was released in August. The song is a little plain (due to its lack of memorable moments) but it manages to remain upbeat throughout, giving off fun party vibes. Personally, I think it is a more cohesive track, compared to the main August track, What Can I Do. Pretty cool track. (9/10)

6. Be Lazy – The song had those funky vibes that reminds me of Bruno Mars. The retro chorus made the song extremely fun and the ‘Be Lazy’ part that follows the chorus was quite catchy. Once again, we must praise their vocals and the adlibs especially were on point. (9/10)

7. Hi Hello – Click here to read the full review for Hi Hello (released in July). (9/10)

8. I Loved You – Click here to read the full review for I Loved You (released in September). (8/10)

9. When I Loved Someone (그렇더라고요) – Click here to read the full review for When I Loved Someone (released in October). (9/10)

10. All Alone (혼자야) – Click here to read the full review for All Alone (released in November). (7/10)

11. Pouring (쏟아진다) – Another fast-paced song that goes well with the explosive vocals. There was also a nice incline in the instrumentation at the start of each chorus. However, I am not fond of the bridge as it slowed down the song a little too much for me and broke the flow of the song. (7.5/10)

12. I Need Somebody (누군가 필요해) – I am a major fan of Imagine Dragons and this song had the exact same feel that I would associate with the band. I like the gradual build-up of the song, which creates great suspense towards the second chorus. This makes the song go boom. The whistles before the second chorus were really nice and gave the final moments before that boom a pleasant feel. Overall, another nice song to rock out to. (10/10)

13. I Will Try – I think this is the closest the band has gotten to a ballad. Once again, the vocals are great and very dreamy. The instrumental was quite nice with the soft piano melody. The song gives off a warm feeling, making it suitable for the upcoming cold season. The acapella at the end was extremely unexpecting but their harmonies are amazing and it makes the song even more suitable for the Christmas season (carols anyone?). (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

day6moonrise-3 — *Moonrise* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Basic (6th Studio Album) – Brown Eyed Girls

December 4, 2017December 2, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Brown Eyed GirlsLeave a comment

So I have a long list of albums that I wanted to do a review for. And that list just keeps on growing when I remember more artists. So, while I bulk write some album reviews for the next year, I have decided to release a few. Another one or two will be released this month, depending on the release dates to some of the albums for December 2017. The focus of this album review is Brown Eyed Girls most recent release, Basic. It was unveiled at the end of 2015 but didn’t do that well on the charts (from what I could remember). But it is one of their best albums to date (the other is Sixth Sense).

browneyedgirlsbasic-2 — *Basic* Album Cover

1..Time For Ice-cream – I think this is an ideal opener to the album. The jazzy track grabs your attention with its unique sound from the very start. The lyrics were quite suggestive, despite the innocent title misconception. The vocals and raps were good but not impressive. The idea behind the track was good but I just don’t think it was delivered in a favourable manner. (8/10)

2. Warm Hole – Click here to read the full review of Warm Hole. (9/10)

3. Wave – The soft piano and funky instrumental works really well together. I also loved the guitar riffs in the song. I also think this is one of the best tracks, vocally, on the album. The raps were also equally awesome. The combination of everything makes it a track to die for and it remains interesting each time I listen to it. (10/10)

4. Brave New World – Click here to read the full review of Brave New World. (8/10)

5. Obsession – Obsession has a nice Latin influence that sounds extremely seductive. This statement is the most applicable to the song’s rap section. The harmonies were on point and JeA does the bridge justice. The song just doesn’t feel grand compared to some other tracks on the album. (7/10)

6. God Particle – With the start of the album focusing on darker and serious sounds, it is nice to see a brighter song, giving the album a ‘breath of life’ of some sort. I really liked the bold instrumental, which consists of drums and horns. The vocals and raps were amazing. Miryo gave the track a more retro feel. The best part was the ending, with the ad-lib and cymbals. (9/10)

7. Light – Light is a ballad with a hip-hop twist, given Miryo’s rap. Out of all the tracks on the album, their vocals are the best in this song. The song is quite uplifting and the chorus itself felt like the light at the end of a dark tunnel, making it the most impactful song on the entire album. (10/10)

8. Atomic – Returning to the brighter side of the album, Atomic feels extremely retro and I felt that it could have easily passed off as a song on the Hairspray (‘70s) with its showtune sound. Vocal work here is quite nice and it was extremely catchy. The track itself had a ‘dynamite’ moment with the ad-lib at the end of the track. (9/10)

9. Dice Game – I admit the Spanish flare was extremely strong in this track and the vocals were quite nice. But sadly, I am not keen on the track, particularly the autotune in the background during the chorus. Also, the rap section felt skippable, as with the rest of the track. (6/10)

10. Fractal – The ballad and guitar-based instrumental made the track sound quite beautiful. The vocal sand harmonies in the track were also quite delightful. The only issue with this track is the abrupt ending, which meant the entire album ended on an abrupt note. But overall, still, a nice track to listen to. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

browneyedgirlsbasic-3 — *Basic* Teaser Image

[Album Review] W, Here (1st Mini Album) – NU’EST W

December 1, 2017November 30, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NU'EST, NU'EST WLeave a comment

Slowly getting around to doing some more album reviews that I thought I should have done but missed because of my heavy study load. I think I am only doing 2 (this one and another one at a later date) because December is gearing up to be a busy month. NU’EST W’s first major release, W, HERE, was released in October and earned them their first win in their career! Congratulations! It goes to show how exponential their growth has been in the last few months. But as you may know, this is an album review, so let’s start cracking.

1..My Beautiful – To me, this track felt one of those upbeat ballads. But it was still relatively slow. It is the one track that I didn’t really care for on this album, due to its lack of colour. There didn’t seem to be much of a build-up, resulting it in remaining in a neutral stance. Vocals and raps were okay but they aren’t really showcased in the track. (6/10)

2. Where You At (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Where You At. (8.5/10)

3. Paradise (Ren Solo) – Paradise is the first of the four tracks that start displaying the solo capabilities of each member, which I think it is a very smart move by the producers/company. I have never paid much attention to Ren, so I don’t know how he fared in the past. However, this solo track does a good job at highlighting his vocals. It was a nice pop song with a great buildup. The drop was just underwhelming and this had a negative impact on the track, in my opinion. (7/10)

4. Good Love (Aron Solo) – Good Love is a RnB track that is overloaded with synths. I like how the chorus becomes fast pace, giving the song some contrast with the slower verses. I also really like how he delivered his lines in the track, particularly that section mid-way through the song. Overall, the track was quite enjoyable to listen to. (8/10)

5. With (JR Solo) – Those who know me knows that I am not much of a fan of rap songs. But JR’s track is super cool. He starts off by whispering his lines, creating suspense. I really like the piano in the background and alongside JR’s rapping, the song becomes interesting and impactful. The chorus gives it a more epic feel. The only negative about the song has to be its length. (9/10)

6. Thankful For You (지금까지 행복했어요) (Baekho Solo) – Baekho is the main vocalist of NU’EST and like most main vocalists, he goes down the ballad route. But it is a really good ballad. At first, I thought the song would not really get anywhere and remain neutral. However, once the song hits the bridge, the violins did an amazing job at picking up the song. Baekho does a pretty good job as well, incorporating his emotions into his vocals, giving off a heartfelt appeal. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.75/10

nuestwwhere-3 — *Where You At* Music Video Image

[Album Review] Fall in Lovelyz (3rd Mini Album) – Lovelyz

November 29, 2017November 27, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged LovelyzLeave a comment

For the past few months, I have noticed my album reviews have been mainly focused on male groups. To change up, I have decided to look into more girl group albums. Preferably the latest albums, however, I do intend to revisit some past albums from previous years as well. I started with Red Velvet’s Perfect Velvet and now I am moving onto Lovelyz’s latest release. Once again, I have decided to omit the introductory track, Spotlight, from this review.

lovelyzfallininlovelyz-2 — *Fall In Lovelyz* Album Cover

2. Twinkle (종소리) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Twinkle. (7/10)

3. Triangle (삼각형) – The electronic components of the song give it that quirky yet intriguing side, making it fit perfectly into the typical Lovelyz sound I have associated with them in the past year. They have great hooks, especially the post-chorus parts. The ending is the letdown moment of the track, which ended up feeling forced. But overall, great song. (8.5/10)

4. Just (그냥) – The first thing I noticed when I first listened to this song was the brightness that it presented. The song itself felt like the mixture of the Christmas theme this album had channelled along with their previous title track, WoW! That being said, what makes it an even better track is the unexpected twist and turns it takes. Once again, the ending feels rushed but it doesn’t stop being a track to check out. (9/10)

5. Fallin’ – Fallin’ felt like a ballad to me but it invokes a great sense of nostalgia. Lovelyz’s vocals are a whole seemed to put forward an innocent vibe, which I thought was cute. I like the harp instrumental they used but that random pause in the middle of the song ruined the flow. It does feel a little plain but it was something nice to listen to. (8/10)

6. Secret Garden (비밀정원) – The song starts on a bold note, which is something that makes it stand out. The instrumental is much louder compared to the previous tracks, which give it an explosive nature. I did feel that same energy was lost as the song progressed, which is a disappointment. The vocal work was quite nice and this would be a song that I would love to see a stage performance for. (8/10)

7. Sleepy Dream (졸린 꿈) – Ending the mini-album is Sleepy Dream, which has a nice mixture of orchestra and synths, especially how they use the bells in the instrumental. It sets the song up for the Christmas is coming up soon for everyone around the world. Another great use of vocals and an excellent way to end the mini-album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.25/10

lovelyzfallininlovelyz-3 — *Twinkle* Music Video Screenshot

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[Album Review] You & Me (2nd Mini Album) – KARD

November 27, 2017November 26, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged KARDLeave a comment

KARD is back with their most promising release yet. You & Me has managed to wow fans across the world and their entire second mini-album, You & Me, is replicating the same effect. The entire album is so good that I am putting it down as one of the best albums of 2017. More information on that in the coming weeks (winky face). But until then, her is my review of KARD’s latest album release.

1..Into You – The best word I can find to describe this track is ‘epic’. From the dramatic piano start building up to the epic drop that started the chorus. The vocal work performed by Somin and Jiwoo were showcased, while the raps managed to create suspense in the track despite being slow. Regardless of the number of replays, this particular track felt amazing time and time again. (10/10)

2. Trust Me (J.Seph & Jiwoo) – The heavy drum beats that opened the song played throughout the entire song but were a great opening aspect of the track. I thought they were overpowering but it seemed to contrast nicely with the vocals and raps. The vocals were ‘mute’ in comparison but they had a definite haunting vibe. I love how the instrumental remained consistent until the rap came into play and changed up. Big ticks for intensity and leaving me at the edge of my seat. (10/10)

3. Push & Pull – The chorus for Push & Pull feels really catchy and could end up being really iconic. But I feel like the song could have had a more defined drop to make the song even better. The vocal work seemed slow but it ended up complimenting the instrumental. BM’s raps before the 1st and 2nd chorus were awesome. J.Seph’s part was pretty good but he needed something else to separate himself from BM’s raps and keep things from becoming too ordinary. (8/10)

4. Because (지니까) – I thought Because was an extremely powerful track. The vocals were haunting and the raps were, per usual, great. The overlapping of BM and Jiwoo at the end was quite cool. To me, that final part felt like a robot powering down because its battery was flat. It makes sense because the song is in regards to unhappy lovers in a relationship and that effect felt like it symbolises the end of the relationship. (9/10)

5. You In Me (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for You In Me. (9.5/10)

6. Trust Me (BM & Somin) – Compared to the previous version of Trust Me, this track felt slower and more like a RnB track. BM’s raps in this song were captivating and left me speechless the first time around I heard the song. Somin’s vocals were superb and highlighted well in this track. I also enjoyed the ‘Trust Me’ drop that occurred mid-way in the track. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.25/10

kardyou&me-3 — Member Teaser Images for *You & Me*

[Album Review] Perfect Velvet (2nd Studio Album) – Red Velvet

November 24, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Red VelvetLeave a comment

As previously mentioned, Red Velvet made their return with their 3rd major release of the year. It happens to be in the form of their second studio album to date. Everywhere I look, I actually see so many people saying this album to be this year’s best. I don’t actually agree with that. However, I do think it shows that Red Velvet is willing to venture out into genres/sounds that no other KPOP groups are willing to go. And it lands on my recommended list for a few good tracks.

redvelvetperfectvelvet-2 — *Perfect Velvet* Album Cover

1..Peek-A-Boo (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Peek-A-Boo. (9/10)

2. Look (봐) – Look didn’t seem to climax or reach a peak. But while that could have a major flaw, it somehow becomes a major feature of the track. I thought it was a smooth dance track with strong retro vibes. The bridge felt very Michael Jackson-esque, which I thought was a great highlight for the track. The only thing that has me looking the other way with this track is the repetitiveness. (8/10)

3. I Just – Once again, the track felt repetitive and the bridge pretty much saved the day by changing up in such an ideal way. I thought the first few seconds of the song were quite appealing but since it didn’t progress much, I got tired of it quite quickly. The track seems to be a much slower form of electro-pop, Overall, it didn’t seem to be my cup of tea. (7/10)

4. Kingdom Come – This song combines RnB and pop into one song and it turns out to be quite amazing. The choppy start was quite awesome and the song seemed to incorporate that throughout the song with the drum beat. This track also showcases their vocal skills in the song, bumping it up to becoming one of the best on the album overall. (9/10)

5. My Second Date – My Second Date is an experimental track that manages to take unexpected twist and turns, such as the unexpected EDM chorus. It gives that intriguing element to the song, making it worthwhile listening to. It may require multiple listens to get used to if you want to listen to something a little ‘out there’. (9/10)

6. Attaboy – Attaboy is extremely heavy handed on the hip-hop influences and is dominated by a lot of rap sequences. The vocals give the song much-needed relief. The instrumental is trap based but there is a small part of me that feels it conforms well to the KPOP sound. It isn’t the best track of the album for me but definitely another track to check out if you want to hear something ‘outside the box’. (5.5/10)

7. Perfect 10 – So far we have heard more experimental forms of RnB, Perfect 10 seems to be more of a traditional style of RnB and much slower, might I add. I would like to say the vocal work was great but I felt Red Velvet were more restricted based on the song style rather than skill. There were some trap elements in the background, making the track a little different from other RnB tracks. (8/10)

8. About Love – Not a major fan of this song, as well. It is pretty much a standard song with a jazzy twist. The vocal work pretty made the song, for me. Besides that, I don’t have much else to say. (7/10)

9. Moonlight Melody (달빛 소리) – In the past few reviews, I made several comments regarding ballads ending the album. This is an excellent example of one doing its job at the end of the album. The slower tempo takes things back from the unexpected and ‘crazies’ that featured throughout the album. The track reminded me of One of These Nights, just a lot better. (8/10)

Overall Album Review – 8/10

redvelvetperfectvelvet-3 — Screenshot from *Peek-A-Boo* Music Video

[Album Review] 1-1=0 (Nothing Without You) (1st Repackaged Mini Album) – Wanna One

November 20, 2017November 19, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Wanna OneLeave a comment

The highly sold album of the past week is none other than Wanna One’s repackaged album, 1-1=0 (Nothing Without You). From mostly trainees to a chart-topping team, it is truly remarkable of how far they have come. This post is going to be a relatively short one as I have elected to not review the remixes (Track 5 and 6) and tracks 7 to 9 were on their debut mini-album, 1×1 =1 (To Be One). Thus, these tracks will not be used in the ‘overall album rating’ which I put the end of each album review post. Let’s get the show on the road.

nothingwithoutyouwannaone-2 — *1-1=0 (Nothing Without You)* Album Cover

1. Nothing Without You (Intro) – The intro track basically gives you a little taster of the entire album. To me, it drew various parts of the newer songs on the album and presented them in a much shorter format, which makes a lot of sense. It is nice, but it was a rather forgettable part of the album, mainly because of the following track, Beautiful, steals the show as soon as it starts. (7/10)

2. Beautiful – Click here to read the full review for Beautiful. (10/10)

3. I Want To Have You (갖고 싶어) – Continuing the flow of the album thus far, I Want To Have You is another slow dance track, with a few moments that divert away from that direction. Vocally, this is another outstanding effort from the group. I also thought the raps were quite nice, matching well with the ballad-like nature of the song but still maintaining that standard rapping momentum. (9/10)

4. Twilight – Besides the tracks that follow (either remix of their main tracks or tracks pinched from their previous mini-album), this is the closest you get to a dance track. It isn’t that strong of a track, in my opinion. It felt more like a standard pop song. It gives the album some energy and transitions well into the tracks that follow. (7/10)

5 & 6 (Burn It Up Prequel Remix & Energetic Prequel Remix) – Click here for track 5 and track 6.

7 – 9 (Wanna Be (My Baby), Energetic & Burn It Up) – Click here to read full album review for 1×1=1 (To Be One).

8. To Be One (Outro) – They bring it back to the slower side which started off this album with their slowest song yet. It does pick up a bit towards the middle of the raps. It packs a punch and if extended, could have been a decent track to go back to. Also, it closes the album quite nicely, which is the most important job of an outro track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10