If you read or see my album reviews, you can kind of guess which artists I go to the most to write these posts. But don’t assume I listen to the albums of just those artists. I actually listen to many and in the future, hope I can make some time to write more than one per week to accommodate some of those other albums I listen to. This week’s pick is (as you can see above) is Pentagon’s latest mini album, Demo_01, which features the title track Like This. Overall, I was very impressed with every song on the release, which is why we are here today! So, let’s start.
2. It’s Over – I think this track can take two different routes. It can work as a ballad or a dance song. And both would have been equally interesting in terms of music video and performance as well. It’s Over manages to hit the right notes with the song’s components, like the clear and crisp vocals to the emotional powerful raps that they deliver. The standard instrumental is a little boring but combining it with the group’s vocal and rap style for this promotional round makes it a winner in my book. The melodies for this song is quite exceptional as well. (9/10)
3. Until Today (오늘까지만) – Until Today is a very artistic sounding dance track that delves back into the electronic style of music. I personally thought the chorus was very well done, especially with the tropical house influences for the instrumental breaks. You expect the track to build up somehow, but it remained relatively flat. However, that isn’t a major concern because it ended up quite consistent and addictive to listen to. (8.5/10)
4. Cool Rap (멋있게랩) – For those who have been visiting this site for some time, you may know that I am not that much of a fan of rap-based songs. Hence, why you don’t really see that much K-Hip Hop on this track. But this track is completely different. It features the 3 main rappers of the song only and it truly displays their skills and talents. Its instrumental was extremely captivating. And while I usually don’t describe songs as ‘lit’ that often, I think it is the most appropriate and hipster way to describe the song. (9/10)
5. When I Was In Love (설렘이라는건) – Another vocally satisfying track from the group and an amazing way to end the album. The RnB based song is probably the least interesting on the track in comparison to the songs that preceded it, but it is still a damn good song. The chorus was incredibly dreamy, almost. The start of the chorus felt like they were easing us into whatever was going to come next. The rappers also shined in the song, with their short but perfectly fitting sequence. (8/10)
This is the second album review for today, which hopefully covers last week’s missing album review. EXO is back with their repackaged album, The War: The Power of Music. I also vote this album for ‘cheesiest album title’ of the year. Anyway, I previously reviewed The War album and that will be linked in the post below. I will only be reviewing the new songs for the repackaged album. So let’s get this show on the road!
3. Sweet Lies – It is the odd one out for the entire album. And I am a little torn. A part of me finds the track very interesting. The RnB infused electronic style of sound isn’t something that you find often in KPOP. And it somewhat stands out. The vocals were great and the raps were just on point. But even after a few listens, the track isn’t memorable. I know I highlighted some elements that I liked about the song but that is only when I listen to the song with intent to write about it. Just listening to it with the rest of the album, on the other hand, means it gets swept under the shadows of the catchy Power and disappointing Ko Ko Bop. (7/10)
7. Boomerang – The track is more up my alley. But once again, it does fall short compared to others on the album. The synth-heavy RnB centered instrumental was standard but pretty nice. The vocals were good, bringing a rougher side out of some of the vocalists in my opinion. I am not a big fan of the ‘Hey Hey Hey‘, as they felt awkwardly placed. I don’t think there were any rap portions to the song, as Chanyeol opted for singing in the second verse and Sehun only ended up with 6 words (Tik Tak Boom). In my opinion, if the song had a stronger hook, I would have enjoyed it a little more. And think it would have complimented the other elements. (7/10)
Overall Album Rating – 8/10 (only songs reviewed in this post)
B.A.P has returned with a brand new single album, titled as Blue. The group made their comeback last week with Honeymoon (review linked below). I will be posting another album review later tonight, alongside this one, to make up for my absence last Monday. I just had a hand full of work to knock out. But this post is all about B.A.P, so let’s get going!
2. All The Way Up – This song has potential but it falls a little short. I love all the elements of the song. They have a bright and vibrant instrumental, which pairs well with their explosive vocals. Even the raps are amazing. But what the song needed was some bass. And that is where it falls a little short. If there was some bass, it would have made the song feel more suited for a party and even more uplifting. (8/10)
3. Rewind – Rewind takes another direction from the two songs before it (and the ongoing trends within the industry) with a jazzier and slower paced song. Its slower pace is its main charm and I loved how Zelo and Bang Yong Guk rapped to the song. The vocal work is (per usual) superb. Personally, it isn’t my preference but they did an undeniably good job with the song. (8/10)
I have been dying to review this album and the time has finally come. I have to be extremely selective with the albums that I review as I don’t have time to write many reviews. But as soon as I heard this one, I just had to put it on the list. Taeyang is a chart topper with his previous songs and while his performance this time around has been underwhelming, he still manages to hit it out of the park with the awesome album (just repeating if you haven’t got that key detail).
White Night Album Cover
1..White Night – It is such a pity that this is just an intro. I would love for an extended version of White Night. While I am not that fond of the choppy instrumental, there is something about it that manages to compliment Taeyang’s vocals. The buildup just gets you hyped and I love the “I Just Wanna… Hold… You.. Close!” line which gives so much suspense in just a matter of a second. (10/10)
4. Ride – To me, Ride is your standard RnB track, with a more upbeat feel. It feels nostalgic for some reason with its sound and the way the song faded to silence at the end. It is not the most dynamic track on the album but it doesn’t lack in any areas. I can picture an amazing performance for this song, which you probably bring us all down memory lane to his Wedding Dress days. (9/10)
5. Amazing – Down right the best song on the entire album. It is a song that you just want to get up and just move your body to. It is extremely catchy with the “Amazing Amazing Amazing” hook in the song. I’ll admit that it isn’t musically ground-breaking, but the song hits me in all the right place and makes me feel ‘Amazing’. (10/10)
6. Empty Road (텅빈도로) – If you want a vocally centered track, Empty Road is the way to go. To me, I love his vocals here, more than in Darling. For the majority of the track, Taeyang’s vocals pair well with the soft rock sound of the track. It initially didn’t attract my attention, but I was dealt a blow once he started increasing the intensity with his vocals towards the end of the song. The start actually felt like an Ed Sheeran song, while the ending felt like a KPOP song. (9/10)
7. Naked – Probably the most understandable song to get banned in South Korea at the moment. Just by listening to the song, it seems like Taeyang is conveying a not so subtle message. But jokes aside, the song is quite nice. I love the instrumental of track, which has an interesting mix of synths. I love the dynamic vibes of the chorus but the verse felt a little plain and sluggish for my tastes (8.5/10)
8. Tonight(오늘밤) ft. Zico – This is probably the most interesting track on the entire album. The way Taeyang sings this song gives off an interesting and compelling atmosphere. There is something with the deep brass sound and drum mix for the chorus that gives off an epic feel. Zico gives off a nice contrast with that piano instrumental and faster-paced delivery. But most importantly, the rock dominate ending was the probably an unexpected but worthwhile way to end the song. (10/10)
The biggest group in the industry is no doubt Wanna One. Their debut completely smashed the charts. Digital or physical (albums) charts were completely dominated by Wanna One, who even managed to knock down a very legendary group of KPOP. Their debut mini-album, titled as 1×1=1 (To Be One) is just the start of their journey for the next year and a bit. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I would be reviewing their mini-album, but given their performance in just the first two weeks of their careers, it would be rather disappointing to not look at them even further.
1×1=1 (To Be One) Album Cover
1..To Be One (Intro) – Despite it being very short, it does grab your attention from the get-go. It was a powerful piece of music that does what it was intended to do. The drop was a little unexpected but gave the track a very interesting side. Though I don’t tend to include the intros into the rating, I happy to, as this scores quite high in my books. (9/10)
2. Burn It Up (활할) – If you want to get the full experience with Burn It Up, I recommend listening to the performances. The fans (for some odd reason) give it a hyped feel, which I think suited the song quite nicely. Just listening to the audio, I could feel the song needed bass. However, the performances have so much that is makes the song sound so great. Burn It Up is extremely catchy and intense from the get go. All the elements work extremely well, from the rap to the vocals. (8/10)
4. Wanna Be (My Baby) – If the title track was there, this could easily have been the title track. I actually thought this song nudged ahead and was the best song on the entire album. The combination of the raps, vocals and instrumental felt more dynamic in the song. It was definitely a ‘loud track’ that didn’t hold back and I actually liked that. Despite that, the bridge managed to slow down for a few seconds, which gave the listeners much-needed relief from the intensity that they already felt and what was to come for the rest of the song. (10/10)
5. Always (이 자리에) – If I am not mistaken, Always was the song that all the trainees performed in the finale as a reflective piece for their time on the show and a way of saying thanks to all the viewers. To me, it was a bitter-sweet end to the album. Wanna One does a great job of carrying that same level of emotion that was felt in the finale through this song. It is a beautiful ballad, which evens out the intensity that the rest of the songs contributed to. But listening to the song reminds me of the other trainees who could have made it into Wanna One and that makes me sad. (9/10)
SNSD or Girl’s Generation wrapped up their promotions for Holiday and All Night yesterday. But their 10 year anniversary celebrations aren’t over yet!! I haven’t done my album review yet!! (hehehehe…). I wrote the comments for each song before this introduction, so there is something that I observed. I mentioned it down below but the vocals in this album are flawless. I am amazed because this is the first time where I loved 99% of the vocal work. To find out about what else I like, read down below (Another long review, I apologise).
Holiday Night Album Cover
1..Girls Are Back – It actually has been a while since SNSD brought the girls out. So their first song was appropriately named in a way that exclaimed there were back. And the track did just that. Not once letting you down, the funky dance track lets you know the girls are still sticking around. I love the chorus, which gives it a dynamic and groovy feel. The vocal work here is also phenomenal! (10/10)
4. Fan – Fan is an upbeat track that reminds me of the KPOP in the 90s, almost like a Shinhwa track from that era. There is a level of intensity that makes this an unforgettable song. That being said, there was a part of the verse that I felt was too soft for the rest of the song. But everything else in the song was spot on. From the vocals to the instrumental, everything felt just right. Taeyeon’s ad-lib at the end was amazing. (9.5/10)
5. Only One – It’s the ballad that you just can’t help by swaying along to the music. There is a part of me that thinks this is a solid song, while the other part of me feels that the song is somewhat disjointed. If you listen carefully, the instrumental tends to change around a bit which makes it sound a little odd. Once again, the vocals are on point. If this somehow sounded sweeter, I think I would dig this track more. (8/10)
6. One Last Time – Out of the all the songs on the album, excluding the title tracks, this is my most favourite. There is an emotional side to the song, which you feel very strongly as you listen to the song. They don’t really hold back on the sadness. More over, their vocals are highlighted nicely with the melodies and the ballad instrumental. I can’t find any flaws in this song. It is genuinely my pick for a perfect song. Understanding the lyrics of the song does make me a little sad, as it would be perfect as a disbandment song. But I won’t go there. (10/10)
7. Sweet Talk – Right off the bat, it sounds like a song that Ariana Grande or some other Western pop star would have put out. And it would have been a direct hit as soon as it was released. The vocals are amazing but the raps could have been given more boldness and backing. They felt weak in comparison to the rest of the song, which was disappointing. I like it but if the raps were stronger, I would have loved it some more. (8/10)
8. Love Is Bitter – There is a nice Broadway sound to the song, which gives it some character. The title makes it sound like a cheesy ballad, but instead, we get something a little bolder. What I liked is how they gave the start of the chorus to the people who usually get the least amount of lines in the song (Hyoyeon and Yuri), giving the girls a chance to show off what they got. Of course, they do a splendid job and remind us of their hidden talents that should get the stage spotlight all the time as well! (9/10)
9. It’s You (오랜 소원) – It’s You is a song written by Yuri for the fans who have stood by their side for the last 10 years. It is a decent song that I am sure all SONEs around the world would love. Personally, it doesn’t suit my tastes but the song’s meaning is clearly touching. I felt like it could have better melodies or some sort of deeper backing vocals to give it some foundation. But overall, it is still a good song. (8/10)
10. Light Up The Sky – What a way to end off the album. The song seems to be directed to a particular someone who used to be by the side of the 8 girls for the last 10 years. As a fan, that does hit home quite strongly. Once again, the vocals are amazing. Each member has clearly poured themselves into the song, which is why I think this is also a remarkable song. The chorus of this ballad has a catchy sound to it, with the way it is presented. I keep on coming back for more and so should you! (10/10)
It has been 5 years since we last saw them. But finally, JJ Project has launched their comeback with their first mini-album. Of course, being a fan, I would not miss out on this opportunity to review their mini-album, which is titled as Verse #2. Just one comment about the album before we start. But every single track, regardless of any differences, end up making this one damn good albumt to listen to. Everything works well with each other and it did not leave me disappointed. Now, on with the review of each song!
Verse #2 Album Cover
1..Coming Home – The album opens up with an aesthetically pleasing and RnB influenced song. I love the instrumental of this song, from the rolling drum beat to the very chilled chorus. I also loved the layering in the song. The different layers of vocals in this song, which gave the song some depth, which I thought was pretty nice. Just when you consider the entire track as a whole piece, it does come off a little dry. (9/10)
3. On & On – On & On feels like another song that fits the tropical house trend that is ongoing in the industry. But the verses/chorus felt a lot more serious and more RnB influence. It wasn’t until the instrumental chorus break that it took that trend on board. What was more interesting was how they changed up the ending. Their efforts felt a little late and that ending personally could have been omitted. But it was still nice to listen to. (8/10)
4. Icarus – The best part of the track was definitely its chorus. The energy explosion once the beat dropped made it feel so much more lively, compared to the extremely boring verses. Their vocals managed to just appear in front of the instrumental and provided an attraction to make me go back for even more. It could have easily been hidden behind in the instrumental. (9/10)
5. Don’t Wanna Know – This was my personal favourite of the entire album. Their vocals suit the RnB genre and this song gives their vocals the right amount of spotlight without going overboard. The instrumental also gave the song some energy, which made it one for me to go back for. The ending could have faded out, rather than feel abrupt, but overall, the song was too good to overlook, in my opinion. (9.5/10)
6. Find You – Like the previous song, I thought the vocals from both Jinyoung and JB were showcased to be the highlight of the song. It was upbeat and felt like an urban track that I wouldn’t mind listening to from time to time. But I fear listening to this song on repeat could leave the track feeling bland and boring in the long run. The instrumental was decent but pretty standard. (8/10)
7. The Day (Jinyoung Solo) – This could easily be played on repeat in a small, indie cafe somewhere. Jinyoung has nice vocals, but they aren’t the best compared to other people in his group. But what we hear here is a great display of his talents and skill. I like how he kept the instrumental from becoming too boring, by adding and taking out instruments. It has a nice RnB sound, which goes nicely with every other track on this album. (9/10)
8. Fade Away (JB Solo) – Musically, JB’s track starts off with an ear-catching sound, which draws my attention. But sadly the interesting vibes from it faded out quick;y and the track felt like it was repeating itself. JB’s husky vocals made this song sound pretty good. The instrumental had a nice creepy vibe, which when I think about it now, doesn’t sound like that should have been the intended effect. (8/10)
My vote for best album of 2016 went to Wings, BTS’s second studio album. Hence, today I decided to take some time to look back on their award-worthy album. However, as the album was re-released with new songs in 2017, I have decided to combine the two albums and make one long album review for it. The Wings album was dropped on October 10th of 2016. It was then re-released as You Never Walk Alone on 13th of February 2017. Please note that this is a very long review and that I apologise for that.
Wings Album Cover
1..Intro: Boy Meets Evil – J-Hope opens the entire album with Boy Meets Evil. And while it is just an intro track, it deserves to be an entire song on its own. J-Hope does not hold back, throwing his lines out at us in a manner that makes it sound so dark and intense. That intensity matches the string/dubstep instrumental of the track. The lyrics themselves are quite deep. (9/10)
3. Begin (Jungkook Solo) – While Jungkook does seem to go down the ballad route, he manages to add synths and elements that could potentially make it into a dance song. The lyrics are definitely something to look at here, as he references the members whom he basically grew up with. The track is amazing but there is just one minor detail. It seemed a little repetitive. It kept to itself, which was good, but I was expecting some change up to make it more interesting to my ears. (9/10)
4. Lie (Jimin Solo) – That classical orchestra instrumental. It gives the track a very grand and epic feel. I love the twist and turns that this track provide. Everything felt so mysterious and dark through the verses, but the chorus caught me off guard because it went higher than what we have heard. Jimin’s vocals have always shined throughout BTS releases, but it managed to shine brighter here. Good enough that I give it a (10/10).
5. Stigma (V Solo) – Out of all the BTS members, I always thought that V’s vocals were the most interesting out of all the members. And this song proves just that. His raspy vocals and higher tones just blow you away. The slow jazz based instrumental is quite good. But if you ever get the chance, try looking into the English translation for this song. Following the other tracks, this one is equally as deep, dark and mysterious. (10/10)
6. First Love (Suga Solo) – I am not really into songs that are mainly based around raps. But there is always something about Suga’s songs that catch me off guard. The instrumental is relatively quiet at the start but his voice adds the dynamic side to the song. As the song progresses, the instrumental build up into a grand orchestral piece, which I thought was spectacular. Listening to it by itself, you can hear the emotions. But once you look up the lyrics, you can tell the level of emotion that was put into the song. (10/10)
7. Reflection (Rap Monster Solo) – The instrumental of this song is 100% eerie and I love that. It slowly becomes a nice instrumental that is calming and soothing. However, it was still powerful enough to fit Rap Monster’s delivery of his lyrics, while maintaining that calmness. Once again, the lyrics leave a huge impression on you. Just try searching up the translations for these songs and you will be blown away. The just felt very neutral throughout and after listening to Suga’s solo, it needed some sort of buildup to keep me there. (9/10)
8. Mama (J-Hope Solo) – Unlike the previous songs, which went down the emotional route, J-Hope takes a different direction with a more upbeat and happier sound. That being said, the same level of emotions are present, just delivered in a different manner. It was super easy to get into the groove of this song and it was really catchy. He writes about his mum in the song, which made it extremely touching. His voice sounds so good and it shows a softer side, compared to his powerful and strong raps that we hear often in BTS title tracks. (10/10)
9. Awake (Jin Solo) – The most underrated member (vocally, that is) finally get justice by having his own solo track. That is a celebration in itself. This song just proves that the group needs to use his vocals more. Here it is so dreamy and so damn amazing. The melody of the song is the type that I really enjoy. That is, the type that gets you swaying along to it. He also appeals to my taste of violins and classical type instrumentals, which I love. Combine them together and you got a winning combination. (10/10)
10. Lost – This is a song that features the vocal line of BTS (Jungkook, Jin, Jimin & V). Given their vocals in the solo songs that featured before this track on the album, it was a given that they would sound amazing. And they did. The song delivers a burst of energy, that was needed after listening to the slow, ballad-like tracks. It was a song that was easy to get into and the second half of the chorus (the ‘lost my way, way, way~’) was super duper catchy. (9/10)
11. BTS Cypher Pt. 4 – I am quite sure this is meant to follow on from the rest of the Cypher tracks in which BTS releases on their albums. I don’t really listen to them, so I am not going to include this track in the final album rating score. But if you want to hear a hip-hop centred track from the 3 rappers of BTS, do check this one out. It is pretty good from first glance.
12. Am I Wrong – My most favourite track off the entire album. And no, it is not wrong to fall for this song. I first heard it watching it on stage at one of the weekly music shows. While the rest of the album was serious and on the emotional side of things, it was nice to hear a few lighthearted and fun sounding songs to lighten up the mood. The raps and vocals in this song are pretty good as well. And most importantly, it is really catchy, which makes me go back for more. (10/10)
13. 21st Century Girls – All you ladies put your hands up! I personally thought the song was quite good. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, though. The song itself provided empowerment for the female listeners, hence may be the reason why I am not into the song as much. But the rapping here was good and the vocal work was amazing. I feel a little rude to describe the song this way, but it had a carefree feel to it, while also maintaining a level of seriousness. (8/10)
14. Two! Three! (Still Wishing There Will Be Better Days) – From what I am reading, this particular track is a song for their fans. And it one pretty good song. Just the lyrics alone already pack a punch with their meaning. The rapping fitted the more mellow song, while the vocals contributed to the sweeter melodies during the chorus. What makes the song even better is that it ends with all the members singing to the chorus, making it a worthwhile song for anyone who identifies as an Army. (10/10)
15 & 18. Outro: Wings – This track is the Interlude on the Wings album but an extended version is present on the You Never Walk Alone album. And it too is a damn good track. It ends both albums on such an upbeat and fun-sounding note. The instrumental is striking and BTS sounds amazing. (10/10)
19. Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone – We have reached the final song on this review. And they managed to finish off the album with one fantastic song. Suga and J-Hope sang in the song, which caught me off guard. What I loved about the track was the “Walk, Walk…Walk, Like it, like that” part which the vocalists each sing. It was super catchy and gave the song a nice pop vibe, which I totally dig from time to time. (9/10)
Overall Album Rating – 9/10
You Never Walk Alone Teaser Image (Source: ALLKPOP)
KARD has returned with their debut mini album. While they have been around for over 6 months now, the group didn’t make their official debut until last week, with Hola Hola. All the singles they have released before hand are also featured on the mini-album. To be honest, this album review should have been completed earlier. But due to a lovely thing called procrastination, I have been putting it off. But here it is, a week after their debut!
Please also note that starting 31st of July, I will be posting 1 album review each week on Monday.
5. I Won’t Stop (나는 멈추지 않는다) – While I did expect some of KARD’s other tracks on the album to be EDM based, I did not expect that slow start. That provided a nice contrast between the two styles. The dubstep (?) chorus is really intense and while I thought the drop could have been a bit better, it did sneak up on me. But minus the chorus or the instrumental, the rest of the song didn’t seem memorable, which is a pity, given their previous tracks. (7/10)
6. Living Good (Special Thanks To) – I am not a big fan of hip-hop (can you say it is hip-hop, I am not sure) but I can’t help but get into the groove for the first part of the song. While it is a fan-service song, it is a little different, in the sense that the sound is a lot lighter, compared to the songs above in the album. The second part is a recording from a concert or something, which I thought was an interesting way to present a fan-song. (8/10)
A few days ago, EXO made their highly anticipated comeback with Ko Ko Bop. I did make a sneaky post in the comment section, saying I would make an album review for EXO’s 4th studio album, The War. So here it is.
But before we delve into the album review, I just want to take this moment to notify you all that album reviews will be released on a weekly basis every Monday starting on the 31st of July. This is so I can keep track of things and not go overboard with the number of album reviews as I did in the past few weeks! Now, onto the review.
The War Album Cover
1..The Eve (전야) – The album opens up with one killer track. As soon as the song plays, you are attacked with amazing vocals from the members. The slowness of the track was also another interesting aspect. While I don’t the track changed much, you could feel the build up through the instrumental, which creates a tense atmosphere, which ended bringing their vocals/raps into the spotlight. (9/10)
3. What U Do? – This is my personal favourite of the entire album. Like the first track, the vocals of the members are put into the spotlight. I love the dynamics of the track, which made me want to get up and dance. The chorus was super catchy and has the ‘What U Do‘ (which all the members participate in) ringing in my head after the song finishes up. (9/10)
4. Forever – This track could have received the same comments as What U Do and The Eve. But I wasn’t impressed with the introduction. It was intriguing but it didn’t feel like it leads well into the rest of the track, which turned into one epic song, which could have rivalled the two songs mentioned. Once again, the vocals are on point, but I thought the first half of Chanyeol’s raps could have been better. The raspiness and speed during the second half were felt needed in the first half. (8/10)
5. Diamond(다이아몬드) – A part of me wants to like the track. It has an interesting yet strong beat. The instrumental has a Middle Eastern influence, which you should know, usually ticks the box for me. However, I didn’t like how the rappers kept on adding small parts throughout the song. To me, it gets annoying after a while and just feels likes a ‘remember me’ technique. It also wasn’t a memorable song, compared to the predecessors in this album. (7/10)
6. Touch It (너의 손짓) – And like Diamond, this song wasn’t that memorable. Instead, it seemed to have gotten lost in the mix of good and disappointing songs. Which was a pity because when it is by itself, I got a good sense of its groovy and funk vibes. The vocal work and rapping were pretty good. I love the ‘na na na‘ at the end of each chorus. It was the catchiest part of the entire track and the accompanying female background vocals suited the groovy vibe, so nicely. (7.5/10)
7. Chill (소름) – Chill is a chaotic mess and I say that in a bad way. To me, it felt like all the aspects you could ask for just did not work well together. The instrumental felt like one mess, with all the different elements not coming together well. Furthermore, there was an odd mix of styles, which didn’t sound ear-catching to me. The same could be said about the raps and vocals. Overall, not a song that I would want to revisit. (4/10)
8. Walk On Memories (기억을 걷는 밤) – This is one amazing song. The melodies in this song are definitely one to die for. The vocals in this song are just blissful, where all the members are singing. The harmonies as well. Even the instrumental was beautiful. The aesthetics of the song is on another level and it just leaves me breathless and speechless. (10/10)
9. Going Crazy (내가 미쳐) – Two things caught me by surprise with this track. Firstly, the sudden breakdown. It was unexpected but I felt it went with the rest of the song nicely (unlike in other tracks). It did give the track a more ‘out-there’ feel, which I guess is the ‘crazy’ side of the track. The second thing was that sudden high note at the end of the song. And everything else in between sounded like a really good. It is safe to say that the album ends on a good note. (9/10)
GOT7 and JYP Entertainment recently announced that their subunit JJ Project will be making their return and over the weekend, it has been confirmed for the 31st of July. While it does make a little more sense to revisit JJ Project’s first release, I decided to go with GOT7’s Flight Log: Departure mini album, which was released in March of 2016. It went on to win the Album of the Year (for the First Quarter) at the GAON Chart Music Awards.
2. Can’t (못하겠어) – This song showcases their vocals quite nicely. All the members sounded crisp and clear as a whistle in the track, applicable to both the vocals and raps, which I liked. The instrumental of this track was easy to the ears. It is relatively quiet with the drum, violins and horns added to give it some character. It was easy to get into but very difficult to get out of your head once you are in. (9/10)
3. See The Light (빛이나) – See The Light has a nice mellow sound, which contrasts nicely with the rest of the tracks. Like the previous song, this one also shows off the abilities of each member. It was the slowest song on the album, but it still had a level of energy to allow it to fit in with the other tracks. If I were to describe the song in my own terms, it is the type where you sway along with its sound, soothing and very calming. (9/10)
4. FISH – Yes, let’s take this small moment to acknowledge the title of the track. How odd. But let’s move back to the content of the song. I personally liked the song. However, there were things that made it awkward. The first verse felt very quiet, in comparison to the rest of the song. JB and Youngjae give it the needed energy through their explosive vocals, which did kick start the experience for the rest of the song. Everything else felt just right, just exclude the chorus. It wasn’t necessarily bad, I just thought a better drop and some sort of melody could have given a more polished feel to the song. (7/10)
5. REWIND – From the get-go, the song blew me away. Parts of the music reminded me of the bands back in the late 90s, such as N.Sync and Back Street Boys. But there was a modern twist, in the form of that epic breakdown. Their vocals and raps were shown off nicely, as well. It was super addictive and catchy, giving me more reasons to return to the track every now and then. (10/10)
6. Beggin On My Knees – Out of all the songs, this one felt like it had the most energy and it did not fail one bit with that aspect. It had a bright atmosphere, which I thought made it a unique track on this album. What makes it an even more unique track is the lyrics tell a completely different story, which completely contradicts the bright atmosphere. This track provided a knockout with the combination of the instrumental, raps and vocals. (10/10)
7. Something Good – Like the name suggests, the track gives off a feeling that you could describe as ‘Something Good’. That was my bad attempt at making a pun. It has a very smooth sound, which I like. You can imagine yourself in a cafe or bookshop, listening to the song. Their vocals/raps were nice but it wasn’t the standout example on the album. (8/10)
The Summer is already in full swing and Red Velvet has emerged with their latest release to help fans cool down and put some Red into the atmosphere. Following their mini-album review at the start of the year, Red Velvet becomes the first artist to get a second album review from me. So before we sweat all the water out of ourselves, let’s move on.
2. You Better Know – I love this track. Besides the title track, I felt like this was the best track on the album. You Better Know is an EDM track that has a great instrumental. Sure, it may have sounded typical in the realm of EDM, but it did its job at delivering the Summer feel to the ears of the listener. The chorus was catchy and the beat drop felt like a burst of bright energy. When the girls sang together, they sounded spectacular and when they sang on their own, they sounded amazing. (10/10)
3. Zoo – Following the EDM sound is the tropical house song, Zoo. Like what the name suggests, the song incorporates sounds you would associate with zoos, for example, animal sounds. The chorus is a little awkward with its delivery. It is short and sweet, but the way they end their lines seemed a little out there. I did like the rest of their vocals throughout the song. Just the rap didn’t sound that great and it could have been tied better to the rest of the song (7/10)
4. Mojito (여름빛) – Mojito feels like a song that you would expect to find from an F(x) album. The song is slower, compared to the previous songs, but it still a strong track in its own way. It felt refreshing and very calming. Their chorus here is amazing and it becomes better when they sing together. It may not have the hype factor, which drove me to like their title track and You Know Better. But it definitely has enough to make it a song to listen to after a long day. (9/10)
5. Hear The Sea (바다가 들려) – The track throws you back to their One Of These Nights. Sadly, the same can be said regarding both songs. The style isn’t my cup of tea. But the song is boring and painfully slow at times. Their harmonies during the chorus are the only thing that I like regarding the song, which does make it feel disappointing. (5/10)
As a fan of Secret, it is time for a freaking comeback from this girl group. It is way overdue, with their last comeback from 2014. Secret Summer (the album in which this review revolves around) was released in August 2014 and is the last comeback as a four-member girl group. Since then, there have been no Secret comebacks, which leaves the year feeling empty, in my mind. So, while we wait around for their comeback, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at their 5th mini-album, Secret Summer.
Secret Summer Album Cover
1..Feel The Secret (Intro Track) – Intro tracks aren’t really my thing. I usually gloss over them and then get right into the more fulfilling songs that follow. However, Feel The Secret is a show-stopper from the get-go. It launches you into the retro feel that Secret is known for and definitely hypes you up for the following tracks. (9/10)
3. Look At Me – One of my favourite tracks (other than the title track) on this mini-album. I thought the track was extremely sexy with their soft vocals. The song itself was extremely catchy. The random violin insert was what the song needed and despite it being random in theory, I thought fit in well with the song. The constant glass breaking sound throughout the vocal gave it a more interesting feel. The rapping could have been better in the song, but overall, it was definitely a highlight on the mini-album. (9/10)
4. U R Fired – The English in this song could have been better. However, it is a totally amazing song that is up there with the rest of the mini-album and Secret’s discography. The entire song felt like a mix between pop and country to me (mainly because of the guitar). Once the song hits the chorus, you can feel the song heating up, providing a somewhat intense but good beat. I thought the song grew to be a great song as it progressed, especially during the bridge of the song, where electronic components are brought into play. The song also hits some ‘high notes’ (not literally) with the vocals of the members, their best on the release. (9/10)
5. I Would Do Well – The song fulfils the expectations of a ballad track that is mandatory on every KPOP album. Though, I feel the track does that only. Their vocals are great, with each member (weak or strong) participating in the track. It feels weak overall doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the album. But it does end the song on a more relaxed and sweet note. I am just glad that this ballad still feels somewhat upbeat, rather than it slowing down to a standard ballad. (6/10)
It has been a while since we heard from F(x). To be precise, 4 Walls was their last release in 2015 and while they have had a few singles as a group or as soloists, it does not fill the void of what is missing from the KPOP industry. Honestly, there are many groups out there that end up experimenting with their sound, with some groups doing pretty well as a result. But I don’t think I have come across an artist who does it so well and effortlessly like F(x). 4 Walls was their 4th full length album, which was released in October 2015.
2. Glitter – Glitter has a very playful vibe, which sounds like your traditional pop song. But while it doesn’t really stand-out of the crowd, I do like the song for a number of reasons. First, that playful vibe. Secondly, when they all sing for the chorus. And thirdly, how they sing the words ‘glitter’. It feels like glittering is fluttering down. I love the bridge of the song, which brings another element to the song. Not the album best, but it is definitely up there. (9/10)
3. Deja Vu – A super catchy song to listen to. Even just sitting at my computer and listening to the song while writing the reviews is hard because I have the urge to get up and dance. I have literally listened to the song so many times that I can accurately lip-sync to the song pretty well. Like the previous song, similar comments can be said. But I am bumping this up with a higher rating because it is so damn catchy. (9.5/10)
4. X – If you want the funkiest song on the album, you have stumbled across it. X opens up that retro saxophone sound. It follows with a groovy disco instrumental, which is intriguing. Their vocals are quite good here, as well. In its own way, the song is catchy and one that I always go to when I put this album on. They displayed a more feminine sound in this song, which contrasted nicely with the funky sound of the song. (10/10)
5. Rude Love – The introduction to the song is very intriguing. It does a pretty good job of appealing to me with its piano style introduction. The song quickly builds up and turns into a dance track. It is also quite catchy and fits in nicely with the rest of the songs on the album. There is a little something missing from the verses of the song, but overall, it is still decent to listen to. (8/10)
6. Diamond – From just one listen, I thought it would a song that I avoid due to its trap influences. And I admit, it took a while for me to get into the song. But I did manage to get into it. It isn’t the best song on the album, but it does have its own dynamic and different sound that sets it apart from the rest of the song. There is a definite serious tone to the song, if you are wondering what makes it different from the rest of the album. (8/10)
7. Traveller (ft. Zico (Block B)) – Zico opens the song with his (per usual) rap and his following segments does add a more bolder and masculine sound to the song. F(x) instead sounds more feminine and sweeter compared to their other songs. It is quite nice to hear a more different side, but more traditional side, of F(x), who are known for their concepts and individuality. (9/10)
8. Papi – Another super duper catchy song. This album is clearly a goldmine with so many catchy songs. I thought the start of the song was quite funky and different. It was also quite striking and it definitely caught my attention. There is a really nice bright sound, which suits to parties and (maybe) clubs. Their vocals are spot on and it is loaded with energy to hype you up for the dance floor. (10/10)
9. Cash me Out – Cash Me Out takes it time to build up to the drop. I can say that once it does drop, the song ends up being tied together nicely. However, I think the song could have been a lot more epic if there were a harder drop and a more intense instrumental segment, rather than repeating the same segment a number of time throughout the song. (8/10)
10. When I’m Alone – The song starts off with a slower beat, than compared to any of their previous songs. The chorus is the main deal that gives it boldness and definition. Compared to the rest of the songs, this one does end up being forgettable due to its slower tempo. But it does manage to make up in terms of vocal work and it is still decent enough to listen to. (8/10)
Welcome to the first album review for the past albums that may already be on your shelves or playlists. I am doing this in times when there may not be many ‘current’ albums to look at. All the albums I have selected have appealed to me in some form or another.
For today’s album review, we will be looking at Fiestar’s 1st mini-album, Black List, which was released in 2015. The future of Fiestar seems to be a little rocky, with rumours of the members leaving the group and saying that they are ‘former members of Fiestar’. Hence why I have chosen them to be the first ‘past album review’. It is always nice to have a little throwback to one amazing mini-album.
2. Hello – Hello kicks off the lineup of ballads on the mini-album. This song, along with the others, brought my respect of the vocals of Fiestar to a whole new level. They already sound so good in many of their dance songs. But once you strip away all the electronic stuff, you are brought to another side of the girls (I shall return to this later). The song has a very fresh appeal and to this day, has been one of my favourites to listen to. It is another one of those songs that make you want to sway to as well. (10/10)
3. Turn Off The Lights (불 좀 꺼줘요) – I really like the Latin feel that comes from the instrumental of the song. It makes the entire song to stand out in the crowd (or in this case, 7 songs). While it does give off a different flare, it was an easily forgettable song. Their vocal work is pretty good here, but they don’t have that wow factor that they brought into their other songs. (7/10)
4. Cold – Unlike the name suggests, there was a little bit of warmth that came off from the song. But I couldn’t help notice a sort of barrier every time I listened to the song. It was like a wall was built around the song to prevent me from fully appreciating it. No matter how many times, I just could get into it. However, from the other side of that ‘barrier’, the vocals were nice and the instrumental was very soothing as well. (7/10)
5. Today – Another ballad. This is the one song that I want to talk about in terms of their vocals. It is (excuse for the language) bloody good. Out of all their songs released thus far, I think this one displays their vocals to the best of their abilities. Like Hello, the stripped back instrumental does give a slower feel, but it also makes it brings the vocals out. I did really like the overlap of the final chorus, the rap by Yezi and the high notes by Linzy. It finished the song in an interesting nature. (10/10)
6. Tight (타이트해) – To me, I felt like this was just a more upbeat version of You’re Pitiful. Did anyone else get the same feeling between the songs? The vocal work in this song does bring more of a wow-factor though, which gives it more appeal to listen to. I love how Linzy’s voice goes high just before the chorus and the chorus of this song is quite catchy. The rap of this song, by Yezi, also sounds amazing and totally suits her more tough image. (8/10)
APINK are one the leading girl groups in the industry and they are back with a brand new mini-album for all their fans out there. The mini-album, titled as Pink Up, is their 6th mini-album to date. To be honest, I really need to think of a better way to open up these album reviews. I apologise if I bored you. So let’s continue one!
2. Stinging (콕콕) – Stinging is a very mature sounding track, which is a complete turnaround to their first song on this album. While they do keep a small playful sound to it, it felt more sensual, which is unexpected. The girls do a wonderful job with using their husky vocals, which fit very nicely. The small rap sequence was nice as well. I would love to say it was catchy with its funky instrumental, but rather, it didn’t feel like a memorable track. (7/10)
3. Eyes – Eyes was nice but it lacked a selling point. It just didn’t stand out compared to the other ballads present on this mini-album. I did like how they were going to drag out some of the lines and each member did shine vocally in the song. I would have loved it if there was something that gave the song a bolder side, rather than feeling a standard ballad. (6/10)
4. I Like It – While I don’t think it is worthy of ‘title track’ standards, this song is perfect as a non-title track. It was quite catchy and felt uplifting after the previous two tracks. I love the instrumental, which gave the song a nice foundation, but the vocals felt like it gave the song some life. It falls nicely under the cutesy portfolio that we know and associate APINK with. (8/10)
5. Evergreen – This is one amazing ballad. Eyes didn’t have that bold effect, while the changes in Evergreen was that bold factor that I wanted. It gave the song energy and emotion to motivate us. The vocals are amazing and their best on this mini-album. Listening to the album the first time yesterday, this song caught my attention and was the one song I was looking forward to writing about. (10/10)
6. Always – Another great song. I liked the simpleness of the instrumental. A nice step back from all the electronic songs constantly released. What I loved about this song is that the chorus was super catchy and nice-sounding. I loved the harmonies present in the chorus. The verses felt empty and dry in comparison. It felt like the chorus was sung by all members, while the verses felt unsupported. (7.5/10)
KPOPREVIEWED 