Album Reviews – Page 46

[Album Review] Shine Forever (1st Repackaged Album) – Monsta X

June 28, 2017June 26, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged MONSTA XLeave a comment

Explained previously, due to time constraints, I missed the opportunity to do a review for the first album released by Monsta X. The Clan 2.5: The Final Chapter was released back in March this year, with Beautiful as the main title track. The group then went on to release a repackaged version, Shine Forever, last week, which features two new tracks. Today’s full album review will consist of comments for all songs present on both albums.

Image result for monsta x shine forever album — *Shine Forever* Album Cover

1..Shine Forever – Click here to read the full review for Shine Forever. (8/10)

2. Gravity – Gravity is a much more slower and melodic song, compared to the first song on this album. It’s not a bad thing, though. Monsta X nails this song as well, as it shows that the group is versatile and can easily accomplish that. The vocals are amazing here and the rapping fits the slower style spectacularly. I normally hear Jooheon and I.M in more hard and impactful songs, yet here they sound more soft and soulful. Honestly, Gravity is an amazing song that catches you by surprise, given the group’s known tracks. (9/10)

3. Ready Or Not – The original album opened up with Ready or Not, which is a great kick starter to the album. It’s title literally asks the right question: are you Ready or Not for the group’s album. Though a part of me would love to hear more intensity in this track, it does hype you up for the rest of the album. The song itself is quite catchy. (8/10)

4. Beautiful (아름다워) – Click here to read the full review for Beautiful. (9/10)

5. Incomparable (넘사벽) – To me, the song feels like a RnB infused dance track, which sounds good. But rather than an infusion or mix, the song tends to be either RnB or dance. There seemed to be no in-between. It also wasn’t memorable. Often, I forgot about the song as soon it was over or was more invested in picking another song off the album to skip to. (6.5/10)

6. Need U (니가 필요해) – What I like about the song is the simple chorus. Clean, simple and not overcomplicated by various (and sometimes un-needed) components. It also had a catchy and cheerful tone. All their previous songs have been more serious in nature, so it was nice to have a song that feels cheerful. Though, there were times that it did feel like a generic KPOP song. (8/10)

7. Oi – This song reminded me of their earlier stuff. From the instrumental to the intensity of their vocals, it all felt like a throwback to their debut title track. Saying that I wasn’t much of a fan of their debut tracks. Yet, I thought this song was dynamic and felt like it matches more of their recent stuff as well. The rappers felt like they belong to this sound, as well. (8/10)

8. Miss You – I think I found the first gem for this album. I love the sound of this song, in general. Sounded like music that I grew up with. The ‘Where you at?” and “Baby, I Miss You” lines were super great hooks for this song. It’s instrumental was pretty good as well. And the vocals and raps were on point throughout the same song. (9/10)

9. Calm Down – First listen in, I thought the track felt like a Beautiful 2.0. Is that a good thing, I don’t know. But I am totally digging the track. It packs a punch with the intense instrumentals and hypes you up (somewhat). But then the song cuts to a more dynamic sound once they start telling you to “Stop” and “Calm Down“. Also loved that rap sequence by Jooheon in the song. (9/10)

10. All I Do (너만 생각해) – The track comes off as a poppy number, which has its moments. Its sound fits the Summer vibes quite nicely. But overall, it felt very bland and forgettable for the most part. The rapping felt a little too serious for the rest of the pop centred song. (7/10)

11. 5:14 (Last Page) – Following the dominating and intense songs, we finally reach a slower pace song. It sounds nice. From the vocals to the instrumental, everything felt just right. And that is the most descriptive way I can put the song. It was still upbeat, so it wasn’t a sudden move between genres, which is also one of the positives to the song. (8/10)

12. I’ll Be There (넌 어때) – The mandatory ballad cannot escape the synthetic synths that were used consistently throughout the album. But there is a strong melody in this song that any other song on the album and their vocals/raps are pretty good in this song. There is a very annoying “Hi” present in the background, which really distracted me from the song. (7.5/10)

Overall Album Review – 7.5/10

Related image — *The Clan Part 2.5: The Final Chapter* Album Cover

[Album Review] What’s My Name (13th Mini Album) – T-ARA

June 27, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged T-AraLeave a comment

T-ARA has many great non-title track songs, so it makes sense for me to do an album review for their 13th mini-album and final release before disbandment. There are multiple versions for their final release. First, you have a physical edition, which consists of songs recorded by all four members as a group. And then you have multiple versions that consist of the title track and each member’s solo song. For this review, I will be reviewing the digital edition (or essentially every song released so far, with exceptions of the Chinese version and Instrumental version of What’s My Name). Let’s go!

taraalbumwhat'smyname — What’s My Name Album Cover

1..What’s My Name? (내 이름은) (Title Track) – Click here for full review for What’s My Name?. (6.5/10)

2. Reload – Compared to the title track, Reload is a much better song. However, I still don’t think there is enough to the song to make it ‘title track’ worthy. The song seems to be the girl’s response to their scandal after all these years. That’s what I got from the lyrics. From the first listen, everything sounds good. From the whispering vocals to the spy-like instrumental. But after a number of listens, you do get bored of it and it feels quite repetitive. Though, there are parts that do have an impact to some extent. (7/10)

3. 20090729 – The date in which the song is titled after is the date when T-ARA debuted. Judging from this, you would expect them to take on a ballad with this track. Their vocal abilities seem a little shaky here and the various rap-singing moments seemed unnecessary. But after many listens, you can constantly hear the emotions behind the girl’s voices and I literally get goosebumps after listening to this song every single time. It may not be a mind-blowing piece of music, but it is one damn good ballad to listen to. (8.5/10)

4. Diamond (Qri Solo) – While I understand that Qri doesn’t have the best voice out of the four, her song just doesn’t appeal to me. There is a nice exotic or foreign vibe within the song, but overall, the song felt sluggish and slow. There wasn’t much of a hook, which left the song lacking in many ways. There is a stage performance for this track and you can find by clicking the link HERE. (5/10)

5. Ooh La La (Hyomin Solo) – In comparison to the previous song, this is much more upbeat and a more fun song to listen to. There are aspects to the song that could have been better. Her vocals here are pretty good. But during the “Ooh La La” chants, I felt she was too dominating. Instead, the chants that followed shortly felt more like backing vocals more than anything. There could have been a more powerful instrumental to back the song and provided with a tough support. (7/10)

6. Real Love (Eunjung Solo) – This song provides great vocals for the album, something that seemed missing so far. I am not saying this because of those high notes (even though they were spectacular). There a nice jazz sound at the start, that influence seemed to disappear once the song progressed, turning it into a standard pop song, which was unfortunate. (7/10)

7. Lullaby (Jiyeon Solo) – Jieyon’s solo track seems to be a mix between some of the comments that I have already made. The track is more upbeat compared to Qri’s track, but somewhat slower than both Eunjung and Hyomin’s song. But like Qri’s track, there isn’t much of a hook and became forgettable, despite listening to it a couple of times already. The same can be said about the instrumental. The vocals are okay, but they aren’t the best on the album. (6/10)

Overall Album Rating – 6.5/10

Image result for tara whats my name — T-ARA Teaser Image

[Album Review] Purple (5th Mini Album) – Mamamoo

June 24, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged MAMAMOOLeave a comment

Mamamoo has returned with their 5th mini-album to date, which is titled as Purple. The min-album consists of Yes, I Am (their title track), along with four other songs. I have been waiting for the chance to write a full album review for Mamamoo because they have such awesome songs that need to be in the spotlight for once. There are a few surprises in the album, so I can’t wait to get this review started.

1..Yes, I Am (나로 말할 것 같으면) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Yes, I Am. (8/10)

2. Finally – This track is as Summer as you can get. Very bright colours and sounds, which are all associated with the season in question. The track felt more upbeat in the teaser, but as a whole, it does feel quite generic. That high note at the end was definitely a blessing to our ears and gave the song that punch it needed. But it was a little too late, unfortunately. There were hooks present but they just weren’t enough. Overall, it’s generic-ness does make me dock some marks, but it was still great overall. (7/10)

3. Love & Hate (구차해) (Moonbyul Solo) – Yes, this is a Moonbyul song. And a Moonbyul singing also makes her appearance in the song. It is an amazing track. To be able to hear two sides of the main rapper of the group is a very neat surprise on the album. And given her vocals here, she should definitely sing more. The song itself has a nice fresh feel and a melodic flow, which made it a nice song to sit back and listen to. (9/10)

4. Aze Gag (아재개그) – There is also a side of Mamamoo that all fans know. It’s their crazy side. This song (along with Taller Than 1cm) seem to be songs that showcase that particular side of the group. The song is funky with its synths and instrumental. I love the instrumental breaks of the song. It is also extremely addictive and catchy, after a few listens, which is great! (8.5/10)

5. Da Ra Da (다라다) (Wheein, Jeff Bernat, B.O)– The song ends off with a ballad that features the vocals of Wheein, Jeff Bernat and B.O. It is a very nice song that I wouldn’t mind listening on a nice, sunny day when there is a little cool breeze present. The vocals in this song are amazing and soulful at times. Though it does seem to end the entire mini-album on an extremely slow note, the song itself is one to check out if you want something nice to listen to and to chill with. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] Happy Moment (1st Full Album) – WJSN (Cosmic Girls)

June 23, 2017June 23, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Cosmic Girls, WJSNLeave a comment

WJSN (or Cosmic Girls) are back with their brand new album. It also happens to be their first full-length album, which was released a little over a year after their debut. The girls have drawn my attention with their title tracks Secret and I Wish. From what I have written for this album review, I feel like the album is a step in the right direction for the girls.

Image result for WJSN Happy Moment — *Happy Moment* Album Cover

1..Happy (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for the title track, Happy. (7.5/10)

2. Miracle (기적 같은 아이) – I think most people agree that Miracle is a more suitable title track for this album. It was similar enough to follow the standards that Secret and I Wish had set. But at the same time, they managed to turn the song into a much brighter and light sound, which made it a refreshing song to listen to. Exy’s rap here is totally more badass and suitable for her voice. I did really like this track and thought it was really great amazing as well. (9/10)

3. Mr. BADBOY – The songs keep on getting brighter as well. While it is a cute and bubbly song, I don’t really fall into it. It didn’t have that much appeal to my tastes (which I admit, are picky at times). I did like how they included a reference to their debut song, Mo Mo Mo. The bright feel makes this a very Summery song. (7/10)

4. SUGAR – The same comments for the above song can be applied to this song as well. Quite a sweet (see what I did there?) song, but it doesn’t have that level of appeal to make me search for this song listen to it. The vocal work was good though. (7/10)

5. Babyface – Babyface is a ridiculously catchy song. It also has a very quirky instrumental, which makes it quite interesting. The vocal work was also quite good in this song. I don’t have much to say about this song, besides that it is awesome and totally a song that I would go back to (9/10)

6. Plop Plop (퐁당퐁당) – Another song with amazing vocal work from the members. When I first saw the tracklist, I was surprised that they would go with a song with such a title. Being the mature person I am, I actually thought that they were referring to the sound of something (you should guess what) dropping into a bowl of water (again, guess what bowl). Never once did it occur to me that they were going for the “drip drop” sound of water. Anyway, the song is much slower compared to the rest, which makes it refreshing on the album. It ended a little too abruptly, which did disrupt the flow of the song for me (it should have faded out). (7/10)

7. Follow Me – While it does have a very generic name, this track is not generic whatsoever. One way to describe the song would be fluffy. It is quite catchy, with the chorus being the main hook of the song. I would love to see a stage performance of this song because it is a great song! (9/10)

8. B.B.B.Boo – Everything in this song sounds amazing and quite cool. The only thing I would change up if I had the rights to do so, would be the very boring verses. Comparing the chorus and the verses, it felt too different and with a very loaded chorus (in terms of instrumental), there wasn’t anything interesting in the verses. Also thought the song was cool and cute at the same time. (8/10)

9. Geeminy – Another great track that also adds to the cute sound that the girls went for in this song, however, it can also be seen as a mature sound from the girls. Compared to the previous song, I liked the verses here. The chorus were much better though, in comparison, as it felt more dynamic and upbeat. The overall sound was much smoother. (9/10)

10. Closer To You (지금 만나러 가요) – The girls finish their first album with a much slower song, almost ballad-like. It has a very sweet melody and adds an extra hint of freshness to the album. I love that elongated note that they included to lead into the chorus. Also thought the instrumental and vocals were quite nice. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] Over 10 Years (10th Anniversary Album) – FT Island

June 21, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged FT IslandLeave a comment

A few weeks back I wrote the review for FT Island’s latest title track, Wind. Now that my schedule has cleared up, I am finally knocking down those album reviews that I have specified that I will write. FT Island also celebrated their 10-year anniversary with this album, which an incredible feat considering the constant break up once the groups reach their 7th year. But we are not here to dwell on those unfortunate events, but rather the high-quality album that FT Island always releases.

1..What U Want (원해) – It’s a tad slow but easily a number to rock to. I love the opening riffs to the song and the lead into the rest of the song. Hongki’s vocals compliment the song really well, launching the song a bit further alongside the burst of energy from the instrumental. The instrumental break here is your typical rock out session but hyped the song up even more (which is expected, but it dragged me to the edge of the seat). It was an excellent song to open up the album! (9/10)

2. Wind – Click here to read the full review for Wind (9.5/10)

3. Travel – It is still a pretty good song, but compared to the first two, it does feel quite generic and dry. One of the other members sing the bridge (not sure though) but from their past releases, their voices bring in a different colour to FT Island songs, which does make it more awesome to listen to. (7/10)

4. Champagne – This is what I would call the “hidden gem” of the album. We all know FT Island for their rock style. Occasionally, they will throw in a different style, like a ballad. Champagne is another mix-up in their style. Keeping the band side of their name, the song experiments with a more funky sound, which I am totally digging. Not exactly sure if there was any Korean in the song (it sounded like it was pure English) and because of that, the song did stand out for me. And Hongki’s raspy vocals are amazing here! (10/10)

5. The Night – If you want another great track to headbang to (but at a slower pace), this is the track to go. Not a big of autotune, but it works well in this track. The drums were probably the highlight of the song, with it providing a very dramatic and western feel to the song. Its solo part was also what I would call the pinnacle of the song. Actually, the whole song feels like it would fit on a Western artist’s album tracklist any day. (9/10)

6. Imagine You (너를 그린다) – Back to being a sucker when it comes to violins, this track also sounds amazing. It also has that ballad side of the band that I mentioned a few songs back. If I was to be honest, the song doesn’t have that much appeal to it and the orchestral feels only last for a few seconds (though it is still there). (7/10)

7. Save Me – If you are looking for a longer burst of that orchestral feel, Save Me is the way to go. I love the violin overlay with the band instrumental during the chorus and the piano sounds amazing here. The entire instrumental combination gives the song an epic feel, which sounds amazing. (9/10)

8. Still With You – And that orchestral feel gets stronger. This song is a lot more fast pace, which gives a little more speed to the entire album (the previous few songs have been on the slower side of the spectrum), so it was nice to see something more upbeat (in a way) but keeping in line with the songs around it. It’s also the first time I have heard another member have multiple parts (vocally) in the song, which is amazing nonetheless. (8/10)

9. Voice – Another track that shows a completely different style to FT Island’s traditional portfolio. There is that band feel, but it throws in a more electronic sound to the song, which sounds amazing. And while it is nice to hear something different, the song falls short compared to the other higher rated songs. It just doesn’t have the same amount of epicness when the chorus kicks in. (7/10)

10. Parade – Listening to the introduction of the song, I had no idea what was going on. It sounds completely foreign and futuristic, compared to FT Island’s portfolio. The electronic feel is more dominate in this song and in conjunction with the band, the song is much more intense. Not exactly fond of that slowdown and the bridge overall, but the rest of the song was quite good. What the song needed was a more epic beat drop after Hongki’s 1,2,3,4. (8/10)

11. No Better Days – This song returns to the song that you could rock or headbang to. The chorus doesn’t provide that feel, but the verses do. The chorus leant to more of the intense side of things, but still quite good. The repetition of the “No No No No Better Days” is extremely catchy and gives that extra hook the song needed. (9/10)

12. The Wood (나무) – Another swayable song to sway to. It more of a song for fans, given the audience cheers that faded in and out of the song. There is also a nice hook in the vocals that made this song worthwhile to listen to. Though I don’t tend to read translations for the song when I review them (I didn’t here), I am not exactly sure if I should include my next statement. But the song brought a smile to my face with its melody. (8/10)

13. Love Sick (사랑앓이) (ft. Kim Na Young) – This is a remake of FT Island’s debut single of the same title. Though I was not a big fan of their earlier works, listening to it makes me wonder why I did not. Both of them sing separately at first but when they joined forces, I was blown away. With the orchestral instrumental, it was an amazing and touching way to end the special album. A music video for this particular remake was released prior to the release of the album, which you can view by clicking here. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Teaser Images for 10th Year Anniversary Promotions

[Album Review] Sunrise (1st Full Album) – DAY6

June 20, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged DAY6Leave a comment

A little while back I wrote the review for I Smile, DAY6’s main title track for the month of June. I also had plans to do a half year review of DAY6’s other tracks, which were released alongside the main title tracks each month. But when I heard they were going to release an album consisting of all those songs, I decided to do an album review (which would have been the same thing in the end) instead. Just writing this made me confirm a few things: 1) DAY6 is one amazingly talented band. 2) DAY6 have amazing songs to listen to. 3) I am super excited to see what else the group has installed for the remaining half of the year. So without further ado, this is my review for their first full-length album.

1..Lean On Me (오늘은 내게) – Lean On Me is the additional single that was dropped alongside their main June single, I Smile. The song takes you back to the rock roots of the band, with the dominating electric guitar riffs and banging instrumental. Out of their tracks, this one is probably the one additional single that they have released that I instantly enjoyed within the first listen. Their vocal work is amazing, nonetheless, which will be something that I will mention constantly throughout the reviews. (9/10)

2. I Smile (반드시 웃는다) – Click here to read the full review of I Smile (released in June) (9/10)

3. Man In A Movie – This is the additional single that was dropped with their May release. Just by comparing the first three tracks, you can tell that DAY6 is extremely versatile with their sound. The song is catchy with a nice retro style. As the song progresses, it builds up very interestingly ends in a very dramatic way, which I liked. The instrumental is striking though and per usual, their vocal work is very good. (8/10)

4. I Wait (아 왜) – Click here to read the full review of I Wait (released in January) (9/10)

5. How Can I Say (어떻게 말해) – Click here to read the full review of How Can I Say (released in March) (8/10)

6. Letting Go (놓아 놓아 놓아) (Rebooted Version) – Not being reviewed as the original version was previously released in 2016, so you can check out the review here. (8.5/10)

7. I Would (그럴 텐데) – This song was released as part of their March monthly release. It started off slow and was another song that you could easily sway along to. But the instrumental kicked in and that caught me off guard. Don’t know what I was expecting, but the instrumental did a good job at creeping up on me. It isn’t their best song the album, but it was still amazing to listen to. It did leave a long impression on me with its contrasts between the slower verses and the somewhat faster choruses. (7/10)

8. Goodbye Winter (겨울이 간다) – Goodbye Winter was released alongside I Wait in January. Another song that started of slow but the instrumental turned wild once it all kicked in. It was almost like an explosion and very good one at that. It provided enough intensity to blow my mind away. It does remain slow throughout, but still very intense. (8/10)

9. I’m Serious (장난 아닌데) – Click here to read the full review for I’m Serious (released in April) (7.5/10)

10. Say Wow – Say Wow was released in April. If you know me, I am a sucker when it comes to violins and songs with an orchestral sound. This track sounds amazing. It is also fitting for an anime opening, especially during the chorus. Put those together and you have a winning formula. Though the song doesn’t have the level of intensity (which has been mentioned a number of times already), that doesn’t impact the song in any way. But it makes that up by being catchy and an addictive number to listen to. (10/10)

11. Dance Dance – Click Here to read the full review for Dance Dance (released in May) (10/10)

12. My Day – This song was released back in February. Since I have been praising the entire album, I should be extremely critical. The song has a nice buildup, what comes after the buildup was pretty disappointing. It has to be the weakest song out of the lot. But if I was honest, the weakest song (being this one) on the album is still pretty good. (6/10)

13. You Were Beautiful (예뻤어) – Click here to read the full review for You Were Beautiful (released in February) (8.5/10)

14. Congratulations (Final Version) – Not being reviewed as the original version was previously released in 2015, so you can check out the review here. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] Al1 (4th Mini Album) – Seventeen

May 29, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SEVENTEENLeave a comment

Seventeen returned last week with their fourth mini album and the title track, Don’t Wanna Cry. The mini-album consists of 8 tracks. These 8 tracks includes 2 tracks from the entire group, 3 tracks from each subunit, 1 track from Jun and The8 and 2 tracks on the CD version only. At the time I was writing this review, I could not find those final two tracks that are present on the physical album only, so they will be omitted. Maybe if I can find them in the near future, I will return to review them.

1..Don’t Wanna Cry (울고 싶지 않아) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Don’t Wanna Cry! (9/10)

2. Habit (입버릇) (Vocal Team) – We all know what the Vocal Team of Seventeen is capable of. Their vocals of various tones and potential have all been highlighted in their past songs, either within songs as a subunit or as a group. Habit re-confirms that statement. Their vocals are amazing in the song. The song itself is soothing to an extent and it makes you want to sway along. The songs buildups quite suddenly, but it manages to work. While I do praise it, I don’t necessary think this is the best song on the album, but it definitely up there. (8/10)

3. If I (Hip-Hop Team) – For those who don’t know me, I tend to stay away from Hip-Hop rooted songs mainly because I don’t really enjoy them. The turn to more hip-hop centred songs has turned back that thought a bit, though. But Seventeen’s Hip-Hop subunit does an amazing job with this song, where they give the song a more deeper feel, which I actually enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the instrumental, which does remind me of the title track for this album but still remains different in its own way. Their raps aren’t heavy sounding, which is probably why I enjoyed this style more. (8.5/10)

4. Swimming Fool (Performance Team) – Just looking at the title, I could tell it was a quirky track. Quirky just isn’t the right word for it, despite it being more energetic and vibrant compared to the other subunit songs. Instead, it utilises a very catchy and funky beat, which I am loving. The song provides the right bursts of energy at the right time throughout the song through the alternative western inspired instrumental and the team’s vocals. (8.5/10)

5. My I (Jun & The8) – For those who don’t know, Jun and The8 are members of the group from China. And so their Korean isn’t up to par with the rest of the Korean members. Hence, they tend to get the least amount of lines in their songs. And while I was very happy they were getting a song for themselves, I just can’t really fall in love with the track. The song just didn’t have any appeal to me and my mind seems to blank out when this song comes on. Their vocals are finally placed into the spotlight, where they sound pretty decent overall. (6/10)

6. Crazy In Love – This is my favourite track off the album. I am madly enjoying the song. It starts off in a way which I would not like. It’s not until Dino starts off the pre-chorus that has me swooning over this track. There is a very alluring sound with the pre-chorus. The chorus changes up the song giving it an amazing funk sound, which seems to be the highlight of the entire album. It’s super catchy and an addictive song to listen to. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

Image result for Seventeen Don't Wanna Cry — Image from Don’t Wanna Cry Music Video

[Album Review] Shangri-La (4th Mini Album) – VIXX

May 18, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged VIXX1 Comment

A few days ago, I wrote the review for VIXX’s latest title track. And given that I am a big fan of the group, it would be obvious that an album review would be coming your way. At first I thought I wouldn’t have time to write it today, but it is VIXX, so I pushed all my assignments to one side and wrote this. No regrets though, because it gave me another excuse to listen to their album and focus on the group entirely for one night. This is their 4th mini album to date, which is also titled as Shangri-La.

1..Shangri-La (Title Track) – Click here to see the full review of Shangri-La (8.5/10)

2. Into The Void – I love the introduction to this song. It sounds like a soundtrack out of a really good movie. Throw the group’s vocals on top of that soundtrack-like instrumental and the song turns into a spine-shivering song that sounds like pure amazingness. The chorus changes it up a bit, but still keeping that epic feel from the start. And then, Ravi’s rap throws the track into chaos. Not saying that is a bad thing here, it fits very well and gives the track that needed boost of energy just before the final chorus, in case it got oo repetitive. (9/10)

3. Black Out – I think it is going to be an expected thing when it comes to VIXX albums. The presence of a questionable track that gets fans a little hot and bothered. Throw in the performance for a track like this and all I can say is damn… Out of all the songs, this one is the catchiest out of all. The track itself uses a seductive tone, especially from Ravi, which is extremely appropriate for a song of this nature. (9/10)

4. It’s Coming (다가오네) – The obligatory ballad on the album. Like I have mentioned throughout the review, their vocals are top-notch, which is amazing. It’s another song, regardless of its meaning or message, that makes me want to sway along to it. The percussion in the instrumental give the song that dynamic side, fitting in nicely with the upbeat tracks that preceded it. (8/10)

5. To Us (우리에게) – It’s the song that the album needed. A return from the previous ballad to the more upbeat songs of the tracklist, but not a complete return. I personally think this is an amazing song. It is easy to the ears and their vocals are superb in this song. Literally, their vocal work on this album is their best yet and they maintained that standard to the very end of the album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] Palette (4th Full Album) – IU

April 25, 2017April 24, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged IU1 Comment

I said a few days ago that I would write an album review for IU’s latest album, Palette. And everything went perfectly okay until Ending Scene was released with a music video on Monday. Which reminded me that we also got a teaser for Jam Jam, which probably means there is a music video of Jam Jam as well. So the issue is now, when shall I do Jam Jam‘s review? Ultimately, I have decided to not do another full review for Jam Jam and will only do the song review part here as part of the album review. Let’s get this show on the road!

1..Now (이 지금) – The instrumental consist of classical instrumental which makes you remember the music of the past. It is a very bright song overall, with a cuteness element mixed into it somewhere. However, her voice does bring some elegance to the song, with its mature tone. It is instantly a song that makes me smile and I like it a lot. (9/10)

2. Palette (팔레트) ft. G-Dragon (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Palette (9.5/10)

3. Ending Scene (이런 엔딩) – Click here to read the full review for Ending Scene (9.5/10)

4. Can’t Love You Anymore (사랑이 잘) ft. Oh Hyuk (Pre-release Track) – Though it was a pre-release, I actually never got around to reviewing it because there was no accompanying music video. But it is another track off her album that sounds amazing. There is a nice jazzy sound to it and right off the bat, I wouldn’t mind listening to this song in a cafe somewhere, with it playing softly. Oh Hyuk’s vocals fit very well into the song and it goes nicely with IU’s breathy vocals. Put the two together and you have another spectacular collaboration off this album (9/10)

5. Jam Jam (잼잼) – Her breathy vocals come into the play once again in Jam Jam. The song has a more upbeat instrumental which had disco vibes, which I liked quite a bit. I love the way she whispers for the pre-chorus and that launches into such a catchy chorus. I really want to see a live performance for this song because while it does have a distinct uniqueness, there is a Kylie Minogue feel coming from certain parts in the song. An artist that I grew up with because Kylie was constantly on TV when I was younger.(10/10)

6. Black Out – This is going down as a personal favourite. There is something about this song that makes it so good. I am not sure if it is her vocals in the song. She is half singing and half talking for the most part. However, especially during the chorus, she lets her vocals out and they do all the modelling in this song. The instrumental is quite nice. Nothing too overpowering, almost relaxing. (10/10)

7. Machimpyo (마침표) – Another ballad joins the mix. This one sounds like something off the soundtrack of a popular movie that made everyone cry. It sounds like the background song for remembering someone you were extremely fond of. Her vocals were softer here, but the emotions were still strong. (10/10)

8. Through The Night (밤편지) (Pre-release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Through The Night (10/10)

9. And So Love Is (그렇게 사랑은) – Boy, this song sounds sad. But it stills my breath away. The instrumental comprises of only guitar. With her emotional vocals in this song, the two elements leave a haunting sound. Even in the brief moments of silence, you can hear her voice echoing (probably was filled in my own mind) but it leaves a big impression on me. And it also proves her capabilities to anyone who still questions her in any way. (10/10)

10. Dear Name (이름에게) – The final song on the album is also another ballad. This one reminds me of Machimpyo (above) because it too sounded like it came off the soundtrack of a popular movie that made everyone cry. The orchestral feel in the song makes it sound so much more amazing. If it means anything, it is another song that gets me swaying along. And it took my breath away. (10/10)

Image result for Palette IU teaser image — Palette Teaser Image (Source: ALLKPOP)

Overall Album Rating – 9.5/10

[Album Review] High Five (2nd Full Album) – Teen Top

April 15, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Teen TopLeave a comment

Teen Top has returned with their second full album, High Five. This is their first comeback since the departure of L.Joe and as a five member group. I had previously written a full review for their title track, Love Is. If you had missed that or want to re-read it, then scroll down below and click the hyperlinked link!

1..Origin – As it is only the introduction to the album and lasts around 30 seconds, it will not be included in the final rating.

2. Love Is (재밌어?) (title track) – Click here to read the full review for Love Is. (7.5/10)

3. Because I Care (손만 잡고 잘게) – I think the song is good, but there really isn’t anything that captivates me in the song. It is one of the songs that, regardless how times I play the entire album, I end up skipping it. It sounds very ordinary and is forgettable. The vocals are okay but compared to the rest of the songs on the album, it does fall short. (5/10)

4. Call Me – Probably one of the better tracks on the album. The instrumental is amazing. It probably would sound much better if the bass was stronger and would fit perfectly in the club setting. But it still sounds amazing. The vocals are pretty good, but it did feel constricted. I haven’t judge the song based on its live stage (this song was also performed alongside their title track during the first week of promotions) but the dance gives it more energy and lifts the song to a whole new level. (9/10)

5. I Love Girl – As a person who English is my first language, I cringe at the title. But after listening to the song, I guess the missing article in the title was intentional. In the song, the “I Love Girl” sounds like “I Love Her”. If my assumption is right, it is quite clever. The instrumental seems pretty standard, with no flashy moments. It seems to be an upbeat form of RnB, which doesn’t sound too bad. However, the song doesn’t really reel me in. Maybe because the lyrics and romantic vibe don’t appeal to me. (6/10)

6. Make Me Sick (화나게 해) – This song is actually quite good. The beat of the song is quite addictive and the chorus almost sounds sensual to an extent. If you listen carefully, you can hear very heavy breathing in the background, which is matching to the beat of the song. But what makes the chorus the highlight of the song is the vocals. They sound so good in this song. There were some processing, but either way, it sounds quite good. The ending of the song sounded more dragged out than it should have been, but that is not a problem. (8/10)

7. July (7월의 만남) – It’s another one of those ballads that make me sway along. We know the more dance and synth heavy version of Teen Top, so this provides a different sound for the group. I say it as if it is the first ballad they have ever done and I am quite sure it isn’t their first. But since I haven’t paid attention much to their B-side tracks before, it was their first ballad, for me, at least. Vocally, the song is strong and showcases their vocals. The same can also be said about the rap sequence. (8/10)

8. High Five (안녕!) – This is one of the more brighter songs on the album. If there was anything such as a “boy next door” type of song, this would probably be it. The vocals are quite good here and the harmony during the chorus made the song worth listening to. The stripping of the music from the end, leaving only the vocals, was probably my personal favourite part of the song. The vocals do add a more dynamic side to the song. They boosted the very generic sounding acoustic instrumental to a ‘high-five’ worthy song. (8.5/10)

9. What’s The Problem (뭐가 문제야) – One of the two personal favourites on the entire album. It may not be your typical synth-heavy Teen Top song, but it fits the group’s style quite nicely. The song, for a while, reminded me of Shinhwa, especially during the rap (I don’t know what to call it) towards the end of the song. The whistles (I think they were distorted but very subtly) made the song more addictive. The vocals and raps in this song were probably their best on the album. I also love the “Why, Why, What you want?” chant, which was catchy to me. (9/10)

10. You & I – This is the other personal favourite on the entire album. Vocals and raps are on point in this song. I love the very simple “You & I” chorus. It makes the song incredibly smooth and it is catchy as heck. I continually replay the song very single day because I just can’t get enough the chorus. Even writing this part of the review, I am having a hard time just go onto the next song. What this song needs? Nothing else, but a live performance would be nice. (10/10)

11. Mirror – The album ends up with another standard song. It is another song that I ended passing by because I didn’t really enjoy it as much. Nor did it have anything worth coming back to. The same comments I made about Because I Can can be applied here. The only good side to the band that it does showcase their vocals quite nicely. But besides that, there wasn’t much else. (5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.6/10

[Album Review] Eclipse (3rd Mini Album) – EXID

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EXID, Hani (EXID), Solji (EXID)Leave a comment

EXID has returned with their newest mini-album. Unfortunately, the group is promoting as a quartet due to Solji’s hiatus. The group recently explained the meaning behind the name of their mini album, Eclipse, which you can click here to find out. This album sees the group attempt an entirely different and mature sound, that also shows a different side to the girls.

1..Boy – Opening the album is Boy, a very different track from what I have heard from EXID (or any artist that I have listened to). I feel wrong for describing a track as ‘creepy’, but this description fits the opening of the song quite well. Once we enter the instrumental chorus, you will understand how good this track is. It is a little foreign, but once you get used to the track, you will love it. I must applaud the vocal work and LE’s rap. Their vocals, along with the emptiness of the instrument (which in this case, is another good aspect of the song) actually contribute to those haunting vibes I was talking about. LE’s rap always sounds the same to me, but yet they fit into any song that you throw at her. (8/10)

2. Night Rather Than Day (Title Track) – Click here to view the full review for this title track (7/10)

3. How Why – Before starting these album reviews, I re-listen to the entire album (regardless of how many times I have already done so). The one track that stood out for me was this one in particular. I love the buildup that LE and Hyelin contribute to during the chorus before the beat drops, and the very catching instrumental sequence is brought into play. The song itself seemed to start off as a ballad, but as the song progressed, it seemed to become more upbeat and brighter. It is easily their best track on the entire mini album. (9/10)

4. Milk (Hani solo) – Time for the obligatory ballad on the mini album. This one seems to be mixed with RnB as well. While it does sound nice and the connection between milk and the lyrics are quite smart (like what everyone is saying), the song is an either a hit or miss. There really isn’t much that makes this song that captivating and was easily forgettable. Her vocals are quite nice. (5/10)

5. Velvet (L.E. solo) – It may not be my cup of tea, but Velvet actually sounds very good. It is a very sensual song and that already compliments the lyrics of the song. The instrumental also felt very smooth, further complimenting the sensual nature of the song. The chorus was also catchy. But there wasn’t enough for me there to really enjoy the track or fall in love with it. (6/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7/10

[Album Review] Girl’s Day Everyday #5 (5th Mini Album) – Girl’s Day

April 3, 2017April 13, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Girl's Day, Minah (Girl's Day), Sojin (Girl's Day)Leave a comment

I have been focusing on doing a few album reviews lately. However, the majority of them were albums from boy groups. I have been wanting to do an album review for a female artist or group, so when Girl’s Day confirmed their comeback, I knew it was the one. This is their fifth mini album and the fifth in the Everyday series. This is also their first comeback in nearly 2 years.

Image result for Girl's Day everyday 5 — Girl’s Day Everyday #5 Album Cover

1..I’ll Be Yours (Title Track) – click here to read the full review for the title track, I’ll Be Yours (9.5/10)

2. Thirsty – First impression told me that this was a good track. It is something that you would find as a B-side of a really popular artist in America. The instrumental has a nice electronic synth that makes it addictive to listen to. The repetitive clicks and synth work really well with each other. And they work well with the vocals. Thirsty isn’t necessary a powerful sounding track, but their light vocals somehow manage to pack a punch. (9/10)

3. Love Again – This is a very interesting song. I am glad they picked this song as their other promotional track because it shows a more vocally talented side of the group. The instrumental is quite simple, with a simple yet amazing guitar sound. But what stole the show for me were the vocals. As mentioned, it showcased their vocals. Everyone sounded amazing. But the member that stood out the most was Sojin and her high pitch lines. The way they manipulated her voice is perfection to my ears. It is harder to describe her vocals in this song, but do check it out! (10/10)

4. Kumbaya (Come By Here) (Sojin Solo) – Finally, the forgotten vocalist of Girl’s Day finally has a solo track to her name. Once again, it is a simple ballad. But the way Sojin sings it makes it many times better. Her ad-libs sound amazing. It is another song that makes me sway along and fall into the music. The song also managed to leave an impression on me. Not sure if it because it is the first track where Sojin shines or of the nice melody, though. (10/10)

5. Truth (Minah Solo) – I am literally shaking from writing this review because as I listen to each song, I am blown away. Minah’s solo manages to blow me away even more. It is yet another ballad, so no surprises there. But unlike their other ballads on this album, this one has a more grand and orchestral instrumental. They also incorporated electronic synths in the song, giving it a modern feel. But we can’t proceed without mentioning Minah’s breathtaking vocals. It is REALLY breathtaking. Was I too subtle with that comment? (10/10)

6. Don’t Be Shy – The final song on the mini-album is a dance song. It brings Yura and Hyeri back into the track list and gives a more upbeat ending to the mini-album. The song also manages to showcase their vocals. The auto-tuned was probably not needed but they don’t get in the way. The build-up to the chorus is amazing. I am not too sure how to describe the sound of the song. But the instrumental uses the marching band sound as its basis and then adds extra electronic synths as layers on top. You can tell from it that the song tries to sound powerful and tough, but it misses the intended sound by just a fraction. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.5/10

[Album Review] 7°CN (7th Mini Album) – CNBLUE

March 31, 2017March 31, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged CN BLUE, Jung Yong Hwa (CN Blue), Lee Jonghyun5 Comments

7°CN is CNBLUE’s latest release and their 7th mini album since debut. So many releases over the years and I only just remember getting hooked onto their debut single. I wasn’t going to do an album review for this mini album, but I thought, ‘why not?‘. It is also a sign of thanks for your endless retweets, likes on Twitter and the huge amount of views for my review of CNBLUE’s latest track. To date, you guys made the 24th of March the most viewed day in the history of my blog and made the review the highest review of the year so far (865 views in just one day). The force of the Boices!

Image result for CNBlue between us — 7CN Album Cover

1..Between Us (title track) – Click to see the full review of Between Us (9.5/10)

2. It’s You – It took me a few listens to like this song, but I am now a big fan of it. Usually, I prefer the rock and powerful sounds that the band is commonly known for, such as their title track. But this feels different and most importantly, it sounds fresh. It a lot more fluffy than what I am used to but that doesn’t affect the track in any way. The instrumental pulls the song together, which gives it a bright and sweet feel. Yonghwa’s voice fits this song perfectly. Whether he is singing or rapping, it doesn’t matter. Those “Woah” and “It’s You” are catchy and make the song addictive. (9/10)

3. Calling You – When I write every single review, I take my time so I can listen to the song multiple times to ensure what I am writing is what I feel and I could pick on a few more things that I may have missed out. But I can’t write this review while listening to the song. Don’t take it the wrong way, though. It just shows how good the track. Yonghwa’s vocals don’t stand out here, but Jonghyun’s vocals do instead. That part where they sing at a higher pitch (post-chorus) catches your attention. To me, the instrumental sounds very typical, but there is a happy vibe coming off it, which is something that is hard to miss. (9/10)

4. When I Was Young – It sounds like your typical KPOP song, but it’s jammed with more modern influences that one could imagine. The band’s influence is softer in this. It uses more electronic sounds, similar to the title track. And it makes the song stand out a mile away. To be honest, it sounds like a track that a dance group would have released as a B-side. But here, CNBLUE seems to effortless make this song work for them. I like this song because, like the title, it takes different genres that I grew up thinking wouldn’t work and make it work. (9.5/10)

5. Manito – This is the compulsory ballad that all album releases KPOP must have on their albums. Is there some law that enforces this? This song is probably the weakest track out of the lot. But that being said, it is still pretty good. The track does make you sway along, and their vocals make the song sound amazing. It does give you a chance to relax and take a step back from the epicness of the album. However, it just sounds quite typical and ordinary., which does make it disappointing. (8/10)

6. Royal Rumble – Besides the title track, when I first listened to this song, I was blown away by it. It’s not your typical track, and it isn’t something that I have heard from CNBLUE before. It adds an almost Latin or Spanish feel to the song, which does stand out a lot. I love the strumming guitar, which is addictive now that I come to the think of it. More importantly, is the buildup before the chorus. It may not be much, but it impressed me a lot. Also, the “Royal Rumble” which Yonghwa sings, sounds amazing. If he had a huskier voice, then the song would have been perfect. (9.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Album Review] Can You Feel It? (9th Mini Album) – HIGHLIGHT

March 27, 2017May 5, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged HIGHLIGHT1 Comment

HIGHLIGHT, formerly known as Beast, have rebranded themselves and returned to the stage with their latest mini album. The group, unfortunately, could not carry over their original group name after leaving the company, as Cube Entertainment had owned the name. Hence, why a new name was needed. And now the group has returned with a smashing new mini album, titled as Can You Feel It?.

1..Plz Don’t Be Sad (얼굴 찌푸리지 말아요) (title track) – Click here to view the full review for Plz Don’t Be Sad. (8/10)

2. It’s Still Beautiful (아름답다) (pre-release track) – While I probably will not get around to writing a full review for it, I will go on about how nice this track is. Beast tends to ‘pre-release’ a ballad track before dropping their album, which is what they have done here. And what they have given us is quite beautiful. The soft instrumental doesn’t steal the show. Instead, their vocals that give the song that striking sound, which made me fall in love. Each member sings in this song, further proving the extent of their talents. My only complaint is as the song approaches the end, you expect it to ease out. But instead, it ends quite suddenly, which does catch me off guard. But “It’s Still (a) Beautiful” song. (9/10)

3. The Beginning (시작) – This is the second ballad off the tracklist. It has a more subtle cafe and elevator music vibe to it. Out of all the tracks, I don’t really find it appealing. But that is just my personal preference. Like the other tracks, this is a really good track by itself. The little “twinkle” sounds from the piano does give it a nice touch and of course, the members show off their vocals here as well, but not as much their other tracks on the rest of the album. (7.5/10)

4. Dangerous (위험해) – This is the third ballad-like song on the album. And out of the three, it is probably the best. I freaking love it. The chorus is really damn catchy. It is a beautiful song to just sit down, sway along and lipsync along with it. The chorus, alongside the verses, give the song a very dramatic and serious feel. Junhyung’s raps top the song off very nicely, as well. It doesn’t seem to fit, but it works wonderfully with the rest of the song. This song does show off their vocals as well, but in its own way. (10/10)

5. Can You Feel It? – Given the trend, you expect them to finish off with another ballad. But instead, a dance track closes the mini album. As soon as I heard the song, it felt just right. It has everything you expect in a party-themed song. It’s catchy and addictive. And it has a sick beat that is bound to get you in the mood for a little bouncing or dancing. I revisit the entire mini-album just for this one track. Likewise, I feel like their vocals and raps are shown off, but in a more appropriate way that suits this song. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Album Review] Flight Log: Arrival (6th Mini Album) – GOT7

March 16, 2017March 17, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged GOT7Leave a comment

GOT7 has returned with the final album in their Flight Log series. The group first released Flight Log: Flight and the title track Fly back in early 2016. They later made their comeback with Hard Carry, as part of Flight Log: Turbulence in September 2016. Now, they are back with Flight Log: Arrival and their latest title track, Never Ever, which is linked below.

1..Never Ever (title track) – Click here to see my review for Never Ever (7.25/10)

2. Shopping Mall – Song titles tend to confuse me. This one may be the most random one, but yet it somehow manages to get tied to a standard song theme. Shopping Mall is a bland track that didn’t capture my attention. The opening of the song is pretty good (it was the only memorable part of the song or the only thing that I remembered about the song) but the rest of the song seemed lackluster. The track itself is a typical pop track. The vocals and raps seem okay. But as I said, there isn’t much in the song. (4/10)

3. Paradise – Paradise’s instrumental caught my attention, something the previous song didn’t do. It is another instrumental that is right up my alley. At first, when I heard the song, I thought it sounded pretty generic, especially the vocals. However, after multiple listens, I think I can say that the song is growing on me. The vocals do sound quite good, and the raps seem quite smooth. The chorus was quite catchy, with the repetition of “Paradise” and the instrumental in the background. It isn’t flashy and is more on the simple side, but that won’t mean it would be a weaker song. (6/10)

4. Sign – It is one of the slower songs on the mini album. From the outside, you may think that I would find this song on more of the dull side. And I probably would have thought the same thing. But I actually like this song. It is an interesting mix that works pretty well. It reminds me of RnB almost. The instrumental uses synths and electronic sounds, but it a much slower manner. The vocals worked wonderfully and do show off their vocal abilities. Youngjae’s extra loud vocals during the bridge gave the song an extra push forward, which was much appreciated because if it weren’t there, then the song would have fallen into the generic category as well. (7/10)

5. Go Higher – Go Higher is the party anthem of the mini album. The song reminded me of DJ Got Us Falling In Love (I know, quite random). But then it clicked because I associate DJ Got Us Falling In Love with parties. (Yep, I have a social life. Also, it is a song that is played at a majority of the parties that I go to). And it is one of the few songs that I know the lyrics off by heart). To get the full effect of the song, you need to have the volume up high and throw in a little more bass! It sounds amazing. The vocals/raps are not hidden by the instrumental. But I would have liked the instrumental track to have more of an intense and powerful punch to get everything going. Talking about the instrumental, it is an odd mash between different EDM sounds, but they all manage to work altogether. (7.5/10)

6. Q – This is probably the fluffiest track of all from GOT7. It has a cute sound to it, which isn’t something that GOT7 would often do. And surprisingly, I like it. Maybe it is because it compliments the vocals of some members. That harmony for the “I just want a cue” with all the vocalists (JB, Jinyoung, Youngjae and Yugeom) was probably the highlight of the song. Mark’s rap was also quite good here. I also have a confession to make, but as I was listening to the song on the bus today, I was trying to decipher what Q meant. For a while, I thought it was a cute sounding song, but the guys were singing “I just was to kill.” Thank God, I did some research once I got home. Or else things would have been a little embarrassing. (8/10)

7. Don’t Care (양심없이) – Annoying instrumental, if I have to be honest. But the vocals and the raps sound pretty good. The way they sing just seem to roll along and make everything feel so smooth. Surprisingly, that effect fitted well with the song and work well with the instrumental. The RnB sound was quite prominent, and on top of that, it does sound quite sensual as well. I like what they were doing, just not enjoying the instrumental that much (yet). Who knows if this track will grow on me? (I have a feeling it might) (6/10)

8. Out – This is the one track that I looked forward to. It has that B-side track feel, which was a little disappointing, but it is was the one track that had the right level of impact. I love the different tempos in the song. Some parts were slow, while others were much more upbeat. Likewise, the vocals and raps gave the song a lot of variety. Great instrumental, as well. The catchiness (and Jackson’s voice) of “Wait a minute, I’m out” made it sound and feel much cooler. I also wonder what the inspiration for the song was. Was it inspired by their ongoing antics and the fact they end things by saying “I’m 1 Out, I’m 2 Out”? (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7/10

[Album Review] Rose (6th Single Album) – B.A.P

March 12, 2017Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged B.A.PLeave a comment

Thank you for all the views for the review for B.A.P’s Wake Me Up. Also, thanks for the many retweets and likes on Twitter for the review. They just keep coming. In total, a whopping 131 retweets and 129 favourites for just one review is something completely unexpected. But it goes to show the power of BABYs and B.A.P fans around the world. So, I present to you all the full single review for B.A.P’s Rose.

1..Dystopia – This song is probably one of the few songs that satisfy my yearning for intense songs. It sounds like the type of song to keep you on the edge of your seats. The rock-based song sounds amazing. Sure, the instrumental may feel a little overpowering compared to the vocals, but in this song’s case, it works. Out of all the members, I think Bang Yong Guk’s vocals were highlighted the best. His short line at the start gave the song the kick it needed and his parts scattered throughout (even though some of them consisted of one word) still kept the song kicking. That being said, each member did a fantastic job in the song as well. It is one track that is worthy of all the head bangs you can fit in for the length of the song. (9/10)

2. Wake Me Up (Title Track) – Click to check out the full review for Wake Me Up (8.5/10)

3. Diamond 4 Ya – Moving away from the rock, Diamond 4 Ya is a completely different sounding song. However, that typical B.A.P feel is still there. It’s powerful in its own way, despite the sound being a lot more delicate and softer, compared to their more intense or tough sounds. I love the instrumental here, especially that squeaky sound after each chorus. I am also captivated by Himchan’s Your Love, Your Way. While I don’t find much interesting with Himchan’s vocals, this song does seem to have stomped on my opinions. The rest of the vocals sounded very nice. While I praised Bang Yong Guk’s parts in Dystopia, I feel like his part (and the entire rap sequences with Zelo) a little bland. While I spent my time head-banging in Dystopia, I toned it down to just a consistent and continuous nod. Don’t get the wrong idea, I am just making my actions more appropriate to the song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Image result for rose bap teaser image — Rose Teaser Image

(This album review was originally scheduled to be posted on Wednesday the 15th, but since I have completed the review earlier than intended, I decided to post it on Sunday the 12th, to allow for other reviews to be published a day earlier and as another sign of gratitude).