Album Reviews – Page 5

[Album Review] WITNESS (2nd Mini Album) – ALL(H)OURS

April 5, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ALL(H)OURSLeave a comment

My first review for ALL(H)OURS was for their comeback single, SHOCK. In that review, I mentioned that I would review their debut track (and potentially mini-album) in the future. I still haven’t got around to that. But in a fitting style, ALL(H)OURS’ first album review is for the mini-album that features the title track SHOCK—their second mini-album, WITNESS. It was released in July 2024 and features a total of five songs.

Overall, I found the mini-album a consistent release, showcasing an EDM and hip-hop sound profile throughout most of the release. For a new group to whom I haven’t really dove into yet, this is a decent showing from the new group. More recently, ALL(H)OURS released their 3rd mini-album, Smoke Point, which features the tracks Graffiti and Gimme Gimme. I haven’t reviewed these as well. But at the very least, a review for Gimme Gimme is on the cards.

Until then, here are my thoughts on WITNESS.

1. WITNESS – ALL(H)OURS kicks off their mini-album with the instrumental track WITNESS, kickstarting the release with a powerful rave-like track. It doesn’t hold back and has the adrenaline coursing through your body. I find it refreshing because we don’t hear all that many rave-like tracks in KPOP, though I admit it isn’t for everyone. It isn’t my usual go-to form of EDM. But on this mini-album, knowing what comes after, WITNESS does a good job of launching right into the rest.

2. SHOCK (도깨비) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for SHOCK. (9/10)

3. PSYCHO MANTRA – The group leans towards an aggressive and abrasive sound profile in PSYCHO MANTRA. There are a few other sides of ALL(H)OURS that I will touch on in a second, but these two are the ones that I remember most vividly from the song. The aggressiveness comes out during the chorus when the rappers go shouty, and the abrasiveness comes through via the EDM/rock-influenced instrumentation and distorted vocals that form part of the background. We get some sleekness and smoothness from the vocal line, but it is very short-lived since the rappers get the limelight in PSYCHO MANTRA. Overall, it’s a cool song. (8/10)

4.’Bout That Issue – ‘Bout That Issue showcases both the vocals and rappers in a more balanced manner than the previous song. And from this, I can tell that ALL(H)OURS has a strong line of both. We also hear much more of that hip-hop genre in this song since the instrumental isn’t overwhelming. I actually appreciate that a lot, considering the song before this one. I find ‘Bout That Issue to be intriguing thanks to that vocal melody in the chorus. There is something very familiar about that I cannot pinpoint where I have heard it before. I also like the “’Bout That Issue” repetition that forms the song’s main hook. (8/10)

5. Blah Blah – Blah Blah gets the EDM and hip-hop balance just right. It also gives us some dramatic percussion/drumming, which makes the song cooler. I did think the vocals and rapping could have been stronger in this song. The members’ delivery didn’t hit the spot for me and they kept their styles very safe. Had they gone further, I think Blah Blah would have been a killer track. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] Metamorphic (1st Studio Album) – STAYC

March 29, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged STAYCLeave a comment

I am fully aware that STAYC made their comeback more recently, and a song review for BEBE is coming your way in the not-so-far-distant future. But until then, here is my review of their 1st studio album, Metamorphic. Released in July 2024, Metamorphic features 14 songs (slightly longer than the average studio-length album), including the title track, Cheeky Icy Thang. Metamorphic is a decent album with a mix of strong and fair songs. Keep reading to find out my thoughts on the individual songs that make up Metamorphic.

1. Twenty – STAYC kicks off the album with a formidable alternative R&B number. I liked the drumming in this one and the crisp vocals that give Twenty that power. Whenever I say I want oomph in a song, the direction the vocals went in this song is exactly what I am looking for. There are 2 downsides to Twenty – that it is very noticeably short, and I wished the instrumental was a bit more robust to prevent it from feeling as stagnant as it did. (8/10)

2. Cheeky Icy Thang (Title Track) – Click here for the review for Cheeky Icy Thang. (7/10)

3. 1 Thing – 1 Thing is a very familiar sound for STAYC. It has the signature fun and brightness from its electronic pop instrumentation and STAYC’s delivery. Its chorus attracts my attention, thanks to its sassy delivery and how straight-shooting the members sounded. The bridge brings delicateness to the song before a dynamic and fun electronic instrumental break comes into play. (8/10)

4. Give It 2 Me – Give It 2 Me is a decent pop R&B track. But I feel like the autotune is heavy, and their vocals are rather piercing (in a not-so-good way). The highlight is definitely SIEUN’s rapping, it gives us some reprieve to the autotune and piercing vocals. But besides that, Give It 2 Me doesn’t speak to me as much as the other tracks on the album. (7/10)

5. Find – Next on the album is Find, a unit song by SIEUN, SEEUN and J. Find features neat and delicate vocals from the trio. The rapping brought some nice contrast, which I liked. The acoustic vibe of the instrumental is also lovely and different, especially as it is mixed with trap beats throughout the song. Some stronger melodies and catchiness would have helped lift Find to a new level. (7.5/10)

6. Let Me Know – STAYC revisits the pop genre in a pure manner in Let Me Know. It is quite a pleasant song. I liked the tempo of the instrumentation and the members’ singing in this one. I feel like that short ending sequence of the choruses, where the instrumental turns slightly atmospheric, and J ends with her “Let Me Know … Let Me Know” lin, has the potential for something more. I wished the song explored that potential. (8/10)

7. Nada – Nada brings a bit of hip-hop to the album. This differs from what I have heard so far, so it interested me. The pre-chorus is just something that gets me each time I listen to the song, while the instrumental was unexpectedly playful with the percussion. It makes Nada feel a little nursery rhyme-esque, contrasting with the song’s message about feeling nothing after meeting the person of their dreams. (8/10)

8. Fakin’ – Starting off the second half of the album is SUMIN and YOON, through their unit track Fakin’. The song is another pop track, with stunning vocals from the pair to make it an engaging number. I liked the simplicity of this combination and how easy it was to get into. Stronger hooks to make it more memorable would have sealed the deal for me. (9/10)

9. Roses – ISA is the only member to go solo on the album. Roses is a R&B number with a very intriguing instrumentation. The background has all sorts of effects, but it never feels overdone. ISA sounds quite good throughout the song, but stronger hooks and melodies could have improved the song further. (7/10)

10. Beauty Bomb – Beauty Bomb is one of the stronger songs on the album. The bubbly R&B (perfectly described by The KMeal) is quite fun, which is one reason why I find it so catchy. That ‘Doo Doo Doo’ in the chorus is hooky, as well as the ‘Blow my mind…’ lines that follow later on in the choruses. What I also like about Beauty Bomb is that it showcases STAYC well. Pleasant vocals and nicely contrasting rapping helped make Beauty Bomb engaging for me. (9/10)

11. Gummy Bear – The start of the verses for Gummy Bear, made up of trap beats and the swirly electronic synth, was interesting, to say the least. The rapping that pairs with this backing was fine, but the background is wacky. As the song progresses, I enjoy the rest of Gummy Bear. It develops into a feel-good pop song that feels pure and straightforward. I like how the vocals come off in this segment. The pre-choruses are another strong example of STAYC’s vocals. So, it begs the question of why we needed that start to even begin with, especially since the rest of the song is quite good. (8.5/10)

12. Stay WITH Me – STAYC visits the pop-rock genre through Stay WITH Me. The song is for their fans, and the lyrics are written by STAYC themselves! While it sounds good, and I liked how the rapping pairs up with the instrumentation, I wished I could say the same about their vocals. The vocalists could have been louder to match up with the energy of the pop-rock instrumentation. Stronger melodies, as well, would have helped them embrace the pop-rock better. (8/10)

13. Flexing on My Ex – The pop rock is definitely punchier and the members sound superb (and can be heard over the instrumentation)in Flexing on My Ex. We do lose some momentum as we get closer to the chorus, but this does help the centrepiece feel more impactful and prolific. (8/10)

14. Trouble Maker – The final song of this long album (not complaining here!) is Trouble Maker. It was such a fun and energetic song to end with. It literally makes me want to get up and dance (or cringingly dance along in my chair if you want a real-time update as I write this review). I love the song’s encore energy and the brass elements in the background. The expressiveness and bright vocals also make it a winning song. Pity is a short one. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] VirtuouS (10th Mini Album) – Dreamcatcher

March 16, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged DreamcatcherLeave a comment

The next album up for review is Dreamcatcher’s VirtuouS. This is the group’s 10th mini-album and was released in July 2024. It is led by the title track, JUSTICE, and features an additional four songs. This album release follows their VillainS (title track OOTD) comeback from November 2023, the first part of their ‘VersuS‘ duology. Overall, VirtuouS is a powerful mini-album, with consistently strong songs across the board. This earns it a recommendation stamp from me (as you can see at the end of the post).

More recently, for Dreamcatcher, it was announced that Handong, Gahyun, and Dami were leaving their company, but it was confirmed that they remained in the group. In addition, JiU, SuA, and Yoohyeon will form a unit, while Siyeon will start a band. All these announcements are intriguing, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each member of Dreamcatcher, though I hope there will be regular group comebacks, as well.

. Intro: 7’Dreamcatcher’ – Opening up this mini-album is an instrumental track. This one starts off captivating with the piano, before slowly developing into the very familiar rock sound that Dreamcatcher is known for. The journey to get to the rock sound was beautiful. When the track realises the rock sound, it is powerful and impactful. A stunning opener.

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

3. STΦMP! – With a title like STΦMP!, you expect the song to have some heft. And we got just that. With Dreamcatcher at the helm, it is no surprise that STΦMP! fully embraces a powerful rock instrumental. The “Stomp Stomp” chant at the start of the chorus is definitely the song’s highlight, and you can feel the group’s command on stage now during the chorus. Their vocals are powerful and impressive in this one. (10/10)

4. 2 RINGS – Right off the bat, 2 RINGS doesn’t mess around, launching the audience into a punk rock sound. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the guitar work in 2 RINGS, as it was an astounding element and adds so much momentum to the song. Dreamcatcher also doesn’t mess around with their delivery. Once again, they sound very powerful and exude a lot of attitude and sass in this number. Personally, I do feel like they could have stepped up all elements in the final chorus to really round out the song. But what we did get was already outstanding. (9/10)

5. Fireflies – Final song on the album is Fireflies. Hearing the piano and balladry direction of the song was quite a shift from what is on this mini-album. But this ‘shift’ is not a bad thing. Dreamcatcher whisked me away with Fireflies, with beautiful instrumentation and stunning vocals and harmonies. Those harmonies, especially at the end, make the final moments of this mini-album so emotional. Fireflies has everything I love in a ballad. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.5/10

[Album Review] WALK (6th Studio Album) – NCT 127

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NCT, NCT 1272 Comments

It has been over a month since I posted my last album review to focus on the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. With that out of the way, I can finally return to the forever growing backlog of albums. First up is NCT 127’s 6th studio album, WALK, which was released in July 2024. It features 11 songs, including the title track, Walk (which I nominated for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Song in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards – unfortunately, it didn’t win, but it was my personal choice). This is the first album not to feature TAEYONG in the promotions, as he (at the time, and still is) enlisted in the military. But he did feature in the songs! This is also the last album to feature TAEIL, who was removed from the group soon after the album’s release.

With Walk leading the charge for this studio album, it was a definite positive sign for what would come on it. Two songs got perfect ratings from me, while a few almost got there as well! This made WALK good enough to be a recommended album. Continue reading to find out my thoughts on each song.

1. Intro: Wall To Wall – Nowadays, a two minute and 30 second intro track is pretty much a full-fledged track. Despite that, NCT 127 maintains that Wall to Wall is an intro track. Wall to Wall features an atmospheric instrumental that combines an organ with hip-hop influences. In combination with an amazing instrumental, there is an equally amazing set of vocals and passionate rapping from the members to kick off the album. (9/10)

2. Walk (삐그덕) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Walk. (9/10)

3. No Clue – No Clue emphasises the two sides of NCT 127. It starts with some cool rapping from TAEYONG and MARK, before we revert to smooth vocals from the vocalists. No Clue continues this pattern of cool rapping and smooth vocals for the remainder of the song, even in the chorus, to create a very unskippable hip-hop track. (9/10)

4. Orange Seoul (오렌지색 물감) – Orange Seoul is quite a fun number, joining jazzy instrumental elements with some strong vocals and rapping. This sounds like a great soundtrack for walking down the street in a very good mood. I liked Orange Seoul the most when the members and the instrumentation get super expressive. It is hard to pass up. (9/10)

5. Pricey – Grooviness hits you from the very first second in Pricey, setting up the song for success. Alongside it was some cool piano work and hip-hop elements, which add a lot of buoyancy. The continuous flow and delivery by the members were other amazing aspects of Pricey. Altogether, another good song. (8/10)

6. Time Capsule – Time Capsule sees NCT 127 slip into mid-tempo territory with this R&B/hip-hop track. But this is not something to look down on – Time Capsule is a stunner. The smoothness of the track was fantastic, and the rapping was nicely balanced to give us that hip-hop flair without becoming overbearing. Ultimately, the vocals won me over and made me come back for more. (10/10)

7. Can’t Help Myself (영화처럼) – Another stunning track comes in the form of Can’t Help Myself. Again, it is the vocals that floors me. The ad-libs in this one are phenomenal. I originally thought the “I can’t, I can’t help myself, I can’t, I can’t help myself no oh” lines were a little abrasive. But they have grown on me and give Can’t Help Myself some texture that allows it to be different from other vocal-centric tracks on this album. (10/10)

8. Rain Drop – We return to the R&B and hip-hop mix we heard earlier in the album in Rain Drop. But Rain Drop is much lower in tone and is sleek. I like how atmospheric the instrumental was and how it felt like the jazzy music that matches a rainy day. The rapping also adopts a low tone approach, which was very cool. The vocals were lovely, and I love HAECHAN’s incline in the bridge. I am in two minds about the shouty “I can hear you, my rain drop yup” line that breaks up the song. On one hand, it is a pretty memorable aspect of Rain Drop. On the other hand, it is a bit jarring (relative to the rest of the track). (8.5/10)

9. Gas – Gas taps into trap side of electronic music, combining it with hip-hop elements. This track feels very NCT 127. While I appreciate the latter, I am not a massive fan of the former. I also find the repetition of the song’s title to be very bone-dry. It is still a well-conceptualised track, and I like how it showcases that bounce synonymous with hip-hop. I also liked how they took the energy to the next level towards the end with that dynamic changeup. (7/10)

10. Suddenly (서서히) – The penultimate track on WALK is Suddenly, which takes us back to the R&B side of the album. The instrumental makes Suddenly a nice track. I like the mix of acoustic guitars, dynamic piano and refreshing percussion. We are also treated to some brassy elements in the chorus and some trap elements later on that form the instrumental break. The vocal and rapping work and the paced delivery of the chorus are also quite refreshing. A lot to like in Suddenly. (8.5/10)

11. Meaning of Love (사랑한다는 말의 뜻을 알아가자) – The final song on the album is Meaning of Love. It is a cute and sweet song from the group. Probably a bit of a mismatch when you compare it to the rest of the album. But Meaning of Love isn’t a terrible song by a longshot. I like the upbeat vibes from the more acoustic instrumentation in the background and the build-up that the track features. The vocals were very nice, particularly the husky tone the rappers used in the song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] ATE (9th Mini Album) – Stray Kids

February 1, 2025February 1, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Stray Kids2 Comments

Stray Kids made their comeback in July 2024 with their 9th mini-album ATE. While I have reviewed the tracks that had a music video a while back before I took my break, I have yet to review the full mini-album until today. ATE features the title track Chk Chk Boom and 7 side tracks (including a remix of the title track). It follows on from their 2nd studio album, ROCK-STAR, and the lead single LALALALA.

Once again, Stray Kids pulled off another strong mini-album release, with most tracks being unskippable. ATE is undoubtedly another highly recommended mini-album of the group. Read on to see if you agree with me!

1. MOUNTAINS – Click here for the review for MOUNTAINS. (10/10)

2. Chk Chk Boom (Title Track) – Recognising how much the song has grown on me, I have decided to bump up the rating for Chk Chk Boom by a full point. Click here for the original review for Chk Chk Boom. (8.5/10)

3. JJAM – Click here for the review for JJAM. (9/10)

4. I Like It – I Like It raises a few red flags within its lyrics. It expresses the idea of liking someone but not wanting to fall in love with them. Despite the red flags, I Like It comes off as catchy and cute thanks to its pop roots. The “Ooh, I like it, ooh, ooh, I like it, like it” hooks are super addictive. The combination of the trap outro and HYUNJIN and FELIX’s spoken version of the hook adds a sexy flair to the song. (9/10)

5. Runners – Runners is an epic all-English track. It starts off with SEUNGMIN’s heavenly vocals over what I think is soft traditional instrumentation before FELIX’s deep vocals and beat grounds the track. This opening combination is memorable and makes me look forward to the song each time. The other members do an equally amazing job and ends up captivating me each time. The drill, drum and bass elements in Runners create some really nice textures in the background, while the choruses bring in a cyberpunk-esque energy into play. (9/10)

6. Twilight (또 다시 밤) – No matter how many times Twilight plays, I don’t remember much of it. Maybe it is because I am very used to Stray Kids with their loud and bold music nowadays and not through a mid-tempo ballad. That being said, it is still a good song with a beautiful piano instrumentation. Each member delivers the track splendidly, and the song has some good melodies. It just wasn’t a compelling listen from Stray Kids for me. (7/10)

7. Stray Kids – Click here for the review for Stray Kids. (9/10)

8. Chk Chk Boom (Festival Version) – See above for my review for Chk Chk Boom.

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] ROMANCE: UNTOLD / ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- (2nd Studio Album / Repackaged Studio Album) – ENHYPEN

January 31, 2025January 31, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ENHYPEN2 Comments

ENHYPEN is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Pop Song for Sweet Venom, among other categories, in the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support ENHYPEN and Sweet Venom by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes later at 11:59 PM AEDT 31 January 2025 (today!!).

It is time to review ENHYPEN’s 2024 album releases – ROMANCE: UNTOLD and ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-. The former was released in July 2024 and features the title track XO (Only If You Say Yes), the secondary promotional track Brought The Heat Back, the English version of the title track (featuring JVKE) and 6 side tracks. The album was then re-released as the latter in November 2024, featuring 2 new tracks, including the title track No Doubt. This series follows their ORANGE BLOOD album release in November 2023.

Altogether, the ROMANCE: UNTOLD series is a very strong showing from ENHYPEN. Both title tracks are great, and the side tracks have been fantastic to listen to. Most tracks were unskippable in my books, and this has helped make the albums standout releases of the past year. The rating wasn’t high enough to be eligible for Best Album in my KPOPREVIEWED Awards, but definitely notable enough. Continue reading below to see if you agree with me.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD Tracks

1. Moonstruck – Kicking off the studio album is Moonstruck. This is a R&B number that features a sensual vibe from the members. I remember thinking this opening track was sluggish, but Moonstruck has grown on me since. I enjoy it quite a lot now. The “Just the two of us, moonstruck” line in the chorus is memorable. I also like the infusion of rock towards the song’s end. (9/10)

2. XO (Only If You Say Yes) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for XO (Only If You Say Yes). (8/10)

3. Your Eyes Only –The mid-tempo beat reduces the appeal of Your Eyes Only. But its the members that win me over. HEESEUNG’s “You & me, yeah” in the first verse and JUNGWON’s equivalent line in the second verse (in its entirety) were memorable moments. The other members brought solid vocals to the song, particularly JAKE and SUNOO, who shared the choruses. The “Ya Ya … Ya Sugar talk” hook and the “Read more” refrains were also quite catchy. (9/10)

4. Hundred Broken Hearts – We move into upbeat R&B territory in Hundred Broken Hearts. The synths and the autotune vocal processing used in the song give off old-school vibes that make this song attractive. I did wish there were more memorable elements apart from the instrumentation and nostalgia the song brings. (8/10)

5. Brought The Heat Back – Click here for the full review for Brought The Heat Back. (8.5/10)

6. Paranormal – Paranormal introduces drum ‘n’ bass into the album. While this brings some refreshing notes to the R&B heavy album, I wished the song tapped more into the grungy guitars-like synths (?) that it uses in the background. It is a missed opportunity to have them in Paranormal, but not used effectively. The members’ vocals are good in this track but would better suit a grungy or more substantial rock-influenced song. (7.5/10)

7. Royalty – Royalty sees the guitars as the instrumental’s forefront. The guitar riffs opt for a contemporary vibe. And in combination with the rest of the instrumentation, Royalty feels summery and beachy. SUNOO is the standout member in this song, particularly with how he starts the song. The choruses opt for a shoutier motif, the loudest we have heard from the members in the album. But as a mechanism to get your attention, it works effectively and I find myself vibing with Royalty. (10/10)

8. Highway 1009 – Highway 1009 is another pleasant track that hits the right spot. The track features a pop instrumentation that sounds clear and crisp. The same thing can be said about the vocal work that ENHYPEN outputs. The best part of Highway 1009 is the chorus, which has a stunning melody that makes the track standout and brings a smile to my face. (9/10)

9. XO (Only If Your Say Yes) (ft. JVKE) (English Version) – Refer to my review for the Korean version of XO (Only If You Say Yes) above.

ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Tracks

*ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-* Album Cover

1. Daydream – Daydream does have a separate track video (embedded below), but it features three-quarters of the song. The actual song is only 2 minutes long, so I am unsure why the video limits the song further. Anyhow, Daydream is definitely an intriguing song. A prominent presence of whispery raps makes the track engaging and complements the lowkey minimalistic bass instrumental. The track does build on these whispery vocals to fuller volume vocals, but those are definitely not the main star. I liked the balance Daydream finds in all of this while maintaining that alluring uniqueness. (9/10)

2. No Doubt (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for No Doubt. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating (Romance: Untold) – 8.6/10
Overall Album Rating (Romance: Untold -Daydream-) – 8.5/10
Overall Album Rating (Combined) – 8.6/10

ROMANCE: UNTOLD Teaser Image
ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- Teaser Image

[Album Review] RIDE or DIE (3rd Mini Album) – EVNNE

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVNNE1 Comment

Support your favourite KPOP artists, performances and songs by clicking here to vote today. Voting closes on 31 January 2025 (i.e., tomorrow), so make sure you vote today to make it count!

EVNNE’s 3rd mini-album, RIDE or DIE, is the next album chosen for review on the blog. In case you missed it, it was released in June 2024 and follows their 2nd mini-album from earlier in the year (Un: SEEN, led by the title track UGLY). This mini-album features a total of 6 songs, including the title track Badder Love, the English version of the title track and 4 side tracks. Overall, it was a decent release, but it didn’t surpass their debut mini-album. Continue reading to find out if you agree with my thoughts.

1. Badder Love (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Badder Love. (7/10)

2. I ❤ U (I Love U) – I ❤ U is a light-hearted and fun track that brings out EVNNE’s youthfulness. I like the R&B motif the song featured, which contributed to a refreshing tone. The delicate vocals and melodies were nice and wispy. The rapping helped ground the song and give it a fun side. (8/10)

3. XO – The guitars in the background kept XO tangy, while the fast-paced beat propelled the song forward. But this fast-paced beat felt unnecessarily rushed, and I wished the producers had toned this down. It literally felt like someone had accidentally pressed fast-forward on the song. But aside from that, XO has one of the mini-album’s most memorable lines – “Tell me, yes, no, choose, XO”. The way it delivered and came off was bold and impactful. (8.5/10)

4. 2X (2배속) – Completely changing pace is 2X, which slows down the mini-album considerably. The R&B instrumental is more acoustic and is just a stunningly beautiful backdrop. The melodies in 2X have that swaying effect that I love in ballad-like songs, while EVNNE’s vocals were dreamy and lovely. (8/10)

5. Boom Bari – We go down a soft hip-hop direction for Boom Bari. The presence of the baby sound was odd, to say the least. The song brings back that light-hearted tone from the second track. But it makes the song more carefree and lazier, creating another fun vibe. The simple shouty hook emphasises that fun nature and is quite catchy. The last “Boom Boom” in the hook is attached to some bolder beats, which I thought was intriguing and is my highlight of the track. (8.5/10)

6. Badder Love (English Version) – Refer to my review of the Korean version of Badder Love above.