Album Reviews – Page 7

[Album Review] EVERSHINE (7th Mini Album) – CRAVITY

July 31, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged CRAVITY1 Comment

Another album review is here – this time for CRAVITY’s EVERSHINE. This is their 7th mini-album and was released back in February of this year. It features a total of 6 songs, including the title track Love or Die and the secondary promotional track C’est La Vie. Overall, another quality output by the group with some good and great songs on the mini-album. Continue reading to find out my thoughts on the individual songs that make up EVERSHINE.

In more recent news, CRAVITY also released new music (single is titled Show Off) in Japan and the group will be appearing the revamped Road To Kingdom show.

1. C’est La Vie – Click here for the full review for C’est La Vie. (7/10)

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

3. Cherry Blossom – When you think of cherry blossoms, you tend to think of light pink colour and perhaps even a soft breeze to brings out a crisp Spring air. Cherry Blossom encapsulates all of that quite well. It features bubbly synths with a dash of funkiness, all the while maintaining a lightness that feels fitting for the concept of cherry blossoms. I do think the producers could have gotten away with a slightly heavier dose of funk, just to give the song more boldness, edge and tenacity (but also maintaining the lightness of the song). The members themselves sounded sweet and the melodies made Cherry Blossom quite comforting to listen to. (8/10)

4. Mr. – Mr. is my pick for this album’s highlight. It takes on a 2000s EDM club banger style, which ended up feeling nostalgic to me (given I grew up in that era). Odd to think that EDM can elicit a nostalgic feeling… Anyhow, I do like how the producers didn’t overdo the EDM, which keeps Mr. refined and approachable. I liked the bass of the single, and how well that contrasted with the smooth vocals and melodies. The rappers were also in their zone in the verses of Mr., driving the song forward themselves when there was not a whole lot going in the background (relative to the choruses). The beat also works with the current funky and groovy trends, and the hooks were catchy. There was a lot to like in Mr.. (9/10)

5. Worst Thriller – A movie-like whistle and psychedelic rock takes the helm of Worst Thriller. It is a different sound profile that I am not sure anyone else in KPOP has done before, but the dreamy effect is very familiar. Definitely an interesting and unique direction. The slower pace of the track and the multiple subtle increases in the pacing at the end of the song made Worst Thriller feel quite unsettling, but in an intriguing way. At first, I found it odd. But I will admit that the song has grown a fair bit on me. The members handled the song well. I particularly like the backing vocals, which also set the unsettling and intriguing atmosphere further. (8/10)

6. Over & Over – Over & Over ends the mini-album with a familiar pop rock sound. While the track isn’t the most innovative or ‘different’ song on the mini-album, I really appreciate the straightforwardness of the track. The CRAVITY members definitely did a really good job on the vocal and rapping fronts. The instrumental just had the right amount of energy. Put all of that together, and Over & Over comes out to be a worthwhile listen. Altogether, a very comfortable end to the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10

[Album Review] TAP (2nd Mini Album) – TAEYONG (NCT)

July 26, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NCT, Taeyong (NCT)Leave a comment

TAEYONG’s 2nd mini-album, titled TAP, is up for review today. It is lead by the same named single as its title track and 5 additional side tracks. Following promotions of the new mini-album and a solo concert, TAEYONG enlisted in the military. Unfortunately, this does mean he isn’t part of NCT 127 promotions of their most recent comeback Walk. But he did leave us with 6 new songs to dig into when he returned back in February of this year.

I must admit that TAP is one mini-album that I was very keen on reviewing. There are some really amazing side tracks on the mini-album that have unexpectedly blown me away. I wasn’t expecting much from this mini-album, particularly since TAEYONG is not a member I follow as much and is no whom I expect such dreamy and vocally driven tracks from. Also, I did not expect the rest of the mini-album to be so strong after I gave the title track a cold review. But the side tracks warm me right back and I want to share them with you. So if you have not yet, do check out TAEYONG’s latest mini-album and my thoughts on each song below!

1. TAP (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for TAP. (6/10)

2. Moon Tour – The mini-album slows down considerably with Moon Tour, going down a R&B path. I am quite surprised with how much I enjoyed Moon Tour. The instrumental is super dreamy and paced (the latter works extremely well in this song). I particularly like how the instrumental came to be, despite the use of harsher and abrasive synths. I also really enjoyed TAEYONG’s vocals. He isn’t known for his vocal capabilities given his rapper status. But I really loved how delicate and heartfelt his vocals sounded in Moon Tour. I particularly enjoyed the way he dragged out the ‘You & I’ at the start of each chorus. An easy 10/10 from me. (10/10)

3. Run Away – Run Away features several changes in its instrumentation and vocals as it progresses, making it an interesting piece to me. We get an atmospheric start to the song, with TAEYONG building up towards a first verse that features a light touch of rock. The pre-choruses refocus on TAEYONG’s vocals via a dreamier melody. The choruses bring a heavier rock presence, with a beat that is foot-tapping and head-bopping worthy and electric guitar shredding gives Run Away an additional punch of energy. I also like how TAEYONG’s vocals get so raspy in the chorus. A more upbeat energy takes over in the second verse, before the same pre-chorus comes into play. The heavier rock presence returns in the second chorus (featuring a different set of lyrics) and in the end via the little outro we got. Overall, a fair bit in Run Away to digest, but another strong effort from TAEYONG. (8/10)

4. APE – Out of all the songs on the mini-album, APE feels the most aligned with what I know of TAEYONG. It is a very cool dance track, with some awesome synth work and rapping from TAEYONG himself. This is definitely enough to get me interested in it. His flow was really good, the energy was wild, and I can definitely imagine some impressive dance moves from the man himself to accompany the track. The ending of APE was probably the most interesting aspect of all. The instrumental reverted from synths to a soothing fade out, as TAEYONG raps over it with some heavy autotune. Very intriguing concept and way to end the song, but it worked really well. (8/10)

5. Ups & Downs (나에게 했던 것과 같이) – The opening verse Ups & Downs had me thinking this was going to be a ballad, but it ends up being more of an R&B piece. I really liked how TAEYONG carried himself through the song. His vocals and rapping made it a very captivating. The instrumentation was very riveting, as well. Ups & Downs started off with lo-fi beats, moves into R&B territory for majority of the song, and finally ends with a fade towards a classical motif. I am not as into this song, compared to the other songs on this mini-album. But I cannot deny how amazing Ups & Downs sounds. (9/10)

6. 404 Loading – TAEYONG continues to blow me away in the final track on the mini-album. His vocals are stunningly beautiful in 404 Loading. The way it builds up in the song and the raspier tone he has just makes it a captivating piece. Also stunningly beautiful are the song’s melodies. The way the melodies carried me through 404 Loading just had me swaying along to the song, just like what I would expect from a ballad. The synth work in the background goes down a dreamy direction. But it also gave 404 Loading texture to anchor down TAEYONG’s vocals. Altogether, a memorable ending to TAEYONG’s mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] EASY (3rd Mini Album) – LE SSERAFIM

July 25, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged LE SSERAFIM2 Comments

LE SSERAFIM’s 3rd mini-album, EASY, is next up for an album review. It dropped in February of this year and is led by the same name single and Smart (which I just reviewed the other week). Personally, I think this is one of their weaker album releases to date. Aside from the intro and side track, the title and follow-up tracks and the rest of EASY received a lukewarm reaction from me. I do think there is a confirmed comeback for some time in August, so I am hoping for something better from LE SSERAFIM.

1. Good Bones – The intro track of LE SSERAFIM’s album always consist of a narration from the members in their respective languages (Korea, Japanese and English). Good Bones follows the same formula, with the members speaking to the hard work they put in to get where they are now, and refuting comments that they had it easy when in fact they made it look easy. It also features a really energetic and hype rock background. The members also repeat a singular repetitive line (“Easy, Crazy, Hot, I can make it”) that starts off spoken and develops into a shoutier line by the last time we hear it. Everything in this intro track comes together quite well, kicking off the mini-album in a confident and bold manner. (9/10)

2. EASY (Title Track) – Click here the full review of EASY. (6.5/10)

3. Swan Song – Swan Song brings mid-tempo R&B to the mini-album. I liked the instrumentation of the track. It felt rustic. Vocally, LE SSERAFIM made the song rather beautiful. Some of their vocals were airy, others sounded quite sweet. But it was a good mixture, nonetheless. The only thing that could have made Swan Song better in my books is a more riveting melody, though I suspect that could be a challenge for a mid-tempo paced song. (8/10)

4. Smart – Click here for the full review for Smart. (7/10)

5. We Got So Much – This short mini-album wraps up with We Got So Much, another mid-tempo number. There is more to the pace of the track, but it got a little stale for me as the song progressed. Makes me think that We Got So Much has the opposite problem, compared to Swan Song. I really like the melodies, with LE SSERAFIM doing a really good job of delivering it with delicate vocals. The instrumental could have done with a little more life to. The faint rock in the background was a good idea, and I wished the song built towards that more in the end. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.5/10

[Album Review] With YOU-th (13th Mini Album) – TWICE

July 18, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TWICE3 Comments

TWICE’s 13th mini-album, With YOU-th, is the next album to be reviewed on my blog. Not to cause any alarm, I am pushing ahead with writing album reviews for those albums where I have already reviewed all the tracks that have a music video (or decide not to review those tracks with music videos separately as planned) to hopefully reduce the backlog of albums that I need to review. I will return to reviewing other albums that I skip once I have review the additional tracks that got music videos (such as IU and CHA EUN WOO’s respectively mini-albums). For With YOU-th, I have already reviewed TWICE’s pre-release single I GOT YOU and the title track ONE SPARK previously. That leaves me with four additional songs to touch on in this post.

1. I GOT YOU (Pre-Release) – Click here for the full review for I GOT YOU. (9/10)

2. ONE SPARK (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for ONE SPARK. (8/10)

3. RUSH – TWICE ventures into drum ‘n’ bass territory with RUSH. Personally, I didn’t care much for the song when I listened to the album in passing when it was first release. But when I really pay attention to RUSH for the purposes of this review, I notice the best aspects of the song are actually the most subtle details. The combination of the drum ‘n’ bass and the harp gives RUSH its greatest asset – flow. The vocals match up with the lightness by adopting a dreamy motif. And this dreamy motif contrasts with the little details and synth work in the background, where the latter also gave RUSH some much appreciated texture. (8/10)

4. NEW NEW – Maybe it is because I am reviewing NEW NEW during an influx of summery tracks, but NEW NEW feels quite suitable for the summery season. It has that dynamism that I associate with this season. The instrumental feels suitable for the club, especially if it is on blast. I like the vibrancy the members bring to NEW NEW and the melodic hook in the chorus was very catchy. The verses could be stronger and perhaps the beat could have been slowed down as we reach the end to not have it feel as rushed and abrupt as it were. (8.5/10)

5. BLOOM – BLOOM is my pick for most impressive track on this album. I really liked the textural instrumental that features in the song’s background. I did wish they played with the funky guitar a bit more, but I did like what its presence did to the background (i.e., provide an intriguing element that keeps me interested). The vocal work in BLOOM was amazing. The vocals during the verses held their ground at a more normal level quite well. But it was the use of the higher register yet slightly harsh vocals from NAYEON and JIHYO in the chorus that was very striking and helped make BLOOM stand out. (9/10)

6. YOU GET ME – TWICE ends the mini-album with the beautiful YOU GET ME. Despite it being more EDM based instrumentally, I still found YOU GET ME to be very pleasant to listen to. The twinkling synth work that features predominately in the background feels very much like a twinkling night sky to me. The clear and crisp vocals, which bring a heartfelt touch to the song, alongside the clean melody helped make the track feel beautiful. Definitely a stunning way to end the album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] Killin’ It (1st Studio Album) – P1Harmony

July 8, 2024August 3, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged P1HarmonyLeave a comment

Believe it or not, but P1Harmony only released their first studio album in February of this year*. For some reason, I have it in my mind that they have already reached this feat ages ago. Titled Killin’ It, the album is lead by the single of the same name. In addition to the title track, the album also features 9 tracks on it (some of which I am dubbing as hidden gems). Continue reading to find out which of the 10 songs on the album have been rated 10/10.

Overall, this studio album garners a very positive review from me. P1Harmony is not one that springs to mind when I think a KPOP artist who has the strong albums or even repertoire of side tracks. But I am impressed with P1Harmony’s fairly consistent output over the last year on the mini-album front and Killin’ It proves that once again. I do recommend you check out this album (per the recommended sticker at the bottom of the page) and hopefully you finding something cool and engaging that only P1Harmony can put out!

*While I have moved onto February 2024 albums, I will be swinging back to a couple more January 2024 albums on this blog in the near future.

1. Killin’ It (때깔) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Killin’ It. (8/10)

2. Late Night Calls – Following the title track is a R&B based track, which features a more mellowed mix of acoustic guitar and electronic percussion in its instrumentation. I liked the melodic and vocal focus of Late Night Calls, which is a different motif than what P1Harmony puts out usually. KEEHO’s vocals were distinct and showcased well in the song. While the way Late Night Calls comes together makes for a pleasant listen, a stronger hook would have made Late Night Calls better, but what we got was pretty good in itself. (8/10)

3. Everybody Clap – Despite not being as heavy handed as their title track, Everybody Clap returns the album to what P1Harmony is most known for – hip-hop dance tracks. That being said, Everybody Clap is quite a lively and well-balanced hype track. I quite enjoyed Everybody Clap’s chorus, particularly how it delivers the eventuating hip-hop and hype energy. From the electric guitar that accompanies the song’s catchy and playful descending melody, to the clean vocals and energetic rapping from the group. I found a lot to like in Everybody Clap. (9/10)

4. Love Story (꿍꿍이) – Love Story is the closest we get to a ballad on this album. It falls into the pop realm, but also exudes a soft profile that is synonymous to ballads and incorporates an acoustic touch. This was a good direction for P1Harmony, fitting in better with their sound profile than compared to the more usual slower and classical route. Their vocals also sound very nice in the track. I liked how they elongated the ‘Love Story’ references in the choruses, which helps makes it dreamier and more delicate. The sing-song rapping was also perfect for this motif, and is an excellent way for the rappers to twist themselves to fit into Love Story. (8/10)

5. Countdown to Love – The hip-hop returned in Countdown to Love. But this time around, the track features an impressive backdrop of electronic guitars and drums that gets the adrenaline rushing. It isn’t necessary a rock track, but it is similar to that realm. Countdown to Love does diverge into hip-hop through some trap synths and characteristic rapping from the group. Despite the changes in the background, I liked how the song maintains a consistent energy. This made the song exciting and thrilling to listen to. I do think a more memorable hook would have sealed the deal on the song, however. (9/10)

6. Emergency – Emergency pushes things further than the previous song, thanks to its more dynamic flair. The instrumental maintains the rock-like sound and hip-hop affair from the previous and title track, but also features a much punchier synth work. I like the small 90s detailing in the background, as well. The vocals and rapping definitely has this excitement to them, which makes Emergency prolific and carries us through the song’s intensity. I am always excited to listen to Emergency, as I know it will be a blast each time. And I have listened to it so much that it has become one of my favourite side tracks from P1Harmony. (10/10)

7. 2Nite – Another side track that attracted my attention is 2Nite. This one brings some funk and groovy energy into the album. No matter how many times I listen to 2Nite, the funky and groovy direction makes P1Harmony sound classier and upgraded. Nothing against the hip-hop dance style P1Harmony is known for (as that can be exciting on occasion), but it isn’t my personal style. The bridge was probably strong evidence of this additional class, as I found that part to be oozing with style. Again, the vocals were well polished and clean, while the rapping adds intensity. I also find the “Oh No!” at the start of the chorus to be super punchy and catchy. (9/10)

8. Let Me Love You – Let Me Love You maintains the funk and groove in this electronic track. The instrumental already captures my attention, but there are a few additional elements that makes Let Me Love You stand out to me. The first has to be the choruses’ crunchy harmonisation with the backing vocals. The second is JIUNG and KEEHO’s singular hoarse line in the pre-chorus (that really took my breath away). And the third is SOUL’s smooth and flowy line in the bridge. These three elements alone was able to bump Let Me Love You to a perfect rating. (10/10)

9. Street Star – Hip-hop comes back into play in Street Star. It is the first song on the album where I didn’t feel the instrumentation. I felt there was a lot going on in it and this made it distracting for me. I did like the attitude and angst the members infused into the song via their respective deliveries, particularly the rap line of P1Harmony. I also enjoyed the fast and forward trajectory of the song. Just wished the instrumental was more palatable for me. (7/10)

10. I See U – Wrapping up this 10-track studio album is I See U, a hip-hop track that is dedicated to the fans. I like the happier and upbeat motif this number has. The way the members delivery the “You” in the chorus was actually quite earwormy and catchy. I also enjoyed the pace delivery of the rapping, which matches up with the slower beat of the song and also eases us off the album quite nicely. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

[Album Review] Sparkling Blue (1st Mini Album) – TWS:

June 23, 2024June 23, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TWS2 Comments

With TWS: making their comeback tomorrow (!), I thought I wrap things up related to TWS: debut back in January this year. And with their debut single plot twist and follow up single BFF reviewed, that leaves the album review. Now, I know I made promises to review the pre-release Oh MyMy:7s in the usual song review format. But after considering whether to write the album review or that review (and with their second mini-album in mind), I chose the former to keep things moving along. All three songs are featured on the mini-album Sparkling Blue, which also features 2 additional side tracks (taking the total number of songs to 5).

As a debut mini-album, Sparkling Blue is probably one of the strongest first steps I have ever seen. You have a super trendy title track that has attracted a lot of attention and resulted in a lot of fans. The side tracks on the album introduces us further to TWS: via a consistent wholesome and youthful manner. As such, Sparkling Blue has also become one of the strongest album releases of the year, thus far, in my books. The best bit of the mini-album is that it gets me excited for what is to come for the group. And excitedly, we won’t need to wait for long to find out.

1. plot twist (만남은 계획대로 되지 않아) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for plot twist. (9/10)

2. unplugged boy – Usually, an all-English song becomes part of a KPOP group’s repertoire later in their career. But TWS:’ all-English unplugged boy pushes this boundary by being present on this debut mini-album. unplugged boy is a really pleasant vocal track from the group. The instrumentation goes down an alternative pop route, with hints of playful and youthful vibe throughout the track. I really like the smoothness that the members and melodies work together to bring out in this song. Things just glide along in unplugged boy and I liked that effortless listening experience that the song brings about. (10/10)

3. first hooky – first hooky turns up the upbeat dial a few notches. It is another pleasant side track from TWS:, but the track takes us down a groovy and retro-like motif with its synth work. Further to that, I really enjoyed the fact the members sang so fondly of playing hooky (skipping school) for the first time, that the rapping really captured the groovy vibes well and the “Maybe, I really wanna kick it with ya” is quite a catchy hook. But the best part of first hooky has to be its bridge. I always find Kyungmin and Youngjae’s vocals in this part to be so decadent. I just find the melodies in first hooky to be slightly weaker. But that is a minor drawback in what is another amazing side track. (9/10)

4. BFF – Click here for the full review for BFF. (8/10)

5. Oh Mymy: 7s (Pre-Release Song) – Oh Mymy: 7s is actually the one song on the mini-album that feels like it channels modern and contemporary trends, resulting in a track that is more focused on its accompanying performance. Bouncy bass with percussive synth work was the dominant and most prevalent sound in Oh Mymy: 7s, but we also got some atmospheric backing for the pre-choruses, and fulfilling and brighter synth work following the choruses. The good thing is that they all meld together to create a cohesive track. The vocal work and rapping were good, but more riveting material have emerged since this pre-release track. The chorus probably is the most lackluster part of Oh Mymy: 7s. It sounded good the first time around and ended up catchy for a while. But on this occasion, repeat listens since January (on this occasion) have made it unexciting and bland. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] 2 (2nd Studio Album) – (G)I-DLE

June 18, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged i-dle2 Comments

As flagged last week, I have been gearing up to review (G)I-DLE’s second studio-length album, 2. A classic sign of that is when I review side tracks that got the music video treatment in close proximity to one another. In the case of 2, the two sides tracks that I reviewed in close proximity was the pre-single Wife and Revenge (a side track that (G)I-DLE released a music video post-release of the album). Sitting in between the two releases (in terms of chronology) is the title track Super Lady. The album also features another 5 songs (making it 8 songs in length), including the hit single Fate (which the group ended up promoting after it got popular in March – two months after the release of 2).

As you can see, this album is full of bold tracks from (G)I-DLE, which shows off their artistry and continues to show their ability to take on multiple music styles. I do also like how they continue their confident and powerful messaging in this album. This theme that is very consistent across their recent releases, such as in their previous Korean album release was last year’s I FEEL (which features the single Queencard).

1. Super Lady (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Super Lady. (8.5/10)

2. Revenge – Click here for the full review for Revenge. (8/10)

3. Doll – Doll continues the darker vibes that we heard in Revenge. While it is a good song with a further touch of grunginess in the chorus and a classic creepy feel to the verses, I am not exactly thrilled by it. The vocals were more typical. They did have a powerful aura to them. But I wished there are more melodies in Doll song, rather than the spoken motif that was consistently present throughout the track. The song also ends with the typical “La La La”, which was also how Revenge (i.e., previous song) ended. (7/10)

4. Vision – The consistent beat to Vision makes this song very addictive and cool. I liked how the elements of the song are backed up and how it gave Vision a lot of definition. The beats are backed up with some strong bass, while the vocals (during the choruses) are backed up with this low and subtle spoken utterance of the lyrics. The more upfront vocal work was very fluid, while the rapping is one of the best examples on the album. Altogether, a very alluring track that really stuck out at me when the album was first released and remained as one of my favourites ever since. (10/10)

5. 7Days – 7Days is a soft drum and bass track, which I found to be quite soothing and calming to listen to. Compared to the bolder sounds on the album, 7Days is easily forgotten. But when you return to listen to the album in full, its lighter presence does provide relief from everything else on 2. The softer instrumentation helps makes the song soothing and calming, but the members’ softer vocals also play a big part in this. They sound so light and delicate throughout the track, while the melodies sound very comforting and wispy. (8/10)

6. Fate (나는 아픈 건 딱 질색이니까) – Interestingly, Fate ends up being one of the bigger songs on the album alongside the title track, rising to prominence after a performance on Lee Hyori’s Red Carpet and through its It’s Live YouTube video. Fate itself ended up winning a triple crown on the weekly Korean music show Inkigayo and rose to the top of the Circle Charts in Korea (something the title track didn’t achieve). Fate is a funky pop-punk track that had reminded people (including myself) of the 00s era of JPOP. I quite liked the vocals in this track, which came off as very refreshing and vibrant to listen to. Vibrant is also how I would describe the instrumentation in Fate. We also get some interesting vocal colours from the members throughout the track, with a cutesy flair coming to my mind from all members. Some members, like SOYEON, gave Fate an interesting zing with their vocals. Overall (and just like everyone else), I was definitely captivated by the unsuspecting Fate. (10/10)

7. Rollie – Leading us towards the end of the album is Rollie. There is a fair bit to like in Rollie, such as the flow of the song to the trap beats to the husky vocals to the simple hooks that are quite addictive. I would have liked the producing team (which includes YUQI) to turn the dial up a notch to bring up the heat and make the song feel wow. Rollie just feels a little simple in its current form. I think the song demands a bolder feel, particularly for its self-confidence message, and the mature tone that comes off Rollie. It is still a great song as it is. (8/10)

8. Wife (Pre-release Track) – Click here for the full review for Wife. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] THE FUTURE IS OURS: FOUND (8th Mini Album) – AB6IX

June 9, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged AB6IX2 Comments

AB6IX is the next artist on the album review block, with today’s focus being on the group’s January 2024 THE FUTURE IS OURS: FOUND mini-album release. It features a total of five song, including the title track GRAB ME. All the songs on the mini-album demonstrates AB6IX’s ability to tackle a range of genres and gives us (the listeners) some appreciated variety to enjoy. Some songs were okay, others were really good. As usual, check out the album below to see if you have any favourites. THE FUTURE IS OURS: FOUND follows on from AB6IX’s May 2023 THE FUTURE IS OURS: LOST mini-album (which featured the title track LOSER).

1. WHISTLE – Kicking off the mini-album is a hip-hop based track. This comes through the chorus most prevalent, but there is also an interesting slight country twang in the backing of the start/end of the song. WHISTLE also features a good balance of vocals and rapping, which I appreciated. However, I wished there was a bit more of a dynamic flair to WHISTLE, which could have really lifted up the song to a whole new level. Presently, the song does not sound like it is going anywhere in its current form. A more dynamic instrumentation could have built up the song and given it direction. Also, some of the rapping in WHISTLE (such as WOOJIN’s follow ups to Donghyun’s lines in the second verse, most of the choruses, the repetitive start of the bridge) would have come off as more naturally sounding (and not forced) with a more dynamic backing. (7/10)

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

3. TRAVELLER – TRAVELLER sees AB6IX venture down the pop rock direction and was a track that got stuck in my head from the very first listen. I particularly really liked how punchy the track was, especially during the choruses, thanks to the instrumentation. Strong vocals from all members and rapping from WOOJIN also add energy and intensity to the song. I also liked the DAEHWI and WOOJIN pairing in first part of the first/second choruses, as well as how everyone joined in for the last chorus. It also definitely helped that the melodies were catchy, as well! (10/10)

4. ALL NIGHT – R&B makes an appearance on the mini-album via ALL NIGHT. I liked the groovy energy that underlines the song, building on the lo-fi beats that the track features. The vocal work in this track is superb, with the falsettos in the song being the ‘cherry on top’. Despite being quite good as it is, I did feel like ALL NIGHT was missing something. I just cannot pinpoint what that could be. Also, not a big fan of the abrupt ending. If there is one thing in KPOP songs that don’t sit well with me, it is abrupt endings. (8.5/10)

5. ILY (I LOVE YOU) – The mini-album finishes off with a ballad in the form of ILY. It begins with DONGHYUN and WOONG’s vocals, which I personally thought were stunning. The rest of ILY follows through with some nice vocals and rapping that works well with the ballad motif. You can definitely hear the heartwarming tone of the song come through via ILY’s vocals and melodies. The chorus features a ‘ily, ily, ily’ repetition, which came off as a very simple yet effective hook for the song. The softness of this hook also contrasts well with the tinge of rock we got in the background. ILY is a lovely way to end the album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

*THE FUTURE IS OURS: FOUND* Teaser Image

[Album Review] Un: SEEN (2nd Mini Album) – EVNNE

June 8, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVNNE1 Comment

Ahead of their comeback in 2 weeks time, I thought it might be a good time to square away the album review for EVNEE’s January 2024 comeback with Un: SEEN. It is their 2nd mini-album, following on from their debut with Target: ME and TROUBLE. Un: SEEN features a total of five tracks, one of which is the title track UGLY (which you can find the link to its review down below). Overall, it is a fair mini-album. There are some goods and some so-so songs (like the title track) on it. This mini-album doesn’t dampen my thoughts on EVNNE, however, and so I am eagerly looking towards 17 June 2024 when their 3rd mini-album drops. But until then, here are my thoughts on Un: SEEN.

1. UGLY (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of UGLY. (6.5/10)

2. SYRUP – Hip-hop emerges as the primary sound in SYRUP. Its verses and pre-choruses are definitely highlights for me, particularly when it came to JIHOO’s line “Bad, Bad, Bad Taste” and the opening line to the chorus “Yeah, We be dippin’ to my flow”. The rapping was good (as highlighted by JIHOO’s line mentioned). The vocals weren’t as memorable. The chorus was probably SYRUP’s weakest sequence, as it took the song in more of a pop direction and didn’t necessary capture the hip-hop tone built up in throughout the verses and pre-choruses. (7/10)

3. K.O. (Keep On) – Oh, why was K.O. not chosen as the title track for this mini-album? There was a lot to like in K.O.. The bass and dynamic energy from the backing made K.O. upbeat and brought forth a bouncy effect. The strong vocals and rapping from the members gave the song punchiness that helped make the track memorable. But it is the “K.O.” lines following the main portion of the first and final choruses that got me hooked. It was quite an earwormy hook. Also, the more paced approach in the midst of the synths and energy was very interesting and brought forth a very cool contrast in the song. (9/10)

4. Chase – The rumbling dull scratching sound that features in the background of verses was quite distracting for me. It was so distracting that I actually can’t help but ‘find the sound’ throughout the rest of the song, taking away precious attention from the other parts. The pre-chorus removes the sound temporarily, making it the clearest part of the song (and hence is my favourite aspect of Chase). It returns in the choruses, but it muffled out by the rest of the instrumental, so I am not too fussed with its presence there. When I can pull my attention away from the instrumentation, I do find Chase features strong vocals from the members. The rappers were top-notch in the bridge and definitely know how to build energy in that brief moment. I also liked the alluring nature of the chorus, though dampen by the distraction. (7.5/10)

5. Festa – As the saying goes, save the best to last. Festa is definitely a straight forward pop track. But it is done right and well. I really liked the bright feel-good energy that comes from the song. The synths are textured in a very comfortable manner and the familiar nature of the keyboard was fun. The vocals and rapping from all members were super strong, and I particularly like the moments where they all come together in Festa. The hooks are simple, but definitely catchy. Festa had me dancing in my chair, a reaction that no song on this mini-album has gotten out of me! (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] GOOD MORNING (3rd Mini Album) – YENA

May 26, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged YENALeave a comment

The next album up for review on my blog is YENA’s GOOD MORNING, her 3rd mini-album, which dropped in January of this year. It features the title track of the same name. The mini-album also follows on from YENA’s Hate XX single album that was released about 6 months prior to this release. I am particularly excited to review this album because it contains a song that really caught my attention back when it was released and I have been revisiting it quite often because it is soooo good. The rest of the mini-album follows the same vein, but this one particular song is just next level. Okay, enough hyping – find out which song that is by reading through the rest of the review.

1. Good Morning (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Good Morning. (9/10)

2. Good Girls In The Dark – Good Girls In The Dark brings out a much darker and mature vibe from YENA. There is something about this track that I find so familiar. It might be simply that the track does reminds people (me included) of last year’s WICKED LOVE. But I think this sense of familiarity goes further than that. The guitar sets the moody tone, the bass gives Good Girls In The Dark some nice definition and a good thumping beat, while the synths helps makes the backing feel full and substantial. YENA’s vibrant vocals gives the track an alluring charm. I found it very hard to turn away from Good Girls In The Dark. (9/10)

3. Damn U – YENA finds herself in rock territory with Damn U. And this track is the exact reason why I am so keen to review this mini-album. The track starts off in with a swaying melody. Very vocal driven and soothing. When we get to the pre-choruses, the track becomes more dramatic and it takes us in the direction of a more punkish sound. I really like the “Woo Ooh” backing vocals in this part. As for the chorus, the rock sound comes through energetically. I personally loved the chorus and found myself rocking to the track with no shame on many occasions. The second verse sees YENA successful execute some rap, while the bridge revisits how the song started (which makes the final chorus even more impactful). Damn U is, without doubt, my favourite song on the album. (10/10)

4. Ugly Duckling – Ending this short mini-album is Ugly Duckling. We hear a more emotional tinge to both the rock instrumentation and YENA’s vocal delivery. Because of this, Ugly Duckling ends up being a song that you kind of have to reflect on. When doing that, you will find the track is about her persistence and resilience to the pressures around her. The lyrics are quite meaningful and inspirational, and I recommend you read through them (or find a translation) to really understand the track. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.3/10

[Album Review] Fe3O4: Break (2nd Mini Album) – NMIXX

May 21, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged NMIXX2 Comments

Before I launch into reviews this week (which I am hoping to do so tomorrow), here is another album review. The album in question is NMIXX’s 2nd mini-album, Fe3O4: Break, which was released in January of this year. It features the title track DASH, the pre-release single Soñar (Breaker) and 5 additional side tracks. Links and thoughts on each song below! And as you read through my thoughts on the song, you will find that I am quite impressed with this mini-album release. Three out of 7 songs on the mini-album are very good, highlighting NMIXX’s growth and variety within and outside the realm of MIXX Pop that they have embodied in their previous works. Fe3O4: Break follows on from NMIXX’s Summer 2023 comeback with A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream, which featured Party O’Clock and Roller Coaster (which I have yet to review).

1. DASH (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for DASH. (8/10)

2. Soñar (Breaker) (Pre-Release Track) – Multiple listens since the release of Soñar (Breaker) in December last year has helped grow on me, and I am satisfied enough with the track now to bump it up an additional point in the song department. The biggest part that grew on me is the second half of the bridge, which I had mentioned in my original review as being cringy. That is not what I think of that sequence anymore. Click here for my original review for Soñar (Breaker). (7/10)

3. Run For Roses – It appears JYP Entertainment recognises the potential behind Run For Roses, selecting it for a performance video (see below). Run For Roses is undoubtedly a song that stands out, thanks to the country twang that the instrumental has. If you want a unique rock song in KPOP, Run For Roses is definitely one to check out. I also enjoyed the shouty delivery that pairs with the country twang in the pre-choruses. In addition to the unique musical influence, the choruses of Run For Roses also stand out for its melodies and hooks. They make the song quite catchy and memorable. And of course, the vocals that deliver these, particularly Lily’s, aid in making Run For Roses a very strong side track. (10/10)

4. Boom – Boom is an industrial hip-hop dance track that hits hard. NMIXX does not mess around in Boom, delivering some of the most memorable hooks on this mini-album (i.e., the ‘Tick Tick Tick Boom’). I also really like the intensity that the song builds within it, making Boom into a thrilling track. Despite being such a punchy track already, this doesn’t excuse it from NMIXX’s MIXX pop fusion style. We get some pop influences in the chorus, and the ending turns it into a hyper pop dance track but hastening the tempo. No complaints from me, however, as changed trajectory of Boom complements the intensity and thrills of the track. (10/10)

5. Passionfruit – In an interesting direction, NMIXX goes down a cutesy direction with Passionfruit. But they execute the track in a manner that suits them, and I just like how they keep true to themselves in that sense. The track is a Jersey Club pop dance track, with a bouncy instrumental that brings out a very bright energy to the song. The vocals and melodies in the choruses were extremely comforting and light to listen to. But the winning delivery was surprisingly the rapping, which I thought NMIXX nailed perfectly in Passionfruit. (9/10)

6. XOXO – Taking on a more laidback vibe is XOXO. It does so with a groovy R&B instrumentation, with softer vocals that again sound very comforting to me. I also like how the melodies and hooks are very simple and easy on the ears. The biggest issue I have with XOXO is the processing on the vocals. Some of it complements XOXO quite well, but other parts had it too thick. (8/10)

7. Break The Wall – Closing out the mini-album is Break The Wall. It is a pop anthem that had me lip-syncing along in an embarrassing short period of time. I really like the energy that Break The Wall features, thanks to the fast-pace synths and chanty chorus. The synth work in the verses feels very nostalgic, and the vocals elsewhere in the song holds a lot of promises. The rapping was the only weak point. If it had been more robust, we would have a perfect track. (9.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] Things I Can’t Say LOve (6th Mini Album) – OnlyOneOf

May 19, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged OnlyOneOfLeave a comment

OnlyOneOf’s 6th mini-album, Things I Can’t Say LOve, is the next mini-album to be reviewed on this blog. This was released way back in January of this year alongside the title track dOpamine. Said title track earned a high rating from me in the song department, so it become the primary reason as to why I have picked up this mini-album for review. Things I Can’t Say LOve also follows from 2023’s seOul cOllectiOn mini-album.

1. things i can’t say lOve (Instrumental) – While things i can’t say lOve is labelled as an instrumental track (implying that it the instrumental version of another track on this mini-album), it actually serves more as an intro track for this mini-album. And this intro track deserves to be a full-length track. The EDM and atmospheric vibe that comes from the presence of the piano feels very fulfilling. But like all instrumental tracks I have reviewed in the past on my blog, I can’t give it a rating.

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

3. give me the lOve, bitxx – give me the lOve, bitxx falls into the R&B genre. The track full embodies R&B with a smooth yet typical instrumental and breathy vocals from the members to elicit a more sensual direction. I do question the need for the final part of the song’s title (i.e., ‘bitxx’). I am presuming it is the non-explicit representation of the curse word. But I don’t get that energy or tone from the song, nor am I sure if it was ever reflected in the Korean lyrics – it wasn’t reflected in the English translations that I could find. Disappointed with the track from that aspect, as the title does appear to promise some aggression, but that was not delivered whatsoever. (7/10)

4. O – The fourth track of the mini-album, O, brings a darker tone to the mini-album. While the instrumental felt very consistent and relatively minimalistic for the length of the track, I found the piece to be quite rhythmic. And with the relative minimalistic nature of the background makes the beat to be quite prolific. With such an arrangement, the focus would be squarely on vocals. And I feel the members nailed this aspect of the song, with the passion and emotions behind their delivery felt quite profoundly. Less autotune and more raw vocals would have been appreciated, but what they delivered was still on brand for the group. (9/10)

5. gravity – The final song on the mini-album is gravity. Like the third song on the mini-album, gravity is another take on R&B. At least this time, the song doesn’t promise anything in its title. While gravity contains the usual R&B smooth and dreamy suspects, what also separates this track with the third track on the mini-album is its relative upbeat nature. This upbeat nature, combined with the members’ breathy vocals, helps smooth out the song further. And this combination makes for a really nice track that I enjoyed. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] BORN TO BE (2nd Studio Album) – ITZY

May 4, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ITZY1 Comment

Moving along with the albums released this year, I am reviewing ITZY’s second studio-album BORN TO BE today. It was released back on 8 January 2024 and follows on from their KILL MY DOUBT mini-album (which features CAKE as the lead single). BORN TO BE features a total of 10 tracks, including the pre-release with the same name as the album, the title track UNTOUCHABLE and five solo tracks from each member of ITZY (including LIA, who has been on a hiatus since September 2023). Regarding the solo tracks, I have not reviewed them separately ahead of time despite them having a short video released to promote them for a few reasons, but I have included each video down below.

Overall, BORN TO BE is strongest in the solo tracks and most of the side tracks. UNTOUCHABLE has grown on me a bit and was definitely a highlight. But there were some other tracks on the album that had more potential and I personally felt had more of an edge over the title track. Continue reading to find out which songs they are.

1. BORN TO BE (Pre-Release Song) – Click here to read the full review for BORN TO BE. (7/10)

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

3. Mr. Vampire – Click here to read the full review for Mr. Vampire. (6.5/10)

4. Dynamite – Dynamite lifts the song quality on the album back up with a very upbeat and loaded dance track. It is super engaging and I personally felt that was a lot of ITZY energy coming off it. The percussion keeps Dynamite dynamic and bouncy. I did think the members’ vocals were pushed a little too far, but there was some nice control on the members’ part. I am also not a massive fan of the abrupt ending. It didn’t finish Dynamite off satisfyingly. (8/10)

5. Crown on My Head (YEJI Solo) – We now turn to the solo songs and first up is YEJI. Crown On My Head is a rock track. I liked the different ways the electric guitar was employed in the song. In the first verse, the guitar work is exhilarating and electrifying, and I constantly wonder why it wasn’t continued in the more typical synth-based second verse. In the chorus, the guitar work takes on more of a grungy vibe. But the best use of the guitar comes in the instrumental break, where we get a shreddy effect. As for YEJI, her vocals definitely soared throughout and upped the intensity of Crown On My Head. She had full command of the track and delivered it superbly. (9/10)

6. Blossom (LIA Solo) – Despite being on hiatus, LIA does feature in this album through her solo track Blossom. The song takes us down an alternative R&B route, thanks to its more experimental instrumentation. This EDM-based adds a lot of energy and the synth work gives off a dreamy affair. LIA’s vocals fit the R&B style really well, especially with the slight rasp to her vocals. There are a few varying vocal styles in Blossom from LIA, all of which makes it an engaging solo track. (9/10)

7. Run Away (RYUJIN Solo) – Out of all the solo tracks, Run Away was the one that I instantly liked when I first checked out the album back when it was released. I remember it was the chorus that caught my attention, which brings together a passionate delivery from RYUJIN and some amazing guitar work that reminds me of pop-rock from the early 00s. I also like the mellow direction the bridge took, which was a nice yet brief break from the pop-rock energy. If I had to pick, RYUJIN’s Run Away is my top pick from the solo tracks on this album. (9/10)

8. Mine (CHAERYEONG Solo) – CHAERYEONG has the shortest solo track of the bunch, spanning less than 2 minutes. Mine is a synth pop track with a groovy tinge. CHAERYEONG brings a very sensual and sultry vibe to the song, which makes it very alluring. Of the five solo tracks, I think Mine was one that stood out the least. Not on the merits that it was bad song, but rather not reaching its full potential. An easy way to do this in Mine is to give CHAERYEONG’s vocals more definition and boldness. This would have helped oomph up her parts to give them more depth amongst the instrumentation. (8/10)

9. Yet, But (YUNA Solo) – Yet, But is YUNA’s solo contribution to the album. It is a rather straight forward track that feels like a good embodiment of what KPOP is. It brings a fun and playful energy to the album. This pairs with YUNA’s youthful vocals. Personally, I do feel like Yet, But is a little too sweet for my liking. It also stays within the lines and feels rather ‘safe’. But I enjoyed the exploration into the light-hearted territory of pop. (7.5/10)

10. Escalator – Bringing the members (sans LIA) back together for the final song is Escalator. It is an experimental dance track, that features a fierce demeanour from the members and loud synth work. It was definitely a blast on all fronts. I did like the way the vocals were processed at the start, panning from either side. I also like the shouty motif the members went for the chorus, which felt right for such a loud and strong song. Lastly, I also like the techno synth work at the end, adding a lot more flair and bombast to the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] CONNECT (8th Mini Album) – B1A4

April 28, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged B1A4Leave a comment

It has been a while since I reviewed a B1A4 album. The last album review was for their 5th mini-album, Solo Day (released in 2015, but reviewed in 2020). They are a group that is very much still around, but you don’t hear of them as much nowadays compared to in the past. Their last official release (Adore You) was over 2 years ago! Well, that changed in January of this year, when B1A4 made their long awaited comeback with REWIND (the title track – link down below) and CONNECT (the title of their latest mini-album a.k.a. the focus of this post). Overall, I found CONNECT to be a solid 5 track mini-album that is consistent across the board, with one particular track getting a 10/10 for me. Continue reading to find out which song that is).

1. REWIND (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for REWIND. (8.5/10)

2. BACK TO YOU (시간을 지나 마주한 너) – BACK TO YOU is a simple yet pleasant pop track, with the ‘pleasant’ descriptor being a positive aspect of the song. The simplicity comes through via how straight forward BACK TO YOU came across. It had good rhythm and a solid upbeatness that kept the song going. The melodies were comforting and made the song flow along nicely. The vocals were good, but I could have done with lesser autotune. The vocal processing made the members sound a little tinny. And if I am being honest, I don’t think B1A4 needed that autotune in the first place. (8/10)

3. PAUSE – For me, the most fun song on the album has to go to PAUSE. The UK-garage and retro influence on the instrumental is very interesting and dynamic, but I also like how the song maintains B1A4’s maturity. Despite that maturity, I always find myself bobbing along to the song. The softer vocal approach felt contrasting with the instrumentation and this makes the PAUSE intriguing. While I felt the autotune was unnecessary in the previous song, I welcome the autotune’s contribution to the fun in this song, especially how those vocals pan from ear to ear to make it feel like you are in the centre of the fun. An easy 10/10 for me. (10/10)

4. WHEN YOU CALL MY NAME (네가 내 이름을 부를 때) – Truthfully, WHEN YOU CALL MY NAME is the sound I associate with B1A4 nowadays. They stepped away from the fun and dance style that they released and promoted with as a quintet. But that felt lost when B1A4 was reduced to their current lineup. This is in no way intended to be criticism of the members who left or the current sound of B1A4. WHEN YOU CALL MY NAME definitely proves this, as the trio sounds very lovely throughout the number. The heartwarming band instrumentation and tone of the song is also extremely nice. (8/10)

5. STILL IN MY HEART (이별은 없는 거야) – Bringing the mini-album to a close is STILL IN MY HEART, which goes down both an acoustic balladry and also fan song route. That usual swaying melody that I like in ballads is very much present in STILL IN MY HEART. I also enjoyed the soulful touch that is present in the background of the track. Once again, the members sound really nice and captivating in the ballad, with the roughness in Sanduel’s vocals at the end being a beautiful moment in the track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] Sequence (13th Mini Album) – SF9

April 27, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SF93 Comments

If you have not been following my blog lately, I ended finished up my reviews of 2023 albums (for the time being) last weekend. That means that I will be finally making a start on the 2024 albums. While it will be a slow process to catch up four months worth of albums, I do appreciate your patience as I get through them. But I will start from the beginning, meaning SF9’s 13th mini-album Sequence (released on 8 January 2024) is the first one up for review. Sequence features a total of 6 tracks, including the title BIBORA. It also is the first album release by SF9 since ROWOON’s departure from the group to focus on his acting career.

1. BIBORA (비보라) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for BIBORA. (7/10)

2. Midnight Sun – The rush of energy from the instrumentation, the familiarity of the synths and the solid vocals made Midnight Sun quite likeable. When you dig a little deeper, this pop song is for their fans – FANTASY. While fan songs are usually reserved for the end of an album, the placement of Midnight Sun towards the beginning of the mini-album is rather reassuring, especially since how SF9 doesn’t get regular comebacks anymore (which is a complete farce) and the departure of ROWOON from the group last year. Just by listening to the vocals, anyone can hear the sincerity behind the SF9 members toward their fans. (8/10)

3. DOMINO – I thought the vocal processing in this song made TAEYANG sound a little awkward at the start. But after that, the rest of DOMINO makes it a very strong dance track. The rap sequences made the song feel very dynamic. The same rappers brought us the cool descending and dramatic bridge, which gives off that vivid imagery of falling dominos. Definitely a memorable moment in the song. Pity the vocalists didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine in DOMINO, particularly since INSEONG and DAWON’s small part in the pre-choruses were my second favourite moments in the song. (9/10)

4. Strings – The brighter pop sound, the chanty hooks and the fact you can feel the members are smiling at you as they sing makes Strings another ideal fan song. Strings talks about their unbreakable bond with their fans. I like how after a rap dominant song, SF9 turned their focus to vocals. But ZUHO’s rapping in the second verse was also quite cool. I like how deep he went and the seamless flow he delivered. My only complaint about Strings is that the instrumental could have been lowered slightly so we can hear the members more clearly. At certain parts, the backing was loud that it was drowning out the members. (8/10)

5. Morning Coffee – Continuing the bright motif is the funky tinged Morning Coffee. This subtle energy in the song is bound to get you awake in the morning, just like a morning coffee. I particularly like how the funkiness isn’t in your face, which makes the song an ideal track to start your day off. It doesn’t catch you off guard, but rather eases you into its bright motif. ZUHO’s rapping was good, but I think his part doesn’t suit the rest of Morning Coffee as much. I just feel like his style was a little too harsh for this track. (8/10)

6. Superconductor (DAWON Solo) – The final song on the album a solo song from DAWON. He has a unique set of vocals, so I am glad he gets his own song to shine. However, I would also like to have heard solo songs from the rest of SF9, as well. While Superconductor does a nice job of showing us his vocals and style, the instrumental sounded like it was sped up. Maybe this was deliberate and is meant to be a musical representation of a superconductor or even an aesthetic. But I personally thought it was rather distracting and doesn’t give us much opportunity to appreciate it or DAWON. Had it been slowed down, even by a small bit, there would have been more of a chance of that appreciation happening and that would have boded well for Superconductor. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.8/10

[Album Review] THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL (2nd Studio Album) – ATEEZ

April 21, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ATEEZ1 Comment

I present to you my thoughts on ATEEZ’s second studio album THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL, which dropped back on 1 December 2023. I know I have been mentioning this review for quite a bit as I have been reviewing some side tracks in preparation for this album review over the last few weeks. A total of 12 tracks, including the title track Crazy Form, four unit and solo tracks and 2 interlude/outro tracks, feature on this album. Also in some unexpected news that I just found out whilst writing up this album review, ATEEZ literally announced their next Korean comeback yesterday with GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1 and a May 31 release date. So with this album review out of the way, it is also time to prepare for ATEEZ’s next comeback (if you have already recovered from their 2 epic Coachella performances). But first, my thoughts on THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL.

Please note that this album review also marks my final album review for a 2023 album for now. Apologies if you were awaiting for another 2023 album to be reviewed. They will form part of the list of albums that I will look to review in my spare time on an ad-hoc basis from previous years.

1. WE KNOW – WE KNOW builds the intensity for what is to come on this studio album. It feels suspenseful and maintains that vibe for majority of the song, which makes for an interesting opener. There is a fair bit I like in WE KNOW, such as the refrained rapping and the use of the autotune to help further that suspense and intensity. However, I feel WE KNOW’s vocals (excluding JONGHO’s impressive ad-libs) were sub-par and the instrumentation (I expected some sort of peak and not a linear trajectory to this song) was lackluster, and the hooks and melodies felt too underbaked. (7/10)

2. Emergency – Emergency steps the energy up a notch, but it takes a while for me to actually get into the track. I like the infusion of a more “epic vibe” into the instrumentation. The bass and synths definitely make the song bolder, while the members bring a certain hype energy to the table in Emergency. The best part of the song has to be the bridge – from JONGHO’s vocals to slight inclination of the instrumental to the rappers bringing up the energy in a similar manner. While the melodies do sound better in Emergency compared to the previous song, it could have gone further. The hooks were also a weak element. Had both picked up sooner, I think I would have gotten into the track a lot faster and not wait until we got near to the end to realize I like the song. (7.5/10)

3. Crazy Form (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Crazy Form. (7/10)

4. ARRIBA – I like the exotic tinge to ARRIBA’s instrumental. It instantly attracts attention and appeals to me. In addition to the instrumentation, the energy that the members channel felt promising. The ending was the most exciting sequence of the song, thanks to the layering of ad-libs and chorus. The hooks were catchy and the melodies were almost sleek-like. I did think there was opportunity for the members to go even further and make ARRIBA feel even more of a hype track. But there is already a lot more to enjoy in ARRIBA compared to the other side tracks thus far on the mini-album. (8/10)

5. Silver Light – Silver Light’s electronic and synth-based instrumentation reminds me of Cyberpunk – a very infamous side track of ATEEZ’s. However, instead of being as intense and hard-hitting as Cyberpunk, Silver Light opts for a softer profile. I quite like Silver Light as it feels very ATEEZ, but the delicate sound profile and simmering/held back intensity is very unique and different for the group. The members’ vocals and rapping work extremely well in Silver Light, with the vocal work bringing out a more elegant sound. The rappers hold themselves back to complement the soundscape but I did like the roughness they have to offer in Silver Light. Best part of the song has to be YEOSANG and YUNHO’s English line in the choruses – their deep vocals adds to that simmering intensity that makes Silver Light so entrancing for me. (9/10)

6. Crescent Part.2 – Serving as an unofficial interlude to the album is Crescent Part.2. We heard something quite similar in TREASURE EP.3 : One To All, where Crescent (Part 1) served as an interlude with a similar soundscape of ocean waves crashing and birds in the distance. In Crescent Part.2, the instrumental piece is also quite riveting and stunning. It literally felt like nature all around me when I listen to this track. Extremely atmospheric. But it ends with a foreboding sound of a ship horn going off in the distance.

7. Dreamy Day (꿈날) – Bringing in some light to the album is Dreamy Day. I don’t have much thoughts on the instrumentation, but the brighter tone to the instrumentation did bring a smile to my face. As does the melodies. The vocals are much softer and it really did feel like the vocal line in this song took full advantage of the softer tone of the song to bring out those melodies thoroughly. The rappers are contained to just the second verse and kept to the softer brief that is Dreamy Day. Altogether, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable track. (8/10)

8. MATZ (HONGJOONG & SEONGHWA) – Click here for the review of MATZ. (8/10)

9. IT’s You (YEOSANG, SAN & WOOYOUNG) – Click here for the review for IT’s You. (7.5/10)

10. Youth (YUNHO & MINGI) – Click here for the full review for Youth. (8.5/10)

11. Everything (JONGHO Solo) – Click here for the full review for Everything. (9/10)

12. FIN : WILL – Closing out this studio album and THE WORLD era is FIN : WILL. There are some really nice narrations to the song. It starts off with questions about having painful memories and moments in the past. After a short focus on those, the questions start to become more hopeful and positive, which felt fitting for the uplifting tone that the music goes for. The backing piece is atmospheric and reflective, reminding me of a walk where you are lost in your own thoughts that are positively influenced by the nice sunny and breezy surroundings.