Album Reviews – Page 7

[Album Review] Switch On (5th Mini Album) – HIGHLIGHT

September 4, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged HIGHLIGHT1 Comment

HIGHLIGHT’s Switch On mini-album is the next album to be reviewed on the blog. It was released in March of this year. The mini-album features a total of five songs, including the title track BODY. As mentioned in BODY‘s full review (link is below, as usual), Switch On is HIGHLIGHT’s long-awaited comeback in over a year, following their November 2022 AFTER SUNSET comeback (led by the single Alone).

Switch On is another strong mini-album from these second-generation KPOP idols. HIGHLIGHT’s discography has always been one to look out for many reasons – one of them being variety. And Switch On has a lot to offer in this department.

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

2. Switch On – The song with the same name as the mini-album is quite a number. If I followed my usual mindset, the song’s composition should have made it feel sluggish and slow. So, I genuinely surprised myself when I realized I had liked Switch On. Switch On has such a powerful and sexy instrumental. The deep bass in the background, the unique yet magical flute-like sound that appears in the pre-chorus, and the groovy yet paced guitar work were just some of the elements that make Switch On’s instrumental so alluring. The anti-drop and resulting pace that serves as Switch On’s choruses works wonderfully. I particularly liked the dragged-out bass in the background in the central piece of Switch On. As for the group’s vocals, they were superb and did a really great job of complementing the music. My only problem with the pace was that it felt slightly repetitive by the end of the track. (9/10)

3. Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz) – Another song with great use of bass! And because of the bass, Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz) feels so much more impactful, and the depth it reaches is amazing. I really liked how the song contrasts the bass and depth with upbeat synths, rock influences, and some of the most amazing vocals from HIGHLIGHT that I have heard in a long time. I was immensely captivated by all the members, but my ears perked up when it came to DONGWOON’s vocals in the second verse and YOSEOB’s high note. A no-brainer 10/10 from me. (10/10)

4. How To Love – How To Love spins the mini-album and redirects it in a sweeter direction. This track is bound to bring a smile to your face. I can totally imagine a not-serious performance for this track, especially when it comes to HIGHLIGHT and their fun personalities (as highlighted in the title track of this mini-album). The “How To Love?” repetition is quite memorable. The guitar work brings me joy and I liked the overall warmness that the song brings. (8/10)

5. In My Head – The mini-album ends with In My Head, a rock-infused pop track. I liked the energy from the instrumentation, and the members sounded blissful throughout the track. It is a nice track overall. However, I wish In My Head was a bit more riveting. The track is short, which makes things blur. The short length of In My Head doesn’t allow the melodies to brew and grow, nor does it give the instrumental opportunity to be different. They needed something to stick instantly and I don’t think that element was necessarily there. (7.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] TEMPEST Voyage (5th Mini Album) – TEMPEST

August 27, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TEMPESTLeave a comment

As you know, I am still very behind on the album review front. So many posts I speak about scheduling or drafting ahead of time are actually album reviews. TEMPEST’s 5th mini-album, TEMPEST Voyage, is next up on the list for a review. Released in March of this year, the mini-album consists of 4 songs, including the leading single LIGHTHOUSE and the follow-up single THERE.

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

2. THERE – I can see why THERE was selected as the second promotional single from this mini-album. The song starts off soft and mellow but builds as it goes along. The bass defines the instrumental, like a throwback to the late ‘00s and early ‘10s KPOP. This is particularly true when the background throws in more of a pop-style synth and beat towards the end of the song. It changed the song’s dynamic and prevented the track from going into a consistent comatose. TEMPEST’s vocals were nice and melodic, making the track super smooth. You can also feel the emotions behind the members’ vocals throughout THERE. (8/10)

3. B.O.K – B.O.K is my pick for the best song on this mini-album. The guitar riff holds the track up well. Its constant presence in the song does make B.O.K a tad consistent. But I am not upset with this, as it does develop into a rock sound when it reaches the chorus. This development just uplifts the song and makes the track memorable in my mind. The synths used in B.O.K works in harmony with that rock sound, and the combination of the two really melds together nicely. The members also did well in the track, with their vocals feeling balanced with the rest. Again, it is an emotional track, and TEMPEST has done an outstanding job of conveying those emotions to us. (9.5/10)

4. SLOW MOTION – Finishing up this short mini-album is SLOW MOTION. The instrumental has this playful vibe, which translates into a feel-good vibe. I quite liked the atmospheric touch the bridge had. My biggest wish for the song was that the members’ vocals were a little punchier. They felt a tad misaligned with everything else in SLOW MOTION. I appreciate the melodic feel, but the members could have leaned more into that playful vibe with their vocals. Also, the pre-chorus could have called for more dynamism from the relevant members. This part of the song had a wild edge, given that it is the most ‘erratic’ part of the song. But what we got felt a little weighty and plain. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] The Winning (6th Mini Album) – IU

August 26, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged IULeave a comment

I feel like this particular album review is long overdue. Apologies if you feel the same way with IU’s The Winning. This mini-album was released in February this year as the soloist’s 6th mini-album. But the comeback was teased way back in January of this year through the pre-release single Love Wins All. This was followed up with the actual lead single of the mini-album Shopper. The side tracks Holssi and Shh.. also had music videos, so I have reviewed them separately more recently. With one additional side track on the mini-album without a music video (thus reviewed in this post), The Winning features 5 songs in total.

IU is undoubtedly a digital queen, with most (if not all) of her comebacks rising to the top of the digital charts. I think the only song that didn’t hit number 1 on the South Korean charts recently is Shopper, but I think that is because the pre-release Love Wins All overshadowed it. So, it should come as no surprise that this will likely be one of the best mini-albums of the year, at least in my books. My personal rating on the mini-album (down below) already sets it up to achieve that, if not the Best Album of 2024 (hint hint). I was impressed with all the songs on the mini-album except for one. If you have been reading the IU reviews on my blog, you probably already know which song that is. But in case you haven’t, continue reading to find out which songs I really loved and which song I didn’t.

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

2. Holssi (홀씨) – Click here for the review for Holssi. (6.5/10)

3. Shh… (ft. Hyein from NewJeans and Wonsun Joe & Narration by Patti Kim) – Click here for the review for Shh…. (10/10)

4. Love Wins All – Click here for the review for Love Wins All. (10/10)

5. I stan U (관객이 될게) – IU flips the script in this song. Usually, it is the fans that are stanning their favourite idol, like IU. But in I stan U, IU expresses that she is stanning us, encouraging and empowering us to do what we want. I enjoyed the pop feel that the song brings, with a slight touch of rock to the mix, just to give the song some edge. IU’s vocals are really nice. I like how she goes soft at certain parts as if whispering to us. This makes the song feel even more personable and more impactful for listeners. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.1/10

[Album Review] House of Tricky: Trial and Error (3rd Mini Album) – xikers

August 19, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged xikersLeave a comment

xikers is gearing up for another comeback early next month. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to finally review their last album, House of Tricky: Trial and Error. Released in March of this year, House of Tricky: Trial and Error features the title track We Don’t Stop, the second promotional single, Red Sun, and 3 additional side tracks. Per usual, the link to the full review for the title track is below, as well as my thoughts on the 4 other songs the mini-album also features. Overall, another positive mini-album from xikers, proving to me (once again) why they should be on our radars.

*House of Tricky: Trial And Error* Album Cover

1. Trial and Error (whereabouts) – The mini-album starts with an instrumental piece that lasts just over 30 seconds. The electronic synths and breathy vocalisation create a haunting vibe that builds tension towards the first full track.

2. We Don’t Stop (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for We Don’t Stop. (8.5/10)

3. Red Sun – Red Sun was selected as the second promotional track from this era. Unfortunately, I will not be reviewing Red Sun separately despite it having its own performance video. Hearing the instrumental end of the song and considering the energy that Red Sun exudes, it is clear to me that this track is more of a performance piece. However, that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the rest of Red Sun. Hip-hop returns in Red Sun, but with more of a hype intent to it. Every time the chorus of Red Sun pops on my playlist, I find myself really getting into MINJAE and SUMIN’s punchy rapping and its flow. SUMIN, in particular, reminds me of BOBBY from iKON in both a visual and rapping sense in the song. Aside from the rapping, the song also features some good vocal moments. They provide some stability, but I wish they did this in a way that maintains the hype energy from the rapping rather than slowing down the song. (8/10)

4. Supercalifragilistic – The rush of energy that Supercalifragilistic gives is what kept me repeating this side track. The heavy bass, groovy beats and intense EDM backing have the adrenaline coursing through my body. It’s bold and super-defined, never letting up at any moment during the track. Definitely, a track you would be expecting at the height of a night at the club or a rave. But if there was any moment in which Supercalifragilistic did let you down instrumentally, the members were there to pick it right up. Their vocals and rapping were top-notch. Yechan’s rapping in the second verse is one of the best examples of this top-notch delivery. Seeun, Junmin, Yujun and Jinsik’s flow when it came to the ‘Get up on the flow… You know what you want? …’ part of the chorus is definitely another. While the anthem ending is done regularly in KPOP nowadays, Supercalifragilistic’s anthemic ending was just the icing on the cake for me and maintains the adrenaline-inducing energy throughout the track to the song’s end. (10/10)

5. Every Flavor Jelly (온갖 맛이 나는 젤리) – Every Flavor Jelly’s placement after Supercalifragilistic was not ideal, especially since I tend to expect the succeeding song on any album to exceed the song prior. Unfortunately, this expectation impacts my thoughts (and this review) of Every Flavor Jelly. I thought the song’s arrangement was a bit messy. I’m unsure why, but Every Flavor Jelly could have been a little tighter to achieve a cleaner and tidier profile. The members continue to be energetic and intense as per the previous tracks (which I like), though they could have been clearer in their delivery and not slur their words as much as they did in this song. That energy and intensity the members put into the song became lost during Every Flavor Jelly’s choruses. The central piece felt paced, holding the members back from realising their full potential in this song. (7/10)

6. Break A Leg – Closing out the mini-album is Break A Leg, a rock-influenced track that takes you back to the early 2000s. A great throwback, with guitar riffs that bring out some great textures and forward propulsion. The vocal work was solid. JINSIK’s part in the bridge was awesome and was a perfect peak for this track. For the most part, the rapping was solid, as well. I wish the members with a whinier rapping style didn’t sound as whiny in this song. Some of it was warranted, but I felt there was too much of it. I do think Break A Leg had the potential to go further. But it was still pretty good as it is. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

*House of Tricky: Trial And Error* Teaser Image

[Album Review] WHU IS ME: COMPLEX (1st Mini Album) – HUI (PENTAGON)

August 13, 2024Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Hui (Pentagon), PentagonLeave a comment

A month ago, I finally got around to reviewing HUI’s solo debut single Hmm BOP, which was released very early on in 2024. In that post, I confirmed an album review would be coming your way. It has taken a little extra time than what I had hoped for, but said album review is finally here. Hmm BOP is featured on HUI’s first mini-album, WHU IS ME: COMPLEX, and is amongst four songs on the mini-album.

While it is a bit early days for me to probably say this, but I reckon HUI has one of the best album releases in 2024. Two songs on the mini-album recieved 10/10 (find out which ones down below) and the other two were also quite strong singles. To me, this highlights two key points. Firstly, HUI deserved solo promotions many years backs. The fact that it took 8 years to finally hear about a solo debut for HUI is ridculous. Secondly, he is a really good artist and definitely deserves some attention.

Continue reading the album review for WHU IS ME: COMPLEX.

1. Hmm BOP (흠뻑) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Hmm BOP. (10/10)

2. MELO (ft. PARK HYEON JIN) – The instrumental of MELO is definitely the winner. Piano and dreamier elements served as the underlying layer in MELO’s background. But it becomes very robust and complex with its funky synths, detailing and deliberately placed pauses. My favourite bits are actually the instrumental bits following the choruses, when all of the above is given to us in isolation. Now don’t misunderstand my words – the rest of the track is definitely solid. HUI’s vocals are smooth and sound so blissful throughout MELO. No surprises there. Park Hyeon Jin’s featuring grounds the song and gives MELO a bit of stability and balance. (9/10)

3. Cold Killer (ft. JINHYUK (NOWADAYS)) – Cold Killer takes us into rock territory with a deep and grungy rock style that feels fitting for HUI’s repertoire. Unfortunately, I personally felt the main vocalist underdelivered slightly. His delivery lacked a bit of angst that would have worked well in Cold Killer, and I wished his vocals soared a little more at various points throughout the song. On the other hand, I lowkey expected a spectacular high note to really peak off the song, and HUI definitely delivered that during the bridge. There are some more high notes at the very end, which helped end Cold Killer in an awesome and intense manner. JINHYUK from NOWADAYS (a newly debut group under CUBE Entertainment which I will get around to reviewing) provides Cold Killer with its rap sequences, which complemented the rock sound so well. The addition of scratchy rock-esque synths was clever. (8/10)

4. A Song From A Dream (봄이 오면 겨울은 지나가) (ft. WOOSEOK (PENTAGON)) – In the final track, we see HUI reunite with fellow PENTAGON member WOOSEOK. Staying in the rock realm but taking on a ballad approach, A Song From A Dream allows HUI’s vocals to shine so beautifully. The vocal parts in the bridge, the pre-choruses and choruses are just solid evidence of this. The way he harmonises with himself in the bridge and pre-choruses was just so captivating. But what gave A Song From A Dream an edge for me is the featuring of WOOSEOK and how it fits in so well with HUI’s delivery of the song. WOOSEOK’s vocals and rapping give off additional passion to what HUI already offers us, while the energy and chemistry the pair brings to the song makes it reminiscent of past PENTAGON songs and pulls A Song From A Dream altogether to be a highly recommended track. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.3/10

[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 NMIXX3 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)