Category: KPOP

[Review] Poet | Artist – SHINee

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Never did I expect we would hear all five members of SHINee again in a new song. I am sure there are numerous songs that the late JONGHYUN had written and recorded as part of SHINee and as a solo artist that will never see the light of day. But to hear him so clearly in SHINee’s latest song, Poet | Artist, is definitely a treat. The new song forms part of SHINee’s first-ever single album of the same name, which was released to celebrate their 17th anniversary together.

Described as an electro-pop song, Poet | Artist is a pleasant listen. There is a fair amount to appreciate in the new song. Let’s start with the most notable element of Poet | Artist – JONGHYUN himself. I liked that he could be heard substantially throughout the song, such as alongside his fellow members in the chorus and ONEW in another part. It showcases their chemistry and how well SHINee complement each other. He has a solo moment in the bridge, where he scat-sings. The vocal processing in the bridge was interesting, adding a modern flair that complements the rest of the electro-pop instrumentation. Whilst on the topic of instrumentation, it was nicely upbeat and robust, but I did wish it had gone further. Obviously, not to the extent that would detract from Poet | Artist‘s intention. The other members showcase strong vocals themselves throughout Poet | Artist. What I also liked is how they added a dose of sentiment and nostalgia throughout Poet | Artist without it gearing towards overly emotional territory. I did feel that Poet | Artist‘s hooks and melodies felt a bit tight, and I wish both were more relaxed. Overall, a nice and pleasant song from SHINee that showcases the group’s bond as a five-member unit.

The music video for Poet | Artist feels relatively simple, but it sends a lovely message alongside the song. I liked the pastel and golden hues of the music video, which, to me, give the music video its ‘artist’ side. These colour palettes also evoke a nostalgic and sentimental feel, which complements the song’s vocals quite well. In the video, we see the members receive letters that pull them together to celebrate their time together. I also liked how they continue to pay homage to JONGHYUN in the video, particularly at the end, where they all jump up and reach for the sky. Both the letters and the final scene feel quite poetic and symbolic.

SHINee recently performed Poet | Artist at their recent fan meeting over the weekend. From the fancam I watched, I appreciated the incorporation of artistic waves and other movements that complement the upbeat nature of the song. I also like the little groove they have together as a group during the chorus. Some refinement in terms of synchronisation, like in the music video, would have made the routine even more impressive.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] TILT- Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI

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It has been five years since Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI made their debut as Red Velvet’s first subunit with Monster. Yesterday, the pair returned for the first time with their second mini-album and title track of the same name, TILT.

The new song Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI goes down the club route, but it opts for a subdued vibe. An interesting dynamic, but I am willing to give TILT a chance. For the most part, the song does well. We are presented with an intriguing set of verses that captivate the audience and build suspense leading up to the chorus. I particularly like bass, which is a consistent asset throughout TILT. I liked the elegance brought on through the piano in the pre-choruses, which contrasts with the Tilt’s club energy and creates more of that interesting dynamic. Both IRENE and SEULGI do exceptionally well, vocally, in the song. I love the deeper tone that SEULGI starts TILT with, while IRENE utilised her breathy tones well in the second verse and TILT‘s pre-choruses. Unfortunately, the chorus was a let-down. TILT had good momentum towards that chorus, and I enjoyed how TILT continued the bass-heavy beat with the addition of atmospheric synths. But the softer spoken repetition of the song’s title as the hook just didn’t have that same oomph as the rest of the song. I wish the hook were more robust to give TILT a stronger centrepiece, and potentially edgier to reflect the club energy that TILT does well to encapsulate and extend its appeal.

I really liked the minimalistic aesthetics in the music video. It creates and builds up an intriguing atmosphere that makes me want to know more about it. According to the album’s Wikipedia page, TILT “explores the theme of mutual growth in a relationship, not as a contest of winners and losers, but as a journey toward achieving balance together.” And you can see this through how they hold onto each other when paired up, and through some of the imagery throughout the video, such as the yin and yang. Also, fun fact – the porcelain version of the members frightened me (but that should be no surprise, given porcelain dolls do give me the creeps).

From what I can see in the music video, the choreography for this comeback is logical and makes perfect sense. I enjoyed the tilting moves during the chorus, and I liked how they changed things up for the final chorus. I also appreciate how the concept of “balancing together” is reflected in the routine.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10

[Review] THUNDER – SEVENTEEN

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It has been 10 years to the day since SEVENTEEN kicked off their careers with Adore U. Since then, the group has embarked on a very fruitful career, with multiple album releases (some of which in recent years have been million-album sellers), world tours, and performances on world stages (like Lollapalooza Berlin Glastonbury Festival in 2024). To coincide with their 10th anniversary, the group has released their 5th studio album, HAPPY BURSTDAY, and the title track, THUNDER, today. It is their first release as a group since LOVE, MONEY & FAME (ft. DJ Khaled), the return of BSS with CBZ (Prime Time), the debut of their new subunit HxW (HOSHI x WOOZI) with 96ers, and WONWOO’s military enlistment last month. However, WONWOO and JEONGHAN (who enlisted last year) are also featured in this comeback.

THUNDER is an EDM-based club dance track. From the first second, THUNDER aims to deliver with its bold and dynamic instrumentation. And I can say, they were successful at doing just that. Without a doubt, THUNDER is one of the tracks that will hype up the crowd and maintain that energy to the song’s end. While I am pretty satisfied with how the song turned out, I can’t help but think about what THUNDER could have been like had it been longer. The song officially clocks in at 2:44 minutes, which isn’t bad. But because of its high energy, you can feel the shortness of the song more vividly. As for the members, I was impressed with their vocals and rapping for most of THUNDER. The pre-choruses were well done, while the rapping gave the song an extra kick. The first part of the chorus was catchy and quickly became addictive, thanks to S.COUPS, VERNON, HOSHI and JUN’s delivery of the hook. But I am just not convinced by ending with DK’s softer vocals. Faltering at the end didn’t feel right for such an energy-packed, robust song like THUNDER. I wish they had gone out with a bang (of some kind) instead.

I am not entirely sure what the video’s concept is, but I am glad they are partying throughout the music video. This matches up with the song quite well. There is also a psychedelic theme going on. The underground concept they went with for this comeback looks very urban and cool. Also, every member looked amazing throughout the video. I guess the ending with DK on the gurney shows how explosive SEVENTEEN can be, with the heart monitor showing the line blowing up.

Even after 10 years, SEVENTEEN’s synchronisation has never let up, and their performances have consistently impressed. In THUNDER‘s routine, they do it again by showcasing their impeccable synchronisation and impressing me with their dynamic and energetic flair. I like that the routine has a little wild side, which makes the choreography refreshing. The opening to the chorus (the ‘ALO, ALO‘) part was super cool and is definitely my pick for the highlight of the entire dance.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] Elevator – BAEKHYUN (EXO)

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Monday was a big day of releases, with BAEKHYUN also returning to the music scene with his 5th mini-album, Essence of Reverie. The single Elevator is the mini-album’s title track, following the pre-release Chocolate released last week. His previous comeback was Pineapple Slice in September 2024, featuring on his fourth mini-album Hello, World, which I have yet to review (but can confirm it’s coming).

I can hear what people mean when they describe Elevator as another version of Candy (a single BAEKHYUN previously promoted in 2020). Like that song, BAEKHYUN leans into his genre of choice (R&B) and keeps it simple. Elevator features likeable grooviness and a decent pop beat that moves the song along. I did enjoy the subdued percussion and atmospheric touches of the instrumental. BAEKHYUN’s vocals are definitely Elevator‘s highlight. It was nice to hear his vocals again after so long, and the ad-libs at the end came off quite smoothly. But I wish the melodies were more riveting. There was some sleekness and vibrancy to Elevator‘s melodies, but I put this down to BAEKHYUN’s vocals and delivery. Instead, I got a standard and safe feeling that doesn’t scream excitement. Overall, I would describe Elevator as ‘simply pleasant’. As said previously on the blog, pleasantness can be a double-edged sword as it could be code for boring. And I felt like Elevator had fallen victim to just that on this occasion. Plus, knowing that the same artist pulled off a similar song in the past (i.e., Candy – as established at the start of this paragraph) doesn’t bode too well for the new song.

The lyrics liken the desire for someone to fall in love with you to an elevator going up, with the lover at the destination floor. The only problem is that you have no idea what that floor is, which forms the basis of the music video. In the video, BAEKHYUN notices a mysterious lady in the elevator. He doesn’t make a move, but is drawn to her. From then on, he has consistently been thinking of and looking for her. Eventually, he reaches her and successfully moves to be with her, as shown at the end of the video. I like how his shirt says ‘I DID WHAT LAST NIGHT?’, implying other things happened overnight. I liked the animation that is interwoven throughout the video, as well as how great BAEKHYUN continues to look in his 30s.

Like the song, the choreography fits in well with the music. Based on what I can see in the music video, the routine embraces the beat well and showcases BAEKHYUN’s charismatic energy, which he carries over from previous dance performances. While I am not sold on the song, I think I can be on the dance for this comeback.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Review] Good Thing – i-dle

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After rebranding from (G)I-DLE to i-dle earlier this month and pre-releasing the single Girlfriend, i-dle is officially back with their 8th mini-album, We Are. Leading the mini-album is the single Good Thing. It is their first release since July 2024’s Klaxon and their 7th mini-album, I SWAY.

To me, Good Thing is an underbaked version of their top hits. The instrumental behind Good Thing has so much potential and is its best asset, with the synth work and 8-bit sounding reminiscent of second-generation KPOP. The infusion of rock elements was a great way to make Good Thing feel very much in i-dle’s wheelhouse, but I wished the song explored more of this. Perhaps make the song even more electrifying. But it is ultimately the song’s hooks that don’t offer much in terms of robustness and dynamism that let Good Thing down. I liked how they carried their usual sassy feel into the chorus, but the hooks themselves didn’t spark any excitement. Also, “I heard your good thing” isn’t too great of a line. Aside from that, the rest of Good Thing is okay. Their rapping and vocals were nice. YUQI’s rap in the second verse is solid, while the pre-choruses were strong segments from the vocalists. While I don’t usually agree with autotune, I think it fits in with the instrumental of Good Thing and gives off a good effect. Overall, Good Thing has promise but undelivers when it matters the most.

The music video for Good Thing was a blast to watch. While I am not entirely sure what message the group is trying to say through their lyrics, the mix of constant fighting and then vibing with one another actually makes for a fun video. My favourite part involves MIYEON on the train, where she gets her hair pulled by MINNIE and pushes YUQI off the train. As to what this could possibly mean, my best guess (and I want to emphasise that this is a guess since I don’t understand the lyrics) is that the “constant fighting and then vibing with one another” dynamic represents their toxic relationship with a former lover, with the lyrics coming off as sarcastic and making fun of their past lover.

The choreography for this comeback is fantastic. Quite sure I have mentioned this about them in the past, but I love how their routines exude confidence, boldness and sexiness. They are a powerful group, and their choreographies have consistently shown this. The only part that I felt could be cleaner and smoother is the start of the instrumental break at the end.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] Fly Up – RIIZE

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After their pre-release Bag Bad Back two weeks ago, RIIZE is officially back with their first studio album, Odyssey. Leading the new album is the title track Fly Up. It is their first Korean release since their Combo comeback in September last year.

From the very first second, Fly Up attracts my attention through its upbeat and fast energy. It felt almost like the music you would expect to hear when accompanying a jive dance, just slightly more paced than your usual jive music. I loved how expressive RIIZE were with their vocals and rapping, which contributed to the liveliness of Fly Up. It also helps that the hooks were catchy and earwormy. The all-in-one ‘Fly Up‘ rings in my mind even after the song ends. SHOTARO’s rapping in the second verse was solid, while SOHEE’s high note was a perfect peak for the song. The only missing element I wished for was a deep tone to ground the song slightly, particularly in the chorus. The beats weren’t enough, and I think this would have created some nice contrast in the broader song. But aside from that, Fly Up is still a superbly fun song that has me tapping my foot along from the first listen.

Just like the song, the music video for Fly Up is super fun. I liked the musical-like concept with all the dancers dancing around the members as they sing along to the song, almost like High School Musical (just without the cheesiness and bad acting). It just heightens the energy and makes the video extremely enjoyable. I was extremely nervous watching the sweaters tied around the members’ waists, but somehow (perhaps sewn on for safety precautions), they stayed on the members. Memories from primary/elementary school have come rushing back, with the number of times sweaters or jumpers would loosen as I just walked.

It should come as no surprise that I also liked this comeback’s choreography. It was everything the song asked for – upbeat, packed, fast and vibrant. I loved how the members never let up throughout the routine (based on what I saw in the music video), which reminds me of that intensity and continuous nature of the jive dance. The jumps and footwork look promising, and the body waves at the start of the final chorus catch my attention because they are incredibly smooth in the fast-paced routine.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10

[Album Review] Where to Now? (Pt. 1: Yellow Light) (7th Mini-Album) – KARD

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Next up on the album review front is KARD’s 7th mini-album from August 2024, Where to Now? (Pt. 1: Yellow Light). It is led by the title track Tell My Momma and features four additional songs and two instrumental tracks for the title track and the side track Boombox. This mini-album followed their 6th mini-album, ICKY, and the title track of the same name.

I can confirm that I didn’t care much for Tell My Momma since I reviewed it last year. But I was excited to still review the rest of the release, as the side tracks for this mini-album were all exciting listens. The title track was the mini-album’s only letdown from my perspective. More thoughts on the title track and each of the side tracks are down below.

Where to Now? (Part 1: Yellow Light) Album Cover

1. Waste My Time – I liked the concept of Waste My Time, which expresses the desire to be with the person they love, even if that means they are just wasting time. What I loved the most about the opening number is the velvety vocals SOMIN and JIWOO consistently showcased throughout Waste My Time. It pairs so well with the softer and atmospheric tropical house instrumentation. As for J.Seph and BM, they rap well in Waste My Time, but I find their parts fit in less due to their harsher deliveries. Sure, it gives Waste My Time a little more texture and edge than just velvety, but I think their parts could have melded better with the rest of the song. (8/10)

2. Tell My Momma (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Tell My Momma. (5.5/10)

3. Boombox – Boombox is one of the side-tracks I remember the most from 2024. It was an unexpected favourite of mine, thanks to its boldness. It probably helped coming off such a low-key song. KARD did an amazing job bringing old school hip-hop vibes to life in Boombox – it was the song’s strongest asset. But while all members went in hard, I give extra points to JIWOO, who smashed that pre-chorus out of the park. Definitely a highly recommended KARD song. (10/10)

4. SHIMMY SHIMMY – SHIMMY SHIMMY stays in the hip-hop realm, but KARD takes on a more modern feel of the genre. I love the vibes and rhythm of this one. I also enjoyed the robustness of the instrumental and heightened beats. The chorus is also quite catchy as a result. I liked the passion that the group infuses into both vocals and rapping. It makes SHIMMY SHIMMY even more appealing and enticing to listen to. (8/10)

5. SPIN – SPIN is easily KARD’s experimental track of this mini-album. There is a fair bit going on between the Spanish words, the squeaky and striking synths and beats that give SPIN its own personality, and the shouty delivery of some of the lines. This is on top of their usual vocals and rapping, which were effortless in SPIN. Despite all of that, I never once put down SPIN. It is still a unique, fun and unapologetic track. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

Where to Now? (Part 1: Yellow Night) Teaser Image

[Review] Don’t Say You Love Me – JIN (BTS)

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It has been just over half a year since JIN returned to the music scene with his first solo album, Happy. That album was led by the pre-release single I’ll Be There and the title track Running Wild. Today, JIN has returned with his second solo mini-album Echo, which is led by the title track Don’t Say You Love Me.

Don’t Say You Love Me is an all-English pop ballad that is easy to listen to. It is all effortlessly soothing and pleasant, from the instrumental to the melodies to JIN’s vocals. I enjoyed the falsettos he hits in the choruses, which make the song feel and sound very pretty. The only thing stopping me from liking the song completely is the lack of emotion. The lyrics of Don’t Say You Love Me are emotionally loaded, as they express the complex feelings of a relationship that is falling apart. However, I don’t register much emotional appeal in JIN’s vocals. I am not expecting a complete outpouring of sadness or grief, but Don’t Say You Love Me needed some degree of emotion to make it a more riveting piece. There is merit in keeping the pleasantness and soothing nature of the pop-ballad to frame up a more positive message, such as encouraging the best for both sides of the broken relationship. As mentioned, his vocals are fine. I just needed more from JIN, feeling-wise, to make Don’t Say You Love Me even better.

His acting definitely doesn’t have that same problem — his acting opposite Shin Se Kyung (the actress who plays the female lead) was superb. We see the moment the pair fall in love in that gallery and make a life for themselves (by running away together). But as the story progresses, the pair grow distant and their relationship falls apart. But to understand what the video is trying to tell us, we need to go back to the start and end of the video. At the beginning, we see Shin Se Kyung alone in the car, leaving JIN behind in the car park. This is what they want the break-up to look like. But the end of the video shows the pair together post-fight, glancing at one another, indicating that both are afraid to break up. This directly references the complicated feelings they are experiencing with their relationship falling apart that are expressed in the lyrics.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] I Feel Good – BOYNEXTDOOR

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BOYNEXTDOOR is back with a new mini-album, No Genre, and the single I Feel Good. This is their first album release since September 2024’s 19.99 (album yet to be reviewed), led by the single Nice Guy. An English version of I Feel Good and the January 2025 single IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU (also yet to be reviewed) are featured on the new mini-album, as well.

Only two groups that can pull off I Feel Good‘s energetic vibes come to mind – the first element that really stands out to me in the new song. The first is BOYNEXTDOOR, who has gradually grown on me since their debut and made a name for themselves with their ability to embody energetic vibes so well. The second is Block B, as I Feel Good just has a lot of their flair. The latter also makes sense given that one of the writers (and the producer of BOYNEXTDOOR) is Block B’s leader, ZICO. The funky bass guitar and the guitar work throughout I Feel Good are punchy and charismatic, while the beat gives the song head-nodding potential. The catchiness of the song’s hook (i.e., the “I Feel Good” repetition) is made even better with the delivery of the “I“. The hacking-like delivery just gives it character and personality. The rapping just exudes so much of that already mentioned energy, while the vocals were pretty nice. LEEHAN’s vocals in the second verse have a sleek and chic feel, while I enjoyed the incline that the vocals bring alongside the background for the pre-choruses. Again, the biggest problem with I Feel Good is simply that the song is too short. While it is all energy from start to end, I Feel Good could have done better with a peak moment to build up towards and give the song more trajectory. But overall, another powerful song from BOYNEXTDOOR.

Like the song, the music video is just as fun and energetic. It starts with BOYNEXTDOOR entering a corner store and having a one-sided rap battle with the shop attendant. The rest of the video shows BOYNEXTDOOR going around, spreading their positive feeling and promoting their upcoming underground performance. Flyers and a dance battle are involved. I liked how you can tell the members had fun filming the video. I also enjoyed the comedic touch by having LEEHAN hold a ‘BOYNEXTDOOR’ sign with an expressionless face whilst everyone else is moving about. I wish they had done more with the grayscale scenes, as they felt underbaked compared to the rest of the music video. But overall, a fun watch.

And just like the rest of the comeback, the performance for this comeback embodies the energy and positive vibes of the song. The routine involves the members constantly moving, which maintains the energy throughout the routine. I enjoyed the rock references, with the microphone and air guitars during the chorus. The Michael Jackson touch made complete sense (as he was referenced in the lyrics), and I loved the range of edgy moves paired with the “I Feel Good” hook.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] Come Over – LE SSERAFIM

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Alongside HOT from March this year, LE SSERAFIM released the single Come Over as part of their 5th mini-album. At the end of March, LE SSERAFIM collaborated with Android for a music video for the single, making it eligible for a review (i.e., this post!).

While I was not much of a fan of HOT (which has remained true almost two months on), it is a different story regarding Come Over. The song is a very addictive retro-pop, all-English song. LE SSERAFIM kills it in this song, unexpectedly. At first, I thought their very light and high-tone approach would be plain and boring. But a few repeats quickly changed my mind. The hooks, though repetitive, were effective at being earwormy and catchy. I have the “So baby come over, come over, come over” in the tone LE SSERAFIM delivers it in still stuck in my mind. The retro influences in the background made the single colourful and vibrant, while the beat kept Come Over moving along. I did like the instrumental breaks Come Over had, which helped emphasise those influences. There are two things Come Over could have done better: a longer length and more variety in the lyrics. While I praise the repetition hook-wise earlier, I feel like Come Over feels short of being taken to the next level for its repetitive lines and lasts for just over 2.25 minutes (though not the shortest song on the album).

For the music video, we see SAKURA go shopping in a retro grocery store, picking up a mysterious can labelled with an anagram that, when rearranged (thanks to the nifty AI on her very ‘retro’ cell phone), says “Open a new world” – a message she shares with the rest of the group, before paying for the can and drinking its contents. This message is about the potential of the Android-based mobile devices used by the members, which, in a retro world, definitely opens a whole new world for the user. Aside from being an Android commercial, the video nicely encapsulates those retro influences from the song. I liked the vintage patterned outfits worn by the members, and later on, the Android robots. The curled hairstyles also screamed retro, and I loved how fantastic the members looked, particularly HUH YUNJIN.

The dance for Come Over is equally as catchy as the song. I liked the energy and oomph the members put into it, which complements the vibrant and upbeat nature of the music. I also enjoyed the members’ serious demeanour during the first instrumental break following the first chorus. This gave off fun vibes, despite the members not showing that as they performed that sequence.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Album Review] BAMESIS (3rd Mini-Album) – BAMBAM (GOT7)

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BAMBAM’s 3rd mini-album, BAMESIS, is the next album to be reviewed on the blog. Released in August last year, this mini-album features 5 songs – one of which is the title track LAST PARADE. It is his first solo release since Sour & Sweet in 2023. It is also the last album released by the artist under ABYSS Entertainment – BAMBAM signed on with Halo Entertainment earlier this year. More recently, BAMBAM reunited with the rest of GOT7 for a new album, Winter Heptagon (led by the single PYTHON) and a series of concerts.

Overall, BAMESIS is a consistently fair album. It is a good mix of songs from the soloist, with BAMBAM going with different genres across the five songs. Have a listen below and let me know what you think about BAMESIS.

BAMESIS Album Cover

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

2. Mi Último Deseo – BAMBAM impresses in Mi Último Deseo, where he sings in English and Spanish. It is quite unexpected, given that the title track is in English and Korean. But very enjoyable nonetheless. Mi Último Deseo features a Latin-influenced instrumentation that comes off quite smooth overall. Mi Último Deseo could have infused a heftier beat or included more bite to the background, especially as the song progresses – it lacks a peak. But Mi Último Deseo is still a pleasant and interesting listen from BAMBAM. (8/10)

3. Ball Like That – Ball Like That brings together an R&B beat and atmospheric synths to make a very nostalgic-sounding track. Along with BAMBAM’s delivery, I find it reminiscent of the R&B that I enjoyed when I was younger. The smoothness of Ball Like That makes the song feel sleek and suits BAMBAM’s style. I also liked the freshness that his vocals bring to the music. The melodies were also relatively straightforward but catchy. However, I wish there was more to Ball Like That, simply because it doesn’t feel complete there yet. (8.5/10)

4. Must Be Nice – Must Be Nice embraces a soft pop-rock instrumental that melds so well with BAMBAM’s more delicate vocals, a side that we don’t hear all too much from the soloist. The atmosphere that develops throughout Must Be Nice is so soothing and calming. The guitar work is exceptionally nice, and I liked how the drumming/percussion elements nudge the song along subtly. (8/10)

5. Thank You Come Again – BAMESIS is brought to a close with Thank You Come Again, a hip-hop track with a bouncy beat and engaging rapping delivery. His flow throughout the track is impressive and engaging. I also liked the female vocals in the track, which pop out amongst the rest of the track. I appreciated how this track, although quite hip-hop leaning, doesn’t overdo it and doesn’t sound too energetic. It’s easygoing and works well as a final track on the album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10

BAMBAM’s teaser image for BAMESIS.

[Album Review] Supersonic (3rd Single Album) – fromis_9

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fromis_9 is gearing up for a comeback in June with a reformed lineup of 5 members (Song Ha Young, Park Ji Won, Lee Na Kyung, Lee Chae Young, and Baek Ji Heon), after it was announced that the group would not renew their contracts with Pledis Entertainment and that Lee Sae Rom, Roh Ji Sun and Lee Seo Yeon would be departing the group. It is time to review their last album release as an 8-member group ahead of the comeback. Supersonic (the single album) was released long overdue in July 2024, with the title track of the same name and 2 additional side tracks.

Despite the long hiatus between Supersonic and their previous album, Unlock My World, fromis_9 proved they were still on the ball with a chart-topping hit and 2 impressive side tracks. More on the songs can be found below.

Supersonic Album Cover

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

2. Beat The Heat – The one thing that Beat The Heat could have done better is cohesion, as the rest of the track is pretty good. The single has a bit going on, but it doesn’t overwhelm. But those bridging moments are quite tight, and I wish they were a little more breathable. It maintains its upbeatness all throughout the song and sounds well-suited for the summery period in which it was released. I found the slightly descending melody in the first chorus quite abstract initially, but it grew on me over time. The group delivered everything else nicely. A great song, overall. (9/10)

3. Take A Chance – Beautiful vocals make Take A Chance a stunning listen. I enjoyed the contrast between the consistently beating instrumentation and the delicate melodies. And in addition to the beautiful vocals, I love how sweet and nostalgic everything came to be. It is a perfect song for a nice breezy day in Summer and the new chapter they are embarking on for each of their careers. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.7/10

fromis_9’s teaser image for Supersonic

[Review] Girlfriend – i-dle

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Earlier this month, it was confirmed that the group formerly known as (G)I-DLE will be making a comeback under the new name, i-dle. Alongside this announcement, the group released a special mini-album titled We are i-dle, which features 5-member versions of their past singles from their debut track LATATA to 2021’s HWAA. This rebrand also follows their contract renewal with CUBE Entertainment, which was announced at the end of last year. Their newly released single, Girlfriend, comes from their upcoming 8th mini-album WE ARE, which will drop in 10 days.

Girlfriend leans into the pop rock genre a fair bit, more than usual for i-dle. I was geniunely surprised (in a good way) to hear how pop-leaning the chorus was, while the verses shows more of the rock elements to make it pop-rock overall. The chorus actually reminds me of a KPOP track from the early ’10s, thanks to the upbeatness, the simplicity of the hooks, the straightforwardness of the pop sound, the slight toots and the all-members sing-song chorus. The simplicity of Girlfriend‘s hooks comes across quite effectively. The “I don’t give a f*ck about love cause we are i-dle” is very catchy and addictive. At first, I was disappointed with how repetitive it was and thought it was wasted real estate. But I am not too bothered by it now. The vocals and rapping are clear and crisp, as usual. Overall, the saying ‘simple is best’ applies well for Girlfriend. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us on the 19th with the rest of WE ARE.

i-dle in the music video seems to be some sort of underground group that goes hunting down bad exes to scare them away from their former lovers, who sought out i-dle’s services. At the same time, they also provide company to those who sought them out, referring to themselves as the ‘girlfriend’ in the lyrics. Again, simple is best and I liked how clear and straightforward the video was. There is nothing to confusing and I liked how the story is on par with their other music videos in the past.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] Maybe Tomorrow – DAY6

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DAY6 returned yesterday with the digital single, Maybe Tomorrow. The new release follows their 9th mini-album, Band-Aid and the title track Melt Down from last September.

I find Maybe Tomorrow quite captivating. It took me a few tries to realise that (I was distracted by some other things), but once I settled and focused, I found myself being whisked away by the song. The new single is a rock ballad that sounds very DAY6. I liked Maybe Tomorrow‘s wispiness and gentle nature, whilst the guitar and drums ground the song so that it doesn’t feel overly light to the point that it just breezes by, and I can’t remember it. I particularly enjoyed the drumming in the song, which gives it a bit of a punch and beat. The keyboard work was also lovely, and I liked the little buffer at the song’s end. Maybe Tomorrow also carries emotions, and I felt the members did a fantastic job relaying those emotions to the audience. They didn’t go down the heartfelt or powerful routes, but you definitely get a reflective and pensive tone from them. The melodies are soothing, and the chorus is pleasantly catchy. Altogether, Maybe Tomorrow is a beautiful yet safe ballad from DAY6 that I am sure everyone will enjoy.

Maybe Tomorrow‘s lyrics comfort those who are down, sad, or struggling and wish that tomorrow is a better day. Here is my interpretation of the beautiful accompanying music video. DAY6 portrays those emotions of feeling down, sad or struggling. The mood then is dark and heavy. Then, the room around them shakes, sending them flying out the door and falling through the sky. The members slowly open their eyes, representing that the “new day” is better and comforting. But each member opens their eyes at various times, suggesting everyone has something to make tomorrow better for them. For YOUNG K, it was the music (he had his eyes open way before falling), but he needed the bright light from the sun to make him realise maybe tomorrow is better. For SUNGJIN, it was his guitar that made him open his eyes, and for DOWOON, the colours of the confetti brought him comfort and opened his eyes. The ending shows WONPIL falling back into his bed and waking up, only to realise that there is a hole in his room to show him the light that the new day is better. It also suggests that maybe parts of their dreams did occur (i.e., the music, the light, the guitar and the colours).

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] IKUK – ONEUS

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It is time to review a release from earlier in the year – ONEUS’s IKUK. You may recognise IKUK, as it is a rearranged version of their I KNOW YOU KNOW single that they performed as part of the Road To Kingdom: Ace of Ace series from 2024. IKUK was re-released in mid-January as part of their special Dear. M album. As I had never reviewed that series, I thought I would pick up IKUK for a review. Since the release, SEOHO has enlisted into the military and ONEUS is currently promoting as a quartet.

Unfortunately, I didn’t pay much attention to the release of IKUK as I was on holiday then. Listening back for this review, it is a pity that I didn’t pay attention, as it is a strong showing from the group. I like the funky and groovy nature of the song, which feels quite refreshing coming from ONEUS. I enjoyed the punchiness of the beat in this version and the subtle hip-hop presence behind the rap sequence in the second verse. I wish the bass was more profound, particularly during the hooks when the rest of the instrumentation was stripped away. Bass is present in IKUK in its current form, but I think more could have made IKUK uber funky. I also enjoyed the crispness of their vocals and rapping, which made IKUK stronger and more alluring. And the song’s primary hook, the ‘I know, you know, I love you‘, was catchy. However, IKUK is far from perfect. More could have been done to make IKUK feel less repetitive than it was. I also want various parts of IKUK, such as LEEDO’s rap in the outro and the chorus around it, to not feel as abrupt as they did. It felt like they were slapped in, hindering IKUK from feeling cohesive. Perhaps constraining IKUK to be as short as possible was not ideal, as a few extra seconds to facilitate proper transitions and additional segments to relieve IKUK from its repetitiveness would have boosted it in my books.

I really enjoyed how theatrical the music video felt. When ONEUS goes down that path, you know the music video will be top-notch. While the regal look was very cool (both members and dancers looked awesome throughout the video) and gave off vampire vibes, I wish they explored the theme a little more, mainly since the music video supposedly explored the “deadly allure of vampires” (taken from Soompi). I also wish they had chosen a better location to shoot the video (or designed a whole castle-like set). Exposed air vents detracted slightly from the potential of the regal and vampire vibes. However, these flaws are made up by retaining the wowing elements from the Road To Kingdom: ACE OF ACE stage, such as the KEONHEE emerging from the tables and SEOHO hanging upside down.

The accompanying routine that ONEUS performed on the weekly shows was an adaptation of the routine from the original stage and music video, without some of those aforementioned wow moments. It probably doesn’t sound as exciting anymore, but they retained enough to make it a performance that is still worth watching. I liked how the routine continued to feature a sophisticated and elegant side, which they emphasised during the dance break (and was my favourite part of the routine).

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Love Language – TXT

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TXT returned at the end of last week with their new single Love Language. This latest release follows their 7th mini-album, The Star Chapter: Sanctuary, from the end of last year and the title track Over The Moon. It also follows a well-deserved extended break for the group.

Love Language is a pleasant release from TXT, but I wish there was more to Love Language than what it had to offer. Everything from the darting synths in the background, the members’ sweet vocals, and the contrasting deeper spoken tone of the post-chorus sequence from YEONJUN, SOOBIN, and BEOMGYU was all fine. The opening line to the choruses was memorable, and I liked the extra raspiness from TAEHYUN and HEUINGKAI. But Love Language is such a safe release (relative to the rest of their discography, which has been bold and striking at times) that it feels extremely basic. I can’t hear anything exciting enough in Love Language to attract and grab my attention, aside from this being a TXT release. This will put the song’s longevity at risk. I feel like that exciting element is what Love Language is missing. But I am not entirely sure what could be used (perhaps a different texture or something that builds on the edginess that the post-chorus sequences attempt to get across), given the mellowness of Love Language, which restricts their options.

The music video shows TXT in a very cutesy light, searching for their special someone’s love language. It is interesting yet different from the usual portrayal of the members, but I thought it was quite a good watch. The video style and creative decisions really complement the song quite well. I particularly liked the scenes where one member would be at the forefront of the screen, and the rest would be just doing their own thing in the background.

I don’t think we expected to see SOOBIN’s abs as part of the choreography for this comeback, especially with such a sweet song and cutesy video. But I am sure no one is complaining about its appearance in the routine. I actually quite liked the sharp and fast movements during the chorus. It added a little visual oomph to the routine and offered the comeback a little more intensity and dynamic flair.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10