Block B has returned with a brand new song, Shall We Dance, and mini-album, Montage. It has been almost a year since they last released a song (Yesterday) from the entire group and has been a while since we last saw them on stage. The group has been quite busy with overseas schedules and a number of releases in Japan.
Shall We Dance is a groovy track that attempts to get people up and dancing. I think it is safe to agree that I have not heard of a track like this at all in KPOP. It is different which attracts your attention and you end up giving into your curiosity to enjoy the track. That being said, its uniqueness is a highlight but it could be its downfall. It opens Block B’s portfolio to a wider range of music but it could also mean that many fans and listeners will require some ‘getting used to it’ time, which may or may not help them. But while those are concerns for the song’s performance, it is a lot different on a personal level. The track has its moments but it doesn’t feel like it is building up to much. Instead what we hear at the start of the song is basically the same thing through the rest of the song. Probably the most interesting element was the vocals (such as those prior to the chorus), which contrasted nicely with the raps. The “Shall We Dance” chorus was also catchy enough to get me listening to the song. I think the foreignness of the track was just so overwhelming.
I like how the video is set in the backstreets or the abandoned areas. That, too, isn’t something you see that often in the music videos designed for the Korean audience. And it just felt like one underground party, where everyone is having fun. There was some seriousness in there but I think there were enough smiles to offset that seriousness (which was somewhat creepy). And Block B did a great job with fitting into the crowd with their hairstyles and outfits. Though there is one thing that I have to say. This mullet trend really needs to go.
Why am I somewhat surprised that they didn’t go for freestyle? While it was pretty nice to watch, asking the question “Shall We Dance” and going with a set routine is a little constricting, in my opinion. I personally think some freestyle flexibility would suit the song more.
Song – 7/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 6.5/10 Overall Rating – 7/10
Monsta X has returned with their latest mini-album, The Code (album review coming soon). The title track of the mini-album is Dramarama. This is their first comeback since their release of the Summer single, Newton. This particular comeback was met with a speed bump, with Wonho missing out on the comeback showcase due to illness. But Wonho managed to pull through and promoted alongside the rest of the members for their comeback week.
The opening of the song was just a teaser to what was to come. Dramarama had an epic start, leading to another excellent song. The intensity of the song was just right. It didn’t feel over the top but it wasn’t underwhelming. The guitars in the instrumental were extremely catching. The vocals (starting off with that introduction) was extremely nice and showed off some technique which I don’t think the entire group has given to us yet. The chorus was pretty decent but I don’t think that was the standout of the song. I am completely drawn to the rappers in the song. Jooheon and IM do a fantastic job with their segments but the bridge of the song was definitely the amazing bit. It gave the song hype and built up perfectly to the final chorus. Dare I say that I think I found the best rap sequence for 2017?
But what I think has got everyone talking is Monsta X’s video. It is set in the future (2047 to be exact) and time travel is possible then. And it seems like the way to get through time is by using old-fashion watches, which seemed to be outlawed in the 2047 society, judging by the AI voice in the background at the start. But some of the members end up with the watch. And it seems these members go back in time to specific points. Wonho goes back to a Kendo match, where he battled against Shownu. Kihyun goes back to when Jooheon was killed in a car accident (The Chaser vibes, anyone?) and Minhyuk goes back to when IM was killed. I am not exactly sure what happened with the Minhyuk and Wonho scenarios but their attempts just didn’t work out. Kihyun, on the other hand, managed to swap places with Jooheon (with the help of Hyungwon, the mysterious and missing time traveller) and he ends up dying instead, as we don’t see Kihyun at the end when Jooheon appears in the broker workplace. A tad confusing but it sounds like a great storyline.
The performance was pretty nice. You could feel the seriousness and focus through their facial expressions. Once again, I don’t think the performance had enough to make it memorable. It isn’t that mind-blowing like their jacket routine earlier in the year with Beautiful.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 7/10 Overall Rating – 8.5/10
EXID has made their return with DDD. This is their first comeback since Night Rather Than Day and their Eclipse mini-album. This is also their first comeback with Solji since she announced her hiatus due to health issues. However, despite featuring on the album and in the actual title track, she is not promoting alongside the group this time around, so fans must wait a little longer. But regardless, it is great to have her back with her group and (somewhat) in her element.
I personally think DDD is an excellent song. Yes, it feels similar to their past hits like Up & Down and Ah Yeah but it can stand alone. I really like how they surround LE’s rap with the vocals, something they did in Ah Yeah that blew my mind. That structure shows off some creativity. The good thing is that they haven’t done it with every single comeback since then, so it feels somewhat fresh. Plus the contrast between the high-pitch vocals and LE’s edgy raps add a nice appeal. The chorus takes a turn to standard pop while the verse felt more grungy and tough. But that also has a nice contrast with the upbeat instrumental that featured in the chorus. The vocals themselves are definitely another standout to the song, particularly the addition of Solji’s to the mix, which was definitely missed (but Hyerin has been doing amazing covering for the missing member). The best part of the song was the “Dul Dul Dul“. So catchy and addictive. It is up there with all my favourite EXID songs.
덜덜덜 (I know, I am including Korean in my review. This is a first.) is basically a slang way of expressing the shaking feeling you get when you are surprised or shocked (Source). And the way they managed to represent it in the music video is by coldness. It goes hand in hand. But the girls manage to take it all back to their sexy days (which started their fame in the first place) with this video. I pretty much thought this was a great video. Through the different camera angles (check out the see-through floor) and the cinematography throughout the video, you can see that this video is well-produced and put together. I love the concept and how all the members stand out in it. It does remind me of Up and Down quite a bit but with a different flare to it.
The most disappointing part of the choreography is the lack of key dance moves. I don’t find anything that stands out as a moment that would make me think and say ‘this is the DDD dance’. It just felt ordinary.
Song – 9.5/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 6/10 Overall Rating – 8.65/10
Following their Friday Nightcomeback last month, Sonamoo is back with the second part of their Happy Box Project. Up until now, Sonamoo has been at the back of the pack with their mediocre tracks. But I think most can agree that they are doing something right this Happy Box Project. This song alone makes me want to see what else the group has up their sleeves for future releases.
Last time Sonamoo released a song (Friday Night), I gave it a 7.5. If I had a chance (watch this space), I would easily bump it up to a 9. And that was due to the many listens that followed the review. On the other hand, one listen into I (knew it) and I was loving everything. It grabbed my attention as soon with the Latin-inspired instrumental, which seems to be a new trend in the KPOP world. But it isn’t just the instrumental that stood out for me. The vocals of the song were their best effort yet, showing off some variety in their range. It was strong and showed off a very mature side of the group, which is why I probably continuously return to the song every time I turn my phone on. The “I, I, I” in the background is extremely addictive, adding a little detail to the track (but it ends up going a long way). The only thing I think that could have made the track better was the rapping. It was good but it felt too standard for a song like this. But overall, amazing song.
If I were to describe the video in 3 words, they would be mature, sexy and mysterious. I really enjoyed this mature side of the group, which I think suits them. Some parts were sexier than others and I am glad they didn’t overstep the boundaries, keeping the video fresh (in a way). But for the majority of the video, I had the ‘what on earth is going on’ thought throughout my head. The way they look expressionless into the camera and in some cases, doll-like, was quite freaky and gave off that mysterious appeal I was talking about a moment ago. I liked the sets and their outfits for the video. It was definitely intriguing to watch.
The performance was pretty good. I loved it when the instrumental dropped, leading into the first part of the chorus. Their motions, for a very rough part of the song, were quite graceful. I like their strength and confidence, portrayed nicely in the performance.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
It is November the 6th. You know what has come to our doors. DAY6’s November comeback is here! It is disappointing to hear that the year is just about to wrap up as that means DAY6 will not be making their monthly comebacks anymore. But on the other hand, the band has done all their fans proud with the consistent delivery of quality and deserve a break.
All Alone brings back the acoustic side of the group. If there is a list of songs out there that shows the groups’ true colours, this is probably one of the songs on that very list. It shows off their talent in a very subtle way. The song is very flowy and makes you sway along. A definite tick in my books. Throw in their harmonies and vocals, they do showcase a more natural sound to the song. For me, it is the type of song that I would play before going to bed. It may sound like I am making a complete turn around with my comments but I do not mean it in a bad way. Rather, there is a soothing effect in this song which makes me feel calm and relaxed. Something that is a little hard to find in KPOP and it is much appreciated after a day full of energy filled songs (and more to come). Overall, it is a decent song to listen to if you want to relax or fall asleep.
The music video seems to be the end of the storyline that featured throughout What Can I Do?, I Loved You and When You Loved Someone. But instead of actually ending the story, they kind of come together and reflect upon it by showing shots of each music video (like memories). It compliments the storyline but it makes for an incredibly dry video to watch. On a more pleasant note though, they seem to play the song live in the music video, judging by how the video ends.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 6/10 Overall Rating – 7.2/10
SEVENTEEN has made their return to the stage with Clap. They have also dropped their second full-length album, titled as Teen, Age. Featuring alongside Clap are the 4 singles the group had released starting a few weeks back, giving fans a taste to each subunit. The singles include: Change Up (Leaders Unit), Trauma (Hip Hop Unit), Dance of Month 13 (Performance Unit) and Pinwheel (Vocal Unit).
Seventeen hasn’t disappointed yet and they maintain that streak with Clap. The track features a dance rock instrumental that is bound to get the energy pumping in the crowd. The intensity of this song is no joke, contributing to that edgy vibe that rock-based songs tend to bring to the table. The chorus was catchy and addictive to listen to. What I liked were how the rappers managed to get singing lines during the chorus. Actually, the entire line distribution seems to be more even this time around, unlike some of their past comebacks. Favourite part of the entire song would have to be Seungkwan’s solo for the bridge. While the entire song had that roughness, the bridge featured a smoother (and one damn good high note/pitch) touch to the song. Overall, I really enjoyed this song and will continually be playing this in the weeks to come.
Clap’s music video features all of their previous unit releases in some form or another. So naturally, it made it an interesting experience to watch and identify some of the connections. There were video cassette tapes throughout the video labelled with the title of each song. Hoshi was wearing this chessboard outfit from Change Up while singing in the car. The set of the Trauma featured at 2:25, alongside Change Up. That same scene featured the Hip Hop members wearing white, which I think connects Dance of Month 13 to the video. Some of the props from the Pinwheel (i.e. telephone) are also seen. All in all, it was definitely a very cool and intriguing video to watch, which also managed to come off as fun at the same time.
From what I can see, the boys bring back that awesome in-sync aspect of their choreography that has wowed us in the past. Furthermore, their dance break was awesome. On top of that, they had some time to shoot some hearts out to their fans. Clap for their choreography!
Song – 9.5/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9.25/10
Making their first highly anticipated return after 2 years is the none other than Super Junior. In 2015, they made their comeback with Devil and Magic. Since then, military enlistments were carried out leaving only a few members available for promotions. But with the return of some members, Super Junior can promote once more as one of the most well-known KPOP groups to date. Black Suit is the title track from their 8th album, Play, which also features the pre-release One More Chance.
Black Suit is a definitely an upgrade from Deviland Magic, which I thought was boring. Given the member’s ages, I didn’t think they would return with an upbeat track like this. But they clearly nailed with the Latin flair that gave the song that explosion of energy. Vocally, the song is quite nice. Everything was clear and not muffled with synths and autotune. The track, too, is quite addictive to listen to, earning replay after replay. The most underwhelming part of the song for me, though, was the drop into the last chorus. The bridge had a nice buildup with its intensity. The drop just didn’t do it justice. The chorus was definitely the most outstanding part of the entire song and it just makes you want to dance.
The music video is set in an auction, with the main item on display being a black suit. Hence the title, duh? But the story behind the auction is a little intriguing. The video opens up with chaos but in reverse. We then find out the cause of the chaos is due to the missing black suit, which disappeared during a blackout as it was being sold. We also find out that the members were trying to get the suit themselves through careful planning and teamwork. Just once it disappeared, they turned against each other and raged. It turns out, another person (a young female) somehow stole the black suit in a split second during the blackout. While it does seem far-fetched, it definitely has its moments and it was, overall, enjoyable to watch.
The choreography was actually quite good, keeping up with the sharp beats and maintaining its appeal throughout the entire routine. Totally enjoyed the chorus.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
Minah has made her solo return with 11°. It has definitely been a while since we heard a solo single from the main vocalist of one of my personal favourite girl groups. The last being I Am A Woman, Too. That being said, Minah hasn’t been on the sidelines over the large gap between solo releases. Alongside her work with Girl’s Day, she has been busy acting in a number of dramas such as Beautiful Gong Shim (which also stars Nam Goong Min).
11° is not the first ballad of the season, but it is one of the few that has me sticking around. It may because of bias, but this track has me sticking around for other reasons. The song is actually quite good. Minah’s vocals go well with the softer guitar-based instrumental and you can hear the heartbreak that she is trying to convey throughout the song in her voice. Put simply, it is extremely easy to get lost in this track and there is a soothing effect which I desperately need featuring in this song. There is something that I am not 100% keen on in this song. In the middle of the song, Minah attempts to change it up (to avoid repetitiveness and blandness) with a change in delivery. But honestly, I thought that slight change was a little too awkward sounding. It was needed but I personally didn’t think that was the particular way to go.
The music video beautifully portrayed the meaning behind the lyrics. Essentially the song is about the immediate thoughts that go through people’s heads after a breakup. And throughout the video, you can grasp that solemn feeling that followed her and her breakup. As she cleaned the house, I assumed she felt the emptiness. The ending, when the lights went out, made her think of her ex-lover. Probably how he would have fixed it for her, but now she had to do it alone. I just thought the video went well with the song.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 10/10 Overall Rating – 9.4/10
VAV is back with a new single, She’s Mine. To me, the group is relatively new, as I only heard of them this year and started reviewing them this year, starting with Flower (You) and ABC (Dance of the Night). But you might be surprised that they have been on stage since 2015 with Under The Moonlight.
She’s Mine is another amazing song that is going to get lost in all the competition that they will be facing. Which is definitely heartbreaking, especially since so many people will go without listening to such an excellent sounding track. Particularly, in the first few seconds, I could hear the confidence in their voices, which makes it a whole new song. But what I liked more about the song was the choruses they had going on. The first chorus (or what I like to call ‘the decoy’) was the very simple repetition, which was underwhelming and disappointing at first glance. The second chorus (the actual chorus) followed shortly after with that really bright and explosive beat. It pairs well with the first chorus and gives the entire song a whole new facelift. Vocally, even though I touched on it before, the song is rock solid, while the raps were equally as grand. Overall, the song is addictive and definitely a bop to listen to.
The music video was also quite good and it seems like VAV is the next boy group to join the confusing route that many KPOP music videos go for. It seems they are planning some heist or trying to break their friend out of that ‘up close and personal’ prison. But then I have a feeling that it is an ‘every man for their own’ type of situation in the video. In other words, I have no idea whatsoever on what is going on in the video. But it was pretty interesting to watch. Just not fond of the sound effects that ended up being played over the actual song at the end.
I actually like the choreography for this song. It was very captivating to watch and extremely fitting for the song. The dance break was quite cool and that confidence I spoke of before was definitely seen in the performance.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8.5/10
November is proving to be one KPOP party with the number of confirmed comebacks for just next week alone. Kicking off the November comebacks is ASTRO, with their latest title track, Crazy Sexy Cool, and mini-album Dream Part 2. The boy group previously promoted Baby in June, serving as the main song of their Part 1 of the Dream series.
Listening to the song for the first time, I am worried that the song doesn’t have that needed impact. The start of the song is very underwhelming and slow. But the song does get better along the way, with that thumping bass during the chorus. The instrumental is quite funky, described as a nu-disco genre, but it doesn’t feel that way. I am not too sure what exactly it sounds like (it is not bad, so don’t misunderstand), I just can’t place my finger on it. There isn’t much of a hook, in my opinion, that leaves the song forgettable for the most part. The vocal and rapping work in the song is quite good and the instrumental (during the chorus) adds energy to make it sound more lively. That part just before the chorus, where they strip everything away, is pretty damn good. To sum up, it is a pretty nice song to listen to. If there was a more decent hook, I would have enjoyed it more.
Curious boys meet Narnia? Mistaken boys believing things they are seeing in the dark? I have no idea what this video is about. They happen to see a silhouette which somehow leads them to their wardrobe, which leads them to different places. Following the silhouette, they have a few wardrobe changes along away (a perk of having a magical wardrobe?), until they realize that the silhouette was a figure of their imagination. That’s my understanding. Though those plot twists at the end make things a little more confusing. But I will admit, it was fun to watch. It was a great video, which went well with the song.
Their performance is okay. Not exactly memorable but it has that ASTRO vibe that reminds me of their past choreographies. Maybe that is because they are performing it but it feels just right for them.
Song – 7/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 6/10 Overall Rating – 7/10
Kicking off Super Junior’s first comeback in 2 years is the release of One More Chance. They last promoted Devil and Magic in 2015. I believe they were absent for the past two years due to a large bulk of the group entering the military. One More Chance isn’t their official comeback as it is only the pre-release song for the comeback. Their full 8th album is expected to drop next week on the 6th of November.
It has been a while since a Super Junior song has graced our playlists and such a high-quality song (produced by Donghae) is 100% fitting for their return. The emotional rock ballad is extremely fitting for the current lineup, with all the members showing off some flare that has been missed over the two-year absence. There is not one person that sounds out of place. The instrumental is exceptional as well, building up ever so slightly and knowing when to make the right impact alongside the vocals. That level of emotion that I mentioned before can be felt strongly throughout the song. While I may not have much else to say about the song, Donghae’s production is on point and One More Chance is (hopefully) a great teaser on what is to come next week.
Following that emotional side of the song comes this emotion field music video which I have to admit is beautifully shot. You don’t expect walking down hallways and alleys to be that dramatic but pairing it with this song is definitely a strong example of how it can be. But that walking/running isn’t for nothing, as they are following their lover, for one more chance at their relationship. It is a simple video when you think about it but it goes a long way once you consider the song’s lyrics (which I gather is the exact same thing as mentioned above) and the song’s auditory elements.
Song – 10/10 Music Video – 10/10 Overall Rating – 10/10
After the likes of Signal and Knock Knock earlier this year TWICE has returned with Likey and their first full album. It is definitely a long time coming, especially how far the girls have gone with just their title tracks alone in the past two years. Like all of the group’s track, it is expected (and they will probably achieve this by the time I post this review) that they will top the charts once again with their title track, Likey.
The one thing that I think makes TWICE songs so popular is that key phrase within the song that ends up being so addictive that everyone ends up singing along. And following that same formula is Likey, which starts off the song with that its own catchphrase. I have got it stuck in my head already and it probably won’t be going anywhere. And given that, the song has been on repeat since its release a few hours back. The song isn’t in your face with that signature level of aegyo that the girls have gone for in the past, which is why I like this song. Vocally, the members did a wonderful job and the rappers were pretty good. The only thing they could have done better with are the verses. For the most part, they felt like a blur and very forgettable. But overall, I ‘likey like likey‘ this song.
The home video concept is actually quite pleasing to watch in this video. It also goes well with the neighbourhood sweetheart style they have going. It also seems like they used a little bit of green screen for some parts, which made it intriguing for me to watch. Besides that, I don’t really feel this video. It goes well with the song but there isn’t much to say about it.
TWICE’s dance breaks are to die for. Probably the best part of the entire video. Likey seems to tap into that memorable dance move for the ‘Likey Likey Likey‘ part but it seems complicated compared to their past routines. It does look like a fun dance routine to watch.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 7/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 7.7/10
BTOB has returned with their second full-length album, Brother’s Act, which is based on the movie, Sister Act (starring Whoopi Goldberg). The album returns to the group’s ballad roots that earned them recognition for this vocal and rapping skills, which they previously displayed in their ballad trilogy. And given their performance so far on the charts, this return is much appreciated by fans. Please note that I will not be looking into the Prelude or the Interlude of this album.
3. My Lady – My Lady is one of my favourite tracks off the album. The instrumental is definitely my style of music, so I started liking the song before I started paying attention to the other elements. Vocally (for both the singers and rappers), the song is on point. There was a nice balance between the members and the soft pop instrumental. My favourite parts of the song were definitely the “Give It Up” lines at the start of the pre-chorus and when Peniel started singing his lines. Finally, some light on who I think is probably one of the underrated members of the group. (10/10)
4. Red Lie(새빨간 거짓말) – Red Lie is a track that literally begs their significant other to stop lying to them and just break up because there is nothing more between them. My assumption with the title is the Red Lie is referring the girl’s red lips. The instrumental is quite nice, with the guitar giving the track a little colour and avoiding the ‘typical’ ballad trap. I would like to see them perform this song, as well. The upbeat instrumental of the chorus makes me very curious about that accompanying dance that they could add in alongside the song. (9/10)
5. Blow Up (신바람) – You can always expect BTOB to throw something quirky in the mix. Their performances for Blow Up were amazing. It is exactly what I would have expected if their personalities off stage and their music clash. Blow Up is the party track that definitely gets the party started. It is also a nice change for the album, which places a great focus on ballads and softer forms of music. (9.5/10)
7. Na Na Na (나나나) – Catching me off guard with this song is the fabulous intro that Sungjae delivered through his vocals. His vocals are so fitting for this song. Nonetheless, the other members do a great job but the real winner has to be Sungjae in this song. The song is essentially that Autumn track that you would listen to while having a walk in the park. And it is also a great track to sway along to, especially with that consistent thumping and guitar strumming instrumental. (9/10)
8. Dream (꿈에) – While it is good music, Dream fits right in with that typical ‘ballad’ stereotype. It is the one track on the entire album that I thought they could have spruced it up a bit. Most likely they composed the song that way to mimic a lullaby, but to me, it is the weakest song on the album. That being said, the vocals do add an element of appeal to the song. It is the raps that I thought were a little awkward for the song. (6/10)
9. Guitar (Stroke Of Love) – For a song with the title “Guitar”, there isn’t that much guitar in it. Until I looked into the lyrics and realized that they weren’t really talking about the instrument. Instead, the lyrics a little suggestive. Okay, not a little. They were downright sexual and it was not a misunderstanding scenario. “I’ll hit that G precisely, We’ll be making sweet music tonight, Let your neighbours know your name right now”. But musically, it is a more upbeat track that gives you some relief from the ballads you have been exposed to. (8/10)
10. Running Into Breakup (이별을 만나다) – The song is about when the guy is accepting the fact that they can no longer be together. Running Into Breakup does feel a tad bland in my opinion. But what saves it is the rappers, who display a great example of how raps should be in ballads, along with the swaying element that you probably know I seek in ballads now. (7/10)
11. Fly Away – This particular track is definitely one of the more pleasing tracks on the entire album. There is some warmth that comes from the sounds of it. The contrast between the minimal verses to the explosion of sound you get for the chorus was definitely one of biggest highlights of the song. The only thing that I have to say (once again) that does take the appeal away from the song are those autotuned parts at the end of the choruses. (9/10)
12. Finale: Our Concert (Finale: 우리들의 콘서트) – The album ends off with another sweet pop ballad, written for this fans. And it is extremely fitting to end on a more happier note, rather another love story. All the members shine brightly in the song, with the feel of inclusion quite prominent in the song. I love the epic instrumental and that section where everyone is singing in the chorus. (10/10)
During the week, IN2IT made their debut on the stage. For those who don’t know, the group was formed through the survival show, BOYS24. The show just never took off and never reached the same level of appeal as its competitors. Given the large gap between the show and the actual debut date, the show has seemed to undermine what popularity the members had gained throughout the show. But regardless of those observations, the group is made of 8 members (the Top 8 to be exact) and made their debut with their first mini-album, Carpe Diem.
The title track from the mini-album is Amazing and sadly, the title doesn’t capture the main sound of the song. Amazing takes on the tropical house. A side of me wants to say that is plain and boring now. It used to be something that I was into but since the genre has been so overworked, I have kind of gone on to find something new. However, there is a side of me that is appreciating the track. The weather has been gloomy the past few days (and in the next week), so a song like this does make it feel a lot sunnier. But sadly, I think the lack of appeal from the various elements of the song is overwhelming, leaving me disappointed with the final product. The vocals/rap don’t capture my attention. The instrumental (as previously discussed) is quite generic. The song doesn’t feel catchy and it doesn’t have me wanting more.
Shot in Kazakhstan, the video does an okay job at introducing the group to the viewers. I just felt like some of the scenes where they are singing to the music just really staged and unnatural, such as when one the members are singing while leaning on the car. Their interactions with one another seem a lot more appealing to my eyes. The choreography shots were pretty nice, along with the sots towards the end with the scenery and landscape. But besides that, the video just shows the guys having some fun on a road trip. Nothing that special, when you think about it.
Choreography wise, I thought it was quite good. Not amazing, like the song title, but decent enough for a debut.
Song – 6/10 Music Video – 6/10 Performance – 7/10 Overall Rating – 6/10
We now return to the usual schedule of reviews with EPIK HIGH’s Home Is Far Away. It has been a while since we last heard from EPIK HIGH entirely. Their last comeback was with Shoebox and title track Happen Ending, back in 2014. Since then, the trio had been a little quiet with their work but have returned with full force as evident through their appearance at the top of the charts. Their latest album, We’ve Done Something Wonderful, showcases many featuring artists including IU, Mino (Winner), Crush and many others.
Home Is Far Away features Oh Hyuk, the vocalist from Hyukoh. His nasal sounding vocals go a long way in this song as he features throughout the chorus. It adds a nice softer touch to the RnB based song, which pairs well with the more deeper raps that Tablo and Mirtha bring to the song. The movement towards the RnB track also seems to go well into the EPIK HIGH’s portfolio, who I am used to doing more upbeat emotional based songs. Tablo’s previous solo work gave us a taster into what RnB could sound like under the guidance of the group (because the members produce their own songs). Yes, their previous track was also RnB based but I wasn’t much of a fan of it. I had a better connection with this one for its sleek instrumental and appealing sound. It doesn’t necessarily grab your attention like some of their more notable works but it leaves you feeling full of emotion and thoughts about life.
The videos seem fitting for the song. The minimalistic vibes through the night time shots of the city landscape give off a stylish and smooth look for the song. The appearance of the members, along with Oh Hyuk is also quite refreshing, mainly because it has been so long since we last saw them. A small segment of EPIK HIGH and IU’s collaboration is also played at the end. I am not too sure about the significance of the connection between the two songs (or to the video) but I have to admit, IU’s voice does add more aesthetics to the video.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8.5/10
A.C.E is back after making their debut earlier on in the year with Catcus. This time, the rookie boy group opted to a somewhat more normal titled song, Callin’. In a more confusing manner, some of A.C.E members are participating in The Unit, which is a new TV show, like Produce 101, for those who have already debuted. While I don’t know the logistics of this, it makes me wonder how their promotions will fare.
Callin’ seems to be channelling their debut track with a few changes here and there. I am not saying the songs are exactly the same but there are a number of similarities between the songs. Callin’ has slow verses and this allows for a decent build up to the explosive chorus, whereas Cactus launched right into the fast thumping instrumental. In fact, I think the song manages to kick an edgier sound. And it is that change in bpm and edge that makes this track a stand out for me. If you have a decent set of speakers with great bass, this track is bound to sound awesome. Once again, they manage to pair the vocals well with the segments of the song and that the instrumental doesn’t overpower the members when they sing during the chorus. What I feel with most songs currently is that lack of that strong hook. However, the instrumental here will have me coming back for more.
Music video wise, they seemed to have gone all out with a high-quality type of video. And like the song, they manage to incorporate ways to make the music video feel trippy. My personal belief is that there isn’t enough trippiness in the video but that might be disagreed upon by other people. The fast scene changes go well with that faster chorus, which I think it a great aspect of the video. There doesn’t seem to be much to say about the content of the scenes so that basically ends this part of the review.
Like Cactus, the song provides another opportunity for the group to put their dance skills to the test and they manage to pull it off. It was a great performance to watch, especially the final seconds. No short shorts this time, which is a relief.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8/10
KPOPREVIEWED 