Category: KPOP

[Review] Ice On My Teeth – ATEEZ

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Following their earlier 2024 comeback with WORK and the first part of their Golden Hour series (yet to be reviewed, but it is incoming), ATEEZ has returned with the second instalment of the series. As part of that new mini-album is the new single Ice On My Teeth.

Elegant hip-hop is the first thing that came to mind when I heard Ice On My Teeth. The combination of the hip-hop beat and the classical elements melds together extremely well and created a very unique atmopshere. I do like how the song outros itself, re-emphasing the smoothness of Ice On My Teeth. But while I really liked the production of Ice On My Teeth, I did think the song could have gone further. It is quite subdued in its current state and the track really needed something to break this. I lowkey was expecting an explosive peak of some kind (perhaps an explosive high note from JONGHO or a really bold concentration of the music towards the end), just to really drive home the song. But we never got there. I can say the exact same thing about their vocals and rapping. They very much embrace the elegance and made sure they fit that vibe of Ice On My Teeth. But in doing so, they keep themselves so subdued and they needed some more oomph to break this consistency. The biggest issue I have with Ice On My Teeth are the lyrics. They stuck out from the very first listen, but not in a good way. If anyone can tell me what “I brought diamonds at my dentist, I’ve been playing like tennis” means, that would be much appreciated.

Just the song, the music video also goes down the elegant route. And there isn’t anything as elegant as a big mansion they are in. Throw in some renaissance art, ballerinas, chandeliers, headbusts – you pretty much get the picture. I do like how the video keeps it edgy (as this is ATEEZ we are talking about) by having everyone else in the video don balacavas (including the headbusts). The bonfire and setting the place alight also lends well to this edginess. All the members looks so good visually, as well as the camera work in the video.

For the performance, I really find their movement on stage to be so smooth. From the backwards shuffle to the slant crab-like walk (think there is a proper name for this move, but I cannot think of it), everything looked sleek and goes well with that elegance that is channeled through all aspects of the comeback. As for the rest of it, I liked how ATEEZ finds the balance to make sure it looks intense (like their other routines) without being visually intense. Their aura and charisma on stage must also be commended.

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

[Review] Running Wild – JIN (BTS)

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I only started covering the week’s newest releases yesterday, yet I am now jumping to the end of the week to cover JIN’s official solo comeback, Running Wild. This new song is featured on his first solo studio album, Happy, which makes him the final BTS member to release a solo album. Previously, JIN pre-released the single I’ll Be There and made his solo debut with The Astronaut back in 2022.

I never anticipated a full English track from JIN. So that aspect of Running Wild caught me by surprise. Neither did I expect a Britpop song from the BTS member, but I had no expectations as to what genre we would find JIN delving into for this solo comeback. Running Wild is a pleasant song, breezy and airy for the entirety of its run. The band instrumental is great, and I liked the uptick in its upbeatness during the chorus. Definitely makes for a gratifying track. Running Wild features some inviting and comforting vocals from JIN, which was great in helping Running Wild deliver its message of running towards hope and love. I do prefer his delivery in the verses more than the choruses, as you can hear his vocal colours and tone in those parts of the song. He handles the choruses’ falsettos just fine, but they do hide JIN’s distinct vocals. Also, I wish there was some stronger melodies and hooks, just to give Running Wild some more compelling moments to remember it by. In my mind, this was the primary issue for Running Wild. Pleasant, breezy and airy is all good and nice, but Running Wild is another song that just doesn’t linger around after it ends.

The music video opens up with a meteor shower. While the rest of the world panics and run, JIN is calm and collected. He ends up going in the opposite direction, opting for a roadtrip with his canine companion. He is definitely riding out the apocalyptic event in the way he wants to. He also drives by a family reuniting, indicating the path he is taking is one of hope and love, just like the message he conveys in the song’s lyrics. The whole montage at the end with JIN swerving his car to avoid the meteors as they hit the Earth was the unexpected. It resembled an action movie sequence. Something less intense would have been the expected path towards the end for this video. However, it was definitely cool and fun to watch.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10

[Review] No Doubt – ENHYPEN

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ENHYPEN was one of the groups to make their comeback earlier this week with the new single No Doubt and Romance: Untold -Daydream-, the repackaged version of Romance: Untold from July (which I have yet to review, but will do so soon). The original album was led by the singles XO (Only If You Say Yes) and Brought The Heat Back.

No Doubt takes ENHYPEN into R&B pop territory. In a few ways, No Doubt feels similar to XO (Only If You Say So). This new track also feels mellow and fluid track, brought on by the smooth and airy instrumentation. The big difference is No Doubt features a very slight funky tinge, which gives both the beat and instrumentation a little more bite and body. The same can be said about that whisliting-like effect in the background. It doesn’t explore anything new, but it is enough to make No Doubt feel upbeat. There is a refined and polished vibe exuding from the song, which helps ENHYPEN bring a more mature vibe to life elsewhere in the comeback. But despite smooth being a constant factor of No Doubt, I do find the textural aspect of their vocals to be somewhat ill-matched. I wished the vocals were not subjected to as much autotune and processing to better compliment the rest of No Doubt. In terms of memorability, No Doubt sits on the fence for me. Part of me likes the direction in which the melodies and hooks of No Doubt goes and sounds. But another part of me realizes, once the song ends, they just don’t seem to stick and is easily forgotten. Maybe more listens will help grow No Doubt on me. For now, No Doubt is a good song, but could have been better.

The song is about the changing feelings in a relationship. And the video depicts this through multiple scenarios. At the beginning of the video, the members are office workers exposed to sweltering temperatures and weather. Nothing feels as long as a hot day with poor climate control in the workplace, and the members liken this to a long day that occurs as a result of missing their lover. The boxing ring scenes are a bit more obscure, but the song does have a line that says “I want you, it’s so painful but, Oh, I’d burn myself to prove it baby, no doubt“, which indicates their willingness to go through something painful (like boxing) to be with their partner. Though the most obscure part of the video is the lobster hand that Niki is seen growing and donning at the end of the video to punch a whole in the wall. No clue as to what that represents.

The most memorable aspect of this comeback has to be the choreography. The key move is, without a doubt, the should movement with ENHYPEN’s hands in their back pocket (as per my featured image for the post – it is also the only group moment with all the members in the shot that I could find without a member being covered up or behind another member). But there is something about Heeseung’s forward body roll during the choruses in the music video that also grabs my attention.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 910
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] DRIP – BABYMONSTER

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As mentioned in my review of BABYMONSTER’s CLIK CLAK, I would soon return to review the second title track from their recent comeback with their first studio album, DRIP. The song is also titled DRIP and is the focus of this post. Previously, the group pre-released the single FOREVER in July of this year and is featured on the DRIP studio album.

In my opinion, DRIP is a far superior track to the other BABYMONSTER song (CLIK CLAK) that also leads this comeback. Most of DRIP (i.e., the verses) was quite good, making for BABYMONSTER’s best effort yet, in my opinion. Had this been the material they debuted with, BABYMONSTER would have made it on my radar as a rookie to look out for. The vocal work in DRIP was unexpectedly great. AHYEON’s high note towards the end of DRIP was spectacular, and the pre-choruses just ooze charisma. Even the rapping had me thinking ‘badass’ and ‘edgy’, new thoughts on BABYMONSTER. However, DRIP‘s weakest element is its choruses. It feels distinct from the rest of DRIP, steering the song differently and cutting the trajectory the verses built. I put this down to the heaviness of the chorus elements (i.e., instrumentation and textural vocals). The hooks were plain and lacked innovation. Put all of this together, and you have a centrepiece that was a letdown and didn’t continue the excitement I got from DRIP‘s verses. Even the added oomph to the final chorus territory of DRIP didn’t change my mind (and this, on occasion, would win me over).

The music video depicts BABYMONSTER making an entrance, going big and viral, and being covered on the news. They even started mass-producing the cassette tape for their DRIP album. The idea is a little cringy in my books, but I liked its presentation. After all, this is a YG Entertainment music video. I did like the edgy vibe the members were showcasing through their outfits. My favourite moment was the cameraperson’s reaction to ASA’s rap during the live news broadcast – definitely going off script compared to what was on the teleprompter.

The choreography for this comeback was all right. I don’t find it as mind-blowing or impressive as other people might have. I liked the body shaking while the members delivered the song’s main hook, but the rest of the routine looked a little too pretty or awkward for my taste.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10 [Updated on 17/11/2024 because it was missing from the published post]
Performance – 6.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10 [Updated on 17/11/2024 because it was missing from the published post]


[Album Review] BLOSSOM (3rd Mini Album) – Doh Kyung Soo (D.O – EXO)

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Just months after it was confirmed that Doh Kyung Soo (otherwise known as D.O from EXO) was leaving SM Entertainment to open his own entertainment company for his solo work (he will still be represented by SM Entertainment for EXO activities), the artist dropped his third mini-album, BLOSSOM or 성장. The mini-album features the pre-release single Popcorn, the title track Mars and four additional side tracks to enjoy. Honestly, there is no bad song on this mini-album, which reconfirms his status and potential to me as a solo artist beyond his group activities with EXO. At the time of BLOSSOM‘s release (May 2024), it was less than a year since Doh Kyung Soo released his second mini-album, Expectation, led by the single Somebody.

This is the final album review I have lined up for my ongoing break (one more pre-planned song review before I am officially back on Wednesday to post the next Weekly KPOP Charts and plenty more reviews coming your way after that!).

BLOSSOM Album Cover

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

2. Simple Joys (우리가 몰랐던 것들) – Simple Joys is a fairly simple song. Doh Kyung Soo delivers easy-on-the-ear melodies, and I enjoyed the upward inflection he uses when he ends some of the words in the lyrics during the verses. The acoustic instrumental features a light Latin influence to them. It follows the same idea of being simple, keeping it subtle yet just noticeable. The flute was also a nice touch and helped tie together the song as a whole piece. (8/10)   

3. Popcorn (Pre-Release Track) – Popcorn is a catchy pop track from Doh Kyung Soo. It is a light-hearted track with a memorable ring to it, thanks to the simple melodies, upbeat acoustic instrumentals and the simple utterance of the song’s title, Popcorn, in Doh Kyung Soo’s voice. His vocals are prominently featured in Popcorn and I loved how pronounced they felt in the track. I also highly recommend you watch the music video (see below), as Doh Kyung Soo is playfully cute and embraces himself in the video as he likens his feelings of love to the idea of popcorn. (9/10)

4. Good Night (오늘에게) – Good Night takes the form of a pop ballad. It starts off like a lullaby, complete with a rainy backdrop to make you feel sleepy. But as Good Night progresses, it introduces a heavy beat in the background; the other parts of the instrumentation begin building, and Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals soar. However, that being said, Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals are still soothing and warming throughout the song, and the melodies are still paced enough to get you drifting off to sleep whilst listening to Good Night. (8/10)

5. My Dear (매일의 고백) – My Dear is another acoustically instrumented track, this time with just an acoustic guitar. Doh Kyung Soo’s vocals are charming and warm in My Dear. Just the way he expresses himself, you can tell that he sings about love, and you can feel the giddiness that he feels whilst singing the song. (8/10)

6. About Time (어제의 너, 오늘의 나) – The final track on this mini-album is About Time. It is another pop ballad. You can feel the passion and emotions he puts behind his vocals in this song. The moment he launches into this passionate delivery is breathtaking and captivating. It is the moment I find myself returning to quite a bit, which elicits a listen out of me each time. An easy 10/10 track, in my opinion. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

Doh Kyung Soo’s teaser image for BLOSSOM / Mars.

[Album Review] You Had Me At Hello (3rd Mini Album) – ZEROBASEONE

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ZEROBASEONE is next in the lineup of reviews I have ready to post while I am on a little break before the end-of-year preparations kick in for me. The main focus of this post is their third mini-album, You Had Me At Hello, which was released in May of this year. Led by the pre-release single SWEAT and the title track Feel The POP, the mini-album features seven songs (including a sped-up version of the title track). Overall, it was a fair mini-album.

Since this particular comeback, the group has released their first original Japanese single, YURA YURA (which I will review in the future), and dropped their fourth Korean mini-album, Cinema Paradise (which features the title track GOOD SO BAD).

You Had Me At Hello Album Cover

1. Solar Power – The cool introduction to Solar Power felt like the album was being powered up. It brings quite an edgy energy to the song every time that intro sequence recurs in Solar Power. I quite liked the use of the deeper voices in this track, particularly in this recurring sequence, as well as the hefty beat and the trap elements in the instrumentation. Altogether, we get a cool hip-hop dance track out of Solar Power. I just think the song needed a more vibrant hook. (8/10)

2. Feel The POP (Title Track) – The track has grown on me slightly since I reviewed it. As such, I will be bumping up the song rating for Feel The POP to a 7/10. Click here for my original thoughts on Feel The POP. (7/10)

3. Dear ECLIPSE – Dear ECLIPSE takes us into R&B territory. Great vocals from the members, who fit in well with the R&B genre. The synths used in the instrumental felt quite dreamy, which I put down to how the rounded beat had a bit of a rebounding effect, which helped smooth out the background of Dear ECLIPSE. But while good, the song could have used a rap sequence. This would help cut through the smoothness and dreamy vibes that Dear ECLIPSE exudes, which tends to feel overly consistent. (8/10)

4. SWEAT (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for the full review for SWEAT. (8/10)

5. Sunday Ride – We turn to an upbeat mid-tempo pop track in Sunday Ride. It has a fun vibe to it. The vibrant energy I feel radiating off Sunday Ride makes me smile. It truly felt like a song you have playing while on a car trip with your friends. The feel-good vocals, the rapping that gives Sunday Ride some oomph and the all-member “Baby Baby” in the chorus were all my favourite parts of the song. (9/10)

6. Hello – The last original song on You Had Me At Hello is Hello, an acoustic guitar ballad. The song itself includes the title of the mini-album in its lyrics. The vocals work was nice, and you could feel the emotions for the fans the members put into Hello. I like the ending, where the powerful vocals suddenly take over before softening to close the song. It is that extra push from the members to make sure their passion (on top of all that emotion already mentioned) is captured in the song. (8/10)

7. Feel The POP (Sped-up Version) – See above for my review for Feel The POP.

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

[Overall album rating updated on 17/11/2024 due to calculation error]

ZEROBASEONE’s group teaser image for You Had Me At Hello / Feel The POP

[Album Review] Colours (2nd Mini Album) – Solar (MAMAMOO)

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The next album up for review on my blog is Solar’s 2nd mini-album, Colours, which was released back in April. It features the rock-ballad hybrid title track, But I, the contrasting single Colors (yeah, the spelling between this song title and the mini-album title confuses me) and an additional four songs. It follows on from Solar’s 1st mini-album, 容: Face, released two years ago (but I never got around to reviewing) and led by the single HONEY (which I reference below).

Colours Album Cover

1. Colors – Click here for the full review for Colors. (8/10)

2. But I (벗아이) – Click here for the full review for But I. (9/10)

3. Empty (텅) – Empty is a pop ballad Solar had written when she was lonely. The vocals were superb (did you hear that soaring high note and those ad-libs at the end?), and the melodies had this fluttery effect. The instrumentation was more on the typical side, but I don’t think that detracts from the rest of the song. (7.5/10)

4. Honey Honey – If you think this is a double-concentrated version of her last title track (HONEY, released in 2022), you guessed wrong. Honey Honey goes down more of an R&B route. What I liked about Honey Honey is how the producers set the song apart from other R&B numbers by getting Solar to self-amplify herself in terms of vocals and a more pronounced instrumental. I love the resultant oomph Honey Honey has, and the strings in the pre-choruses were a very cool moment. (9/10)

5. Easy Peasy – Easy Peasy is a folksy song featuring acoustic instrumentation and Solar singing in a high-pitched demeanour. While the folk direction is not my cup of tea, I liked how Solar handled and controlled her delivery throughout the song. The melodies are nostalgic, as well. (8/10)

6. Blues – Blues is an epic number to end the mini-album with. I remember being blown away when I first checked out the mini-album months ago. And I love that even after all this time, Solar still amazes me with her jaw-dropping and stunning vocals in Blues. I LOVED how the sexy and sultry bluesy energy that Solar exudes from this song, as well as the grandness of the instrumental. No wonder Blues emerged as my favourite, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to be blown away. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

Teaser image for Colours

[Review] Stray Kids – Stray Kids

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Another single off Stray Kids’ ATE mini-album is the self-titled Stray Kids. It is the seventh track on the mini-album, which includes the title track, Chk Chk Boom, and other side tracks like MOUNTAINS and JJAM.

Stray Kids features a more nostalgic and sentimental tone, much different from the “noisy” side of Stray Kids that many people associate with the group. After all, Stray Kids‘ lyrics speak to their journey as a group thus far. I do like the pleasantness that the song brings to the mini-album. The chorus is easy on the ears (mainly thanks to the all-English lyrics, which makes it easy to follow) and features straightforward melodies that help convey the track’s nostalgic and emotive side. As usual, the rappers did a great job of showcasing the passion behind their delivery and tweaking their style to fit the pop ballad style Stray Kids was going for. What makes Stray Kids extra special is that the song features a few references to some of their old songs. These include lyric references from their old songs that are well-strung to create a cohesive set of lines that encapsulate that nostalgic feel. They include Hellevator, LALALALA, TOPLINE, Blueprint and Lonely St.. The second is that the song references their introduction – Step Out! The third, though I am less sure about this one, is that trap elements in the song are reminiscent of DOMINO, although softened for the direction of Stray Kids. Altogether, I am sure STAYs (Stray Kids’ fans) will find this track touching.

The music video continues referencing their past works, featuring footage from Hellevator, Lonely St., and You Can STAY. It also recreates scenes from the music videos of MIROH and BLUEPRINT or contains elements from their Hellevator and District 9 era. Identifying these references as the video progresses was definitely fun and, once again, nostalgic. We also get footage of the members sitting in a cinema, re-watching all of the above and, figuratively, their journey. But what gets me is seeing the members packed into the elevator, just like they were in their pre-debut era.

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

[Review] GPT – STAYC

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STAYC returned last week with the single album …I and the lead single GPT. This follows their previous comeback in July with their first studio album, Metamorphic, and its lead single Cheeky Icy Thang.

The first thing I noticed about GPT is how it strikes a balance between different STAYC eras. The melodic side of GPT reminds me of their BEAUTIFUL MONSTER era, yet the instrumental has the upbeat energy and tone that reminds me of their early days. GPT melds these two styles together to create a cute and positively pleasant track. I liked this combination and enjoyed how well STAYC executes it. The melodies and vocals were pretty, and they glided along quite nicely. The instrumental felt glittery and funky. I liked the whistling behind GPT’s leading hook. The “Baby I Love You, Da da da da” hook, whilst initially plain, has grown on me thanks to its earwormy potential. However, if I had a magic wand to improve GPT, a stronger chorus and an additional hook would have been sought after. While the chorus and main hook present in GPT are fine, the song would benefit from a more robust centrepiece and perhaps another memorable hook. This would have made GPT catchier and stand out more. There is plenty of room for it. But as is, GPT has the potential to grow on me further, and this is definitely a good sign for the new song.

I am unsure if this is the right interpretation of the video, but this is my guess. Essentially, the members find this futuristic machine that, if they interact with it, puts them into dreamland, where they experience unrequited love. This hypnotises the affected members, making them appear in what felt like a cult at one point. However, one member was hesitant to interact with the machine and used a key, which they all mysteriously had, to destroy it. This frees the other members, who all run away and enjoy the fresh air and outdoors. I liked the dreamy aesthetic they were aiming for, but a few more clues would have helped with the interpretation.

I liked how the choreography embraced the upbeatness by featuring several bouncy moves throughout the performance. I also liked the cutesy touch that the routine carried, which made it feel fitting for the performance. But there are two standout elements – the smooth arms over-the-head wave they do at the song’s leading hook and the slo-mo part of the bridge. The latter was quite remarkable!

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] Over The Moon – TXT

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TXT returned at the start of the week with Over The Moon, the lead single from their 6th mini-album, The Star Chapter: Sanctuary. This is the group’s first release since April’s Deja Vu (which led their 5th mini-album, Minisode 3: TOMORROW, and July’s We’ll Never Change.

TXT takes us down a dreamy motif with Over The Moon. It is a good pop track with a decent beat. Several elements in the song are quite subtle, such as the slight oomph the chorus got through the paced electric guitar strum and the groovy bass guitar. However, they stand out in an otherwise simple and straightforward pop song like Over The Moon, though some more than others. The melodies are nice and pleasant throughout Over The Moon, as are the vocals that deliver them. But the song’s key and most memorable point is the “Over The Moon, Over The Star” falsetto. It is smooth and silky, which works well in a song as pleasant and dreamy as Over The Moon. But while Over The Moon is melodic, dreamy, and pleasant, the song doesn’t have much else to stand out in the sea of other KPOP songs out there at the moment. I do have concerns about how the song will linger in our minds past this week after their promotional cycle for Over The Moon is completed. It also doesn’t help that Over The Moon is how short and quick it is, which exacerbates my concern above.

The song expresses the exciting idea and prospect of love. Throughout the music video, we see the members getting ready in various ways, presumably to see their lover. YEONJUN is getting ready in the bathroom (hygiene is important), HEUNINGKAI exercises to look fit, and TAEHYUN prepares flowers for his lover. Beomgyu and Soobin were also doing other things in the music video, but I couldn’t exactly make out what or why they were doing what they were doing. I also like how the video shows how the rainy weather doesn’t dampen their spirits and emphasises their excitement for love. The dreamy colours were also a nice touch.

I like how smooth and upbeat the performance looked. This combination complements the dreamy nature of Over The Moon and the upbeatness of the song. It also made the song feel more substantial than it sounded. I enjoyed this routine and how it boosted the comeback’s appeal.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] Night Before The End – Xdinary Heroes

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Xdinary Heroes returned with their fifth mini-album, LIVE and FALL, just under a month ago. The lead single is Night Before The End. This comeback follows their Troubleshooting studio album (which I have yet to review—but it is coming!), which is led by the single Little Things.

Night Before The End is an emotional rock ballad. While it is good, it isn’t great, and there are a few reasons for this. While the group hits the nail with the rock ballad genre, I miss the energy and unique flair that Xdinary Heroes have provided with their other comeback singles. I acknowledge that it would be challenging to merge the two while keeping true to both styles. But I think Xdinary Heroes would have found a way to pull it off. As such, Night Before The End does feel a little typical for my liking. Xdinary Heroes did a great job of showcasing the emotions and heartbreak behind the lyrics. Listening to the song in passing, it is hard not to notice the heart-wrenching delivery and passionate emotions the members poured into it. However, hearing something more memorable from Night Before The End would have been nice. It doesn’t necessarily detract from my praise of their vocals, but I think Night Before The End would have spoken louder had it brought on a memorable melody or line. Overall, Night Before The End is good, but it needed something more and/or individualised to make it great.

This is my go at interpreting the video, which I think brings both the heartbreak behind the song and the mini-album’s concept to life. The music video depicts the members as butterflies, representing the mini-album’s ‘live’ concept. However, the video also shows the butterflies burning up as they fly up while the members fall to the ground (the ‘fall’ concept of the mini-album). As shown in the video, the fall also represents falling out of the idea of love, which is mentioned in the lyrics of Night Before The End. This depicts the current state of their relationships, hence the heartbreak and sullen expressions of the members throughout the video. I like the band moments, mainly for the fire, representing the passion and emotion they put out there in my mind. Seeing additional light in the dark music video was also lovely.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] CLIK CLAK – BABYMONSTER

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BABYMONSTER returned with their first studio album, DRIP, yesterday. The album is led by the title tracks CLIK CLAK and DRIP. In this post, I will review CLIK CLAK, and a review for DRIP will be published in the coming days. Previously, the group pre-released the single FOREVER in July of this year and is featured on the Drip studio album.

From the get-go, CLIK CLAK presents us with a hip-hop-influenced BABYMONSTER. This was an expected sound or era for a group associated with YG Entertainment. However, this is probably one of the weakest hip-hop tracks out there because CLIK CLAK was so bland for most of the song. The trap-based instrumental was stuck in neutral gear, and I felt drained while listening to the track. While this is just an instrumental problem, it does affect my perception of the members’ delivery. It is good to note that the members were prolific at times. But I wonder if that is because the instrumental was so bone-dry, anything would have come off as prolific. I did not find anything catchy or memorable about CLIK CLAK. It also doesn’t help that CLIK CLAK‘s lyrics are so tacky. As such, I found myself tuning out of the song. However, you get rewarded if you stick through the above and make it to the end. CLIK CLAK changes gears and converts the drain into a dynamic club track. I like this energy and shift, which is much appreciated after all the neutralness. I just wish we didn’t have to sit through the front end of CLIK CLAK to get there.

The music video fits the brief and makes BABYMONSTER appear edgy with its demeanour, outfits, styling, and black-and-white filter. But like the song, I found the video to be a bore. It could be the song affecting the viewing experience, but I don’t register anything in the video to be memorable in a good sense. Rather, two elements stuck out for me in the wrong way. CHIQUITA’s really baggy and long outfit and ASA’s sunnies. Just a no from me. But it could simply be because I don’t understand fashion.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 5/10
Overall Rating – 5/10

[Review] TRIGGER – THE BOYZ

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Now, I skip back to the start of the week when THE BOYZ returned with their 9th mini-album, 導火線 (TRIGGER). Their lead single also shares the same name. This is their first release since March’s Nectar, which was part of their PHANTASY studio album’s third and final part.

Over the last few weeks, I have delved into the world of theatric and epic instrumental music. This type of music helped me power through my long and tiring day. THE BOYZ’s TRIGGER has the same vibe as the theatric and epic instrumental music, and I can imagine it fitting in neatly into those playlists. TRIGGER’s EDM instrumental has bouncy elements that remind me of SuperM’s Jopping‘s instrumental. It also gives the verses a funkiness, an interesting and trendy dynamic in this otherwise dark dance track. The pre-choruses in TRIGGER switch the EDM for some classical instrumentation, changing gears to build momentum to the song’s choruses by slowing things down. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the producers and THE BOYZ handle it well. They used the short sequence well to simmer TRIGGER’s intensity in a concentrated manner to successfully bridge the EDM in the verses to the epic vibes in the chorus. The choruses double down more on the classical instrumental side, with some trap elements peeking through. This gives the instrumental excellent pompous energy but allows THE BOYZ to deliver their dance performance. I commend THE BOYZ’s delivery throughout the track. They matched the power and energy during each section of TRIGGER, ensuring the cool or epic vibes are carried through. SANGYEON and JACOB’s high notes were amazing. To be honest, vocally and rapping wise, I think this is THE BOYZ’s best effort. They really pulled out all the stops for this comeback.

The music video references the Greeky mythology of Prometheus, who stole a flame from the Gods to give humanity knowledge to develop their civilisation. However, humanity takes the fire and burns the world with it. This angers THE BOYZ, who disagree with humanity’s misuse of the flame. This triggers them, resulting in the events in TRIGGER’s music video. I am not sure if they are agents for the Gods or are humans who are looking to lead a rebellion against the rest of humanity for their misuse. However, I am leaning towards the former based on the imagery we saw towards the end of the video (the lightning might be a reference to Zeus, who was clearly not happy that the flame from the Gods was stolen by Prometheus. I also liked the addition of technology to the video, making it modern and futuristic.

The choreography for this comeback carries through that epicness I mentioned earlier. While there isn’t a standout move, I was in awe watching their performance last night on Music Bank. During the verses, the members show a chic and cool demeanour. As for the choruses, we get intense moves that give off angst and aggressive energy that THE BOYZ pulls off well.

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

[Review] POWER – G-DRAGON

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I am finally starting on the new releases for the week. But I am starting at the end of the week because KPOP royalty is back! G-DRAGON has officially returned to the music industry as a solo artist for the first time in seven years with the pre-release single POWER. We last heard solo music from G-DRAGON through Untitled, 2014 from 2017. More recently, we heard from G-DRAGON through the release of the BIGBANG single, Still Life, two years ago.

It takes all but 10 seconds for G-DRAGON to launch himself right back into funky hip-hop territory in POWER with a catchy and repetitive refrain. And it took the same 10 seconds for me to feel the beat and nod along to the song’s chorus. I loved how POWER packs a punch and contains so much vigour, which makes logical sense since the song is about power. G-DRAGON’s delivery was very nostalgic and punchy at times, almost jabby. But it wasn’t annoying or obnoxious. Instead, I found it to be calculated and well-timed. But whilst the setup was good, and I liked how it maintained its upbeatness and energy through and through (though this does bring up one issue – more on that in a second), POWER is let down by a few things. Firstly, POWER‘s short length makes it feel like it ends too quickly. I keep wanting more by the time it ends, particularly since POWER does end abruptly. Secondly, POWER is admittedly relatively consistent. I wish G-DRAGON played around more throughout the song. Potentially, POWER could have used some edginess to bring out some additional nostalgia and give us a taste of what we and the KPOP industry have been missing over the last seven years. But even despite those flaws, a returning song like POWER does feel as if G-DRAGON was eager to return after such a long period away.

It is my understanding that the music video references G-DRAGON’s career, including his most recent comeback with his fellow BIGBANG members in Still Life. It has been a while since I have watched G-DRAGON’s music videos, so I cannot tell what elements in this video is a reference to which music video. But I am sure the super sleuths of KPOP have (or will) come up with a list. I quite liked the addition of the hooded figures nodding along to the music. Very cool yet also mysterious and ominous. There is a bit of a dance at the very of the video that works well with the song. It has just enough edge to suit G-DRAGON’s style, but also a little craziness that matches the song.

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

[Album Review] IVE SWITCH (2nd Mini Album) – IVE

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On the album review front, IVE is next up in the hot seat with their second mini album, IVE SWITCH, released in April 2024. Led by the singles HEYA and Accendio, this mini-album features six songs. IVE SWITCH is quite a strong release for the girl group and is a definite improvement from their last era (Baddie) and mini-album (I’VE MINE, which I never got around to reviewing). More thoughts on this particular mini-album down below!

IVE SWITCH Album Cover

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

2. Accendio (Title Track) – Accendio has grown immensely on me since I reviewed it. I have probably listened to the song more times than HEYA and have decided to bump the rating for Accendio to be on par with HEYA. Click here for the full review for Accendio. (9/10)

3. Blue Heart –To me, Blue Heart is the synth-centric cousin of the Accendio. There is something magical about the song, particularly in the charming chorus. The instrumental features fast-paced synth work, giving the song propulsion and a chic exterior. The vocals were nice, and something is captivating about the autotune over the spoken vocals in the choruses that just feels right in this song. The pre-choruses feel effortlessly blissful. There is a lot to like in Blue Heart, so it ranks high in this album. (9/10)

4. Ice Queen – As for Ice Queen, this is the more haunting relative of Accendio. It has all the maturity and mysteriousness that Accendio is characterised by. A difference is the hip-hop influence that the chorus features, which works well. On top of that, I enjoyed the bubbly synth work that adds that mysterious touch to the song and the “Woo Ah Woo” follow-ups in the song. If I wanted anything further, I think Ice Queen would have benefited from some sharpness. But another strong song from the group! (9/10)

5. Wow – Following on from the string of 9/10 songs, Wow does feel more standard than the rest. But that doesn’t mean Wow is not a good song. The pop song features extremely pleasant vocals and a textural chorus that I enjoyed. (8/10)

6. Reset – Reset confirms that this album had no bad songs. I really liked the use of Afrobeats in this track. I was lowkey having a mini dance whilst listening to the song and writing this part of the review. I enjoyed this subtle feel of the song, which makes Reset so good. The vocals were cute and the hooks were catchy. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

IVE Switch Teaser Image

[Review] Cherish (My Love) – ILLIT

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ILLIT is shaping up to be an interesting group. Their debut single, Magnetic, made them widely known in the industry earlier this year, so it comes as no surprise that their expectant comeback single would rival or even surpass their Magnetic beginnings. But Cherish (My Love) was released earlier this week and has not been able to reach the same heights that Magnetic did. Only time will tell if it does. But for now, it doesn’t look hopeful for ILLIT.

Two things stand out in Cherish (My Love) for me. The first is the “Che-che-che-cherish” hook. It takes that repetitive refrain from their debut track and makes it relevant to the new song. It is simple and straightforward, and the members’ soft delivery of the hook is cute and easy on the ears. The second thing that stood out is… well… nothing else. Aside from the main hook I mentioned above, I don’t remember much else from Cherish (My Love), which speaks volumes to me. The imbalance between the hook and the rest of the song is quite prominent, and this distracted me the first time I listened to Cherish (My Love), and subsequent listens to the song. With Magnetic, the instrumental was buoyant and upbeat. In Cherish (My Love), the instrumental stagnates and doesn’t develop into much. Cherish (My Love) needed much more in the instrumental to make it more memorable. Whilst lovely, the rest of the members’ vocals just don’t have a memorable element to them. I can say the exact same thing about Cherish (My Love)‘s melodies. Unfortunately, Cherish (My Love) doesn’t do it for me. I much prefer Magnetic, which does pop into my head from time to time.

The Korean term for ‘wisdom tooth’ is quite similar to the Korean term for ‘love’. It is so similar that Koreans link love to when your wisdom teeth start to grow. As such, the members are obsessed with their teeth and wish for them to grow to experience love. That makes so much sense and gives context to the cute teeth-themed video. I am glad some people on the Internet have clarified what the music video is about. Otherwise, this part of the review would probably contain some comments on the weird obsession of the members’ teeth, and given the controversy between HYBE and MHJ, this probably would not have boded well for the group.

The performance of Cherish (My Love) is very charming, and I enjoyed it. I am not sure if the “Che-Che-Cherish” move would surpass the likes of Magnetic‘s key dance move, but I think it has the potential to do so!

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10