Category: KPOP

[Album Review] HOW? (2nd Mini Album) – BOYNEXTDOOR

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Still in April, we have BOYNEXTDOOR’s 2nd mini-album, HOW?, next up for an album review. It features the title track Earth, Wind & Fire, five additional side tracks, and the English version of the title track. The mini-album finishes the trilogy of releases the group debuted and returned with in 2023 – WHO? and WHY…. It is a strong mini-album release for the group and a great listen, overall.

Since their April comeback, BOYNEXTDOOR made another comeback with the new mini-album 19.99, the pre-release Dangerous and the title track Nice Guy. It is so recent the group is still promoting it.

HOW? Album Cover

1. OUR – BOYNEXTDOOR starts the mini-album with a hip-hop track (no surprises here). OUR is mid-tempo paced, which I am on the fence about. I would have loved for OUR to pick itself up as it progressed. I felt the track was missing BOYNEXTDOOR’s excitement that they have managed to infuse into their releases, and the more serious and subdued nature just didn’t feel representative of the group. But on the flip side, I recognise that had OUR picked itself up as desired, it would have lost the incredible flow, melodies, and execution that the members pulled off in OUR. (8/10)

2. Amnesia – While Amnesia does have a similar mid-tempo pace as the previous song, I felt a slight presence of the members’ personalities in the track. And this made the song more appealing to me. I really liked the softer, whispery tones they use in the choruses, which reflect well with their perspective of their relationship (i.e., they find themselves regretting fights in a toxic relationship but find themselves having ‘amnesia’ after things ease and returning to the relationship as if nothing happens). The sing-song rapping in the chorus had a nice rhythm to it. (9/10)

3. So Let’s Go See The Stars – BOYNEXTDOOR brings a touch of retro to the mini-album through the synths used in So Let’s Go See The Stars. In addition, some rock also makes a welcomed presence, bringing some excitement to the song. The melodies, rhythm and the members’ tone were delightful, fueling a nice and sweet song. I genuinely get the good vibes of a late-night drive with your crush to watch the stars and enjoy the peacefulness of each other’s company. (8.5/10)   

4. Earth, Wind & Fire (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Earth, Wind & Fire. (7.5/10)

5. l i f e i s c o o l – As mentioned previously, there is a playfulness to BOYNEXTDOOR’s songs that I associate with them. And we really delve into that in l i f e i s c o o l. It is a very chill and easy-to-follow track for the most part. Everything just feels very carefree, and I love that for them. However, right at the end of l i f e i s c o o l, just when you think the song has wrapped up, LEEHAN changes up the song to bring in a jazzy motif through his solo moment. It is definitely a big change in contrast to the rest of the song, but it is a memorable one. (10/10)  

6. Dear. My Darling – Whilst the shortest track on the mini-album, Dear. My Darling is a recommended listen. The track is a rock ballad with blissful vocals from all members and swaying melodies I seek out in all ballads. My only complaint about Dear. My Darling is that it is too short! (9/10)

7. Earth, Wind & Fire (English version) – See above for my review of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

HOW? / Earth, Wind & Fire Teaser Image

[Review] Spell – SEVENTEEN’s Performance Team

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Two weeks ago, I started reviewing SEVENTEEN’s unit singles from their compilation album, 17 is RIGHT HERE, released in April of this year. I reviewed the Hip-Hop Team’s LALALI first. Today, I will review the Performance Team’s Spell. I will be back to review the Vocal Team’s Cheers of Youth later this week to be ready to review SEVENTEEN’s next comeback, which is happening in just over a week.

Spell is a sophisticated and elegant dreamy number. It is an interesting sound for the Performance Team, whom I associate with more intricate beats and heavier sounds that lend well to becoming a dance-centric performance track. But I am all for exploring different sounds, and Spell is a successful venture for the unit. The instrumental is soft, uniquely utilising percussion and Afrobeats to help create that dreamy aesthetic that we all feel from Spell. Also soft were the quartet’s vocals, which were superbly hazy and tranquil throughout Spell. Catchy hooks also help make the song even more appealing, even if some of it (the “Adila kiya akiya shurapoeh“) was a made-up language for the song. While listening to the song previously, there were times when I felt the members’ vocals took me away, just like you expect a good dream would do. But while the dreamy motif was a constant throughout Spell, I liked it when their vocals tapped into their lower and deeper registers. It was a good and subtle move from the producers to ensure Spell didn’t stay consistent, which could have been a real danger for this song. From how I heard it, they managed to just do enough to stop Spell from feeling dull and like it didn’t go anywhere. But I do think there is room in the song to do more. Nonetheless, Spell is a very different and unexpected direction for the Performance Team. But one that does pay off.

That dreamy aesthetic is carried over into the music video. The video features a tarot card concept, with the members each being a character on a card (see the featured image for this post)—THE8 being The Heart, HOSHI being The Wings, DINO being The Arrow, and JUN being The Apollo. The outdoor scenes, the sets, the outfits, and the makeup donned by the four members all have this dreaminess that puts you in awe and captivates your attention, just like the song does. Definitely a stunning video and one I recommend you check out down below.

As this is a Performance Team track, a choreography is attached. To match the song, it is smooth and features many soft movements. The Performance Team also adds sexiness to the routine, which just works wonderfully with the song. You can hear the fans go wild during these moments in the stage performance SEVENTEEN has uploaded for our viewing pleasure. But the choreography isn’t the only element to take away from the performance. Their smouldering looks and alluring vibe must also be mentioned and highlighted. It is a big part of the routine and highlights the members’ charisma and charm.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.1/10

[Album Review] Minisode 3: TOMORROW (6th Mini Album) – TXT

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TXT is due to return to the stage next month with a new comeback. But ahead of that, I still got a mini-album of theirs to review. TXT made their comeback back in April of this year with the title track Deja Vu and the mini-album Minisode 3: TOMORROW. Today, I am finally getting around to reviewing it. Alongside the title track, the mini-album also features two group songs, two unit songs, an 8 second morse code and a remix of the title track. In total, 7 tracks are featured on this mini-album.

Overall, Minisode 3: TOMORROW is a decent mini-album from the group. It may have gotten what appears to be a high rating in the end (scroll down below to find out what that looks like). But when compared with the rest of the mini-albums I have reviewed over the last 8 years or so now and also TXT’s discography that I have reviewed thus far, it falls in the middle range. Minisode 3: TOMORROW is definitely not their best, but it still brought the TXT sound back into the forefront of the industry when it was released. And occasionally, I do find myself going back to the title track, which is an indicator that it has grown on my slightly (but not enough to bump up the rating). Anyhow, continue reading to see what I thought about the mini-album.

Minisode 3: TOMORROW Album Cover

1. I’ll See You Tomorrow (내일에서 기다릴게) – Kicking off the mini-album is a funky house number. I’ll See You Tomorrow has great bass and the beat just hits. I enjoyed how deep some of the vocals were, which works well with the hefty beat and heavy bass. But it is the opening line to the chorus that steals the show. The simplicity of the line and how the instrumental consolidates just makes this moment so memorable for me. Definitely a very attractive opening to the mini-album. (10/10)

2. – — — — .-. .-. — .– (Tomorrow) – Yeah, Tomorrow isn’t a full fledged track. It only lasts a whopping 8 seconds, just enough time for the morse code for ‘Tomorrow’. Though, it is clever inclusion between a song titled I’ll See You Tomorrow and Deja Vu in terms of story-telling.

3. Deja Vu (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Deja Vu. (7.5/10)

4. Miracle (기적은 너와 내가 함께하는 순간마다 일어나고 있어) – The mini-album’s final full group song (aside from the remixed title track at the end) brings back the long Korean title that TXT releases used to have and the rock genre that TXT has visited back in 2021. I enjoyed how relatively smooth Miracle felt. Miracle’s rock sound and beat are very fulfilling, while the synths featured in the background gives it a playful and light-hearted zing. The vocals were superb in Miracle. Altogether, Miracle has this timelessness to it. (9/10)

5. The Killa (I Belong to You) – Performed by YEONJUN (who just made his solo debut with GGUM) and SOOBIN, The Killa is a sensual R&B track. There are a few things to like in The Killa – the guitar was nice; the beat gives the song some heft; and both YEONJUN and SOOBIN vocals are smooth. However, altogether I found the track to be the most skippable on the mini-album. I don’t remember much of it after it wraps. What I do know is the pair does one hell of a job on stage for this song, based on what I can see on my timeline and recommended videos. (7/10)

6. Quarter Life – BEOMGYU, TAEHYUN and HUENING KAI form the second unit to bring us Quarter Life. The track is a mid-tempo rock song that packs a punch, thanks to the emotional vocals from all three members. The lyrics are also quite relatable, especially since I am in the same age range as the members (weird flex?). Maybe it the lyrics and the emotional delivery, but Quarter Life does remain in my mind, even after the song wraps. (9/10)

7. Deja Vu (Anemoia Remix) – See above for my review for Deja Vu.

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Minisode 3: TOMORROW / Deja Vu Teaser Image

[Review] Curious – UNIS

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UNIS is an eight-member female group that debuted earlier this year with Superwoman. It was formed through the show Universe Ticket. The lineup consists of Hyeonju (a member of Cignature), Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoona, and Seowon. Now, you might notice that this review isn’t for Superwoman. Instead, I wanted to focus on their first comeback single Curious, which is more recent and was quite popular. I am not exactly sure when I will review Superwoman at this stage.

Curious makes a statement with its electric guitar rock riff from the first second. This rock influence continues throughout the song, giving the single so much potential. For the first verse and until the end of the first part of the chorus, the producers of Curious make good use of the riff. The members brought good energy with their vibrant vocals, which felt on par with the energy from the rock riff. But from then on, Curious didn’t tap into that full potential, which was perplexing. The song’s main refrain (the part following the first section of the choruses) felt too plain and monotone for the intensity of the rock. I will admit that the “Neoman Molla / Why don’t you only know” became quite catchy and addictive, but I felt it could have been so much more. The second verse features a rap-speak section that doesn’t connect with the rock influence in the background, leaving this part of Curious feeling awkward. The bridge recovers some of the momentum through the stomping-like beat, rebuilding the song to a potential peak. Unfortunately, the follow-through never eventuated, and the song reverted back to its plain hook as the ender, which was quite disappointing. Curious needed a meaty final chorus, and what we got did not fit the bill. Curious is a good song, but some parts could have been better.

In the music video, UNIS is curious about what is beyond their world. This curiosity is sparked when the members discover people watching and liking them from above through their screens, making the group realize there is more to the world. They end up tying up the lady, who seems to be controlling of the members, before running off into the world beyond what they are used to. They now have the freedom to do whatever they want – so one steals a sword to become the new production logo, and another plays in the sand (while a producer tells them off). The lady reappears in the store where the members are having fun, but we don’t know what happens to her. Instead, the members run off to build a rocket and let it fly off at the end of the video, creating some confetti and ice cream rain. Overall, it is a video not to be taken seriously and suits the members’ cute and youthful vibes.

The choreography was good and worked well with the beat of the song. However, I felt some moves could have been a bit more intense to match Curious’s power exuded from the guitar riff in the instrumental. Some parts focused on smaller and cutesy movements, which worked for the group but not so much with the song. The bridge was the best part of the routine.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10

[Album Review] SUPER REAL ME (1st Mini Album) – ILLIT

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Ahead of their upcoming comeback later this month, I am finally reviewing ILLIT’s debut mini-album, SUPER REAL ME. The mini-album features four tracks, including the title Magnetic (one of the most successful debuts of the year) and the second promotional single Lucky Girl Syndrome. It is also one of the shortest mini-albums I have ever encountered, lasting less than 10 minutes. Let’s see if this compact mini-album is any good! (Spoiler: It is really good!)

SUPER REAL ME Album Cover

1. My World – My World has the important job of opening up the mini-album and introducing us to ILLIT. It is a short one, but it does a really nice job. My World starts with a fantastical and atmospheric sound before landing on a playful and fun vibe from the music, the lyrics and the members. All of this leads well into the title track. (8/10)

2. Magnetic (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Magnetic. (8.5/10)

3. Midnight Fiction – The pleasant feel of Midnight Fiction really comes through. And I mean the word ‘pleasant’ in a very positive sense. The chorus feels calming and soothing, while the melodies and vocals are swift and breezy. The guitars in the backing feel profound (especially in the choruses) in a subtle sense, while the beat brings a slight bounce to Midnight Fiction that moves the song forward without disrupting that pleasing feel. (9/10)

4. Lucky Girl Syndrome – I am completely aware of a music video for Lucky Girl Syndrome. Time is not on our side for a separate review on this occasion. This is by far the best track for me on the mini-album. I like the track’s extra bass and heft, which isn’t present in the rest of the mini-album. The rest of the instrumentation (i.e., the fluty synth) was fun and intriguing. The chorus was super catchy, and I remember replaying the song several times when the mini-album was first released. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

SUPER REAL ME & Magnetic Teaser Image

[Review] SAD SONG – P1Harmony

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Just over a week ago, P1Harmony returned with their 7th mini-album and latest title track, both of which are titled SAD SONG. This latest comeback follows their Killin’ It era earlier this year.

SAD SONG has been growing on me ever since its release. I didn’t think much about the song during my first listen, mainly because SAD SONG‘s Latin-tinged instrumental was on a repetitive loop that didn’t feel all that enticing. However, since its release on 20 September, additional listens have warmed me to the repetitive loop. The repetitiveness is still prevalent, and there will always be the risk of it making SAD SONG feel overdone the more you listen. But I don’t mind it as much now. Instead, I now enjoy SAD SONG‘s upbeat energy, thanks to P1Harmony’s dynamic rhythm and flow during the verses and choruses. They helped compensate for the instrumental’s repetitiveness and keep SAD SONG on its feet. KEEHO and THEO’s vocals in the pre-choruses and the bridge feel so satisfying. There is also a punchy feel from the members during the choruses, which helps drive up the song’s appeal and makes it memorable. I actually find myself humming the choruses’ rhythm a fair bit now. Finally, I feel wrong for saying this, but I find the Latin tinge somewhat refreshing. Don’t misunderstand – there is nothing wrong with the Latin influence. However, it has been so overdone in KPOP so many times before. There is a reason why we don’t hear much of it anymore in KPOP. Overall, SAD SONG is another strong song from P1Harmony.

The video’s official description confirms that the song is about the “emptiness and loneliness that came to P1Harmony, who became a HERO after saving the world and restoring peace.” The video depicts P1Harmony having those feelings, allowing the visual component of this comeback to continue from their DISHARMONY and HARMONY series. I think the members could have done with more emotion in the video. However, the music video does have a hard job of balancing that emotion with the upbeatness of the song.

I liked the choreography for this comeback. I enjoyed the punchiness and sharp movements throughout the routine. The chorus’ routine strongly displays both characteristics.

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

[Review] Rains In Heaven – NCT DREAM

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Back in August, NCT DREAM released their first original English single, Rains In Heaven. This follows their Korean comeback earlier in the year with Smoothie and DREAM()SCAPE, and their Japanese Moonlight comeback (which I have yet to review and will do so in a future International Song Review post).

If you cast your mind back to before this release, NCT DREAM’s other non-Korean release (Best Friend Ever) was quite subdued. Rains In Heaven continues that subdued trend. Just like how I stated in Best Friend Ever‘s review, there is nothing wrong with the subdued sound and Rains In Heaven is another great example. Sure, it has not reached the same heights as their Korean non-subdued releases, but that doesn’t mean Rains In Heaven should be overlooked. Everything you hear in Rains In Heaven is just so heavenly and pleasant, which complements the song’s comforting and heartfelt message that empathises with those who are hurt or struggling, and being a support to those people. I am sure this song has touched many listener’s hearts – it did so for me. As for the other elements of Rains In Heaven – the atmopsheric and etheral instrumentation delves into 1980s pop, with the synths and beat coming from that era. There are some modern elements in the song, but these are very minute. The subdued nature allows NCT DREAM to explore melodic material, evident by the stunning all-vocal chorus that take the centre stage in Rains In Heaven. Both the harmonies and melodies captivate me each time I listen to the song. It still contains some rapping, which does contrast with the melodic and harmonies. But they strike a really good balance that doesn’t disrupt the energy of the song. The outro is a really good example of this, with the harmonies, melodies and rapping working together to close out the song in a very memorable and strong fashion. it is needless to say, but I really liked Rains In Heaven.

To me, it was still a good video, but there wasn’t a whole heap going on in the video to really comment on. We see the members wander around for majority of the video, but it isn’t clear if they are experiencing struggles of their own. The scene between JENO and JAEMIN does seem to depict that, but I am not sure of the scenes with the other four members. But what the video does convey strongly is the support for one another when they are together and not alone, which complements the song’s lyrics. From the second chorus onwards, choreography scenes are infused into the video and I like that mini wow factor it brings when we see them for the first time in the video.

While there has not been an official performance video for this release, a big portion of the music video is dedicated to the choreography. NCT DREAM has also performed Rains In Heaven as part of their current world tour in America. I like the range of smooth and softer movements, with the sharper and more intense movements in this choreography. By having this range of moves, the performance acknowledges both the emotive sides of the song and the relatively hefty beat of the track. But the best part of the entire routine has to be the outro, where they really go in hard.

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

[Review] Pleasure Shop – KEY (SHINee)

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The other comeback at the start of the week was KEY’s solo comeback with Pleasure Shop, the title of both his latest lead single and mini-album. This is his first solo Korean release since Good & Great released a year ago.

Pleasure Shop starts off with atmospheric synths before it developing into a smooth and groovy house track. I quite enjoyed how seamless this transition sounded. The contrast between atmopsheric and house stands out and has some impact. From there, I really liked the glide the instrumental had. This is particularly emphasised during the choruses, where the melodies and smoothness of the instrumental complement each other nicely. On the topic of the choruses, the most memorable element of the Pleasure Shop‘s centrepiece were the opening line (i.e., the “It’s a, it’s the Pleasure Shop“). I wished the rest of the choruses followed through with a more memorable refrain throughout it. This could have taken Pleasure Shop to a new level, especially since the song retains the smooth and groovy house backing for a large part of the song which raises a potential issue of consistency. What we do get presently is fine, but just not there. Moving on from the choruses, I liked how everything felt a tad heavier in terms of instrumental and KEY’s faster delivery. It doesn’t change up Pleasure Shop a whole lot, but it makes the second verse punchier and cuts through the consistency of the song (resolving that concern mentioned earlier). It also gives KEY some oomph, which pays off. Overall, Pleasure Shop is a good solo track for KEY – it just needed a bit a more to the chorus.

I am not exactly sure is going on in this video. After doing some digging, I found this thread on Reddit, which has this comment (screenshot of the comment below – props to kreasburger!) that explains the video much better than I ever would. Aside from the messaging of the video, I liked the visual effects and post-production of the music video. KEY’s range of outfits is also quite a memorable element in the video. All of these other elements definitely makes for a cool video to watch, even if the story isn’t as intuitive as other videos out there.

As for the performance aspect of the comeback, I really like it. It looks fun and uncomplicated. The moves themselves feel very stylish, which matches the song quite well. The entire second verse portion of the choreography was definitely the highlight. That part definitely goes in hard, on par with how ‘heavy’ that sequence got in Pleasure Shop.

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

[Review] Electric Shock – KANG DANIEL

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It has not been a great week for me. But now that the work week is over, I am jumping back on board to review some new releases from this week. First is KANGDANIEL’s return with Electric Shock and his 5th mini-album ACT. This is the soloist’s first return since SOS mid-last year. It is also his first comeback since closing down KONNECT Entertainment and signing on with Artistic Round Alliance (ARA).

Even when not posting on the blog, I check out all the new releases. Electric Shock was no different when it officially dropped earlier in the week. My first impression was that Electric Shock just didn’t get anywhere. It has the quintessential KANGDANIEL sound, mainly because the track serves as a vessel for KANGDANIEL’s consistent and unfiltered vocals. Personally, I didn’t mind that. He does sound good throughout the song. However, it didn’t help that the rest of Electric Shock (from instrumental to hooks) was weak and lacked… well… electricity. The mid-tempo pop instrumentation was just too consistent from start to end, and this admittedly did drag down KANGDANIEL’s vocals. Sure, it was subdued and laid-back, but I think more oomph could have really boosted Electric Shock to better proportions. With such a title, you expect some spark to the song. But that was noticeably missing from the first pass of Electric Shock. I do detect a slight groove to the instrumental, but it was not enough to compensate for the rest of the song. The melodies and hooks were mildly memorable, but not the song relied on the stock standard hooks that we have heard time and time again. Similar to the instrumental, these also could have used some spark. Overall, Electric Shock comes off as a skippable track. Some of the side tracks on his mini-album definitely could have served better as the title track.

KANGDANIEL looks for something stimulating in the music video. He plays two characters in the video. The primary character is the nerdy and secluded KANGDANIEL, an assistant on the music video shoot. The secondary character is the cooler celebrity, KANG DANIEL, with whom is familiar. The nerdy and secluded KANGDANIEL has this electrical shock ability that makes him feel awkward and isolated from the rest of the world. As part of his job as an assistant, he gets to watch the cooler celebrity KANGDANIEL and wants to be like him. But as the video progresses, the nerdy and secluded KANGDANIEL has his moments that make cooler celebrity KANGDANIEL’s music video shoot more fun and exciting. Through this stimulating experience, he quickly learns that he is unique in his own way and doesn’t need to be cool to be comfortable with himself. As for celebrity KANGDANIEL, his music video looks more exciting, cooler and better.

There is something so clean and with ease about the heart shape KANGDANIEL makes with his hands that makes that part of the choreography stand out for me. As for the rest of the routine, some bounce to it also looks easy and effortless. But altogether, it seems complex and challenging to pull off. His charisma and charm also come through the performance.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Album Review] FOUREVER (8th Mini Album) – DAY6

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Back in March, DAY6 made their long-awaited comeback since April 2021 with Welcome To The Show. This single leads the band’s 8th mini-album, FOUREVER. It also marks the first album release since the departure of former member JAE. FOUREVER consists of seven songs in total, including Welcome To the Show (as mentioned above) and the more recent chart-topping hit HAPPY. The rest of the mini-album also deserves the same glory, becoming one of the highest-rated album releases on my blog for the year. I also highly recommend you check out the entire mini-album, as well. More recently, DAY6 returned with their 9th mini-album, Band Aid, led by the title track Melt Down.

FOUREVER Album Cover

1. Welcome To The Show – Click here for the full review for Welcome To The Show. (10/10)

2. HAPPY – HAPPY is a late bloomer, topping the charts almost 6 months after its release. Congratulations to the band!! HAPPY is a heavier rock track that has a bright melody. But don’t let the brightness fool you. DAY6 sings about their desire to be happy one day, implying that they are not in that current state. Despite not conveying the happiest message, I enjoyed how fulsome the vocals were, which I think is what is currently resonating with listeners. (9/10)

3. The Power of Love – Retro is the name of the game for The Power of Love. While the band has done retro before, it has been a while since we have heard something like this from them. So, it comes off as quite refreshing. Similarly, their vocals also add to that refreshing vibe. I can also see The Power of Love in a parallel universe becoming one of their earlier title tracks. (8/10)

4. Get The Hell Out (널 제외한 나의 뇌) – Get The Hell Out leans into a more punkish vibe, which I really liked. The powerful and energetic tone Get The Hell Out exudes also makes it memorable on this mini-album. The drumming was a highlight in the song (great job to DOWOON!), which I can’t help but foot tap along. I also liked the synthesizer keyboard in the background. SUNGJIN’s rougher texture suits the song so well, while the ‘Get The Hell Out’ refrain is also quite memorable. (9/10)

5. Sad Ending (나만 슬픈 엔딩) – Sad Ending gets my vote for best song on the mini-album. I loved how each member stood out in their own way in the song. The instrumentation for this track was super cool. Particular shout out to WONPIL on the keyboard in Sad Ending, which was very striking and bold. DOWOON on the drums also deserves a shout-out, as he goes into the track hard. YOUNG K and SUNGJIN’s guitar work and vocals round out Sad Ending, creating a track you should simply not skip. (10/10)

6. Let Me Love You (사랑하게 해주라) – When I listen to Let Me Love You, people like Celine Dion flash in my mind. I mean this as a compliment for DAY6. If they release songs that remind me of the Queen of Power ballads, then they are doing something right. While they don’t necessarily hit the wow factor with Let Me Love You, relative to other power ballads, DAY6’s “Let me give you all my love” opening line for the choruses is still quite emotive and heartfelt. The same can be said about the rest of their vocals and melodies in this rock ballad. (9/10)  

7. didn’t know (그게 너의 사랑인지 몰랐어) – Closing out the mini-album is didn’t know, a stunning modern rock track. Alongside the rock and band instrumentation are these beautiful strings that create a blissful and atmospheric combination that captivates. The vocals were superb and felt very emotional, which made complete sense since didn’t know is a song about the regret of not knowing the person you were interested in was also interested in you. This one, aesthetically, earns a 10/10 from me. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.3/10

[Album Review] DREAM()SCAPE (6th Mini Album) – NCT DREAM

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NCT DREAM’s DREAM()SCAPE is next up for review. Released in March 2024, the mini-album features a total of six songs, including the title track Smoothie. In the lead-up to this comeback, the group released videos that made up the ‘()Scape Film‘ series, which I highly recommend you check out if you have not already. The storytelling and acting of the members were very riveting. It was a solid start to this era of NCT DREAM’s careers. More recently, NCT DREAM made a comeback in Japan with a single titled Moonlight, and an English single titled Rains in Heaven. The group is also on a world tour associated with last year’s ISTJ studio album and DREAM()SCAPE.

Dream()scape Album Cover

1. Icantfeelanything – Icantfeelanything is quite an opener. Can’t say it is the best from the top of my mind, but it would definitely be up there. The track is quite euphoric, with the dreamy start and vocals throughout the track being the main driver. The abrupt EDM switch-up and the pulsing beats give off a psychedelic feel that makes Icantfeelanything so unique. The title is realized, regardless of either side of the song. (10/10)

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

3. BOX – BOX’s best part is its chorus. There is something about the members coming together in BOX during the chorus, which feels smooth and blissful. The “Don’t put me in a BOX” is quite memorable. I also like how dramatic the synths get during the central piece. The rest of this R&B dance track featured hip-hop geared rapping from the rap line and alluring vocals. HAECHAN, CHENLE, and RENJUN’s vocals in the bridge were also another highlight in BOX. The etchy synth loop was quite characteristic, as well. (8.5/10)

4. Carat Cake – The Jersey Club mix in Carat Cake’s background makes this track bold and intriguing. The beat hits hard. Some are subtle and soft, while others are short sharp jabs that artistically contrast Carat Cake‘s softness. All of this created an alluring atmosphere that I still find myself become so captivated by. I really like the mix of vocals and rapping in Carat Cake. Some vocals were airy, while others were heavier and more textural through autotune. RENJUN’s part at the 1:15 mark is one of the best in the track which I would be glad to replay. The rapping was slighter than usual, but still punchy. The whispering also gives Carat Cake a lot of character. (10/10)   

5. UNKNOWN – UNKNOWN takes the mini-album down a few notches with this chill R&B track. Again, the song features atmospheric synths in the background, and the trap percussion feels like sprinkles over the top of the synths. What makes UNKNOWN good are the vocals and rapping. The vocals are so delicate and soft throughout UNKNOWN, while the rapping contrasts with the rest of the song by going in hard. I just wished the melodies were a little more memorable. (9/10)

6. Breathing (숨) – The final track on the mini-album is Breathing. It is more of a heart-warming and beautiful track compared to the other tracks before it. The vocals were lovely, as are the melodies and harmonies that NCT DREAM showcases in the song. The instrumentation follows the same vein as the above tracks – atmospheric. But there is a soothing and comforting element to the Breathing that sets it apart from the rest. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

Dream()scape / Smoothie Teaser Image

[Review] NA – HWASA (MAMAMOO)

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We last saw HWASA a year ago through her I Love My Body comeback. Yesterday, HWASA made her solo comeback with her second mini-album, O, and the title track NA.

To me, NA takes a page from PSY’s, her current label’s founder, discography. NA‘s choruses have that nonsensical vibe that PSY’s music has. The electronic instrumentation of the chorus (and NA in general) also screams PSY. While it is a different dynamic for HWASA, this practically strips HWASA’s personality from the song. I get the desire to do something different and probably something more energetic than usual, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of the unique and individualistic charm that HWASA has. I am unsure if this was her decision or a company one, but either way, HWASA embraces the song and executes it with her signature raspy vocals. For the most part, she sing-talks her way through NA. It’s not exactly the most riveting delivery, but it works. She sounds best during the pre-choruses, giving us a taste of that vocal flair that the song calls for. The melodies here are striking and give NA some stylistic flair. Elsewhere in the song, when HWASA gets a chance to use her vocals (and less of that sing-talk or rapping motif), they come off incredibly plain. The same can be said about NA‘s hooks, which also fail to capture my attention. I wished this aspect of the song was more dynamic and robust. Even NA‘s outro failed to really spark.

The music video shows HWASA embracing herself and feeling uber confident as she takes in all the attention that is on her. Shooting the music video in Paris provides a lovely and rustic background, and where better to love oneself, but in the city of love. Her fashion throughout the video is on point. Noting above where the song reminded me a lot of PSY’s work, there was a similar yet subtle energy coming from the music video, particularly when it comes to the post-chorus sequences.

The choreography routine for this comeback comes off as fun. I like how it retains a bit of HWASA’s sexy style via those butt lift moves she does in the chorus. It is edgy and bound to spark chatter, something HWASA does not shy away from. The rest of the chorus routine was just as awesome. I liked the little leg lift HWASA and the dancers do. It seems out of place, but it just catches your eye in this routine.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Review] GGUM – YEONJUN (TXT)

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Earlier this month, it was confirmed that YEONJUN would make his solo debut with his first mixtape, GGUM. The mixtape consists of only one song with the same title. Meanwhile, TXT is currently in the midst of their third world tour, ACT: PROMISE.

GGUM will be polarising. At the onset, there is a lot within the track that I can see people being against—the song’s shortness, the chorus’s emptiness, and the lack of YEONJUN in a pure and raw form. GGUM is definitely more of a performance piece than a musical piece. Interestingly, I am part of the group that actually enjoyed GGUM. If you have been a long-time reader of my blog, you probably know I like dynamic tracks. If it has an adrenaline-rushing effect, I tend to enjoy it. GGUM has that effect on me. I put it down to a range of factors. The electronic instrumentation, which leans GGUM into hip-hop territory, doesn’t disappoint. It is full of vibrant and edgy energy. The striking piano that forms part of the choruses definitely makes an impression and I cannot stop playing that part of the song. GGUM‘s refrain is very catchy and has me coming back for more. The track also offers various vocal styles – from high-pitch autotuned vocals to YEONJUN’s lower and breathier tones to the grungier “GGUM chomp chomp“. There is a lot of variety in this two and a half minute length song. The only disappointing aspect of GGUM is that it doesn’t utilise all that we know YEONJUN has to offer. But it still has a fair bit to offer.

GGUM is about YEONJUN’s confidence on stage, and the music video shows that confidence. Spitting gum into other people’s hands, putting his feet on the desk, flipping the bird, taking over the microphone, spitting out water, and cursing into a walkie-talkie shows us YEONJUN’s aggressive confidence. His overly confident self puts people off him, but he continues doing what he does. I feel sorry for that host, who got the wrong end of the deal regarding YEONJUN. He pushes her out of the way to take over the microphone and is the first to be exposed to the bubble that YEONJUN blows from his gum.

Elsewhere in the video, he impressively executes the choreography. As mentioned earlier, GGUM lends itself well as a performance piece. The associated routine proves just that. These parts of the music video leave me super impressed. I look forward to the chorus parts of the routine, which screams out confidence (on par with the concept of his solo debut). Meanwhile, the entirety of the routine really shows us what he has to offer in this department. I mean, come on, he effortlessly pulls off that split during the second chorus.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10 [Updated on 27 October 2024 due to calculation error]

[Album Review] [PHANTASY] Pt. 3 Love Letter (2nd Studio Album – Part 3) – THE BOYZ

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The second album to be reviewed tonight is THE BOYZ’s third and final part of their second studio album, PHANTASY. This part is titled Love Letter and features three songs (hence why I described it as a single album in my previous post), including the title track Nectar and December 2023’s Christmas single Dear. The length of this third part of their second studio album is disappointing, and I wish there was more to it. PHANTASY began with Pt. 1 Christmas in August (led by LIP GLOSS) and Pt. 2 Sixth Sense (led by WATCH IT).

[PHANTASY] Pt. 3 Love Letter Album Cover

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

2. Hurt Me Less (환상통) – THE BOYZ turns to pop-rock in Hurt Me Less. I quite like the striking nature of the first line of the song. It was quite memorable and rang in my mind after the song finished. Hurt Me Less also contains strong vocals and rapping from THE BOYZ. SNWOO’s rapping in the second verse just has so much oomph to it (seeing this part in the recent performances on their world tour re-confirms this). The entire bridge and final chorus montage are amazing, especially with the ad-libs and kick to the pop-rock instrumentation. A strong track overall. (9/10)

3. Dear – The ballad Dear was released in December last year, well before this part of the album. If you didn’t know this, I am sure the instrumental should be enough to indicate this. After all, the classical balladry instrumental carries the Christmas twinkling sound. I am sure THE BOYZ’s fans find Dear very soothing and emotional. Listening closely, the members sound very heartfelt. Their harmonies really make this song comforting and warming. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Teaser image for [PHANTASY] Pt. 3 Love Letter / Nectar

[Album Review] Borderline (1st Single Album) – YooA (OH MY GIRL)

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Guess who forgot to schedule a post yesterday! Me! To make up for my forgetfulness (and tiredness) I will be posting two album reviews today. They are on the shorter side of the spectrum, given they are single albums. But I hope that would be sufficent to make up for not posting yesterday! First up is YooA’s solo comeback from earlier in the year with Borderline. It features 3 songs, including the title track Rooftop. Borderline is her first solo comeback since Selfish in November 2022.

Borderline Album Cover

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

2. Love Myself – Relistening to the single album for this review, I found myself getting lost in Love Myself. The groovy vibe and the chorus’s fast-paced nature are two reasons I got so into the song. YooA’s delivery throughout the song in both the vocals and rapping styles was very cool and chic. I particularly like the ‘Louder louder’ that launches us into the chorus. Talking about the chorus, it was catchy, and I loved the thrill it gives off. Love Myself is a solid side track from YooA! (10/10)

3. Shooting Star – Shooting Star is pleasantly fine. I don’t have much to say about the song besides noting that it is very consistent. Her vocals and instrumental were all similar throughout. I liked the cosmic effect the instrumental had, and YooA’s vocals were nice. But I would have liked something more to the Shooting Star to make it more engaging and appealing to the wider audience. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

Teaser Image for Borderline / Rooftop

[Review] POSE! – LIGHTSUM

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LIGHTSUM made their comeback at the start of August with POSE!. It is their first comeback since last year’s Honey or Spice.

POSE! goes for a subdued groove. It is nice and pleasant, but it isn’t striking, which LIGHTSUM really needs in its discography. Personally, LIGHTSUM’s comebacks come and go, and I have never remembered much from them. This track, unfortunately, comes and goes in the same manner. When I find it, I liked it. But when it finishes, and I have moved on to the next song, POSE! becomes a very distant memory. Anyhow, back to the actual song. In addition to its subdued grooviness, the melodies and hooks are playful yet soothing and have a lot of potential. These melodies also showcase the members’ vocal abilities. As a result, all the members sounded good throughout POSE!. There is an excellent house beat within the verses, which comes in hard. It was brief, but it was probably my favourite bit of POSE!. I wished there was more of this in POSE!. This would have given the song a bit of edge and further complexity. It also could have doubled up as an element to give POSE! its strikingness that I mentioned was not evident in the song at the start.

The entire video of POSE! was shot in a house. I understand the simplicity side of it (though it does look like CUBE Entertainment gave this comeback a tiny budget based on this video). The song itself doesn’t call for anything complicated. However, I wished there was a bit more than just the house. Maybe some good old choreography scenes would have worked fine as that additional element. As much as I find the standard closeup and choreography formula to be typical, it would have at least would have given the video a little more to mention. At least the colour scheme they had going on was muted, which suits the song’s subdued nature.

The choreography for the comeback is okay. It was not their best, but it was still pleasant to watch. I did wish there was a memorable key move in the routine to remember the performance by. This could have made the routine more appealing and pulled more of my attention towards the performance (which usually would help build up the song’s appeal for me).

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating -7/10