Category: KPOP

[Album Review] ORANGE BLOOD (5th Mini Album) – ENHYPEN

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Returning in November last year was ENHYPEN with their 5th mini-album ORANGE BLOOD and the title track Sweet Venom (links to this below). The mini-album also features 4 side tracks and 2 addition versions of Sweet Venom (an English version and an English version featuring Bella Poarch). For this album review, I have left out the English version from the final rating, but have included a rating for the version which features Bella Poarch. Overall, ORANGE BLOOD is a consistent mini-album. This follows on from ENHYPEN’s BITE ME comeback from May 2023 and the mini-album DARK BLOOD.

Orange Blood Album Cover

1. Mortal – Mortal serves as the introductory track for the mini-album. But its 3.5-minute length makes it look like a full track. The track features a dreamy blend of R&B and pop for its instrumentation, some vocals courtesy of JAKE and SUNOO, and the usual narrations from each of the members in their primary language (Korean, English and Japanese). The narration itself speaks to the willingness to give up immortality to be with the one they love. It leads on from their vampire lore, where vampires are immortal. But in the case of ENHYPEN for ORANGE BLOOD, they are willing to give that power all up. (8/10)

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

3. Still Monster – Still Monster is a pop ballad. I find it to be an alright track. Everything in it, from the instrumentation to the vocals, was just fine and there isn’t anything wrong as far as I can see. I just cannot connect with the track in anyway. The post-chorus sequences, where the ‘Na Na Na’ comes in, is probably my most favourite parts of the track. (7/10)

4. Blind (멀어) – We re-enter retro territory with Blind, but it actually comes off as rather subtle in the final alternative R&B product. I really like the display of vocals from ENHYPEN throughout Blind, overall. But particular mention needs to go to the ‘Meoreo, Meoreo’ (‘Blind Blind’) and ‘Peodeo, Peodeo/Geodeo Geodeo’ is delivered in the choruses to finish the lines sung by the initialising vocalists. This is my favourite effect in the entirety of Blind, as it keeps the chorus quite grounded and feels quite clever. I do think the instrumentation could have used some sort of zest to it, just to give it more edge and unique colour. (8.5/10)

5. Orange Flower (You Complete Me) – To me, ENHYPEN is known for their dance tracks, which are either dark and/or intense. But occasionally, we get to hear a much lighter sound from the group, with the prime example of Polaroid Love coming to mind (featured on their DIMENSION: ANSWER studio album). Orange Flower is that equivalent on ORANGE BLOOD, where the members actually sound a lot sweeter and loving in their vocals. The upbeat instrumentation was enjoyable, allowing the entire track to exude a pleasant and feel-good vibe. (8/10)    

6. Sweet Venom (English Version) – Refer to my review for Sweet Venom above.

7. Sweet Venom (ft. Bella Poarch) – I just wanted to give my two cents on this version of Sweet Venom (which is only featured on the digital versions of the mini-album). The main difference is that it features social media star Bella Poarch. I would have expected that the track be extended to feature Bella Poarch, not completely remove half of the second verse to make way for her. Her sultry vocals do match well with the groovy and sleekness of Sweet Venom (and her airy ad-libs were a beautiful complement). I am all for her featuring – it is clear as day that she works wonderfully with the members and the song. But I am sure it should haven’t been at the expense of the parts of the members. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

Orange Blood Teaser Image

[Album Review] Chill Kill (3rd Studio Album) – Red Velvet

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Red Velvet made their long awaited comeback after almost a year’s hiatus from the KPOP scene with Chill Kill in November 2023. Their last release was The ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday mini-album, which was released in November 2022 and led by the title track Birthday. Chill Kill features a total of 10 songs, including another title track that shares the same name as its album. While the future of Red Velvet is a little questionable, given SM Entertainment’s complete slow down of promotions for the group during 2023 and the unknown status of each individual members’ contract (sans Seulgi, who was confirmed to have renewed her contract with the company earlier in 2023), Chill Kill provides a very good dose of Red Velvet. However, I do hope that SM Entertainment sufficiently promotes Red Velvet in the new year, particularly giving them group and solo promotions. So far, it has been confirmed that Wendy will be returning as a soloist this year. But more would be better!

Chill Kill Album Cover

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

2. Knock Knock (Who’s There?) – Knock Knock continues the mysterious and eerie vibes from the music video of Chill Kill, but in song form. And they do it so artistically and consistently. The percussion and beat felt like something sinister was brewing the background, while the strings and melodies in Knock Knock is a sample of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, which is an ominous track in itself when you listen to it standalone. Throw in Red Velvet’s usual amazing vocals and this is definitely a standout song. As an added treat, stunning harmonies that adds suspense to the track is also present in the chorus. It was very hard to keep away from this one. (10/10)

3. Underwater – The age-old question reappears. Does Red Velvet still split their music into the Red and Velvet categories anymore? If they do, then Underwater is a clear addition to the Velvet side of their discography. It is an R&B track, with velvety vocals from the members. And they really nail this contribution to Underwater. I was very captivated by their vocals and harmonies, once again. I liked the presence of the bass and trap synths in the background, which helps amplifies and gives Underwater oomph. (9/10)

4. Will I Ever See You Again? – The synth-pop in Will I Ever See You Again? is amazing. At first, it was a very atmospheric introduction. But when we reach the chorus, the synth-pop literally raises it to 100 and creates a blissful and energetic piece that is hard to forget. The vocals had impact and Wendy’s ad-libs in the bridge and final chorus were spectacular. Another easy and logical 10/10 from me. (10/10)

5. Nightmare – We go back to the horror tropes in Nightmare. The verses in Nightmare are quite intense and creepy, while the chorus takes a brighter and almost-cutesy approach. It makes for an interesting blend that only Red Velvet can pull off. The instrumentation opts down the R&B path, with a strong dose of strings to really create that suspense in the verses, while the chorus features a twinkling background that exudes the brightness and cutesy nature already mentioned. The bridge was also a highlight, with heavenly vocals coming into play. (8/10)

6. Iced Coffee – We continue on with the R&B genre via Ice Coffee. This was a very nice and pleasant track. Not necessarily the big standout of the album, but hearing the members sing this one felt comforting and warming (even though they are singing about an iced beverage). (8/10)

7. One Kiss – Red Velvet goes in hard during One Kiss (relatively to any of the song above it). It is a dance trick with a very cool instrumentation, made up of the synth clap sound that goes through the track, and hefty beats and synths in the chorus. I like the power they put behind their vocals in this song and delivery they give in One Kiss, which makes the track very alluring and sexy. The bridge really re-iterates the latter. (9/10)

8. Bulldozer – The shortest track on this album is Bulldozer. I really like the deep and low rumbling or humming in the background of this track. The beat is super cool, and I really like the melodies to the vocal section of the chorus. I am not a fan of the ‘What can you break’ repetition that makes up the second half of the chorus. I felt like Bulldozer could have done without this. (8/10)

9. Wings – Opening up Wings is harmonisation, which flags good things are to come. And Red Velvet makes sure of this. Wings takes on an uplifting tone with this R&B track. The synths that make up the background was amazing. But the element that ultimately wins me over Wings are the vocals, which are stunningly beautiful. I am floored by how simple yet profound the vocals were in Wings. The end, where all of the instrumentation was stripped away, showcases how effortlessly good their vocals are. When there is instrumentation, the chemistry that comes about between the vocals and background is very harmonious. Another clear 10/10 for me. (10/10)  

10. Scenery (풍경화) – The final track on the album is a ballad. No surprises here. And with a ballad as the vector, you can expect great vocals from the members in Scenery. I find myself closing my eyes, swaying along to the melodies and getting lost in the beautifulness that is Scenery. Their vocals are very delicate here, and acoustic guitar paints a very pretty soundscape. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

IRENE’s Chill Kill Teaser Image
YERI’s Chill Kill Teaser Image
WENDY’s Chill Kill Teaser Image
SEULGI’s Chill Kill Teaser Image
JOY’s Chill Kill Teaser Image

[Album Review] SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN (11th Mini Album) – SEVENTEEN

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SEVENTEEN brings their A-game in some form whenever they make a comeback. For their October 2023 comeback with God of Music, their A-game came in the form of practically everything, including their 11th mini-album, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN. For example, in addition to the title track. the three unit tracks that are featured on this mini-album were an absolute knock out. And these tracks collectively helped bump up the overall album rating for the album. Continue reading to find out what I also thought about the 3 songs on the mini-album that have yet to be mentioned, as well as what I thought about the home runs on this mini-album.

SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN Album Cover

1. SOS – SEVENTEEN starts off strong with SOS, an all-English pop rock track produced by Marshmello. The verses of SOS doesn’t necessarily have a tinge of rock to them, opting for a more EDM aligned backing. But things change in SOS once we get to the pre-chorus, where the synths are stripped away, some light guitar work comes into play and we see some really good vocal moments emerge. From there, the chorus features a heavier rock presence, as well as the raspier and rougher vocals that helps give off a grungier exterior. I particularly like how hard they go for the chorus, which takes SOS up a notch. The bridge was the lacking moment for me in SOS, as the inclining repetition of lines felt a little unpolished and muddy. (8/10)

2. God of Music (음악의신) (Title Track) – Click here for the review for God of Music. (10/10)

3. Diamond Days – Diamond Days throws it back to Shining Diamond from their debut album thanks to the ‘Slippin’ into the diamond life’ sample the song features. This makes for a great start and end to the song, especially for fans of the group since day 1. Unfortunately, Diamond Days doesn’t really follow through with this beginning/end. Personally, I felt the chorus was the weakest link of the song. While the EDM instrumentation was dynamic and vibrant, the repetition of the same words ‘Dia-Dia-…-Diamond Days’ and ‘Diamond’ was quite one-dimensional and became a bore quite easily. The verses were more engaging, with the EDM instrumental exhibiting a subtle funky profile and meatier vocal and rapping deliveries are present in the verses. (7/10)

4. Back 2 Back (Performance Team) – We remain in EDM territory with Back 2 Back. Performed by the Performance Unit (which is made up of HOSHI, JUN, THE8 and DINO), I really liked the dynamic flair that Back 2 Back carried. There was a lot going on, but nothing disappointed. In fact, every part felt engaging in its own right. Even the vocals and rapping throughout the track was super prolific and addictive. You can definitely see the amazing performance that the quartet will undoubtedly put on with such a strong song like this. (10/10)

5. Monster (Hip-Hop Team) – We need to remember that this mini-album was released prior to Halloween, so Monster was actually highly appropriate at the time of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’s release. The Hip-Hop team (which consist of S.COUPS, WONWOO, MINGYU and VERNON) had amazing delivery throughout the track. I like the variety of playful rapping and vocals we get from the unit in this track, which works wonderfully with the eerie, creepy keyboard or piano melodies in the background (which to me actually sounds very familiar, but I just cannot seem to place where I remember it from). Their flow and energy are superb, and I liked the little details such as the screams we hear throughout. Best part, for me, has to the lower toned pre-chorus. (10/10)

6. Yawn (하품) (Vocal Team) – The Vocal team turns down the dial of this mini-album a lot with the ballad Yawn. To say it is a beautiful song is an understatement. We hear JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, WOOZI, DK and SEUNGKWAN show off their beautiful vocals in Yawn over an equally stunning classical instrumented backing. And this backing get better as the song progresses, evident by the building momentum, which ultimately peaks in the bridge. The melodies make me sway along to the song, which you know I love out of a ballad. In terms of intent, the working theory (from what I have read about the song thus far) is that WOOZI wrote Yawn for SEUNGKWAN, whose close friend (MOONBIN from ASTRO) passed away in early 2023. (10/10)

7. Headliner – The final track on the album brings the 13 members back together again. And it is a really nice sentimental track to end SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN on. The vocals and background harmonies were really well done, while the instrumentation takes on a pop-rock sound profile. I particularly like the idea of the latter, as it gives Headliner some bite as opposed if it had gone down the ballad route. The melodies were also quite calming and soothing to enjoy. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN Teaser Image

[Review] MEGAPHONE – CRAVITY

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A pre-release or follow-up promotions is a traditional part of CRAVITY’s comebacks, with Sun Seeker featuring both. As part of their promotions for their 6th mini-album, Sun Seeker, CRAVITY is following up promotions of September 2023’s Ready Or Not with MEGAPHONE, which is also from the same mini-album.

MEGAPHONE features an upbeat and funky instrumental that packs a punch and serves as a neat follow on from Ready or Not. I also like the infusion of rock into some of the If you read my reviews for CRAVITY in the past, a lot of their earlier works have been described as typical. More recently have they revitalised their single discography with energetic and fun energy, like Groovy and PARTY ROCK (which are some of their best works). What I really liked the most about MEGAPHONE in particular (and how it is different from some of their successful past work) is how the funky vibes continues that fun energy in a refreshing manner. Sure, the chorus is shouty and that may not be some people’s cup of tea. But given MEGAPHONE is about being loud, the shoutiness works. Plus, it is a good vector to channel that energy. The rest of the vocals is good, the rapping fits in really well and I like the hip-hop styled instrumental break we get ahead of the bridge. The ‘Make a boom’ hook is catchy, but I wished it didn’t feel weighed down as much.

The music video sees the members in a futuristic space set, who are on a mission to spread their song around the world. It looks a lot more serious, as if they are pulling off a heist (which in a way, this is as the mission does involve them landing on another ship). There was a lot of preparing, such as making the music, practicing flying the ship and even some working out scene (which my social media jumped on board quite quickly when the music video was first released). In the end, CRAVITY was successful in their mission. I wished there was a bit more colour in the video, but other than that, it looked quite good.

There is some intensity and sharpness to this choreography, which makes it looks very cool on stage. I also liked that the choreography doesn’t short change us in any way. The song was energetic and the routine never let up in that regard.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] Good & Great (2nd Mini Album) – KEY (SHINee)

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KEY from SHINee made his comeback in September 2023 with his 2nd mini-album, Good & Great, another album title that shares its name with the title track from the mini-album. In total, 6 songs featured on this mini-album – all of which have now been reviewed in this album review post. Check them out below! Good & Great follows on from KEY’s promotions for Killer that occurred earlier in the year and SHINee’s 15th year anniversary comeback with HARD.

Good & Great Album Cover

1. Good & Great (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Good & Great. (7/10)

2. Can’t Say Goodbye – KEY goes down the funky and groovy direction with Can’t Say Goodbye. Retro synths were used to lead us down this path. And in combination with KEY’s vocals, which were really clear in Can’t Say Goodbye, you have a very nostalgic and enjoyable track. The instrumental break was really great, conforming with the retro groove and funk direction quite easily but also breaking up the song to not sound overly consistent. The deep percussion that leads into the final chorus was also pretty good at this, as well. (9/10)

3. Intoxicating – Continuing on that groovy direction is Intoxicating. It really embraces the grooviness, and does so with a more mature vibe, which I am totally digging. KEY nails the vocal component of Intoxicating, helping to bringing that mature vibe to life. I really liked how he soars in the chorus and his ad-libs in the final moments, which instantly takes the track to a whole new level. My biggest gripe about the song is that it felt a little too consistent throughout. I just wished there was something in Intoxicating to offset that. (8.5/10)    

4. Live Without You – That deep vibrating sound in the back serves up an intriguing start to Live Without You. And if you know me, that attracts my attention. The verses add in a consistent percussive beat, but also a decelerating pre-chorus. Interesting indeed. Come to the chorus, we get some light guitar riffs and bubbly synths to the mix. And as a recurring theme, KEY showcases his vocal abilities once again, especially in the chorus. I also like how KEY opts for a lower register for the bridge. All of this makes Live Without You a moodier (relative to the other songs on this mini-album) and almost angsty track. (9/10)

5. CoolAs – CoolAs is a total vibe. I LOVE the delivery of CoolAs, with KEY casual vocals and the more spoken delivery of the chorus. It is bold without being bold. The instrumentation opts back to the groovy motif that we heard earlier on this mini-album, but it feels a lot more subtle but also concentrated. I can totally imagine a really sassy dance routine where KEY and the dancers have a straight face on, but their movements and body totally is taken over by the energy that comes from CoolAs. And it is done in a way that is not comedic or taken lightly. (10/10)  

6. Mirror, Mirror – The final track on this mini-album is titled Mirror, Mirror. It is a track that KEY penned himself, and you can feel that with how raw his vocals get in this track. The instrumental takes on an R&B profile, and I enjoyed how peaceful this track feels following on the more energy filled tracks that we had before this one. I like how the melodies elicit that swaying effect here, as well, without trying too hard. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

Good & Great Teaser Image

[Album Review] Fact Check (5th Studio Album) – NCT 127

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Another NCT related review, once again. This time around, the review is for NCT 127’s 5th studio album, Fact Check, which was released in October 2023. The album features the title track of the same name as the album and an additional 8 songs. Since the release and promotion of Fact Check (both the title track and studio album), NCT 127 had an additional comeback in December 2023 with a special Winter single Be There For Me and began their 3rd world tour – Neo City – The Unity. Anyhow, onto the review aspect of this post for Fact Check. There are a number of good songs to check out below!

Fact Check Album Cover

1. Fact Check (불가사의; 不可思議) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Fact Check. (8.5/10)

2. Space (무중력) – After the tightness from Fact Check, Space provides us with some relief with a much looser track. From the get go, I find it to be an ‘oh so dreamy’ track listen to and I am totally digging that. The vocals add to this by adopting a raspier and breathy output. I also have to draw your attention to the punchy ‘Space’ repetition in the choruses, with each coming at the most ideal times. The synths give Space a modern profile and rhythm, but the saxophone in the background ultimately steals the spotlight as it fades in and out for the chorus and gives off a classy vibe. Everything felt balanced and perfect. As a whole, Space felt very chill and relaxing. (10/10)

3. Parade (행진) – NCT 127 switches back to their usual energetic style and intensity with Parade. And they really make sure that we know by amplifying a lot of the components in the track. Parade features a shouty-like delivery, in some parts, allowing the rapping to become more dynamic and richer. Parade opts down the hip-hop direction, which also contributes to the amplification of the song and builds a very solid foundation for the song. As for the vocals, they did a really good job of contrasting with the rest of the song, keeping it from going too crazy and grounding it. (9/10)  

4. Angel Eyes – Click here for the review of Angel Eyes. (10/10)

5. Yacht – Yacht takes a more laid-back approach. The energy is all there, but things feel a lot less intense in Yacht. I have to admit that I find that brass-like synth in the chorus to be a little too scratchy for my liking. I wished that was toned down a bit, as it does have its charming point. But I felt like it overpowered the chorus a tad. The rest of the retro approach to Yacht was appreciable. I really liked the idea of the vocalists and rappers harmonising with each other, which adds depth to the song. However. I wished the melodies were a little more polished, especially as we lead into the chorus, to really get the full effect of that. (8/10)

6. Je Ne Sais Quoi – Je Ne Sais Quoi takes us back to NCT 127 territory with a hip-hop track. There is a lot going on in this track, especially with the contrast between the rapping and vocals. Moments of Je Ne Sais Quoi had me doing that slight bounce you do when you listen to a bop hip-hop track. Other parts saw the song smooth right out for the vocals to be showcased. It all makes for an interesting track. Nothing really sticks out as a sore thumb and the different parts all come out together quite cohesively. If you want to hear multiple facets of NCT 127, Je Ne Sais Quoi is a good example of that. (8/10)

7. Love Is Beauty (별의 시) – As one of the longer tracks released in the KPOP industry this year, Love Is Beauty is a captivating number to listen to. For me, the most amazing aspect of this track has to be the stunning vocals that the members showcase. It is really hard to pinpoint a member who did exceptionally well when everyone did a spectacular job in Love Is Beauty. We do get some rapping in the song, but they were tweaked in a way that fits the mid-tempo nature of Love Is Beauty. The twinkling synths and instrumentation was a really nice touch to what easily could have been a more typical R&B release. (9/10)

8. Misty (소나기) – Again, amazing vocals are on full display in Misty. But that is something the members have already done a few times on this album. What really sets Misty apart from the rest is the abundance of harmonies throughout the track, as well as the really atmospheric and dreamy instrumentation. I found it extremely hard to put the song down or skip it once it started, knowing that the whole almost 4-minute track needs to be experienced in full to really experience Misty and that it should not be missed. (10/10)

9. Real Life – Finally, the end of Fact Check (the album) features the softer pop track Real Life. The instrumentation actually gives the track a lot of life and colour. I particularly like the orchestral-like approach to the backing, which helps give the track a slight epic feel. The vocals and rapping were well done, as well as the melodies, which I find myself swaying to. The repetition of “Real Real Real … Real Life’ was actually quite hooky and catchy. Overall, a neat song to end off the album on. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

Fact Check Teaser Image

[Review] MELTING POINT – ZEROBASEONE

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As part of their November comeback with the CRUSH, ZEROBASEONE also released a music video for the side track MELTING POINT, which also comes from the same mini-album that CRUSH is featured on and also shares the same name as the side track. Today, I will be reviewing MELTING POINT (in case you can’t already tell).

As a whole, MELTING POINT comes out to be quite a fun track, especially when we get to the more up-tempo chorus. But there are two distinct motifs in this song, both of which complement each other quite well to form the one song that is MELTING POINT. The verses and bridge feature a dreamy approach, which allows the members to showcase a softer and lighter vocal charm. I liked how pleasant these parts of the song are. When we get to the choruses, the instrumentation intensifies and the song becomes hookier. The synths take on a more abrasive profile in the centrepiece of MELTING POINT, which offsets the dreamier approach in the verses and helps makes the chorus more memorable by boldening it. The chorus also makes that fun side of the song more prominent, and the members convey that same vibe off with their vocals. I did kind of wished there was something more to the second verse, so it doesn’t sound like a replica of the first one. But that is a small improvement to an already good side track.

The music video sees the members are all smiles in a winter wonderland. And to match the vibes of MELTING POINT, we also see a much brighter and light-hearted side to the members, a side that we saw in their debut but not the main music video for this comeback. There also seems to be a bit more to the video, with the fairy tale elements like the poison apple, a mirror, horse and telescope. I am not entirely sure what these elements are trying to portray, but I guess they contribute to the members looking for love to thaw out their heart (which might explain why some of the setting does melt away later on in the video), which is the message they express in the song.

The choreography features a slight cute undertone to it, which is a slightly different vibe than ZEROBASEONE has ever shown. Nothing that memorable comes out of the routine. But I did like the all-smile approach to the routine, which matches up with the tone of the song quite well.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Mr. Vampire – ITZY

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Very early on in January 2024 and ahead of the official release of their BORN TO BE album release (led by the title track UNTOUCHABLE), ITZY also pre-released the single Mr. Vampire. Today, I will be reviewing this single. This was the second pre-release from the album (not including the solo releases that are also featured on the BORN TO BE album), with the first being the single that shares the same name as the album, BORN TO BE.

My thoughts on Mr. Vampire is fairly simple. Instrumentally, Mr. Vampire is a fun song to me. I quite enjoyed the percussion that features throughout the track. There are also some harps (in full and rather choppy later on) and whistle-like synths in the chorus (which I find to be quite familiar, but I just cannot pinpoint where I have heard something similar). These all help Mr. Vampire‘s backing piece to be engaging and intriguing to me. In terms of the members and their input into Mr. Vampire, that is where the song unravels for me. It is a fair effort from the group, but the melodies are incredibly dull and the vocal work feels strained. Nothing from the members pings me as memorable. In fact, all of it (if not most) was pretty forgettable. I wished what the members had to offer in Mr. Vampire was striking enough to be on par with the instrumentation. Or just even compelling enough to get a better reaction out of me. But as it stands, the instrumentation was by far the most memorable aspect of the song, and the rest of Mr. Vampire just … well… disappears.

The music video appears as dull as the song did. While I did like the colour palette that was used in the video and the close-up shots of the members do look real nice, there just isn’t anything more to the video (apart from the performance aspect of the release, and even then the song weighs this down as well) that sticks out. I also noticed some poor editing in the later parts of the video, where the lip-syncing just does not match up to the song. I understand the song is about falling in love, but I would have liked a touch of that vampire concept in the video. Maybe a bit of blood or some symbolism that represents the mythological creature.

As mentioned prior, the choreography for this pre-release was also bland and dull. But it is slightly better than the music video. From what I can see, there are vampire references in the routine and the chorus part of the choreography had a slight dynamic touch and sharpness that I was looking for in the other parts of this Mr. Vampire release.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 6/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.5/10

[Album Review] Two Rabbits (1st Mini Album) – MAMAMOO+

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After a single and single album release, MAMAMOO+ have finally released their first mini-album, Two Rabbits, in August 2023. It features the title track dangdang. I used to review most (if not all) of MAMAMOO’s album releases, so I thought maybe that should also be extended out to MAMAMOO+ releases, as well. While admittedly MAMAMOO+ releases have not been as compelling as their parent group releases, I still know that I will have a good time with anything related to MAMAMOO. As such, I will return one day to review their single album releases from earlier in the year which featured the single GGBB. But for now, here is my review on Two Rabbits.

Two Rabbits Album Cover

1. Intro: Two Rabbits (Intro: 두 마리 토끼) – It is a short intro to the mini-album, but the backing to Two Rabbits had good rhythm and a peaceful vibe, while Solar and Moonbyul did a really good job at complementing this with light playful and calming melodies in their vocals and delivery, respectively. It makes for a good start to the mini-album. (8/10)

2. dangdang (댕댕) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for dangdang. (7.5/10)

3. I LIKE THIS – MAMAMOO+ keeps to the playful vibe in I LIKE THIS. We go down a jazzy and groovy direction with the instrumentation, which was quite engaging. They throw in some other elements into the mix to make it a fun sounding track, like addition of brass during the second verse and some funky synth work in the instrumental break/bridge of the song. What I also like in I LIKE THIS are Solar and Moonbyul’s light and delicate vocals, which I found to be super enjoyable. Moonbyul does step away briefly to amp up her delivery for the rapping in the second verse, but this made sense to complement the change in momentum that the background to the rapping had. Just like the title, I really liked this. (10/10)

4. Starry Sea (별이 빛나는 바다) – The vocals are the memorable aspect of Starry Sea for me. Both Solar and Moonbyul do an amazing job, especially in the chorus, where it was so easy to get lost in both of their powerful and delicate deliveries. Elsewhere, the melodies are stunningly beautiful and I found myself swaying along to these melodies. Starry Sea is also nicely instrumented with acoustic guitars, a light touch of synth and some saxophones at the very end of the song. The beach sounds were also a nice addition. (9/10)

5. Save Me (지구에 혼자 남게 된다면) – A few weeks prior to the release of this mini-album, MAMAMOO+ also pre-released the single Save Me. I had intentions to review Save Me separately, but it slipped from my mind. Anyhow, Save Me is a R&B ballad with stunning vocals and amazing rapping. These are just common synonyms to use when referring to anything MAMAMOO related! I like the retro vibes that come from the instrumentation. I didn’t expect as much synth work in this song, but it helped made the song feel fuller and added some intricate detailing to the backing. Overall, a very pleasant and mild release. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Two Rabbits Teaser Image

[Album Review] Fever (4th Mini Album) – LUCY

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LUCY made their comeback in August 2023 with their 4th mini-album, Fever. Today, I am finally getting around to reviewing Fever, which comes after finally getting around to reviewing the title track on this mini-album, Haze. 3 additional songs also feature on the mini-album. Altogether, Fever is definitely another top album from 2023, which is why I nominated it for Best Album of 2023 in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Unfortunately, the chance to support LUCY in the annual event has passed. But do check out why I nominated the album by reading this album review.

Fever Album Cover

1. Hot! (뜨거) – Hot! embraces a more energetic rock sound than usual. It doesn’t come as a surprise to me, as they had venture down the more usual sound that we hear from KPOP band. The addition of prolific guitars and slight presence of EDM also pushes the boundaries even further for LUCY in this song. Yet, they still keep true to themselves with the continuous presence of the violin and their signature vocals. Yet, the former was processed in a way for Hot! that allows it to fit in and feel part of the rest of the upbeat and lively initial track. (8/10)

2. Haze (아지랑이) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Haze. (10/10)

3. Magic – What really stood out for me in Magic was the good time vibes. The entirety of this track had me smiling and doing a small bop in my chair. I really like the violin solo, which takes Magic on a jazzier direction. I also liked the use of the violin as accent within the background. Everything else, from vocals to melodies to the band instrumentation, came off as balanced and made Magic a super easy listen. (8/10)  

4. So What (내버려) – The rock emerges again, but takes a heavier and grungier turn in So What. There is such a dramatic flair to the song that makes it so dynamic. The violin itself blends in so well. Adding to that are the solid and well-executed vocals from all of the members, with a particular mention to Sang-yeop who really kills it in So What. But all members, not matter if they contribute via the softer moments or as part of the chorus, added to the dynamism of So What. The chorus is also quite memorable, especially thanks to the melody that gives it drive and so much punchy character. All of this makes for another unforgettable track from the band. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

Fever Teaser Image

[Review] Bad News – KISS OF LIFE

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Making their first comeback in November 2023 is KISS OF LIFE, who returns with their second mini-album, Born To Be XX, and the title track Bad News. The latest release from the new female group, which is nominated for Best New Female Group in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards (voting is now closed), follows on from their debut with Shhh in July of this year.

Kicking off Bad News is the guitar twang, which makes for quite a unique sound. As the song progresses to the end, we hear the emergence of a rock vibe alongside that twang. This was a nice development in Bad News, giving that extra oomph to the end to single the final moments. But it also added an extra texture to the song to further its appeal and make it a cooler sound. In addition to the instrumentation, the definite strong vocals and confident rapping we get from the members of KISS OF LIFE really makes Bad News captivating and hard to put down. The boldness and charisma that comes off these vocals and rapping sends a clear message that they are not a group to mess around with and highlights their potential in this industry. Belle’s vocals, in particular, was show-stopping in this song, especially as we get into ad-lib territory. There is also an abundance of hooks to remember the song by, as well. Overall, Bad News definitely shows me that KISS OF LIFE to watch out further in this new generation of KPOP.

The music video for Bad News sees the members stand up for themselves and what they see is right. And I think the Bad News is that they are not afraid of the repercussion that could entail (I think). Not entirely sure of the latter point, but I feel like that is why the home videos and lyrics about the website are about. Anyhow, the video features the members standing up to (what I assume) is a bad ex, a bully, a rude person in an audience and a creep on the train. The members, when confronted by the police, protest against the injustice that they face as a result of standing up for themselves. At the end of the video, it seen that the above are just personal matters and that there is something larger at play. It appears the police chase and riot are a cover for the members to spread out some different news. We see a photographer pick up a top secret document and is engrossed by it. This is followed by some CCTV footage of the members at a rich person’s house, searching through the house. Overall, an interesting concept.

The song really sets up the choreography aspect of the comeback. The performance was super dynamic and engaging to watch. The confidence and sassy attitude was definitely there and probably gave the choreography an extra edge to enjoy. I also really liked the originality of the boxing ring formed by the dancers in the first chorus.  

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

[Album Review] Feel Me (3rd Single Album) – Golden Child

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Golden Child’s November 2023 comeback with Feel Me came and went quite quickly. And that is quite disappointment given their last comeback (Replay & AURA) was over a year ago when Feel Me came out. But before we forget about said comeback completely, I will be reviewing the single album in which Feel Me is featured on and shares a title with. Feel Me (the single album) is very consistent release, with Feel Me (the song) and the single album’s addition 2 side tracks all earning the same song rating. Read more on each song below!

Feel Me Album Cover

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

2. Blind Love – One of the things I really liked about Blind Love was the feel-good vibe and bright exterior that the instrumentation and members exudes from the track. It makes it become an enjoyable single. The instrumentation takes on very peppy pop sound that is super vibrant. I also like the slight groove thanks to the presence of the guitars. The vocals are very polished and the melodies are easy to listen to, both of which embodies that pop sound so well. (9/10)

3. Dear – We remain in the pop realm for the final track on this single album. It is quite an upbeat track and I can imagine a very cool dance routine to this track. What makes Dear a little different to the above tracks is that it has an emotional tingle to, which makes it a more heartfelt release. That being said, I do find myself smiling to the song each time I listen to it. I find all the members singing in the final chorus to close out Dear to hit it home, given some thoughts I have about Golden Child and their future. I think that might a topic of discussion for another day. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

Feel Me Teaser Image

[Album Review] The Name Chapter: Freefall (3rd Studio Album) – TXT

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The next album to be reviewed on the blog is TXT’s 3rd studio album, The Name Chapter: Freefall, which dropped on 13 October 2023. Featured on the album is the title track Chasing That Feeling, the TXT version of Back For More and TXT’s Summer collaboration with the Jonas Brothers, Do it Like That (all links to their respective reviews can be found below within the album review). Those three tracks are alongside 6 additional new tracks. As a whole, The Name Chapter: Freefall is another strong album from the group. There are some really good and strong songs on the album, so definitely check out this album. It might be one TXT’s most sold albums to date, but I think it deserves a bit more attention than what I think it got (which wasn’t much).

The Name Chapter: Freefall Album Cover

1. Growing Pain – The album kicks off strong with a rock track. Growing Pain is a metal-based hard rock track that has an energetic and intense vibe. The guitar work is definitely amazing, particularly during the bridge. The members do a decent job with their vocals in Growing Pain. They do suit the style, but I am describing their vocals as decent as I felt some parts were underbaked. The chorus also felt repetitive. I wished there were ad-libs or something to really give (at the very least) the final chorus that ‘last hurrah’ vibe. It could have really helped close Growing Pain out strong. (8/10)

2. Chasing That Feeling (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Chasing That Feeling. (7/10)

3. Back For More (TXT Version) – I have previously reviewed Back For More (featuring Anitta). Most of my thoughts will carry over to the TXT version. Click here for the review of Back For More. (9/10)

4. Dreamer – TXT takes it down a notched with Dreamer, a paced R&B track. Everything in this track felt very standard R&B. But it is done so well that I find myself drifting away with everything in it. I did like the vocals in this track, with the members going with a higher and/or airer tone. In its own way and in the context of Dreamer, the vocals did feel rather bold. (7/10)

5. Deep Down (머리에 솟아난 뿔은 나의 왕관이었다) – Out of all the side tracks on this album. Deep Down is my favourite. It starts off quite atmospheric and maintains that aesthetic throughout the track. The chorus brings in a Jersey Club beat, but keeps it lowkey to match up with the atmospheric aesthetic I just spoke about. The members also match their tone and delivery to be at a similar level to create a cohesive and riveting club track. (10/10)

6. Happily Ever After – Happily Ever After is probably the most recognisable side track, given how much TXT and HYBE pushed it on their social media. It is undoubtedly a fun single, with the chorus and its lead-in being the most memorable aspect of the song (which you can thank TXT’s social media for). Happily Ever After also features a Jersey Club beat, but uses it in a way that feels bright and vibrant. Their vocals are also super sweet sounding and I liked how they maintained it at a light level. (8/10)

7. Skipping Stones (물수제비) – When I first heard the song, Skipping Stones took me back to DAY6 vibes. It might be the indie-rock approach that is taken in Skipping Stones, which in itself is an amazing backing piece. Even some of TXT’s vocals remind me of DAY6 (though the more you listen to the song, you find TXT’s colours coming through). I also like how it is super easy to listen to and enjoy, making it feel like a song you can easily put on repeat and listen to time and time again. (9/10)

8. Blue Spring – Blue Spring is another indie rock track. This time around, no one other than TXT comes to mind when I listen to this song. And it makes sense, given that this is a fan song for their fans (MOAs). I am loving the raspy vocals and the oomph the instrumentation carries. You can feel the heartfelt emotions behind their vocals, which I am 100% sure makes for greater emotional impact for both TXT and fans alike. (9/10)

9. Do It Like That (with Jonas Brothers) – Click here for the review for Do It Like That. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

The Name Chapter: Freefall Teaser Image

[Review] SEVEN SINS – DRIPPIN

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DRIPPIN’s April 2023 release SEVEN SINS has been on my ‘to review’ list for quite a while now. I have attempted to start a review for SEVEN SINS a few times since April, but it never eventuated into something I could post. But finally, after almost a year from its release, I am finally getting around to reviewing it. SEVEN SINS follows on from the group’s November 2022 release, The One (which was nominated for Best Rock Song of 2023 in the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. In case you are wondering, it fell within the eligibility period for the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards and voting has now closed).

For me, the plainness of SEVEN SINS is one of the reasons to why I never felt motivated to prioritise the song for review. It is a solid track, opting for a slow jam type of vibe. I would even go to the lengths of being successful at achieving the goal of being that, partially thanks to the dragged-out melodies of the song, such as the primary hook of SEVEN SINS. But this ultimately dulls down the potential of SEVEN SINS for me. I will admit that the vocal delivery from the members of DRIPPIN was very well executed, and was by far one of the best aspects of the song in my opinion. Contributing to the SEVEN SINS’ overall plainness is the constant etchiness and clangy, which sounds feels like something we have heard before. For me, the lack of innovation holds back on the dynamism of SEVEN SINS. Furthermore, the more paced instrumentation (as a result of the melodies) did call for something a little more heightened down the line to really drive interest in the song. And that never eventuated. It isn’t all bad news for the backing of SEVEN SINS, with the groovy backing to the bridge thanks to the bass, being quite cool. The bridge also serves a memorable “99 Problems” line. While I do get the intentions of what SEVEN SINS should have been, improvements are needed to SEVEN SINS to increase its memorability and get me more excited for the song.

The music video for SEVEN SINS was a positive aspect of the comeback. I can’t remember exactly what my first impression of the video was, but there is a lot going on and there is a mysteriousness to it all that makes it intriguing to watch. The video opens with JUNHO falling into a never-ending hole, before we see the members embrace the seven sins as they interact with one another. JUNHO is the first member to interact with another, so this might play into the lore that DRIPPIN has where JUNHO was a villain. This could be an after-life situation, as his villainous side did supposedly die in their previous video. Aside from the plotline, the aesthetics of the video was really well done and this helped draw more attention to the video.

Despite it being a slow jam type of song, the choreography for SEVEN SINS definitely has a powerfulness to it. What they did well is find a balance between that and the slowed momentum of parts of SEVEN SINS, and never let one taking over the other. All of this made this performance worth watching and highlights the calibre of the team’s performance and dancing skills.   

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

[Review] Haze – LUCY

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One of the nominees for the Most Underrated Song of 2023 as part of the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards was LUCY’s Haze. And today, I will be telling you why. Haze was released back in August of 2023 as part of their Fever mini-album that was also released on the same day. While I had intentions to review it much earlier, I never got around to reviewing it unfortunately. But that changes today. This is the first time I am reviewing a LUCY release since PLAY in 2022.

I honestly do not remember my first impression of Haze. But I definitely remember ‘rediscovering’ the track a while after its release and falling for it, just in time to nominate it as part of the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED Awards (which voting has now ended). There is so much to enjoy in Haze. The soaring vocals sound sublime. The energy from the rock instrumentation really bolsters up the song, while the continuous unique presence of the violin in this band’s composition and the additional strings gives Haze another dimension and to further the already mentioned effect of both vocals and band instrumentation. The “Ah-ha” at the start of the chorus has such a memorable ring to it and is such a blissful moment in the song. The melodies throughout the song were also equally as memorable. But what got to me and really won me over was the sentiment of the song. Not even considering the lyrics, the vocals in Haze just carries such an uplifting and encouraging tone, along with a tinge of emotions that almost got to me. And this is the exactly what you get when you read the lyrics. All of this convinced me how amazing Haze is. And given how it hasn’t got the attention it deserves, it was nominated for Most Underrated Song by me for 2023.  

If the emotion tinge to the vocals weren’t enough to tip me over, the music video did. And for your information, it wasn’t the relatable struggles of study pressures, being bullied or not succeeding at something that you have attempted so many times that was portrayed in the music video by the students. It was actually that montage of LUCY performing together on the field in a circle, engaging with one another that got to me. There is something about this that reminded me of simpler times, hanging out with friends and having a blast with one another. Me getting emotional over that part doesn’t negate the rest of the video, however, with the acting out of the struggles being well displayed. And with the uplifting lyrics, each student saw a happy ending. The haziness was also a nice effect over the video. The post-credit ending of the music video was a bit of a wildcard, as it alludes to Boogie Man, a future release (at the time) which dropped in December 2023. I will be back to review that release at a later date.

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

[Review] NO MORE (MA BOY) – SISTAR19

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SISTAR19 is a duo subunit from the Summer KPOP queens SISTAR, consisting of HYOLYN and BORA, who debuted way back in 2011 with Ma Boy. They made one comeback as a subunit with Gone Not Around Any Longer in 2013. 11 years on since that last comeback, HYOLYN and BORA have regrouped for a comeback and dropped their new single NO MORE (MA BOY) yesterday.

SISTAR19 were very much known for their two distinct hits back in the day, so I was a little unsure how they would navigate the industry a decade on since their last release. But with what I heard in NO MORE (MA BOY), my concerns were truly invalid. The new song really slides right into the current soundscape of the industry with little resistance. NO MORE (MA BOY) kicks off with an synth intro that takes me back to the disco era. For me, this was a very bold star, reminding me of diva-like tracks. And for SISTAR19 to embrace this association makes logical sense. HYOLYN’s vocals are heavenly here, as well. Moving from the intro, the verses feature a funky beat and solid vocals from both HYOLYN and BORA. That’s right, BORA sings in NO MORE (MA BOY) and doesn’t actually rap at all. Her part is brief in the first verse, but she has a more substantial presence in the second verse. Both sound very confident and sexy, which is definitely a hallmark for SISTAR19 songs. Maybe some rapping could have made NO MORE (MA BOY) better, though. What makes NO MORE (MA BOY) a little more interesting than your typical pop song is that the song’s pre-choruses and choruses sound the same. There are some differences, such as the Korean lyrics at the end of each part. But on the whole, both repeats the catchy repetition of ‘No No … No. Nobody’s perfect‘. The main difference is that the pre-choruses see a more stripped back instrumental that allows you to really focus on the vocals, while the choruses goes into the funky and groovy energy a lot harder. While it does leave the song a little empty, I do find that NO MORE (MA BOY)‘s hook and centrepiece (and by large, the song itself) is super simple, direct and effective here.

The music video showcases the sexiness that we know SISTAR19 can pull off. There is a few looks that the pair pull off effortless, such as the sexy cowgirl and the winter looks. Apart from that, I didn’t find much else to the music video. In addition to those looks are the choreography shots, which I will touch on below.

The choreography looks great. I felt this part of the comeback would have been a tall order to fulfil, given that Ma Boy had the infamous body wave and Gone Not Around Any Longer went really sexy. Here, the main move of the entire routine was simple and could potentially become the next iconic dance move that SISTAR is constantly known for. The rest of the routine is quite dynamic. I also do like how they pay homage to their last comeback with the presence of the table, which is used in the routine differently to their former performance.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10 [Updated on 3 March 2024 due to calculation error]