As of yesterday, Key (from SHINee) enlisted into the military to begin his mandatory enlistment. But he didn’t part without releasing some new music. I Wanna Be, which features Kim Soyeon from the girl group (G)I-DLE, is Key’s newest release and serves as a parting present for fans. It is one of the three new songs on the repackaged album which shares the same name as the lead title track. The album was formerly known as Face and it featured One of These Nights (ft. Crush) and Forever Yours (ft. Soyou).
I Wanna Be is a very refreshing pop dance track. I say refreshing as I haven’t heard anything like this before. The instrumental carries some familiar EDM influences but together it sounds like something quite new. There is this slight vibrating synth that I find extremely appealing. I also enjoyed the pulsing beating during the verses, which later became more frequent and bolder during the chorus. Talking about the chorus, I wasn’t sure exactly when it begins. I assume it was when the song became upbeat but the preceding section felt like the start due to the vocals/lyrics. So I am going to label the preceding part as the pre-chorus. I found the pre-chorus interesting as it seemed to feature a female voice behind Key’s. Not exactly sure if it Kim Soyeon’s but I thought the harmonies were really nice. Key’s voice is amazing in this track. I think we can all agree that he has vastly improved since his earlier days. Kim Soyeon’s part was very flowy and I like that a lot. Usually, we see her with intensity, and while I do prefer that, it is nice to see her handle something more delicate.
I really like colour, so I enjoy seeing used in a way that is stylish and sleek. So I appreciate a very vibrant looking video. I Wanna Be‘s music video is essentially that. The use of red and green in their respective sets look amazing and gives off a bold impression. This causes both Key and Kim Soyeon to stand out through the video, which I thought was a great way to really allow them to pop and not become part of the sets. Other than that, I am keen to learn more about the content of the video. He holds the globe in his hands and there were a series of numbers that flash over the TV screen in the video. I don’t know what this all means but it left me intrigued.
The dancing in this video is pretty amazing. Particularly the dance break that follows the choruses. His footwork (or rather knees) look very cool. It is a little disappointing that we won’t see an actual live performance (or dance version) of this track any time soon.
Song – 8.5/10 Music Video – 7.5/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 8.3/10
Mamamoo isn’t back with a brand new comeback just yet! In fact, they will be returning towards the end of next week with the final instalment of their Four Seasons Project. But that doesn’t stop us from reviewing one of their past albums. Pink Funky was released back in 2015 and it features 6 songs in total, including the title track Um Oh Ah Yeah and the pre-release single, Aah Oop! (links to their respective reviews below). Um Oh Ah Yeah is also the very comeback that grew the group’s popularity due to their unique performances and the song’s very catchy nature.
Pink Funky Teaser Image
1..Freakin Shoes – Freakin Shoes feels like an odd title but it actually makes a lot of sense. Essentially the song likens a pair of new shoes to a person’s crush. Simply, they need to be bought before they are off the market. It is a fun light-hearted song that leads onto the main title track quite nicely. The song features a variety of sounds and vocals from each member, showcasing their capabilities in this somewhat cutesy pop sound (though there seemed to a slight dash of hip-hop influence at the start). When I first re-listened to the song to write the review, I thought the instrumental during the chorus was similar to the later-released Aze Gag. I also thought this song was quite catchy with its chant-like and repetitive chorus. It isn’t overly repeated, which I think makes this track refreshing rather than annoying. (8.5/10)
3. Sting (따끔) – While the first song deserved its popularity, Sting is the under-appreciated song on the album that deserves some love as well. It is a ballad about realising you still have feelings for a former lover despite thinking you have already moved on. Sting features amazing vocals that really make this song as amazing as it is. Wheein, Hwasa and Solar all do an amazing job with their voices in the song, especially during the bridge which really gave the song that powerful tone despite it being a emotionally driven ballad. If you like Mamamoo for their vocals, then this is the song for you. Moonbyul fans, unfortunately, Moonbyul didn’t have any lines in the version that is featured on the album. However, there are live performances with a special additional rap section, which I thought was fitting and nicely done. (9/10)
4. No No No (갑과 을) – No No No starts adding more funk to the album. It is quite energetic and bright, which I thought was rather fun. Penned by Moonbyul, the song is written to (or in regards) to her ex. It is all about her ex underappreciating back then but now (since she is popular and successful) that they have changed their attitudes about her. I like how the lyrics showcase a more confident side of the girls, which I think is quite appropriate given the background story of the lyrics. I quite liked the vocals of the members, including the rap sequences done by both Hwasa and Moonbyul. The chorus was quite groovy as well. I did notice some Esna influence in some sections of the song and this reminds me of Aah Oop! (8/10)
5. Self Camera – Self Camera takes on a soft R&B sound with some funk mixed into it. And like the first song, this one likens love to a camera. Once again, the vocals of the members stand out in Self Camera, especially in the final moments of the song. I also thought there was an easy-going tone with the song, which does slightly draw some attention to the song. However, I felt the song was weaker than the rest. I didn’t instantly standout, which seemed to be the case for the other songs when I think about it. However, it is still a nice song to listen to. (7.5/10)
Still continuing on from today’s list of comebacks and debuts is Sunmi. Her comeback is a bit surprising as there wasn’t really a buildup to it (i..e no prior announcement or confirmation that she is coming back that I am aware of). Instead, I only caught wind of it through the sudden teasers released last week. But regardless, Sunmi has returned with Noir and this is her first comeback since Siren last year.
While I have listened to the song a few times already, I am not exactly falling in love with it straight away. Maybe a few more listens is required. I think this is because the song has a much more serious feel to it, which isn’t what I am used to. The lyrics to Noir are quite deep, which explains the serious nature of the song. The meaning, which I pinched from a YouTube comment, will be discussed in the music video section of this review as it goes hand-in-hand there. I like the slight funkiness in the instrumental, which is quite up Sunmi’s alley. I also like how it feels quite still, despite it being an upbeat song. The consistency here works really well (i.e. causes that stillness) and hence it comes off as having an eerie vibe to it. The song doesn’t seem to have too much of a hook that is memorable (yet). Though the elongated ‘Noir’ that follows the chorus does seem to be growing on me. I also liked how some of the vocals are textured (i..e the background vocals for example), which gives an interesting appeal and much-needed texture.
My interpretation is all based on the YouTube comment by Kane K, so props to him for this following excerpt. I have attached a screenshot of it below as it will be a better explanation than what I will ever give.
It is clear that the video takes a stab at social media from the very start. The cake at the start catches on fire very quickly and Sunmi grabs her phone to put it on Instagram. The exact same thing happens at the end with her car and she automatically puts it on Instagram. Essentially her character in the video cares more about likes and views than anything else and this becomes more apparent as the video progresses. One scene in the video shows her having anxiety and dislike all over her body, which seems to be at the hate she gets. But despite that, she covers the ‘un’ in ‘unfollow’ written across her chest due to her addiction to attention. So yes, it is a dark, dark world in this day and age.
We have yet to see a performance from Sunmi for this track and hence, I will update this review once we get one (and I will also be updating Monsta X’s Alligator as well then).
Song – 7/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – To Be Updated Overall Rating – 7.8/10
Hailing from Big Hit Entertainment, which houses the extremely popular and world-wide known BTS, TXT begins their reign of the KPOP industry starting today. TXT, which stands for Tomorrow X Together, is a 5 member male group consisting of Soobin, Yeonjun, Byeomgyu, Taehyun and Huening Kai. They make their debut through the title track Crown and the mini-album The Dream Chapter: STAR. The group has already garnered some momentum as they are the first group to debut under Big Hit since BTS. While this may be biased for some people, it was going to bring an interesting player to the industry.
Since they are coming from Big Hit, I had expected the group to debut with a song that feels heavy and serious. But this isn’t the case, which I think benefits the group as they are allowed to show their own individuality. Instead, Crown is an upbeat KPOP song that shows off their youthful charms. I don’t think there is any other way to describe the song besides that it is extremely fitting to what we know from the industry. Crown starts off with synthetic horns (that I already enjoy) and also I believe is morse code (though I am not too sure and I don’t know what they are trying to send to us if that is the case). We then get a rush of energy once the song starts picking up. The group has really nice vocals that do shine throughout this song, especially during the pre-chorus and chorus. The rapping sequence was also quite good but I like how they are also scattered throughout the song, giving us more opportunity to hear the rappers. I also find the song quite catchy due to its upbeat vibes and fresh melodies. Overall, I feel that this is an extremely strong debut track to launch their career with.
I personally like the video. While I was hoping they get something along the lines of BTS’ music videos, I like the direction they went with. Instead of being overly colourful and complicated, the video opts to show more simple sets and this allows the members to look like they are laidback, which is more in line with the video. I really like the stop-motion that appears in the video and the post-production light images they inserted into the video. It all looks cool and very youthful.
The performance side of the group seems to be their most promising. Not that everything else was terrible, as I have enjoyed the rest of their debut (song & music video) so far. But I thought their dancing was pretty darn good. I liked how it seemed like it was non-stop, which I thought was very nice. It was also quite energetic and I want to see more!
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9.3/10
Kicking off the comebacks for this week is GOT7’s newest subunit. We all know of JJ Project, which was started before GOT7’s debut. But today, we see s slightly different subunit lineup. Jus2 is made up of GOT7’s leader, JB, and GOT7’s maknae, Yugyeom. An interesting yet satisfying combination. They make their debut with their first mini album, Focus, and the title track, Focus On Me. This also marks the beginning of GOT7’s promotions for 2019 as we last saw them through their Miracle promotions at the end of 2018.
I think it was expected that the two would come together and release an R&B based song, as I believe this two be the genre that the two would float to. I found the song to be extremely smooth in nature and has this very chill tone to it. I like how the beat is well defined over the chill tone, giving the track a dynamic nature in the most subtle way. The instrumental overall makes the song quite appealing. But what actually manages to stand out more are the vocals of the duo. Like any other R&B song, they chose a very sensual and extremely smooth approach, which is extremely fitting for the instrumental. They also added some raspy textures, all of which I enjoyed while listening to the song. I did feel the hook was on the weaker side but the repetition of the title throughout the song does what it says successfully. That is, they get you to focus on them.
The music video for this song is very artistic. The sets looked like art exhibitions, which does make sense as you would ‘focus’ at an art exhibition. But instead of art, they are on display. I also liked the glitchy nature of the video. It gives the video some interesting textures, as a straight up 100% smooth natured video wouldn’t have the same effect as this one does. I also like their multi-room concept, where the rooms come into view right after leaving the other and that the previous room is still viewable in the distance. It is unique to see especially throughout the video, as i is commonly seen once or twice throughout a video. Very nice video that I think has a strong impact.
The choreography looks really nice. I like when they sing ‘Focus On Me‘, they look through the circle they form with their hands. It makes sense. I also like how their moves pulsate along with the music, making it even more fitting for the song. It looks promising for the stages later in the week.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 10/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8.6/10
It is time for another album review and today we will have a closer look at SF9’s latest mini-album, Narcissus, which was released last week. It features the title track, Enough and five other amazing songs. And I cannot emphasise that enough. This is one extremely high-quality album, where every song is praised. I barely have anything negative to say about the songs, as you will find out as you read the review. Furthermore, it is extremely rare for me to actually enjoy every song in the album. Okay, before I continue to ramble on, I hand you over to the actual review.
2. Play Hard (화끈하게) – Play Hard is exactly what the song’s title suggest. It urges you to enjoy yourself and have a great time living life after a hard week’s worth of work. I am totally loving the chorus for the song. The saxophone infused upbeat chorus is extremely fun sounding and definitely gets you into the groove for partying. I like how the rappers got a lot of parts in the song, with their deep voices complimenting the bright and energetic nature of the song. I also really liked the shared lines between in the chorus as well. I find it a little intriguing that there is also a dance break in the midst of the song, as the song pretty much covered the necessity of that already. But I guess the song is about partying, so why not have some more fun while you are it? (9/10)
3. Heartbeat (하필) – Heartbeat starts off in an ambiguous nature, as you are a little unsure what direction the song would take. You do here a paced heartbeat in the background, but it doesn’t really tell you how the song would progress. The song starts taking shape once the song once Rowoon starts singing and the amazing guitar starts, with the latter leaving me floored. The chorus confirms the presence of a pop track in our midst and I think I really like the nature of the chorus, giving me nostalgia to past pop songs. The rapping was quite awesome in this song. It isn’t the main element in the song (as the vocals are, which are equally as nice). The only thing that I don’t agree with on the track is the autotuned ‘I can feel your heartbeat’. Yes, it does feel very fitting for a pop context. But I think it just ruins what the song really built up to. (9/10)
4. Life Is So Beautiful – Another good track from the group but it doesn’t scream at me straight away. Instead, it takes a few listens for me to really appreciate its pretty intense drop and overall sound. To me, the EDM chorus stands out the most. The build-up in the pre-chorus promises it to be something quite fast-paced. But the actual chorus ended being dragged out and slower than expected. I think that really did a lot to attract my attention. The vocals in this track, along with the rap are, once again, extremely commendable. I like the underlying of electric guitars at the end. It could have been easily missed, however, due to the intensity of the chorus. (8/10)
5. Fall In Love – Fall In Love is probably the closest song to a ballad on the album. It does still have a dance influence due to the presence of the consistent drum beat in the background. But it is the piano that is the most dominant instrument in the instrumental and it gives the song a really beautiful melody. And due to the presence of the beautiful melody, the vocals benefit as they are given a platform to really shine. But as usual, their rappers managed to slide perfectly into the song and I am impressed with that. I think this would be a very nice track to listen to on a rainy day and I might just put this one on during the next wet day that comes by. (9/10)
6. The Beat Goes On (무중력) – We return to upbeat vibes for the last track on the album. There is a very cheerful vibe to the song that sets it apart from the rest of the album. I also like how it isn’t a really hard-hitting track. Instead, there is a hint of softness to the track that really holds it down and feels refreshing. For this track, I prefer the vocals to the rapping, as the song focuses more on the vocals, while the rapping is more of a side element. I liked the melody of the track, especially during the chorus, which is lead by Rowoon and Taeyang. I also like the ‘Beat Goes On’ line that brings everyone to the microphone. And honestly, it wraps up the album neatly. (9/10)
As time goes by, I become more and more guilty over the fact that my last JYJ related review was back in 2013 for Xiah Junsu’s Incredible. Their actual last group promotion that I actually reviewed (In Heaven) was actually back in 2011 (when I first started the site). And I feel guilty because I know there have been solo releases and group promotions that I never got around to review them. But that is all going to change now as I will review Park YuChun’s first solo release, Slow Dance, today. This is YuChun’s first Korean solo release since his release from the army last year.
To me, the track doesn’t feel like a KPOP song. I know the current ongoing trend is to infuse Latin influences into KPOP songs. And while Slow Dance is also on board with this trend, the song feels more of a Western song. And I am actually not sure why. There are a number of things that may explain why I feel this way. The instrumental features guitars that give the song those Latin roots. But instead of combining it another genre of music (which I think KPOP has been doing with the trend), Slow Dance builds upon these roots and creates a very nice upbeat track with an R&B touch. I liked the upbeat nature of the track and his vocals are very charming. They also contribute to this non-KPOP feel. His English pronunciation is very good in the song. I actually mistook some of the Korean language for some English, while also feeling how ‘Western’ the song was. Overall, I really like this track. It is smooth and easy-going, which are all factors that I enjoy.
This is a very nice video. I like the mysterious nature of the Spanish guitar player at the start and throughout the video. This is because we don’t see a clear shot of them. They are always in the shadow. YuChun, for the most part, dances in the video but there were a number of solo scenes in the video that had this weird vibe (i.e. when he bends at 1:20 of the video (see below)). Not really sure what is going on. Apart from that, the sets for the video looked really cool and overall, I thought the video was very polished.
The choreography looks nice. Not much slow dancing here and I guess it would be hard with an upbeat song. But the smooth nature in the moves is present and this compliments the song. I liked how they slowed some of the moves to really draw out that smoothness and make it fit the song’s title.
Song – 8.5/10 Music Video – 7/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8/10
We continue the solo debut trend of this week with the first member of Golden Child branching out into solo works. Hong Joo Chan, the main vocalist of Golden Child, released A Song For Me on the 27th of February (this past Wednesday). This is also the first time we heard from Golden Child since their Genie comeback in October 2018.
As I mentioned in an earlier review, main vocalists tend to go down the cliche route by selecting a ballad song to showcase their vocal talents. And this is the same route that Hong Joo Chan had decided to go with. But once again, I wish to reiterate that I am not troubled but this and this is merely an observation that I have noticed with other artists. A Song For Me reminds of ballads that I would listen on a radio channel here in Australia. It has a very old-style instrumental, almost 90s ballad feels, as it has an electronic feel to it. And his vocals are very soothing in this track. They aren’t powerhouse vocals where he is belting out every single note and because of that, I think this is a very enjoyable song to kick back and listen to after a long day. And the track has that swaying effect, which I enjoy doing while listening to really good ballads.
The song is about reflecting upon one’s self and there is no other way of doing that but by taking a trip to a different place where no one knows you. Joo Chan does just that in the video, where he goes on the streets and wander the streets of Japan. One thing I did notice about the song is that it suits a very wide scenery. And there is no better place than the beach if you want an image that feels wide. It also seems that he wants to bring a part of the trip back by filming scenes from the beach to constantly himself about this reflection time. It is a fitting video for the song.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
Last week, we saw Yoon Ji Sung make his solo debut with In The Rain. But it is time we see another former Wanna One member return. Yesterday, Ha Sungwoon returned as a solo artist for the very first time. He made his debut with the title track Bird, which is featured from the mini-album, My Moment. He is also the second member of his original group, HOTSHOT, to make his solo debut. Fellow member Roh Taeyhyun, who also partipcated alongside Ha Sungwoon in Produce 101 Season 2, made his solo debut a few weeks back with I Wanna Know.
Bird is an upbeat pop track that really throws his vocals to the forefront of the song. Sungwoon is one of the main vocalists of Wanna One but we don’t often hear much of him due to the number of members in the group. So Bird does a lot in terms of showcasing his vocals. I am also glad he went with a pop track rather than a ballad. It does feel like a cliche route for main vocalists to choose a ballad (not that I have anything against it. I just want some variety). He has nice vocals as a result and I really like how he sings in falsetto for the parts of the chorus. It gives off a nice texture and really reflects well with the sweet and pleasing instrumental. In the second verse, he goes into a rap-singing mode. I honestly felt that they could have inserted a featuring rapper here. Not because he was terrible at rapping but rather I felt we needed something to offset the sweetness of the song. I think the ‘I Sweety Bird’ line was probably his catchiest and most memorable moment of the song. Overall, it is a strong solo debut that shows his strengths.
Fitting with the title of the track, Sungwoon flies throughout the music video. Not in a literal sense but rather his imagination. In the song, he likens the feelings of love to a bird flying (at least that is how I interpreted the lyrics). I also find the video to also be as equally as a sweet as the song and this is thanks to the colour palette of the video. Very bright but not in the way where it feels too young. I did find the music video a tad boring but that was my personal thoughts regarding the video. I think a lot of people, including his fans, would appreciate the music video for the slight cuteness.
The choreography also features some flying as well. Once again, not literal. Instead, the backup dancers are pocking up the lighted box that he sits on. Talking about the lighted box, I actually like the moment the light turns on. I also like how the choreography doesn’t rely on any complex moves but its ‘simple’ moves manage to give it the same feeling as a complicated dance routine.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 6.5/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 7.6/10
LOONA returned last week with XX, which featured the title track Butterfly. It also features 4 other new tracks (which I will be reviewing today), on top of the tracks featured on their ++ release, which we first saw in August of last year. Their company has been teasing this comeback for some time. The first teaser was released in October and it featured the ending of the Hi High music video but in reverse. Interestingly, the order of ++ songs on XX is actually been reversed as well. While I think I may have cracked that code, there is still a lot more cryptic messages to work through. In the meantime, here is my review for XX.
3. Satellite – Satellite is a very interesting track. It combines several appealing techniques to really make the song feel quite bold (but in a subtle way). The song starts off with a bouncy instrumental and very clear vocals. The pre-chorus takes a slight turn with a short yet sweet build-up, layered on top of a rolling drum beat. The chorus is what got my attention. It starts off with very melodic and wave-like vocals, which later moves onto a faster beat which provides a nice rush of energy to the chorus. It isn’t a combination that doesn’t really seem fitting, but it works effortlessly in this track. The rap sequences that make up majority of the second verse was also another well-done section, adding some texture to the track. I particularly like the inclusion of Kim-Lip’s section which sound like an electronic powering down (sorry for my unimaginative descriptions of each section). The rest of the track continues the same standard. Personally, Satellite is a very strong track if you are looking for something aesthetically pleasing. I also think this is a wonderful addition to their portfolio thus far. (9/10)
4. Curiosity – Curiosity throws a hip-hop feel to their aesthetic works that we got during their pre-debut period. It does create an interesting mix, to be honest. I just felt that there seemed to be a lot to focus on during the chorus and the instrumental, while it featured a deep sounding synth that sounds somewhat unique, was overpowering the vocals at times. But hey, that was my first impression. With more listens, the song is getting slightly better. But the one feeling that has remained from the start was how lacklustre the rap sequence felt. I wanted more. More definition and something to really kick the song up a notch. (7/10)
5. Colors – Colors is undeniably their most colourful work on the entire album. I attribute that to the certain level of brightness that you could feel during the chorus. The instrumental had a lot going on as well, which I think also contributed to this feeling. Once again, the instrumental did feel somewhat overwhelming, especially for the vocals of this track, which opted for a soft approach once again. However, I did like the instrumentation for the track, particularly the rolling drum beat during the chorus. The song also features a very conflicting dance break. It just doesn’t go with the rest of the song but for some reason it draws attention to the song in a way that I cannot really understand. To me, it attracted some good attention rather than a negative response (in my case at least). (7.5/10)
6. Where You At – Where You At is an R&B dance track that actually has a very addictive chorus. There isn’t much going on within the song, but it was still a very strong track overall. The ‘Where You At’ repetition within the chorus instantly gets me singing along. Come to the think of it, the entire track is quite pleasant, and I think the soft nature of the song is a major charm that they played right. The instrumental is on the more typical side of the spectrum, but I still thought it was nice. The vocals had this electronic filter applied to it, which also gave it a nice effect. It isn’t as extreme as autotune and worked well with the soft nature of the track. Interestingly, the track does not feature a rap. I personally think this was a good move as it would cut the softness of the track. (9/10)
It has been over 10 years since Davichi made their debut as a duo. And now finally, the last of the two have finally made her solo debut. Kang Min Kyung embarks on her solo career with Because I Love You, the lead title track off her first mini-album, Kang Min Kyung Vol. 1. The other member of Davichi, Lee Hae Ri, made her solo debut 2 years back with Pattern and Hate That I Miss You. In other related news, Davichi’s last comeback was last year with Days Without You, which also celebrated the duo’s 10 year anniversary.
Because I Love You is a ballad, which was expected as Davichi is widely known for their ballads in the industry. But to me, the ballad felt very similar to what Davichi usually releases. I lowkey was waiting for Lee Hae Ri to come into the song and start singing. While that may not be a bad thing, I don’t see Kang Min Kyung’s individuality within the song, which was slightly disappointing. The ballad features a typical ensemble including orchestra and acoustic guitars. However, we got to hear more of Kang Min Kyung in the song and her slightly raspy vocals really made this track beautiful. She also did a good job of making the song heartfelt. I did like the melody and thought there was a decent buildup towards the end to really bring the track together. Overall, it was a nice ballad to listen to, especially on a cold day.
The music video shows Kang Min Kyung alone on this certain day. Many things she does within her day (a stroll through the forest, swimming in a hot spring etc.) leads to flashbacks to her previous relationship. All was good up until the guy calls it quits and leaves her. But before he goes, he leaves Min Kyung with his watch (I think) and she still wears to this day, showing to us that she hasn’t moved on. The scene at the end where she pulls herself underwater and when she stopped the time on her clock confirms this (I think). That is my interpretation of the video. Unfortunately, I don’t have English translations to the lyrics to back this up and the ending seems to be a lot more than her stopping time, along with the fact that we see the guy a lot gazing out of the window and sitting alone. Regardless, I thought the video was beautifully shot for the ballad.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8/10
Last year’s monster rookies have returned with their first comeback of 2019. G(I)-DLE was thrown into the spotlight thanks to their catchy LATATA debut track and continued their popularity with the unique Hann (or Alone). Now, the girl group from Cube Entertainment has returned with their second mini-album, I Made, and the title track, Senorita. Since their last comeback, the group received multiple Rookie of the Year awards, while Soyeon has been busy with collaborations including Wow Thing! (with Sin.B, Chungha and Seulgi) and SHINee’s Key’s upcoming solo release next month.
Given the title of the song, it was expected the comeback will be with Latin flair and that is exactly what we got. The song opens with a very obvious tango influenced sound and this continues throughout the song. I thought the brass in the instrumental was very delightful and adds colour to the already colourful genre that they went with. I enjoyed how the rapping was incorporated into the song, with the verses becoming very sensual with the paced delivery. The chorus had catchy hooks but my favourite would have to be the Senorita and brass combination. Interestingly, the bridge and end of the song contained very little lyrics. Only a repetitive ‘yuhuhuhuu’ was utilised. Not sure why this was the case but it did have charm. The only thing that I wanted more of was a buildup. There seemed to be a suspense-building pre-chorus but I thought a stronger buildup would have made their chorus more explosive.
The music video is quite dangerous. You can say that the girls made you sweat a little through their very close brushes with death in the video. I guess the sweat suits the heated genre of music they selected and the near-death experiences were great to get the attention of the person they are singing about. Once again, I thought the colour within the video was really nice and that applies to both their outfits and sets. I also did notice some product placement within the video with the Kaja cosmetics. It was very difficult to see but after rewatching a few times, it appeared quite frequently.
I thought the performance was very suiting for the song. They went with moves that we commonly associate with the Latin genre and tango itself, which I think was smart. They didn’t necessarily do it a cliche way and mixed over moves into the choreography as well.
Song – 8.5/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8.5/10 Overall Rating – 8.4/10
One of the good things about doing this ‘Past Album’ reviews segment is that I am able to readily revisit groups who are now disbanded. These non-active groups have amazing albums and songs that just need some attention, even after years of release. The first now-disbanded group that I will be looking at is Miss A with their 2nd studio album, Hush. Hush shares the same name as the album’s lead title track and it also features some songs from the group’s first mini-album (Touch) and second mini-album (Independent Women Part III). For today, I will review only the songs that were present on the Hush album. As for the other songs on the mini-albums, I will return to them another week.
Hush Album Cover
1..Come On Over (놀러와) – Come On Over begins the album with a seductive sound. The track isn’t your most bombastic opener but it does do a good job of introducing the album. I really like the vocals in this track. They are quite breathy and this contributes to the sensual nature that I can detect. The combination of the R&B instrumental and vocals remind me of Uhm Jung Hwa’s songs. But the winning element for me is the rapping which I think is perfect for this track. (9/10)
2. Hush (허쉬) (Title Track) – Usually, I simply put a link to the review for the title tracks. But today, I have decided to offer an explanation. Times have changed and over the years, the song has grown on me immensely. It has grown so much that it has become my most favourite Miss A title track. Hence, I have decided to bump the original 8.5/10 to a 10/10. Obviously, all of my previous thoughts regarding the track have changed however I have decided to keep the original review as is. Click here to read the original full (but now practically invalid) review of Hush.(10/10)
3. Love Is U – One of my favourite tracks on the album is Love Is U. I thought the introductory was very misleading, as soon after the song becomes quite energetic. Showcased from the beginning of the song to the very end is the vocals of the group, which I thought was spectacular. The rapping was equally as nice. The chorus, even though it repeats the title, was my favourite part. I especially liked the ‘Love Is U, U, U’ part of the chorus. (10/10)
4. Spotlight – Spotlight follows the energetic sound from the previous song. I like the brightness of the track, which is quite fitting for a song titled Spotlight. While I did like the song’s pop instrumental and vocals, the song did feel rushed, particularly between the verse and chorus. I also did think the song was repetitive, especially after many listens. The best part of the song was the bridge with the ‘Oh Oh Oh’ and the rap sequence, which I think gave the song some much-needed intensity. (8/10)
5. Hide & Seek – Hide & Seek is another favourite of mine. It brings back the edgy vibe that Hush delivered but it goes with a rock-pop vibe, which I thought was quite addictive. The hooks did not help ease that criterion as I clearly remember the song being engraved into my mind when it was first released in 2014. The rapping just before the chorus was my favourite part of the track because it brings the best out of Jia, who is often overshadowed by the rest of the groups. (10/10)
6. (Mama) I’m Good – Do you see something about the album thus far? Even Track Number 6 is a favourite. It is a feel-good track that really makes you smile regardless of how you are feeling before the track. The instrumental is extremely bright, as you would expect from this type of song. Once again, the vocals are on full blast with this track being their best effort on the album. It is also very catchy. (10/10)
7. Like U – Like U brings back that sensual vibe through another R&B number. It provides us listeners a break from the energy filled album thus far but also serves as a great ‘interlude’ to the rest of the album. The vocals are brought back into play with no rapping within the track, which I thought was a suitable omission for this track. Unfortunately, this track wasn’t a favourite as it didn’t have that memorable element to hold me with. But it was still nice nonetheless. (9/10)
Touch Album Cover (Source: Mithunonthe)
9. Touch (터치) – Once again, I am here to offer an explanation. The original score was a 4/10. But that included the music video and performance, which to this date, I still do not like. Likewise, my original thoughts regarding the song still stand. But back then, there was no breakdown of the final review score and I do not believe a 4/10 represents my thoughts then or now in regard to the song/music. Hence, I have decided to bump the score to a 6.5/10. Click here to read the full review of Touch. (6.5/10)
10. Over U– Repetition may be this song’s main charm. ‘Over U’ is repeated during the chorus and while you may think this might get annoying, it becomes engraved into your mind. Trust me on this one, as it is one memorable song. The verses are what keeps the song moving along as it is rather different. Their vocals also bring some freshness as it moves along, especially Jia’s rapping which I think adds a kick to the song. (9/10)
Independent Women Part III Album Cover
11. Time’s Up – Time’s Up is also another addictive song. To me, it feels like a shuffling song (and here I show my age). I also liked the pre-chorus slowdown, which I thought really gave the song an intriguing turn. The post-chorus instrumental break was quite dynamic and showcased a burst of energy. I also thought the ‘Bye Bye Bye’ was a very delicate touch to the harsh club/dance beat. The rest of the song was equally as good, I just don’t have the space to write all about it! (10/10)
12. If I Were A Boy – If I Were A Boy features a much slower R&B instrumental and raspier vocals from the members. And while we have seen this combination elsewhere in the album, I just cannot seem to really enjoy this song. It is paced so slowly that it feels unfitting for the album, which has featured an overload of energy. To think of this track as a breather doesn’t really help its case. It just isn’t a memorable song and it still has some nice moments. (7/10)
MONSTA X returned last week with Alligator and the second half to their second album, We Are Here. The first half of the second album was titled Are You There? and featured their hit track, Shoot Out. I was a little confused as I did not register that this was a two-part release at first. I honestly thought Are You There? was an album on its own due to the number of songs already on the album. Nonetheless, they have returned and that is what matters. On with the album review!
3. Ghost (악몽) – Personally, I liked how the song takes on the ‘Ghost’ title and really give the song some creepy vibes, which I think make this track even more powerful. For the most part, I found the track to be satisfying. The whisper-like ‘Ghost Ghost Ghost’ keeps on ringing in my head after the song is finished and I think this is purely their intention. The chorus had this repetitive nature, which I thought was really cool. It wasn’t overdone in a way that it got annoying, so it is a plus for that. I just felt the song could have used a breakdown or some sort of intensified injection to really bring the track together and make it even more impactfully creepy. (8/10)
4. Play It Cool – Play It Cool is a collaborative track between Monsta X and Steve Aoki. And this collaboration resulted in a very clean and stylish track. Opening the track is Joohoney (formerly Jooheon) with his vocals. After their Versace On The Floor performance which Joohoney pretty much rocked the fandom with, I have been dying to hear his vocals in full within their next release. Well, here is that track and it does not disappoint. I thought the vocals in this song were good, pairing well with the club vibes the song featured. I really like the chorus drop, which gave the song that centrepiece that attracts attention. I also thought I.M and his deep voice got to shine more with Joohoney singing in this song. And his deep voice shined brightly. (8.5/10)
5. No Reason – No Reason gives an opportunity for the group to really showcase the vocalists of the group (particularly Minhyuk, who got a fair amount of line this time around). Instead of power vocals which would be unfair for some members, the members do with an easy-going yet slightly different tone (i.e. higher) than usual to keep the song interesting. They do keep the electronic instrumental as per their usual style but keep it extremely light and hence not overpowering any of the member’s voices. The rappers do their thing but they aren’t overly powering or too dominant in order to keep that light balance that the song has. (8/10)
6. Give Me Dat – Give Me Dat returns the hard dance style that we associate with Monsta X. I did find that Give Me Dat fails to really offer anything new to listeners, however, which is a little disappointing. I wanted the song to have a kick as the song progressed but that didn’t get fulfilled. It remained too consistent for my liking, like my straight-line analogy that I used to refer to often. The vocals and rapping in this song were quite ordinary and once again felt too consistent. I don’t hate it for that, but it is a pretty much passable track considering what Monsta X has done in the past. (6/10)
7. Turbulence (난기류) – Turbulence doesn’t get turbulent in the instrumental. It is more to do with their crush is the cause of all their turbulence in their lives and them wanting more. It does still feel safe as I expected the instrumental to really go hard or haywire but that did not happen. Instead, it kept its cool and I think that makes the track a little more direct rather than what I thought might have happened. I also found the vocals and rapping style in this song a little more interesting than the previous song, which gives the song a nice appealing sound. I thought the rapping was more impactful in this song and the build-up to the final chorus was extremely satisfying. (7/10)
8. Rodeo – Prepare to be blasted with Rodeo. It kicks off with some Spanish guitars and quickly progresses into an intense hype track. To me, the song reminds me of Big Bang’s Bang Bang Bang, where both songs would get a similar response from the crowd. I really liked the “Boom’ in the chorus, followed by Joohoney’s short Korean phrases. Quite impactful and very memorable if you ask me. Come to the think of it, the song has the familiar intensity that I think really suits Joohoney’s style. I also think the vocals in the song during their respective parts were really good, particularly since they aren’t the main attraction (that honor goes to the already discussed chorus). (9/10)
9. Stealer – Stealer is also quite intense but it is a different intensity that hasn’t been touched upon in this album. And it has a kick that I wanted before making this a very memorable track to my ears. The ‘Dang Dang Dang…’, ‘Bam Bam Bam…’ in the pre-chorus and the repetition of the title in the chorus was extremely addictive. The instrumental had the intention of being ‘in your face’ but it still managed to stay in the background of the track and not overpower the vocals/raps. Talking about the vocals and the raps, I thought they were very dynamic in this track. I am not too fond of the pauses right after the first chorus as they do cut the flow but they do provide some relief after a jam-packed first verse/chorus. (9/10)
10. Party Time – Drawing the album to a close is Party Time, which features a casual and more relaxed tune. I honestly thought that this would be more of a party anthem, given how the album has been mostly filled with dance tracks. But it opts for a R&B beat and soft vocals. Even the rapping was toned down to fit the song. I liked the melody of the chorus and ‘Dalala-lala-lalala’ hook that follows the chorus. I also liked how they also sing part of the chorus together and that hook that I just mentioned. It is a pleasant sound that eases us off the album well. (8/10)
Returning to the stage yesterday is no other than Seven O’Clock. Their last comeback saw various changes to the lineup of the group. This one shares that similarity. But instead of losing members, the group actually gained new member (Andy), thus returning the group to a 6 member lineup. Their comeback single is titled as Get Away and it is their first comeback since their double song return withSearchlight and Nothing Better.
Get Away is a different track to most. No, it isn’t anything new but its lightness is really something unique in this day and age. Get Away has a simple pop instrumental, featuring guitars and a light sprinkling of synths. Essentially, that is it. There isn’t anything more to the instrumental, which may repel some listeners. But don’t judge a book by its cover. The song manages to incorporate a very catchy hook (the English lyrics), nice vocals and nice harmonies. Together, it is a very carefree track that is light in nature and very easy on the ears. I am actually quite addicted to the catchy hook, as I find myself singing along to it. Even the rapping was done in a way that matches the lightness of the track. I also like how they added a bit of intensity through the bridge. It does feel a little odd for the track overall but I think it gives the song an intriguing touch. If you want to get away from the electronic trend but still want a decent dance track that is easy to follow, then this one is for you.
The video may seem weak due its low budget, based on the quality of the final product that was released. But I think they made do with what they had available. The music video compromises of a bunch of close-ups and choreography scenes, which seems boring considering how the song is in regards to holding onto someone from the past. They could have added a plotline to the video with a model but that would have taken away from the carefree vibes of the song and created a loaded atmosphere. I think by approaching in a simplistic manner and not adding content to the video made it work. Though, I am not sure about the random aegyo towards the start (within the first chorus).
It was a nice performance to watch. Nothing to amazing but I liked the enthusiasm and energy they brought to the stage.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 7/10 Overall Rating – 8.3/10
Once again, I am late with another review. This time last week, VANNER would have been a newly debut group with one day under their belt already. They make their debut with the song, Better Do Better and more interestingly with a full studio album, V. This is a very ambitious release, considering most debuting groups only release singles or mini-albums as their first step. VANNER consist of 5 members (Ahxian, Youngkwang, Taehwan, Gon and Hyesun) and are currently under VT Entertainment.
Better Do Better is your standard pop song with the instrumental filled with tropical influences, a now very common sound in KPOP. The song features nice vocals, which is one of the drawing points to the song. It doesn’t help that the hooks (‘Do Do Do Better‘) and melody (particularly around the pre-chorus) are quite catchy and do end up making the song memorable to an extent. I wish I can say the same thing with the rapping though. It was rather plain and while the song seemed bright and happy, the song needed some intensity to keep it grounded and the rapping didn’t provide that. I think the next aspect that didn’t leave me impressed as the vocals were the flow of the track. For the most part, it was good. It is just that abrupt transition to the bridge that really catches me off guard every single time I listen to the song. And it cuts the energy that the song had channelling, which leaves me disappointed. Overall, it was a good debut track in my opinion but it had some noticeable flaws.
The music video seemed to show a mini storyline but it was pretty much so minute that I could barely tell what was happening. They were all hanging out when they saw an attractive lady walk into their mini-party. I think the video shows them as shy around her though I am not too sure as they seem to be more upfront with their feelings towards her. Based on the lyrics, it seems like they are encouraging her to express her feelings as well. Though the video doesn’t seem to show this. I am also not sure how the love triangle ties into the rest of the plotline. It was a good video with a casual feel, which suits the light nature of the song.
The song was definitely energetic, given its bright nature and its chant-like chorus. But the performance didn’t really reflect that and I am a little disappointed. I guess they focused more on their live vocals and rapping (which I must commend them on that as they sound just as good as the studio version). I would have liked a more dynamic choreography, however.
Song – 7/10 Music Video – 7/10 Performance – 6/10 Overall Rating – 6.8/10
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