Category: KPOP

[Album Review] ISTJ (3rd Studio Album) – NCT DREAM

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I am moving some things around today as I am feeling a little unwell. So instead of posting tomorrow’s album review tomorrow, I will be posting it today. Song reviews will be posted tomorrow, instead. And as you can tell from the title of this post, the album review is for NCT DREAM’s ISTJ, their 3rd studio album. This album dropped in July of this year. Featured on this album is the title track ISTJ, the pre-release track Broken Melodies and an additional 8 tracks. For my thoughts on the tracks of this album, keep on reading below!

ISTJ Album Cover

1. ISTJ (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for ISTJ. (8/10)

2. Broken Melodies (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Broken Melodies. (9/10)

3. Yoghurt Shake – Adding some sweetness and youthful energy to the album is the single Yoghurt Shake, the track in which NCT DREAM followed up promotions of ISTJ with. It is a bright pop track, almost bubble gum-like thanks to the light and delightful instrumentation and melodies. This very much could have been a track from their early days. But there is a hint of maturity in Yoghurt Shake that makes it fit in with NCT DREAM discography today. Also, Yoghurt Shake also puts the vocalists in the forefront, with their vocals and harmonies being the main selling point of the track. (8/10)

4. Skateboard – EDM and hip-hop takes over in Skateboard. I really like the upbeat energy that this track exudes. I also like the 2000s flair the track brings. The hip-hop aspect of Skateboard, which comes through the beats and the members’ delivery, was very pronounced and the EDM was energetic but not overwhelming, which makes Skateboard so easy to get into. My pick for favourite track on this album. (10/10)

5. Blue Wave (파랑) – Blue Wave serves as the sequel to the single Dive Into You (which was featured on the group’s first studio album, Hot Sauce). It is also referenced during the outro of this track. Blue Wave is a very tropical sounding single, thanks to the pan flutes in the background that adds a level of freshness to the track. I really execution of the fast-paced lyrics/melodies in the pre-chorus, and the harmonies during the chorus of this track. A fun and pleasant track. (8/10) 

6. Poison (모래성) – The sensual track video for Poison that was released in the lead up to the release of ISTJ shows a completely different side to the group, miles away from where they started off with. And those sensual vibes come through the entire R&B song. I like the groovy bass in the background, along with the body-wave vibe the chorus exudes. I also like the flirty rapping and the smooth vocals that feature in Poison. Whether this release alludes to even more mature sounds/concepts in the future is still to be seen, but I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing the group venture down this path at least once in the future. (9/10)   

7. SOS – The group takes us down a more experimental direction with SOS. The track itself features hip-hop beats and the EDM creates suspense. The booming bass in SOS also gives the track a dynamic flair. I really like the very breathy whisper that kicks off the chorus. The rappers really have a strong hold in this track and nail their parts. I wish the vocalists had more presence in the track, as it felt like they were missing from SOS for the most part. (7.5/10)  

8. Pretzel (♡) – Pretzel’ssynth line was very bold – it sounded very crunchy, but also spongy and dragged out a tiny bit. It makes for a very interesting backing to the track. Elsewhere in Pretzel, the members stay very much in hip-hop territory, which I think all members (vocalists and rappers alike) do an amazing job in embodying in this track. The bridge was also very delectable, just like the references to the baked good in the lyrics were. (9/10)

9. Starry Night (제자리 걸음) – We enter mellow territory towards the end of the album, with the first of the last two tracks taking on a R&B pop sound. Starry Night also features bossa nova influences, which contributes to a softer direction in the verses and bridge. But Starry Night also features pop leaning choruses that takes things in a slightly bolder approach. Together, the two meld together quite cohesively to create a nice vocal-centric track. (8/10)

10.  Like We Just Met – Written by all of the members, Like We Just Met features more of an acoustic R&B sound. The instrumentation was beautiful, from the acoustic guitar that starts and end the track to the orchestral peak. In addition to that, you can hear the sincerity behind the members, their vocals and lyrics. The all-in chorus was very fitting, especially following Jisung’s vocals (which is a moment I find myself returning to constantly). It is hard to fault song a like this. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

ISTJ Teaser Image

[Album Review] THE UИSEEN (1st Mini Album) – SHOWNU x HYUNGWON (MONSTA X)

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Today, I am posting another album review – this one is for MONSTA X’s first subunit SHOWNU x HYUNGWON. Their first mini-album, THE UИSEEN, was released at the end of July 2023. This mini-album features the title track, Love Me A Little, and four other side tracks. To me, THE UИSEEN is one of those albums where the title track was the weakest track of all and the side tracks all surpassed the standard created by the title track. There is definitely a side track on this mini-album that would have served better as the title track. To see which of the side tracks I thought had what it take to be title track material, continue reading below.

THE UИSEEN Album Cover

1. Love Me A Little (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Love Me A Little. (6.5/10)

2. Love Therapy – Love Therapy would have made a far more convincing title track than the actual title track. Grungy vibes feature in Love Therapy thanks the ongoing presence of a very texturally crunchy synth. But as the song enters chorus territory, Love Therapy becomes groovier, which a very cool development in the song. The duo comes off as very charismatic in Love Therapy, with strong vocals from both. SHOWNU really oozed a lot of sleekness and style through his vocals, while HYUNGWON’s rap-speak moment in the bridge was a highlight. I think the song could have benefited from a more robust hook that isn’t repetition of the song’s title. But as it is, it is quite a strong side track already. (8.5/10)  

3. Roll With Me – For me, there was a fair bit to like in Roll With Me. The element that resonates the most with me in this track are the soft and gentle vocals from both SHOWNU and HYUNGWON. There is just something so captivating about their vocals and the melodies that rolls along in Roll With Me. However, as equally as strong as the vocal work, the instrumentation was quite something. The haunting vibe and striking piano makes for a solid base, and the contrast with the vocals made Roll With Me even more compelling to listen to. (9/10)

4. Play Me – Groovy and funky vibes take over in Play Me. I like how the track keeps the soft trajectory going from the previous track. It is a motif that I find works well with SHOWNU and HYUNGWON, especially when it came to the post-chorus sequence of the song. The falsettos were also a nice touch to the song. I would have liked to hear more riveting melodies, as this would have helped take Play Me to the next level. But what we got was pretty good already. (8/10)  

5. Slow Dance – Ending the mini-album is Slow Dance, which is a R&B track. There isn’t much to talk about in this song, other than it is a solid effort from the duo. Once again, they take the soft direction and the groovy air does remain in Slow Dance. But I do like the upbeat nature and the oomph they do put into the chorus, which makes it more charged and appealing listen. But once again, punchier hooks and stronger melodies would have made Slow Dance even better. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

THE UИSEEN Teaser Image

[Album Review] 2023 S/S Collection (5th Mini Album) – Kim Sung Kyu (INFINITE)

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The next album to be reviewed on the blog belongs to Kim Sung Kyu’s 5th mini-album. 2023 S/S Collection, which dropped in June of this year. There is a total of 6 songs on the mini-album, including the title track Small Talk. There is one recurring element on this mini-album that I consistently come back to. And that is Kim Sung Kyu’s vocals. Trust me, you will not be disappointed by his voice in any song on this mini-album So, if you are looking for some amazing vocal work, I highly recommend you check out this album release (and honesty the rest of Kim Sung Kyu’s discography, as he has some really great songs throughout his solo career thus far).

S/S Collection 2023 Album Cover

1. Intro: Time Lapse – Kicking off the mini-album is a very atmospheric and calming introductory instrumental piece. Time Lapse features the sound of waves crashing onto a shoreline or beach, synths and band instrumentation that builds up the track into a very pleasant opener.

2. Small Talk (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Small Talk. (8/10)

3. It Will Be – I really liked the captivating mix of orchestration and synths in It Will Be. The combination isn’t anything new, especially for Kim Sung Kyu. But the execution of the pairing makes for an interesting background piece. The backing vocals add so much depth to the song in the chorus, while Kim Sung Kyu himself just stuns me throughout with his vocal delivery that adapts to the changes in the music so effortlessly. (9/10) 

4. Jump – Jump sounds like it is going to be a dynamic and active track. But what I did not expect is the amazing balladry melodies that features in this song. These are brought to life by Kim Sung Kyu’s heavenly vocals, turning Jump into a beautifully and soft euphoric number. The harmonies and high note was amazing. The instrumentation of Jump puts a piano dominant orchestral piece with band instrumentation, which is pretty much Kim Sung Kyu’s style, to create such a beautiful backing piece. Another captivating listen from the soloist. (10/10)

5. Go Again – Go Again is the mini-album’s most upbeat number. Synth-pop rock influence instrumentation serves as the backing of Go Again, moving away from the orchestral touch that featured in the previous two tracks. I really like the foot-tapping energy that is given off by Go Again. Kim Sung Kyu sounds like he is having a good time delivering this track, and I like the vocals used as part of the instrumentation, which adds a fun element to the song. The best part has to be at the 3:08 mark, where he utters the words ‘Let’s go again’ to lead us into the final chorus. Simple, but highly effective. (9/10)

6. Sometimes – Alterative rock instrumentation kicks into play with Sometimes. Again, I quite like the upbeat vibes of the song (though it is a bit more subdued that compared to Go Again), especially how straightforward the chorus of Sometimes comes across. The straightforwardness of the song does mean, however, that Sometimes doesn’t have much else going on. That being said, Kim Sung Kyu adds a bit of oomph into this song, particularly towards the end, adding a tinge of complexity and cool energy to the song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

S/S Collection 2023 Teaser Image

[Review] Honey or Spice – LIGHTSUM

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It has been almost a year and half since we last heard from LIGHTSUM on stage, with their last comeback being in May of last year with Alive (a comeback which I have not reviewed, as I pretty much forgot about its existence very quickly). Since then, LIGHTSUM reformed into a six-member female group (with the departure of Huiyeon and Jiah) and Sungah participated in recent Queendom Puzzle survival show (but was quickly eliminated). Today, the group ends their 1.5 year hiatus with their second mini-album and new title track, both of which are titled Honey or Spice.

I have decided to proceed with reviewing LIGHTSUM’s comeback for two reasons – so I don’t forget about the comeback entirely and I think LIGHTSUM deserves some attention from me (and in general). To me, they are practically the forgotten group of Cube Entertainment. And I hope Honey or Spice helps turns that around, especially since the song goes with a somewhat bombastic instrumentation. Some of the beats throughout Honey or Spice go for a more emphasised and bold touch, which I do find to be quite cool and it does potentially add some ‘spice’ to the song. But on the other hand, however, I do feel like it is quite overused in the chorus, and so the effect does become lost. The post-chorus “Honey Honey Honey Honey” and “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry” sequence is probably my favourite part of the song. Its addictive and is a catchy hook. The “Follow me” start to the verses was also a likeable moment in the song. I like the atmospheric touch in the instrumentation to the beginning of the second verse. The rest of Honey or Spice does fall short however, with both the verses and choruses being practically unmemorable. The vocals and rapping don’t excite me in these parts, nor do the hooks and melodies have a similar hold on me as the post-chorus did. Overall, I welcome Honey and Spice‘s reintroduction of LIGHTSUM with a bolder sound, but the execution of the final product is just not there.

The group shows both a ‘honey’ (youthful, cutesy) and a ‘spice’ (mature) side to themselves in the music video. The video depicts a guy falling for the group, after he bumps into them and is given a taste of both sides of the group. It ends off with the guy humming to the LIGHTSUM’s new song, and I like that ending. It is a bit neutral, but it strikes a balance for the two sides of the group depicted in the video. I really liked how smooth and clever the way the song started in the video. The “Follow me” lines were definitely well utilised. Also, as a foodie myself, I really liked how they used food to depict the sweeter vs. fiercer side of the group. It is logical and makes complete sense.

The choreography for Honey or Spice was decent. I liked the chorus routine, but there really isn’t much for me to comment on in that part or the wider routine. The only thing I can say is that the choreography feels and looks like it suits the song, which you expect (or hope for, at the very least).

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.3/10

[Double Review] Either Way + Off The Record – IVE

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Later this week, IVE will be making their comeback with Baddie. But before that, I have two of IVE’s pre-release singles (Either Way & Off The Record) that I need to review. I will doing that today. Either Way is the first pre-release single, which dropped on 25 September 2023. Off The Record is the second pre-release single, and was dropped on 6 October 2023. Baddie / Either Way / Off The Record follows on from IVE’s first studio length album, I’ve IVE, which featured the title track I AM.

Both Either Way and Off The Record takes on a subdued sound, something that IVE hasn’t really promoted with ever. I also find both releases to be the blandest IVE releases to date. They do both have their individual charms, however. For me, Either Way is the prettier of the two pre-release singles. And I put this down to IVE’s vocals and the melodies in the song, which the combination of sounds immaculate. There is something to the variety of melodies that the members do a good job of delivering in Either Way and the distinctly more nasal tone than usual. When it comes to the chorus, the song becomes more vibrant and profound, particularly thanks to Yujin’s contribution to the chorus. This boost the song up quite nicely, and helps add more variety in the song. The “I, I, I” and “My, My, My” hooks were pretty striking, as well. But apart from that, nothing else really stands out in Either Way. The slow and paced synths instrumental was interesting take on the balladry sound, but there isn’t anything memorable coming out of it. Maybe it is atmospheric when I think back on Either Way retrospectively, but that doesn’t come to me as a first impression.

Off The Record is the opposite – in the sense the song’s charm is actually the instrumentation and the vocals don’t do anything to me. The instrumentation for Off The Record is a lot punchier thanks to its underlying groovy vibes. Off The Record ends up settling for a mid-tempo upbeat nature, which I find to be quite pleasant. The bridge of Off The Record features an interpolation of The Cardigans’ Lovefool, which admittedly is the biggest highlight in both songs that I am reviewing today. Elsewhere in the song, the rapping in Off The Record was also quite well done, with the soft rap-speak motif adopted in the song quite fitting for the mid-tempo atmosphere and pleasant vibes I just mentioned. But as mentioned above, the vocals are the weak point of the song. I just didn’t find them interesting and I honestly have no memory of them once the song is over. It is quite disappointing, especially since Either Way proves they are capable of sounding beautiful.

Either Way‘s lyrics has the message that “we cannot be free from other people’s gazes”. For the most part, we see the members alone. But the scene with all the other members staring at Leeseo through the mirror was a very clever way of depicting the people’s gaze. This causes an internal struggle that leads them to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. In the end, the members come to term with this struggle and put it behind them in the decorated room. What I do find to be quite interesting is that the music video starts in that exact room with the gazes mentioned above, so I think that represents that this is a struggle the members feel on a day-by-day basis and gives meaning to the “we cannot be free” part of the song’s message.

The music video for Off The Record is a lot brighter and light-hearted. Essentially, we see the members confess their secrets during a late night slumber party to one another. And their secrets happen to be about the person they love, based on what I could make out from the video. But rather than being something quite innocent, which is what the video attempts to convince you of, the secret appears to be a bit more scandalous, with the members splitting up another relationship to be with the person they love. I am unsure if it was successful or not, but it was definitely a sinister and unexpected secret to see the members confess to.

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

Off The Record
Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Album Review] ★★★★★ (5-STAR) (3rd Studio Album) – Stray Kids

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After a series of posts reviewing the side tracks from ★★★★★ (5-STAR), I am finally getting around to posting the entire album review for ★★★★★ (5-STAR) today. Slight apologies in the delay, as this was supposed to be posted on Sunday, but I become preoccupied with some personal stuff yesterday night. So I have rescheduled it for today instead. ★★★★★ (5-STAR) dropped in early June 2023 with S-Class leading a total of 12 songs. Many of the side-tracks, as mentioned above, have their own song review post as they had their own music video. But there are a few tracks that hadn’t received a music video, so my thoughts on throe songs are contained below. Overall, ★★★★★ (5-STAR) is a very positive and dynamic listening experience. One might even say – there is not a bad song on this album release!

Oh, as a side note, guess what officially announced last week – Stray Kids comeback for November 2023 with 樂-STAR (ROCK-STAR). So I most likely will be doing multiple Stray Kids review in the near future all over again.

★★★★★ (5-STAR) Album Cover

1. Hall of Fame (위인전) – Kicking off Stray Kids’ 3rd studio album is Hall of Fame. And it does so with a very bold approach. Felix’s lyrics “Shaking the industry, Quaking reality” actually sums up Hall of Fame quite succinctly, with the group making sure to do just that in its opening track. It brings together R&B and trap metal, the latter is actually a unique sound in KPOP as far as I can remember. The rapping works extremely well in the track, channeling the energy very well. The vocals were iffy in some parts, but powerful at other moments. (8/10)

2. S-Class (특) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for S-Class. (8.5/10)

3. ITEM – The fact that ITEM doesn’t have a music video is a massive mysterious for me. To me, ITEM is the most recognisable track following the title track. And it due to the aggressive nature of the chorus. It is BOLD, shocking to the core and just so damn memorable. The vocals help balances out the track, so it isn’t too much. I also like the piercing end of the vocal lines in the choruses, which helps its rise to the same level of the rapping. And the rapping had amazing flow and fire to it. The arcade-like sample in the background is also a memorable aspect of the song. (10/10)

4. Super Bowl – Super Bowl ended up having a music video, but as part of its Japanese release (but I will be passing that up to review Super Bowl in this album review post). On ★★★★★ (5-STAR), however, Super Bowl is an all-English track. From what I am reading, Super Bowl was the original God’s Menu. The whispery aspect of the song reminds me of ASMR, with cooking featured heavily as part of that trend. The rapping and all-member parts were very cool. The chorus is also quite iconic, given it features both whispery and all-member delivery that I liked in the track. (8.5/10)

5. TOPLINE (ft. Tiger JK) – Click here to read the full review for TOPLINE. (8.5/10)

6. DLC – Click here to read the full review for DLC. (8/10)

7. GET LIT (죽어보자) – Click here to read the full review for GET LIT. (9/10)

8. Collision (충돌) – The final track that did not get a music video is Collision. But no music video is fine here, as the R&B track still manages to capture my attention with its jazzy vibes, saxophone feature and the vocal-centric approach. The rapping in the track is equally as good, but I think the jazzier sound helps the vocalists flourish in this song more so than the rappers. (8/10)  

9. FNF – Click here to read the full review for FNF. (8/10)

10. Youtiful – Click here to read the full review for Youtiful. (9/10)

11. THE SOUND (Korean Version) – I previously reviewed the Japanese version of THE SOUND and will be carrying my thoughts/rating from that review to this review. Click here to read the review for the Japanese version of THE SOUND. (9/10)

12. Mixtape: Time Out – Click here to read the full review for Mixtape: Time Out. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

★★★★★(5-STAR) Teaser Image

[Review] Hear Me Out – EXO

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As mentioned the other day, if I am ‘going back in time’ to review a pre-release single that I hadn’t review yet, it is a strong indication that I am gearing up to review the album the song is on. With me reviewing Hear Me Out today (which was the second pre-release single on EXO’s EXIST studio album, following Let Me In), I can confirm an album review for EXIST is coming to the blog some time later this month. But for now, here is my thoughts on Hear Me Out.

When Hear Me Out is was first release in June 2023, I didn’t have much to say about the pre-release. It was enjoyable and pleasant, but there was nothing really to fan over, in my opinion. Three months on and I still don’t have much to say about Hear Me Out. In no way do I mean this is a bad or negative way. Hear Me Out is a rather straight forward chill R&B track. The instrumental has this subtle grooviness to it, which keeps the track mid-tempo throughout. The grooviness, which comes from the presence of the bass guitar in the background, gave the track some character. The members’ vocals sound velvety and smooth, while the rappers came off as easygoing in the song. The melodies were quite light and nicely done, and the lyrics conveys one’s honest heart to their prospective partner who is hesitating to open their heart for love (taken from Soompi). Overall, Hear Me Out is a fine pre-release and side track on the album.

The video shows the EXO members hanging out with one another. I am not entirely sure how the video relates to the song, but my best guess is that the group continues to hang out with one another until their prospective partners open their hearts to them. We see them tired, lowkey and literally just hanging about during the day, as if they are waiting for something. But as soon it is becomes night and there is no sign that something is going to happen, the members come together to play games, go bowling and even take pictures in photo booths. But if that is not the case, then Hear Me Out serves as an easygoing background track to the members having fun. Also, it is absolutely nice to see KAI one more time before he enlisted into the military and miss out on the Cream Soda comeback.

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

[Album Review] HARD (8th Studio Album) – SHINee

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Next album on the blog to be reviewed is SHINee’s HARD, their 8th studio album that celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary since their debut in 2008. The studio album features a total of 10 tracks, including the title track HARD and the pre-release track The Feeling (which I have binging as part of the preparations and writing for this review). For me, I found the album to be a mix bag of tracks – some of them were very good (and most songs on HARD leaned towards this end of the spectrum), whilst some others were rather weak. Find out where the side tracks lie on the spectrum down below.

HARD Album Cover

1. HARD (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for HARD. (8/10)

2. JUICE – JUICE is quite overwhelming from the first second, with so much going on in the instrumentation alongside the vocals. The track is obviously designed to be bold and ‘hit hard’ from the first second, but it just took over and it all sounded jarring. As JUICE progresses, the EDM and hip-hop song does settle a bit and becomes a little more appreciable. However, it does feel like it could become too much at any moment. The different detailing in the instrumentation already, along with the softer direction of the bridge does turn JUICE into a messy affair, and I guess I wished there be more cohesion in the track. On a more positive note, the members do sound quite good with their bold vocals in the chorus, and the hooks are definitely all there. (6.5/10)

3. 10X – Following on from JUICE is 10X, which production is much more streamlined and cleaner. The breathy vocals throughout the chorus or MINHO’s deeper vocal repetition, along with the jazzy influence from the piano, makes 10X so groovy. I had a hard time getting this track out of my head. (9/10)

4. Satellite – Satellite is such a smooth number, one that I can listen to again and again. The vocals at the start and throughout the chorus just brings the members together so well. The vocals elsewhere in the track follows a similar direction and each member sounds so good in the song. I also really loved the wavy flow of Satellite that just propels the song forward. Altogether, you have one dreamy track in Satellite. (10/10)

5. Identity – The synth instrumentation here makes Identity interesting. There is a funkiness to the song that is a good starting point in making this track. The flourishes help liven up the track and creates a dynamic piece. Some of them are quite punchy, as well. The vocal work follows a similar set up as per Satellite, with the members singing individually in the verses and all the members coming together in the chorus. In both cases, the vocals are tenacious, which makes it a strong track. (9/10)

6. The Feeling (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for The Feeling. (9/10)

7. Like It – Just like in Identity, the funkiness in the instrumental starts off Like It strongly. But it is the shrilly-like synth in the chorus that really makes the song pop out. The electric guitar at the end was also a really nice touch. Like It is the type of track you expect to hear on the dance floor, and I would gladly dance along to the music should I ever hear it pop up. The vocals, particularly in the chorus, felt nostalgic and were definitely a solid effort from the members. The melodies and hooks were quite pleasant, as well. Another strong track, overall. (9/10)

8. Sweet Misery – Sweet Misery could have been a stunner. Vocally, I quite liked where the song was going. I really love the wispy and soft ‘Sweet Misery’ in the chorus, which I find to be an iconic aspect of the track. The rest of the vocals that follow through in the chorus were nicely done, as well. The verses were sounded so good, as well. But the instrumentation in the latter parts of the choruses does overwhelm Sweet Misery and detract it away from what should have been a vocally beautiful track. (6.5/10)

9. Insomnia (불면증) – Insomnia enters R&B territory with a sensual and smooth number. I really like the jazzier moments in the instrumentation. SHINee has proved themselves vocally with R&B numbers in the past, and they do it again in Insomnia. The harmonies add to the appeal of the track, while the rapping parts keep the song interesting and intriguing. (8/10)

10. Gravity – The final song on this album is Gravity. It is a soft pop track, with the members’ vocal work and melodies feeling so comforting and inviting. I like how the members add to the softness of the track, by keeping the vocal work consistent through and through. The only exception “Gravity Gravity” pierces through the softness, creating a bold moment in the song that keys the song’s title and hook into your head. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

HARD Teaser Image

[Album Review] THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW (9th Mini Album) – ATEEZ

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ATEEZ returned in June this year with their 9th mini-album THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW. If you haven’t guessed it by no by looking at the title of this post, this mini-album is the focus of this album review. The title track featured on this mini-album is BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS), and there is an additional five side tracks on the mini-album. All my thoughts on the song are down below, with a few songs getting a 10/10 from me. Also, intensity is the recurring theme in all of the song on this mini-album, featuring in some form in each song.

THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW Album Cover

1. This World – Opening up the mini-album is This World, which features such an intense and electrifying set of synths. The way the song starts and ends with the incline towards the fast tempo was quite striking from the get-go. When This World reaches its chorus, the song turns into an equally intense rock sound appears. The vocals and rapping were all so riveting all throughout, from the soft vocals at the start to the powerful and explosive rapping at the song’s peak. A very strong opener. (9/10)

2. Dune – Where does one even begin with Dune. It clearly continues the group’s exploration of intense and aggressive synth work that they featured in the previous track and even some of their past tracks (like Guerrilla from last year). But ATEEZ always introduces something new to differentiate their tracks. And for Dune, that comes in the form of the very interesting guitar-like instrument at the start. It is quite ear-catching and gives off a very unique sound. This is followed by San’s falsetto ending pre-chorus, which I found to be quite memorable. The group then takes things to a whole new level of intensity with its chorus, but it is not until the bridge and final chorus sequence that I just completely blows me away as I am always convinced that ATEEZ cannot do more. Yet, they prove me wrong once again. The deeper and rougher vocals from Yeosang in the chorus was super cool and his presence alongside Jongho’s vocals in the final chorus was perfect. Jongho’s high notes and ad-libs pierces through. The blastful and rush of energy from the instrumentation was also just so intense that it felt blissful. I found so much to enjoy and be in awe within Dune. (10/10)

3. BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS). (8/10)

4. DJANGO – Taking the mini-album down a notch ever so slightly is DJANGO. I do appreciate the faintest relief that DJANGO provides the mini-album, especially following Dune and the title track. That being said, the track is still super intense in its own ways, like how it subtly built intensity by way of atmospheric synths (or is a choir background?) in the bridge. I also found like the vocalists got a chance to shine by the melodies in the chorus (which is my favourite aspect of DJANGO). Sure, the vocals do come off shouty to match the synth intensity and boldness, but they really do hold their ground in the track. The rappers themselves do an amazing job nonetheless to still give DJANGO that a powerful hip-hop and hyped edge that makes it another captivating listen overall. (10/10) 

5. Wake Up – That faint relief in DJANGO didn’t last long, with DJANGO ending its run with intensity on par with what was present prior to DJANGO starting. Wake Up adds to the intensity, once again. You got Jongho’s high notes in the choruses, the rapid synth drumming, Hongjoong’s fast pace rapping and the other members shouting in the background behind said high notes all contributing to the intensity in Wake Up. On the other hand, I also did like the dips that Wake Up provided via the verses, heavenly vocals in the pre-choruses and the autotuned chanting/background harmonisations that kicks off the choruses. It balances it all out so Wake Up isn’t another overwhelming number on our ears. A well conceptualised track on this mini-album. (9/10)

6. Outlaw – Outlaw ends with what felt like the album’s blandest track, simply because I found it to be the least intense track of the bunch. I wished for cohesiveness that Outlaw followed through on this front. For the most part, it didn’t. But I did like the balance between vocals and rapping in this track. It wasn’t until the bridge of Outlaw does things get interesting. It sees some piano work, Jongho’s dragged out high-note, some bouncier synths and a sharper chant to end the track on. Some of these elements (i.e., the chant) was heard earlier in the song, but the end just adds a bit more body to make it punchier and impactful. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW Teaser Image

[Review] Fact Check – NCT 127

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One of the group releasing new music at the end of the week (i.e., today) is NCT 127, who makes their second comeback of the year, following on from Ay-Yo in January 2023. This time, the group returns with their 5th studio album, Fact Check, and is lead the title track of the same name. This comeback also follows from NCT 127’s participation in NCT’s 4th full group studio album Golden Age which was released back in August of this year.

If I am basing Fact Check on my past experience with NCT 127 title tracks from the first release of an album, I am going to be disappointed by it. I much prefer the title track of the repackaged version one of their albums, which I have no clue is happening this time around. However, interestingly, I am not disappointed by Fact Check. I actually find the instrumentation to be quite rhythmic, especially during the chorus with the well-paced beat and percussive elements. And there is no obnoxious synth (looking at you, Sticker) to ruin the song for me. The post-chorus segment was also quite an entrancing listen, especially at the end of Fact Check. Elsewhere, I liked the suspense and tension created during the vocal-centric pre-choruses of Fact Check and its background. The vocal work in Fact Check‘s bridge was a standout moment and I liked the powerfulness it yielded from Doyoung, Jaehyun, Taeil and Haechan. The rapping that follows from Mark and Taeyong, along with the further dramatic drumming and orchestration, was quite cool, as well. There are still weak points to Fact Check. The rapping at the start of the song could have been a little less in your face and the chorus’ hook could have been more compelling (even though I do find it catchy). But overall, Fact Check is one of their better works in recent times.

Cool is the recurring word I would use to describe this music video. I am not a big fan of the initial look that Mark donned in the video. But elsewhere in the video, Mark and the other members all looked fine. My favourite set of outfits has to be the one that are more of a traditional colour that are worn at the traditional palace location. Talking about locations, I found the sets and locations throughout the video are all very stylish and cool in their own way. Even the post-production looks cool (but I question why it looks like Mark is holding a goat that has been CGI into the video – did they run out of budget for a real goat?).

From what I can see from the choreography aspect of this comeback is that it very much embraces the rhythmic aspect of the song. There is also a subtle bounce to the choreography, which keeps in line with the upbeatness of the track. The best bit, for me, however is the t-rex-like walk (sorry, I don’t know if there is a properly name for the walk, but the way their arms are reminds me of a t-rex’s short arms) during the final post-chorus.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10


[Review] Love Effect – ONF

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Time to make a start on the new releases of the week. And first up is ONF’s grand return with Love Effect, the title of both of the lead single and their 7th mini-album. This is the group’s first comeback since their Goosebumps release in 2021 and their military enlistment. The group (sans U, who is Japanese) all enlisted around the same time and was discharged from the military around the same time this year, eager to return to the stage as a whole group for their fans to release new music. ONF had also released a special mini-album last year with Your Song and Storage of ONF.

The more I listen to Love Effect, the more I find myself falling for the track. I will admit that I wasn’t completely won over when I first heard Love Effect yesterday upon its release, simply because the track didn’t feel concentrated enough when you compare it to their previous dance tracks they promoted with. But Love Effect was clever, drawing upon elements of their previous title tracks (Complete and Beautiful Beautiful springs to mind instantly during my first listen) to form this new song. And this very much got me coming back for more. In addition to the nostalgia above, Love Effect adds in more of a funky undertone throughout the rest of the track and a jazzy backing to Wyatt’s rapping. I also enjoyed the piano flourishes that appears in the background. Other than that, the upbeat instrumentation exudes a bright and poppy energy that makes me instantly smile. Their vocals and rapping does the exact same, with the melodies and hooks all fun and lighthearted. The best part of the song, for me, has to be in the bridge and at the end of Love Effect, when the members sing together in a simple yet anthemic manner. It is lowkey and straightforward, charming in an easygoing manner. Overall, Love Effect is super positive in terms of energy and output, and a great return for the group!

Matching the brightness of the song is the music video, which was quite vibrant and colourful. I found the editing and cinematography of the video to be a super cool aspect of the video, along with the inclusion of the special effects (which takes you back to their virtual world era). Even the start had flashes of scenery from their Beautiful Beautiful and Ugly Dance videos! And the members look like they are all glad to be back, which makes the smiles and energy from the music video even more convincing.

In addition to being a fun and playful routine, I like how the choreography felt quite substantial and isn’t too lighthearted or wispy. While nothing stands out like (compared to their past performances), I would still say the whole routine is still quite robust and the energy the members put into the dance made it one to still watch.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Review] Baila Conmigo – ONEUS

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Making their comeback last week was ONEUS, who returns with their 10th mini-album La Dolce Vita, which is Spanish for ‘The Sweet Life‘. The title of the title track (and focus of this review post) is also titled in Spanish, Baila Conmigo, which is Spanish for ‘Dance With Me‘. The new release follows on from the group’s ERASE ME and PYGMALION promotions from earlier in May of this year.

With no surprise, the Spanish titled Baila Conmigo also features Latin influences in its mix. But for the main backbone of the track, Baila Conmigo sees a contemporary pop dance sound and reggaeton beats. All of these come together to create a decent and surprisingly balanced instrumental backing. However, I do feel like the instrumental lacked an exciting element to take it to the next level. Everything in the instrumentation felt firmly in the background of the background, and I wished there was more to the forefront of the instrumentation (i.e. those exciting elements I was just talking about). The added oomph via those more defined percussion and beats was an interesting element to give Baila Conmigo a bombastic end and to fill out the instrumental so it can be more fulfilling. It serves its purpose and also surprised me, given the subdued nature of the rest of the song. But it did feel a tad late. The vocal work from ONEUS was solid, per usual. But the lack of a memorable hook or melody does make Baila Conmigo less interesting to return to. The Spanish second verse was a big surprise, but I don’t think it was as big of a weapon as ONEUS and their producers had hoped for. I wished there was much for to Baila Conmigo. But it was still a decent listen, nonetheless.

The music video for Baila Conmigo was okay, but also lacked that memorable aspect, in my opinion. The video goes down the aesthetic route with a sensual and mature concept. I did like the different sets, some of which looks to be Latin influenced and how the colours choices either gave the sets a warm or cool tone. The choreography in the pool of shallow water and glittered covered floor also felt refreshing. And adding to the aesthetics of the video, I believe the people in the background/drummers were wearing a Vejigante mask to fit in with the Latin concept influence. It all looks very pretty and neat. But asides from choreography and closeups, there wasn’t much else to the video.

The choreography for this comeback isn’t as bold as their previous works. This makes way for a sensual routine, which works well with the song. I do like the end where the beats become more dramatic and the song takes that bombastic turn. The members traditioned over without it being jarring or disruptive to the flow of the routine.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Review] Youtiful – Stray Kids

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Finally, the final song review for the ★★★★★ (5-STAR) era. The song in question is titled Youtiful, which serves as the album’s 10th track. Including the title and this track, I have written a total of 6 reviews for this era, with the most recent being TOPLINE (ft. Tiger JK). This does not include an additional two reviews for two other tracks that were release prior to ★★★★★ (5-STAR). Following this song review, I will be posting the full album review for ★★★★★ (5-STAR) on the weekend. I do find it funny, however, that I will be doing this all over again for the next era that will occur some time in the remainder of 2023.

Youtiful blends the words ‘You’ and ‘Beautiful’ to create its title. And based on this alone, you can tell that the song is about how everyone is beautiful as they are, and that the track is directed to towards their fans and other listeners. It is extremely heartfelt and brings a smile to my face every time I listen to it. To reach an even wider audience, the entirety of Youtiful is in English. All of the members perfectly delivery their lines and sing wonderfully throughout the track. The combination of the piano and guitar backing and the members singing gives off such warm and comforting vibes. The melodies and instrumentation are very simple and straightforward, but this makes Youtiful an easy listen. Overall, I find Youtiful to be such an effective track and it does exactly what it is set out to do.

Youtiful‘s music video differs from the rest of the other music videos we got from this era, as it is more of a lyric video and it is also animated. It is also the only video to not feature Stray Kids in any form aside from their vocals. I find the animation to be cute, with the animation showing the lives of an ordinary people finding out news that space is coming closer to them. The news and the wider population sees the whole situation in a more upsetting sense, focusing on asteroids coming close to the Earth’s orbut. But a select few in the video sees the situation from a more beautiful perspective, focusing on the closer presence of the planets and stars.

Song – 9/1`0
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.6/10

[Album Review] Youth In The Shade (1st Mini Album) – ZEROBASEONE

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The next album on the reviewing block is ZEROBASEONE debut mini-album, Youth In The Shade. The mini-album dropped in July 2023 and is lead by the single In Bloom. ZEROBASEONE’s debut is one of the most successful debuts we have ever seen, with the group becoming the first debuting group to sell over 1 million albums with their debut album ever. They also broke the record for most sold debut album in first day of sales and in a week from dropping the mini-album.

On top of being insanely popular before even debuting (which was built during the unfolding Boy Planet survival competition), there is a particular reason as to why I really wanted to review this mini-album. ZEROBASEONE’s vocals was a recurring element that I consistently return to in each song on the mini-album. And for a debut mini-album to do that constantly speaks volumes as to where this debuting group is already at and where they can go. For more about those comments, continue reading my thoughts on Youth In The Shade down below.

Youth In The Shade Album Cover

1. Back To Zerobase – What I really liked about Back To Zerobase is how blissful the track is. The drum and bass in the instrumental felt extremely light, but the percussive background had a forward motion that propels the song towards their debut single. I also liked how the members’ vocals captures the realisation that their dreams of debuting are finally becoming true. Their tone and delivery in Back To Zerobase is just so heartening and emotional, creating a meaningful beginning to their careers. (10/10)

2. In Bloom (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for In Bloom. (8.5/10)

3. New Kidz On The Block – New Kidz On The Block is an even brighter pop take on their determination to rise to the top, which they consistently emphasise and communicate via the English parts of the song. While I did like the upbeat and bright tone of New Kidz On the Block, I did think the song could be have been more buoyant, given that everything was already heading in that direction. The song is fantastic as it is, but I think just some additional energy would have made the song even better. (9/10)

4. And I (우주먼지) – Vocals is what speaks to be instantly in And I, and I (Ha!) am enjoying it. The rapping is also quite good. I like And I’s positive energy and bright tone that both the pop arrangement and vocals exude in the track. The melodies in the choruses are lovely and sweet. The bridge takes the song in a R&B direction and that also sounds very nice. A good song overall. (8/10)

5. Our Season – Again, ZEROBASEONE showcases their vocals in Our Season. The guitar work in the background does mellow out the energy a bit, making this a more pleasant-sounding track. I really like the vocal melodies in the chorus, which instantly won me over when I first checked out the album months ago. The rap-speak in the pre-chorus bring a nice punch to the song, and I liked the heftier rock energy that comes about in the bridge. Altogether, you have another great song on the mini-album. (9/10)

6. Always – The final song on the album is sung by Zhang Hao, who placed first on Boy Planet (and hence is the centre of the group). Always starts off in R&B territory, but the chorus infuse more of a pop energy to the track. The rhythmic beat contrasts very nicely with Zhang Hao’s sleek vocals. The song does feel a bit rushed, given that it just ticks over 2-minutes and the ending does make Always feel incomplete. But overall, a nice solo track from Zhang Hao. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

Youth In The Shade Teaser Image

[Review] LET’S DANCE – LEE CHAE YEON

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A couple of weeks back LEE CHAE YEON made her solo comeback with LET’S DANCE. At first, her comeback flew under the radar. And after I realized she made a comeback, I was posting other reviews and busy with work. But today, I will finally be getting around to review LET’s DANCE. This new release follows on from LEE CHAE YEON’s KNOCK from earlier this year.

LET’S DANCE is a super fun dance track, with its bright energy being the best thing to come out of the track. It genuinely makes me want to dance, smile and have a good time – all of which you would expect to come from a fun dance track. LEE CHAE YEON and the producers did a great job when it comes to LET’S DANCE‘s pre-chorus and chorus, where the energy mentioned is definitely quite high. The pre-choruses features a very refreshing incline to the chorus (I also like the ABBA reference ahead of the final chorus), and the chorus satisfies with its power pop motif. The final chorus also features a punchy high note, which serves as a strong peak for LET’S DANCE. LEE CHAE YEON herself sounds solid throughout the track. But while it is definitely a strong song for LEE CHAE YEON, I am disappointed by the dull “Let’s Dance” repetition that follows up the chorus. It felt pretty unimaginative and cuts into the aforementioned bright energy that makes LET’S DANCE as good as it is. We needed something more dynamic to fit in with the rest of LET’S DANCE. Overall, a strong song that is held back by a lacking hook.

The music video is bright and the people involved encompasses the fun and upbeat nature of LET’S DANCE very well. All of this works extremely well with the summery vibes (or at least, the warm weather given that they are now in Autumn) that Korea is still experiencing. I liked the camera work during the bridge of the video, which is what we saw in KNOCK‘s music video as well. The added special effects also adds to the fun of the video.

The choreography is amazing. I really like the fun energy she and the dancers put into it, especially when it comes to the footwork in the chorus. I really like the bendy moves in the bridge and how they changed up the moves in the final chorus to be punchier.

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

[Review] TROUBLE – EVNNE

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Time to review the debut single of a newly debuted group. EVNEE is a seven-member male group currently being managed by Jellyfish Entertainment (the home of two current members of VIXX, VERIVERY and formerly gugudan). The lineup consists of trainees who participated in Boys Planet earlier on in the year who did not make it in the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE – Keita (placed 12th in Boys Planet), Park Han-bin (11th), Lee Jeong-hyeon (15th), Ji Yun-seo (41st), Yoo Seung-eon (16th), Mun Jung-hyun (29th) and Park Ji-hoo (33rd). Originally announced as BLIT, the group ended up being renamed EVNNE and debuted last month with the single TROUBLE.

TROUBLE caught my attention thanks for its Baltimore Club style that it had going throughout the track. It made for a bold instrumentation, particularly when it came to the chorus. And with boldness comes a memorable appeal, which TROUBLE definitely had in my opinion. I liked how they allowed the synth to be standalone in the first half of the chorus, giving it time to grow on you. Then they follow it up with a rhythmic chant that adds to the appeal of TROUBLE. I would have liked the final chorus to somehow be a bit more bombastic to give TROUBLE a more satisfying end, rather than a repeat of what we got in choruses that came before. That was a missed opportunity, in my opinion. Other than the instrumentation, EVNNE does showcase a good execution of vocals and rapping. There wasn’t anything mind-blowing or grand from this department, but I did like the dragged out rap-speak delivery in the bridge of TROUBLE and the filtered rapping that leads into the final chorus. However, with the dragged out rap-speak delivery, I wished the instrumentation here was dynamic and not stripped back as it were, just so the song’s momentum (which was pretty good ahead of the bridge) wasn’t disrupted and a more dynamic backing would have made this part of TROUBLE excel further. As a track that kicks off their careers, TROUBLE makes a good case for EVNNE and I hope their subsequent releases go up and further than TROUBLE.

The music video shows the members causing trouble, fitting for the title and messaging they have behind the lyrics. First up is a series of explosion at an old building, which leads to the group becoming wanted. Secondly, they are seen driving away (which I presume they are doing to evade the authorities). Then, whilst covering the other members driving away on the news, Keita (the newsreader) stops working and steps away from his job. From there, the group hangs out and have fun with each other. The scenes in which we see the group play cards and hang out in the dark shows a more charismatic and playful side of the group, representing the side of the song that speaks to the members’ charm and innocence. I did think the group could have been more wild in the music video, but what we got is fine. However, I did think the start of the video could have started off with a breaking news type of announcement, rather than just silence.

The choreography is the best part of this debut. EVNEE really showcase their performance potential via their dynamic routine for TROUBLE. The swing of the raised legs at the start of the routine (iconic potential!), the swinging motion of their bodies towards the end of the instrumental part of the chorus and the ear muff like hand motion at the start of the chorus or end the performance were all really cool aspects of the choreography.

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