Category: KPOP

[Review] SHALALA – TAEYONG (NCT)

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Making his solo return on Monday was TAEYONG from NCT, with the shared title single and mini-album, SHALALA. While this is promoted as his solo debut, this isn’t TAEYONG”s first solo single. We previously got singles from TAEYONG through the release from the SM Station series, with the last being Long Flight from 2019.

With hip-hop influences and a very synth heavy production, SHALALA definitely heads in the direction that I had expected for a TAEYONG solo release. But we aren’t talking about the same combination of the two that (majority of the time) works for NCT 127 or U’s releases. SHALALA ends up bring a lot weaker, with TAEYONG’s delivery failing to evoke much of a reaction from me. I find his delivery in SHALALA to be quite monotonous. He essentially keeps to a low tone throughout the song and he never really picks up from where he begins. His flow is good, but there was room for TAEYONG to potentially be more expressive and to have driven more energy into the song. This potentially could have made SHALALA more ‘dynamic’. It is a pity that we never get there. Subsequently, this causes other parts of SHALALA to fall short, such as the lack of a memorable hook. Energy would have gone a long way, and this was a department of the song that would have benefited from this. If I had to point out a positive, I would say there were some decent vocal moments during the choruses (i.e., the “Shalala Lala“) and the second verses. They were brief and had a decent ring. But nothing long-lasting. As for the instrumentation and production, I am on the fence. There is a fair bit going on, but I liked the focus on percussive elements to give SHALALA a unique tinge. I think it does complement TAEYONG’s good flow in the song, but it definitely felt grating at certain moments. Overall, SHALALA is not a song that I would be going back to that much.

I can definitely say that the music video faired much better than the song. I really liked the idea of a God controlling everything (as you would expect), but on a computer system. But he ended up being hacked (how modern), resulting in a number of characters (all played by TAEYONG) being placed into different and incorrect metaverses (how trendy). Despite being misplaced, each character somehow excelled, reflecting the song’s message of shining wherever you are. We see Gamerboy TAEYONG introduce gaming to other yetis during the Ice Age, Knight TAEYONG from the 1800s excelling in a 1980s office job and yeti TAEYONG excel at bowling in 2023. In the end, God ends up resetting everything, by deleting all the metaverses (and effectively the world) but dragging all of it to the recycle bin on his computer. At the end, we see God close the clapperboard, effectively restarting life again. It is a weird concept, but funny and made for a good viewing.

Like the music video, the performance for this comeback also fairs better than the song. His moves were super clean, he had really great command of his body (which makes complete sense, given that he is known for his choreography skills) and that he shows off his personality and sense of style in the hip-hop centric performance. I also like the playful side to the choreography, which he pulls off effortlessly.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 6.7/10

[Review] #menow – fromis_9

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Making their return today is fromis_9, who we last saw through their Stay This Way comeback. Today, the group returns with their first ever studio-length album Unlock My World and the lead single #menow. This is also the group’s first comeback as an eight member group, following the departure of Jang Gyuri, who opted to focus on her acting career.

Once again, #menow continues the pleasant nature that we heard in both DM and Stay This Way. I do like the aesthetic this style brings, and how well fromis_9 is portrayed each of the three songs as they really do fit the style. The light vocals in #menow just smooths out the song and bring a carefree tone that is super appreciable and enjoyable. The instrumental has this extremely subtle grooviness that helps makes the track super upbeat without doing too much. Altogether, it is a neat song and super consistent. My issue with #menow is more so that this is their third run at the style. I am glad that the group and their company has found a niche that works for them. But I kind of want something more to the song that adds some unique to the song. Maybe a bolder element in #menow, like a strong hooker or a more memorable melody. I felt these were slightly underbaked retrospectively, given that I don’t remember too much of the song now that I have paused it to focus on writing my thoughts on the song. I am not expecting anything too crazy or over-the-top, as this would have ruined the pleasant and light nature of #menow. Balance is key, and I feel like #menow‘s producer could have struck that somehow to give #menow a bit more uniqueness. But still, #menow is still a clean-cut and enjoyable track.

The music video also has a similar carefree vibe to it. Given the song emphasis on being one’s self in the lyrics, it makes sense that there is a carefree element, as that is how you would see someone’s true self. In the video, we see two sides to the members. The first is when the members feel tired and sad. The video connects this feeling to when the group is under the limelight/on-stage, backstage or through the television (most likely to represent that they are always on-screen). The second side is where they are more cheerful and happier, occurring when the members hang out with one another and at slumber parties – environments where that are carefree and where they can act as themselves. I have a theory about the plane flying away, representing their desire to escape their current lives. But the runway we see at the end is incomplete, so the members learn that they can be themselves where they are, and not necessarily need to run away, But this final point abut the plane is currently conjecture and I am not 100% sure of my interpretation.

Choreography wise, it was a nice piece for the comeback. I like how they drag out the moves to match the delivery of the initial lines in the choruses. Apart from that, the performance is both flowy and pretty. The former fits in with the song quite nicely, while the latter matches the aforementioned aesthetic.

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

[Album Review] Stamp On It (1st Mini Album) – GOT the beat

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The next album to be reviewed on this blog is GOT the beat’s first mini-album, Stamp On It, which was released way back in January of this year by SM Entertainment’s super female group – BoA, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon (SNSD), Wendy and Seulgi (Red Velvet) and Karina and Winter (aespa). It is led by the title track of the exact same name, and features an additional five tracks. If I had to share my thoughts on this mini-album and GOT the beat as a whole, I choose to echo part of the final sentence of song section of the Stamp On It review I wrote back in January this year – “a strong lineup, but yet the song choices for promotions have been a total letdown.” This sentiment stays true until this day. Honestly, SM Entertainment (which has been a mess this year) could have picked any song from the mini-album other than the title track, and that choice would be many times better than Stamp On It. I do prefer one track over the others, so keep on reading to find out which one of the other five songs I would choose.

1. Stamp On It (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Stamp On It. (5.5/10)

2. Goddess Level – While I do hear the potential behind Goddess Level, there is just too much going on in the choruses all at once. Maybe if the producers lost one layer of instrumentation in the chorus, Goddess Level would have been fine. Definitely retain the saxophone layer and the bass beat, though, as both are very cool and makes Goddess Level stand out. The vocals and rapping at certain points were very strong, while at other moments (namely the verses) were pretty bland and just doesn’t live up to the standard the stronger moments had imposed on the song. (7/10)

3. Alter Ego – Alter Ego is a grower. Not in the sense that it took a few listens to get into the track. But rather, the opening and first verse didn’t do much for me. It was moody and dark set-up for the song, but I wished there was more to it. Instead, it was the choruses/post-choruses that really wins me over. The melody and vocals in the choruses was super addictive, while the post-choruses gave such an edgy and memorable tone to the song. (8/10)

4. Rose (가시) – Deep hip-hop beats open up Rose. Then comes the exploration of silky harmonies and vocals, and some low-tone rapping, confirming the strength of the song from the get-go. As Rose progresses, the song becomes even more complex with the instrumentation taking up more electronic synths and textures, while the members showcase soaring vocals, and more alluring and darker rapping. I would have appreciated a touch more consistency in the song, as it developed. But this isn’t a major issue for me. Rose is definitely a journey, and I was not disappointed by it. (8.5/10)

5. Outlaw – If you looking for a track that is completely full of texture and abrasiveness, then Outlaw is the song for you. I liked the fact that the instrumentation was relentless in both areas and it helped the song become quite dynamic as a result. I am super impressed by the vocals and rapping in Outlaw. Not only did they contribute to the dynamism of the song, the members stood out strongly over the instrumentation. BoA’s high note was impressive and the crashing percussion/gunshots at the end was such a cool closer. (10/10)

6. MALA – MALA tones down the album, closing out the mini-album in an impeccable manner. We still have the electronic touches, but nothing as high-powered as the tracks preceding this one. Instead, we get a flowy instrumentation. The flute in the background throughout the song was quite interesting. We get the usual mix of vocals and rap in this song, but I liked the more delicate notes in MALA when it comes to the vocals, while Karina and BoA’s rapping I the bridge ended up having quite an impact. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.8/10

Stamp On It Teaser Image

[Review] S-Class – Stray kids

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Stray Kids continues to rise in the KPOP industry, as evident by the success of the group’s latest release – their 3rd studio album titled ★★★★★ (5-STAR) and the title track S-Class. It has only been a day since the album and song release, but Stray Kids has managed to sell the most albums in the pre-order period than any other KPOP album ever. And the album sales thus far are tracking to overtake the likes of MAXIDENT (lead by the single CASE 143), which was also a record breaking album for Stray Kids as well. Today’s review will focus on the title track S-Class, with more Stray Kids related reviews on their way (based on how their promotions went under past album releases – i.e. music videos for side tracks).

It is needless to say that there is a lot going on in S-Class. It is pretty much Stray Kids’ answer to the current trend of MIXX pop tracks that JYP Entertainment has been experimenting with through NMIXX’s debut era. However, S-Class plays towards Stray Kids strengths, with the producers (which includes Stray Kids’ inhouse producing team 3RACHA) loading up the song with a lot aggression and intensity. In a way, I think this makes S-Class super bold and appealing. But it easily can slip into overwhelming territory, which was my first impression of S-Class (and the ongoing opinion of others). Luckily, the help of their promotional material prior to S-Class release and a number of listens since its release has helped reduce that overwhelming sensation. There were many segments that I found enjoyable in S-Class. Going back to the pre-existing promotional material, they really helped make the chorus of S-Class quite catchy (even before the song was released). A lot of the different styles within S-Class stood out to me, such as the dramatic opening that introduces you to Seoul and sets up the song, the melodic direction taken by the pre-choruses, the second verse’s callback to the 90s hip-hop, and the groovy influence to the start of the final chorus. All of this (including the parts that I did not mention), but not the 90s hip-hop middle verse, comes together somehow and melds into a strong track. That 90s hip-hop middle verse somehow is the outlier that just doesn’t fit in, but it still manages to work. Per usual, Stray Kids’ rappers really popped off in this song, adding energy to the song and making it even more intense. But for me, the vocals (courtesy of Seungmin, Felix and Bangchan) in the all English pre-choruses stood out for me, as they brought a crisp and refreshing tone to the song. Overall, I find myself enjoying S-Class.

Just like the song, the music video also has a lot going on within it. I did like how the video references the group’s past concepts of monsters, members as transitional sequences between shots and having misplaced people somewhere in some of the shots. It all helps gives the music video a sense of familiarity, whilst also introduces a newer concept. In this video, we actually see a battle play out with the octopus-like monster. But Stray Kids’ is not part of the battle. Rather the battle occurs around Stray Kids. Evidence of this can be seen in the second pre-chorus sequence, where Seungmin is dancing around with noise cancelling headphones on whilst the SWAT team was being eliminated effortlessly by the monster. That was hilarious to watch. Elsewhere in the video, the effects and post-production really makes this a bold and fun music video.

Once again, the group pulls off a cool and amazing choreography routine that is undoubtedly deserving of any choreography award when it comes to award season in Korea. The arm and footwork in this video is incredible. But the thing that really jumps out at me and sells the choreography the most was the intense charisma that all the members showed off on stage. It just makes the performance so riveting and serious.

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

[Review] TIC TAC – 8TURN

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A lot of groups have already made their debut this year. And I rather not fall too far behind on growing number of new group’s this year, so today I will be reviewing 8TURN’s debut single, TIC TAC. It, along with the mini-album 8TURNRISE, launched the careers of 8 members signed to MNH Entertainment (the former home of CHUNGHA and BVNDIT): Myungho, Jaeyun, Minho, Yoonsung, Haemin, Kyungmin, Yungyu and Seungheon.

Months after TIC TAC’s release, the best I can come up with is the track leaves an ‘alright’ impression on me. I think there was a point in time where TIC TAC did pique my interest, but that was short-lived. TIC TAC is pretty much your standard male group hip-hop dance release, something that has been heard time and time again. The song does earn some credit points, such as the shouty nature of the chorus giving TIC TAC a lively and catchy vibe, the impressive rapping throughout the song, the muted plucking synth that was going on in the background of the verses, and the boldness of the noisy yet loud instrumentation that made up the rest of TIC TAC’s background. But I felt there were parts of TIC TAC that was lacking and ended up weakening the debut single. While I did praise the rapping a moment ago, I felt the verses were not so memorable and the choruses did overpower the verses quite a bit. Also I felt there was a lack of a strong vocal showcase in TIC TAC. This is in comparison with the rapping, which was definitely the stronger department of TIC TAC. Had these been areas been addressed, via a bolder verse and a stronger showing of vocals in TIC TAC, then 8TURN’s debut single would have been a much more solid release.  

The music video (and choreography – to be discussed in the next section of the review) fairs a lot better than the song did. I am not entirely sure what is going on, but there is a lot going on in the video (in a good way) and it does appear to be a whole heap of fun. I did like the styling of the music video, particularly the wide brim hats the members wore at the dance break moment. That looked cool. The post-production made the video super dynamic and added an even more fun element to the video. The only thing I didn’t like in the entire music video were the gold teeth at the start – they looked awful and I hope they had some sort relevance to whatever is going on in the video.

Despite being newly debut, 8TURN’s charisma is definitely a standout element in their stage performances. Their synchronisation is definitely a strong second. The finger twirling/head turning moment at the start of the second half of the chorus was the standout move for the entire routine, and you kind of get everything already mentioned in that one moment.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Save me, Kill me – CIX

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CIX also made their comeback on Monday with their 6th mini-album, OK Episode 2: I’m OK, and the title track Save me, Kill me. This follows the group’s August 2022 comeback with OK Episode 1: OK NOT and lead track from that mini-album, 458. Save me, Kill me is also the title of the group’s recently completed world tour, which they embarked on at the very end of 2022.

It took me few listens to get into the likes of Save me, Kill me. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with the song. It is more so that I was expecting some sort of dance track, not something as subdued and vocally centric like what we got, particularly since we are heading to the more lively music scene that is usually associated with the Summer season. And that we know CIX can easily release. That being said, the future bass and mid-tempo pace that forms the instrumentation of Save me, Kill me does work well enough together to form something that is somewhat upbeat, yet also keeping a subdued tone to the song. In combination with the well-executed vocals and rapping from the members, Save me, Kill me does feel suitable as a track that eases you into the Summer season. It feels weird to describe such a heavy and loaded song this way, but it genuinely does feel like that when we reach the choruses of Save me, Kill me. Moving back to the idea that the song is supposed to be emotionally loaded, I applaud the members for showing a touching sense of fragility and emotion behind their vocals and rapping, which also works well with the song’s expression of painful emotions following something good. The melodies provides a comforting approach to the idea, and also a sense of nostalgia. Also, I quite liked the vocal delivery in the bridge of the song and the way Save me, Kill me climaxed. This, along with the end sequence, really completed the song for me. Overall, Save me, Kill me is a nice comeback, just not what I had expected.

The music video tells quite a story. Any attempts by me to recap the story will probably result me in ruining the story. However, I have come across an article on Leisure Byte that retells the events of Save me, Kill me‘s quite succinctly and well, so here is a link to that article. Just a bit of a disclaimer that both the video and article touches on the topic of suicide and self harm, so it might be triggering to some. Aside from the storyline, the acting by the five members is very good. You can definitely feel the emotions behind both their acting and the song in this video. Also, the lighting just gives such a serious tone to the video.

While the music video does not show any choreography given the focus on the plotline and the song itself feels subdued enough to not require a dance routine to it, CIX has confirmed that there is choreography attached to this comeback via their comeback showcase, the release of the dance practice and some other promotional material. I liked how the members put the same amount of energy and passion into the performance, per the amount of emotion in the song. It also showcases their dance skills and talents. Altogether and quite surprisingly, Save me, Kill me makes for a riveting performance.

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

[Review] KNOCK – LEE CHAE YEON

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LEE CHAE YEON made her first solo comeback back in April (and apologies for how long it has taken me a write to review this particular release). The solo artist’s second mini-album, Over the Moon, is lead by the title track KNOCK. This comeback follows LEE CHAE YEON’s solo debut with HUSH RUSH in October 2022.

Initially, KNOCK didn’t spark much interest for me. I can’t remember exactly why, but I think I just didn’t really play the song much when it was first released. It wasn’t until more recently that I started getting into KNOCK thanks to the ‘KNOCK Challenge’ on TikTok that I started appreciating the song. Now, I find the single to be quite a fun and addictive listen. The main drawing point of KNOCK are the choruses, which are super catchy and appealing. This can be attributed to the repetition and logical yet impacting knocking percussion that we get in the first half of the chorus, and the melodies and burst of energy in the second half of the choruses. The first verse had a familiarity to it from elsewhere in KPOP, which I cannot place, while the second verse successfully and naturally incorporated trap into its beginning. The bridge highlights LEE CHAE YEON’s consistent vocals throughout the song. The only aspect which I wasn’t keen on LEE CHAE YEON’s vocals at the very beginning of KNOCK, which sounded slightly cutesy tone. I did not think this fit the vibe the song was going for. But aside from that minor detail, I liked everything else in KNOCK!

As for the music video, I really liked what the producers did around the choruses of KNOCK. The nudging of the camera at the start of the choruses was super clever. However, the moments after the start of the choruses could have been more cleanly executed in. The self-turning mirrors was a super cool idea as well. I also liked the idea of LEE CHAE YEON stumbling across a doll dressed in a red dress (also played by the artist), who is awaken via a knock on the wardrobe door. It is a brief and minor story line in this video, but it was a clever way of incorporating a knock into the video. As for the drinking scenes, I am not too sure what that means, though it might be a connection between this video and HUSH RUSH’s music video. On a final point, LEE CHAE YEON herself looks amazing in the video, especially in the scenes where is in a trackie outfit.

As mentioned earlier, the dance challenge for this comeback (a prevalent feature of comebacks nowadays) was what drew me back to the chorus. I found it funny that the dance was so complex for fans that they had to create 3 versions of the dance challenge. The hardest version was my favourite, as it was my favourite bit of the whole routine. The aggressive and confidence that it takes to move from one side of the stage to the other side, whilst also the fast paced arm movements was definitely an iconic moment and shows LEE CHAE YEON’s dance skills in a brief few seconds.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.9/10

[Review] LOSER – AB6IX

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AB6IX makes their comeback today with the single LOSER and their seventh mini-album, The Future is Ours: Lost. This comeback follows the group’s Take a Chance mini-album and Sugarcoat era, which occurred back in October of last year, and PARK WOO JIN’s solo debut with Top Tier. Following this comeback, the group will be embarking on a world tour, which officially kicked off over the weekend in Seoul.

Described as an alternative pop dance track, LOSER is a really solid comeback single. The song focuses more on vocals, which has been the direction that AB6IX has been travelling down for a while now. LOSER just sounds more vocally centric than normal for some reason. It might be the presence of more melodies in the song, or the fact that PARK WOO JIN’s rapping doesn’t make much of a splash this time around. I felt the song could have used something punchier or dynamic on the rap front to give LOSER some much needed oomph. Similar comments can be said about other parts of the song, which I will mention later on. I did like the electric guitar-like synth in the background, which helps the song feel summery. In addition to that, there is an upbeatness and vibrant side to LOSER‘s choruses that makes it suitable for the Summer season that is literally around the corner for South Korea, but it also feels muted in a way that allows LOSER to maintain a level of seriousness. LOSER also has a catchy repetition of the title at the end of the choruses. The way it is delivered gives LOSER a bit of a quip-like effect, which helps break the consistency. The song isn’t necessarily overly consistent, but it is pretty similar all throughout. We do get a trap-like breakdown as a bit of an interlude to help cut that consistency a bit. I liked the idea and the direction, however I feel like it could have been more dynamic. I guess my sentiment throughout the span of LOSER is that it needs to be more robust to take it to the next level. If the producers did just that, then LOSER could have been a standout track that draws attention back to AB6IX.

The music video begins with an eerie shot of a cemetery and someone walking throughout. We then see an actual funeral occurring, attended by all the AB6IX members but one, mourning the loss of the final member – Daehwi. My guess is the mysterious person we see at the very start walking through the cemetery is Daehwi himself in a ghostly form, which motivates the remaining trio to find a way to save him. Initially, they are not successful. Donghyun and Woong try to search the maze/hallways for Daehwi, but end up unable to pass the locked door. PARK WOO JIN is trying to develop photos of Daehwi (maybe to find a clue to how to stop the tragic events), but is unable to do so. However, a blinding light and white butterflies that we see throughout the video bring the members back together to the scene of Daehwi’s accident, reuniting both the living and supposedly dead membrs with one another before they run to the light at the end of the tunnel. My only gripe about the music video is the styling. For some reason, I felt the shorts the members wore were just ill placed in the video, especially the brightly coloured ones.

AB6IX performed LOSER for the first time on the Seoul leg of their world tour over the weekend. The choreography itself looks quite tiring, as the members are constantly moving without any moments of rest. Parts of the routine stands out to me, like the second verse with the sensual snaps of the body and Donghyun’s wide arm movements during his part of the bridge. As a whole, it is a strong routine that complements the direction the song goes in.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

[Album Review] The Piece OF9 (12th Mini Album) – SF9

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SF9 made their latest comeback in January of this year with the release of Puzzle (the title track – link below) and The Piece OF9 (the group’s 12th mini-album). Today’s album review focuses on this mini-album release. The Piece OF9 features a total of 6 tracks (including the title track) and seven of the nine SF9 members, as Youngbin and Inseong had enlisted into the military last year and Rowoon rejoined the group’s lineup after missing the promotions of SCREAM and The Wave OF9. Following this comeback, Jaeyoon also enlisted into the military.

The Piece OF9 is a particularly strong album release from SF9. I gave two songs a perfect 10/10 score and ranked the rest of the songs on the higher end of the spectrum. Find out how each song on The Piece OF9 ranked by continuing to read this post!

The Piece OF9 Album Cover

1. Puzzle (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Puzzle. (7.5/10)

2. Love Colour – The second track on the album is a really neat and rhythmic R&B pop piece. I liked the layering of the instrumentation, which was full of texture and felt subtly groovy. And yet, Love Colour manages to still be quite smooth thanks to the flow of the song and the members vocals, which were enjoyable. I also enjoyed the vibrant feel of the song, which allows this R&B piece to be more appealing than other R&B tracks out there. (8/10)

3. New World – New World is quite the shake-up following the likes of Love Colour. I get an epic revolutionary or an adventurous cinematic journey vibe from this anthemic dance track, which makes sense given the title of the song. The vocals and rapping were amazing, and gave off a sense of accomplishment, which was a great complement to the aforementioned vibes. A minor suggestion, but I think some more pronounced electric guitar riffs during the final chorus to electrify the end would have made New World even more epic. (9/10)

4. Fighter – Fighter is the song on the album that you really need to turn the volume up and blast out loud! There is some serious charge to the song that comes off so subtle. The chorus is super addictive and gets the adrenaline pumping throughout your body. Even the verses had some momentum, and the rapping that featured in the verses was fire. The pre-choruses were appreciably smooth and another strong aspect of the song. A clear 10/10 for me. (10/10)

5. Tight (꽉) – We enter groovier EDM territory with Tight. The bass is also quite something. The marching drumbeats in the pre-choruses were a really nice bridge between this and the preceding song, and also built great momentum towards the choruses. The choruses were doubled down on the grooviness, and also had a fun tinge when the whistles kicked in. Again, the rapping and vocals are on point in this song, particularly Hwiyoung’s expressive rapping and Jaeyoon’s stunning high note. Another 10/10 song for me. (10/10)

6. Stay With Me (Jaeyoon Solo) – From a mile away, I could tell Stay With Me was going to be the balladry song on the mini-album. Stay With Me is also a solo single from Jaeyoon. It is a nicely instrumented with the traditional piano and band instrumentation. I quite liked the electric guitar in the background, which helped give it a less typical ballad feel. Jaeyoon vocals were heavenly, and you can feel the emotions that he poured into and out of the song. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

The Piece OF9 Teaser Image

[Review] BONVOYAGE – DREAMCATCHER

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Returning to the stage is DREAMCATCHER with their latest release, BONVOYAGE. It is the title of their 8th mini-album, Apocalypse: From Us, and serves as the final major song from their Apocalypse trilogy. This particular trilogy started off in 2022 with the release of Apocalypse: Save Us and MAISON, followed by Apocalypse: Follow Us and VISION. It is also the group’s first release since the news all members renewed their contract with Dreamcatcher Entertainment a year in advance to end of the usual 7 year contract that most KPOP idols sign to debut and the release of the special single Reason to commemorate their 6th year as a group under the name Dreamcatcher.

For a number of DREAMCATCHER’s reviews, I have mentioned the “this is their most intense comeback to date” comment quite a bit. We have definitely seen an upward trajectory, in terms of intensity and power, from the group over the years. And while BONVOYAGE is probably one of their most blastful and boastful efforts yet when it comes to the choruses (which undoubtedly are the highlight of BONVOYAGE for me), I do feel like BONVOYAGE could have been more balanced between the verses and choruses. It didn’t occur to me until I started writing this review that the brief pauses at the start of the choruses did some important work in drawing my attention back to the song. The verses exuded a much calmer sensation with its softer approach, all of which I would describe as ‘nice’. But there isn’t much going on within them. Nothing is memorable from the verses, which I guess is why the song didn’t pull me in until we got to the choruses. Even Dami’s rapping in the second verse was on the softer side, and admittedly, well woven into BONVOYAGE. However, there was a missed opportunity to explore something more dynamic with Dami, especially since we all know what she can do from previous DREAMCATCHER songs. Anyhow, back to the choruses. It makes complete sense that the vocals were super powerful in order to be heard over the instrumentation of the choruses. I liked the way they ended the choruses with a slight melodic touch to ease us out of the intensity and helped give the song a memorable ring. And if you enjoyed the choruses of BONVOYAGE, you probably also enjoyed the continuous momentum of the bridge and final sequence of the song, which focuses on the latter halves of the aforementioned choruses. This continuous momentum propel Siyeon’s high note and helps end BONVOYAGE on a super climatic note. Overall, another great DREAMCATCHER release.

As mentioned above, the music video for BONVOYAGE rounds out the Apocalypse trilogy. In the song, the members sings of a farewell to a special someone. In the video, this may be due to the Apocalypse events that occurred in the MAISON and VISION music videos. There appears to be a bit of symbolism and imagery going in this video, and I don’t really have time to make sense of it all. So, maybe if the connections between the video are strong enough, I might consider the Apocalypse series as part of a future Music Video Theory segment, which DREAMCATCHER’s Horror series previously featured a part of. Aside from plot line, I really liked the crispness of the music video in all aspects, including the post-production. I also liked the action scenes in the video, and the members looked amazing in the video.

The choreography for this comeback looks pretty good, as a whole. While no moves stood out, I quite liked their energy on stage whilst performing BONVOYAGE. It made the entire performance worthwhile to watch, even though there was nothing mind-blowing in the choreography. The performance was also all smiles, which looked quite genuine and tells me that they really enjoy being on stage/with each other. It also helps put an even more positive spin on the song.

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

[Review] ICKY – KARD

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Last month’s Without You was just a pre-release single for KARD. I don’t think there was any indication of this at the time of Without You‘s release, so to hear the co-ed group was returning with their 6th mini-album and new title track was a pleasant surprise. Both the new mini-album and title track are titled ICKY. As mentioned in their Without You review, this is KARD first official comeback since RE: and Ring The Alarm.

ICKY is another decent track from KARD. Not exactly one of their best, but the repetition of the title which makes the song super catchy, Latin beats and groovy aspects of ICKY do come off striking enough. There are some things that I don’t particularly like with the track, such as the dragged out ‘ICKY‘ (which ironically feels icky to me) at the start of the song and the reversion to trap for BM’s rap sequence. For the latter, the contrast here is jarring and unsettling for me. Though I did think the whistle in the background was a nice way to blend that sequence somewhat with the rest of the song. The vocals and rapping were quite strong and I appreciated the members’ effort in ICKY. However, I did feel like they were holding back. But the issue didn’t lie with the quartet. To potentially take it all to the next level (and hence ICKY), I felt there was opportunity for the instrumental to go harder. Some bass or bolder elements in the instrumental would have been ideal for both ICKY and KARD, given that I feel they thrive on intensity as a group. Other than that, I enjoyed the new release from the group.

As for the music video, it was pretty good. My only criticism is that the usage of the chroma key could have been a bit more polished. Aside from that, there is a bit of a story line to the video. Not entirely sure of the meaning or symbolism of this story. But it is clear to me that Jiwoo is some sort of monster (given that she is slimy and seen in the green liquid from the start of the video. The three other members have somehow been trapped. We see Somin in a continuous hallway. J.Seph is sucked into the liquefying floor. BM is falls into a never-ending pool of green liquid. Each of these three ends up in Jiwoo’s lair, who ultimately corrupts the trio (as depicted by the green glow each member gives off and BM’s changed eyes at the very end). Very interesting indeed.

As for the choreography, I have always liked how charismatic the group is on stage. And the choreography for ICKY proves just that. They all have really nailed the whole idea of showing a balanced and uniform amount of charisma throughout, even whilst performing a routine like this. It all translate to an intense routine. No moves stood out in particular, but I did like stomping factor they had going on, along with the hand motions, which gives the choreography a bit more complexity.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] BITE ME – ENHYPEN

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ENHYPEN makes their comeback this week with their new darkened tone single BITE ME and their fourth mini-album DARK BLOOD. It follows the group’s third mini-album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, the lead single from that release – Future Perfect (Pass The MIC), the group’s Japanese debut and their first world tour which wrapped earlier this year.

For me, BITE ME is an underbaked title track. There is a bit to enjoy in this track and there are some parts that could have been improved upon. In some cases, some parts could be removed entirely. It is a mixture that leaves me a bit confused. Per usual, let’s start on the positive aspects of BITE ME. The chorus instantly comes to mind. I really liked the more melodic approach that was taken in this comeback, which brings on a smoothness in the song that makes BITE ME appealing. The “Oh My, Oh My God” sequence within the verses was a highlight in my opinion, and gives the plainer verses a bit of a coolness to them. As for the vocals, I felt the members did a decent job. I liked the character they give the verses and the mini uptick drag at the end of each second line in the choruses. More could have been done, but I would put the vocals on the side of being a positive aspect of BITE ME. Moving onto the parts which I think could have been improved upon. I felt the song needed a more prominent rap sequence, something to really intensify the track and give it a bit of an edgy factor. Likewise, BITE ME could have used a bolder instrumental to give the song some flair. To me, they play it very safe with BITE ME, and I don’t think that is what the title of the song calls for. It is a bold title, and the momentum or direction of BITE ME just doesn’t get anywhere near what I had expected from the track. As for the parts that I think could have removed, there are two. The first is the ending/outro of the track. To me, it brought no value to BITE ME. I get that the track is an extremely short one – spanning just over 2.5 minutes for a title track. But it just doesn’t give BITE ME much. The second, and the one part that I feel most strongly about, is the chanting pre-choruses just before the choruses. It is a jarring change to the song that does not fit the rest of the song (but I guess they were trying to make it feel ‘ENHYPEN’) and disrupts the flow of the otherwise decent track. The song would have been so much better off without this part. Overall, there is an air of disappointment over BITE ME. I am hoping more listens will help convince me otherwise.

I really enjoyed the dark vibes that the music video had. I did expect something darker, based on the teaser images that were released in the lead up to the group’s comeback. But what we got fits the bill quite well without being too creepy. There were some really nice imagery, such as the members turning into coffins, the use of shadows and silhouette. The sets were cool, such the choreography set that had a stage that light up and colosseum-like walls. The lighting was well used in this video, as well, which goes back to the good use of shadows and silhouettes that I already mentioned. My favourite part of this entire video is that short sequence in the second “Oh My, Oh My God” segment, where the members faces transitioned into the next member. It literally spanned for two seconds, but it left a very strong impression on me.

A darker concept comeback can mean many things. But with a more melodic track like this one, the creation of a sensual atmosphere makes for a strong pairing and that comes through in the choreography. I really liked that they went with this direction. From what I can see in the music video, the chemistry between the members and the female dancers was spot on. I also enjoyed the edgy side of the choreography, which comes through that dreaded chanty pre-chorus.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Album Review] Incense (3rd Mini Album) – MOONBIN & SANHA (ASTRO)

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One of the first reviews I wrote this year was for Moonbin and Sanha’s Madness, which at the time, no one knew would be Moonbin’s final release before his unfortunate passing just a month ago. I contemplated for the last month whether I would write an album review for Incense, in case I had some negative things to say about one of the songs on the album. It wouldn’t seem respectful to the late artist (and likewise Sanha, who I am sure is still hurting over his friend and bandmate’s passing). But I am sure that Moonbin would want to enjoy his music even after he left. And I indeed enjoyed this mini-album release. Incense follows the release of WHO and REFUGE from last year.

Incense Album Cover

1. Perfumer – Kicking off the mini-album is Perfumer, which takes on the sexy side of the R&B genre. It is a short track, spanning only two minutes. But it is neat opener and it captures this side of the R&B quite well. The atmospheric instrumentation and the very sultry tone that the pair exudes through their vocals brings the sensual energy to life in Perfumer. I would have liked a more memorable ring to the song or maybe a memorable element, just to give Perfumer more of an edge. (7.5/10)

2. Madness (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Madness. (7.5/10)

3. Desire (이끌려) – Desire is the first of two solo tracks we get from the members. Desire belongs to the late Moonbin, and ventures back into R&B territory. This time around, some pop influences also peek through, bringing more of an upbeat and playful vibe to the song. Moonbin’s vocals are really nice and clean in the track. The chorus also has a memorable ring, which emphasises that fun side to Desire. (8/10)

4. Wish (바람) – Wish is Sanha’s solo track and it is a stunner. It is pop-rock ballad in which Sanha expresses his gratitude for the fans/AROHAs. The instrumentation had some really beautiful moments in its calmer moments and soared to some spectacular heights as the song progresses and a more prominent pop rock ballad sound could be heard. As for Sanha, his vocals were very captivating and you could feel how sincere he was. (10/10)

5. Chup Chup – Chup Chup brings the two members of the unit back together through another pop R&B track. Chup Chup is also a start of the album’s more light and endearing side. The synths makes this a very bright and friendly track, while the duo showed us a more light-hearted and carefree tone. The hooks were cute and had a ring to them, thus tying the song together quite nicely. (8/10)

6. Your Day – Your Day is the probably the most concentrated track, in terms of upbeatness and fun vibes, on this side of the mini-album. The pre-choruses pack a punch, while the chorus features a super nice and bright rhythmic disco instrumentation that I just want to dance to. Both Moonbin and Sanha make sure their vocals are bright and vibrant, giving the track an even more fun vibe. What I felt was lacking in Your Day was a more prominent hook, which could have taken the track to a whole new level. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

Incense Teaser Image

R.I.P Moonbin. You will be missed.

[Album Review] REASON (12th Mini Album) – MONSTA X

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Welcome to the first 2023 album review of the year! Yes, I know it is May. And yes, this might technically not be the first 2023 album release to be reviewed this year. But it is the official start a more focused look at the 2023 releases. Starting my ‘focused look at 2023 releases’ is MONSTA X’s REASON, the group’s 12th mini-album, which was released in early January 2023. It is also the group’s first release since most of the members renewed their contracts with Starship Entertainment (with the exception of I.M, who chose to look elsewhere for solo promotions, whilst continuing activities with the rest of the group). The main single off the mini-album is Beautiful Liar, which also dropped on the same day. REASON follows the release of their SHAPE OF LOVE mini-album from 2022.

REASON Album Cover

1. Beautiful Liar (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Beautiful Liar. (8.5/10)

2. Daydream – Daydream features a creepy and haunting instrumentation, a complete shakeup if you were expecting something daydreamy. It is quite unsettling, but the track stands out because of this. As for the members, they do a decent job. I like that they do lean into the eerie vibes the song gives, telling us their desire to not wake up and realize their lover had left them. But I was expecting them to really kick Daydream up a notch. While they do go in that direction at certain moments, it doesn’t get Daydream anywhere, which is a bit of a disappointment. (7/10)

3. Crescendo (춤사위) – Crescendo is your typical hip-hop track with a traditional Korean twist to the instrumentation. It is a really cool mash of traditional and modern, with both sides feeling very balanced and harmonious with another (as far as a hip-hop track can go). There was never a dull moment in the song. Alongside the instrumentation, MONSTA X kills it with the rapping and vocals, always bringing an unexpected surprise as the song progresses. A personal highlight on the album. (10/10)

4. LONE RANGER – LONE RANGER incorporates a Wild West flair, giving the song a strong sense of character from the get-go. I like how it is more subtle than other songs that have the same influence, who tend to have it more in the forefront and in-your-face usually. The flair is paired with a relentless stomping beat, giving LONE RANGER intensity and propels the song forward. The vocals are very clean and deliver the catchy hooks effortlessly. Kihyun ended the song off amazingly with his ad-lib. The rappers of MONSTA X also do an amazing job as well, with Joohoney’s second verse rap sequence having a bit of a grow and an impact oomph in the song. (9/10)

5. Deny – Deny tones down the album with a smoother approach and a jazzier undertone to its instrumentation. The song falls more into R&B territory. I like the glow that radiates from the vocalists, while the rapping gives Deny a really sleek vibe. It was an enjoyable track to listen to, overall. (8/10)

6. It’s Alright (괜찮아) – Ending on a happier tone, the album ends with the single It’s Alright where they talk about going back to their lover. The track keeps true to MONSTA X’s hip-hop roots. But this time around, they go with an old-school 90s vibe. And this makes the track so likeable. The melodies in this track are amazing, especially the English lines in the choruses. There is some really nice piano work in the background, which just adds a classy tone to the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

REASON Teaser Image

[Review] Crazy Like That – VERIVERY

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Another group to make their comeback this week was VERIVERY. Tuesday saw the release of the group’s 7th mini-album,  Liminality – EP.Dream, and their new title track Crazy Like That. This latest comeback follows the like of their fun and catchy Tap Tap comeback from mid-November 2022.

Crazy Like That is quite a subdued dance track. Each time I listen to the song when it was first released, I hoped for the song to take itself up a notch, but that hope is never fruitful. But with the more listens I give to Crazy Like That, the less of that hopeful thought crosses my mind and the more I find myself enjoying the song. Sure, there are definitely moments in which I still think the song could have incorporated more into itself to make it a bit more captivating. And part of me still feels like the song is fairly dry. But for the most part, I find the track to be enjoyable. The already mentioned subdued nature of Crazy Like That does emit a dreamy and mature vibe, and there is a smoothness to the song that is appreciable. The instrumental is still very textural despite also being minimalistic. But it does run into the problem of being repetitive. The members do a neat job with their vocals, keeping their tone minimal to complement the instrumentation, but there was still some variation that gives Crazy Like That some interesting moments. And it is this variation that really helps the song from falling into a stagnant and repetitive piece. The brief use of autotune following the first chorus gives the song a moment of extra texture and flair. The bridge was my favourite sequence of the entire song, as it gave me something different to experience that wasn’t like the rest of the song. The producers do this by stripping away Crazy Like That‘s minimalistic instrumentation to the bare minimum, giving us a moment that was not similar to the repetitive instrumentation in the verses/choruses. Overall, an interesting atmosphere is created within Crazy Like That, that I ended up enjoying.

While the song side of the Crazy Like That comeback was quite minimalistic, the music video was not. There is a lot going on in the video, in terms of a possible story, sets/locations etc. all of which I am not sure is about. My best guess is that the group are showing they driven to achieving their goals and dreams (there is some imagery of this). And in the end of the video, they celebrate their success. However, I strongly believe I have completely misinterpreted the video, and am open to hearing about other interpretations. Personally, I kind of wished they took a minimalistic approach for the music video as well to better complement the song. Maybe the producers could have done something that felt artsy and more aesthetically pleasing to match up with the dreamy and mature vibes that the song had going on.

As for the choreography, I liked how they found a balance to making the performance quite intense without going overboard. This helps makes the comeback more appealing, and gives VERIVERY a chance to show more of themselves on stage.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 6/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.2/10

[Review] Queencard – (G)I-DLE

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After a super successful year with TOMBOY and Nxde, (G)I-DLE is back with their new title track Queencard and their 6th mini-album, I Feel. It follows the pre-release of the single Allergy, which is also featured on this new mini-album. Unfortunately, once again, I have not yet reviewed the pre-release, which the accompanying music video for it actually set up the events in the music video for Queencard. I will definitely return in the future (ahead of the album review) to review the pre-release. But for now, here are my thoughts on Queencard.

To me, Queencard had the slightest essence of TOMBOY. Drawing upon one of KPOP’s hits last year is a smart move (not whatever Nxde had attempted to do). There are some key differences between the songs that make them individualistic from each other and there are some aspects within Queencard that weakens the song from my point of view. Let’s start off with those differences, as they are also the more positive aspects of the song. Queencard is clearly more upbeat and suited for the incoming Summer season. The more melodic pre-chorus was really nice and pleasant sounding. The energy the members bring to the song and the grungy pop rock influences really gives Queencard a strong and resounding glow. Queencard‘s main hook were repetitive, but the repetition felt punchy and bouncy, which helped win me over in the end. The weaker aspects of the song come in two forms. The first are the lyrics. I get that Queencard‘s message was of self-confidence and self-love, and I do see the intention of the lyrics. But “My boob and booty is hot” and “I’m twerking on the runway” is quite cringy. The second aspect that weakens the song is whatever the second verse was. It was a poor attempt of changing up the momentum of the song, and slows down Queencard to a sluggish affair. I could totally have done without the second verse, and substituted a similar approach to the first verse with different lyrics. That would have been more interesting and exciting to my ears. Overall, Queencard doesn’t top TOMBOY or any of their other title tracks that I personally still enjoy from them. But it a neat follow-up to the 2022 hit.

As mentioned in the introductory paragraph, the music video for Queencard follows on from the Allergy music video. In case you were not caught up with Allergy, the opening to this music video has a “Previously on…” introduction which reminded us that Soyeon was not confident in her current looks and had decided to go under the knife for a new look. In this music video, the other members show us what it is like to be confident and to be the centre of attention at a party. Meanwhile Soyeon comes to the realisation that she is already a ‘queencard’ and opts out the surgery. She is immediately rewarded by the attention she gets on social media at the end of the video.

With the choreography, the literal less than a second move done by Soyeon and Yuqi that is causing it not as big of an issue as the Korean netizens make it to be. I understand that Korea is a more conservative country, but it is not as bad as other performances that already exist in KPOP and the content of Western media (which I grew up on). Overall, I thought the choreography for Queencard was fun and upbeat, just like the song.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10