Category: KPOP

[Review] ERASE ME – ONEUS

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ONEUS made their comeback last Monday with their 9th mini-album PYGALMON and their latest lead single, ERASE ME. This is the male group’s first release since September’s 2022 MALUS and Same Scent. It is also the group’s first official comeback as a five member group, following Ravn’s hiatus and subsequent departure during and after Same Scent/MALUS‘ promotion. As part of the promotions of new mini-album, ONEUS did pre-release a side track, titled UNFORGETTABLE. I have yet to review that single, but will definitely do so in the future ahead of PYGALMON‘s album review.

There is a fair lot going on in ERASE ME and I will admit that it was quite overwhelming the first couple of listens. But a week on from ERASE ME‘s release, the track has definitely grown on me a fair bit. The idea with having a strong and dramatic orchestral influence in combination with the synths was a really amazing idea. The intensity was definitely gripping and made for a unique listening experience. The jerkiness of instrumental, especially around the choruses, might be a bit unlikeable to some (and I can completely understand why!). But I personally thought the jerkiness nature of ERASE ME was a charming aspect of the song. The boldness of the synths used in the chorus probably contributed that overwhelming impression I mentioned at the start of the review, but it does now leave a more memorable impression now. As for the members, they did a decent job. Seoho with his piercing high note at the start of the final chorus and Xion’s lower and huskier tone that opened up the second chorus were probably my favourite aspects of ERASE ME. On the other hand, Leedo and Hwanwoong’s rapping was underbaked for such an intense song and their rapping segments could have used some oomph to bring to the same level of boldness as the instrumentation. ERASE ME also lacked a strong melody and hook, but I think the instrumental just took away any opportunity for something strong to develop in these departments. We do have a “Da Da Da” hook and some pop melodies that were promising, but something more striking could have been delivered in this song. Overall, I like the direction taken by, and the final product that is, ERASE ME. But I think improvements to the song could have made it even better.

To say the music video was stunning would be a complete understatement. While it is just choreography and closeup shots, every single shot and scene just leaves such a strong visual impression on you. The quality was so crisp and the members looked so good because of this. The clever cinematography and lighting definitely emphasised the boldness of the music and made me go wow on so many occasions. The concrete stairs and the dance break sequence of the song/music video were prime examples of these moments. The colour palette was rather limited, but the producers did an amazing job of ensuring that those colours look so fresh and stimulating. Whatever RBW is doing here needs to be replicated across all of their music videos in the future because it makes the entire video dynamic.

It should come as no surprise that such a song like ERASE ME would lend towards a very strong performance. ONEUS definitely delivers this and shows off their performance skills with such an intense and complex routine, as a whole. However, I just cannot commit to saying that this is their most impressive effort to date. But don’t get me wrong, the choreography for ERASE ME is definitely up there.

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

[Review] TRICKY HOUSE – xikers

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 5 Comments

Just like last year, the lack of reviews for newly debut artists looks like I have neglected the rookies of KPOP. A number of groups have already made their entrance in the industry this year and they all equally deserve to be checked out. After all, you will never know when you will discover your newest favourite act. xikers is the newest male group from KQ Entertainment, which is also the home of ATEEZ. xikers feature a 10-member lineup, consisting of Minjae, Jumin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Seeun, Hunter, Yujun and Yechan. They made their debut on 30 March of this year with their debut single TRICKY HOUSE and their first mini-album, HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing.  

TRICKY HOUSE kicks xikers’ careers off with a song with a high intensity and bold electronic sound. Noisy might pop into your mind, and I totally can hear why. The basis of TRICKY HOUSE doesn’t initially standout very much. I was hoping for a cool detail/direction to the electronic sound, but it was all just coming at you with little reprieve. However, as I listened to TRICKY HOUSE more, I came to appreciate some elements that ultimately set them apart from similar songs that go down this direction. The first thing that pops out at me when I listen to TRICKY HOUSE closely is the Bollywood/Moombahton influence that the instrumental carries. It pokes through the electronic elements of the instrumental ever so slightly, so it can easily be missed if you aren’t pay attention. However, I do feel like the two clash and creates that ‘noisy’ atmosphere. Maybe if they weren’t too mashed together, a better appreciation would come about for TRICKY HOUSE. As an element on its own, I felt this brought a unique vibe to the song. It isn’t necessarily a new sound in KPOP, but it does bring something different to the table. Another aspect that stood out for me is xikers’ delivery of TRICKY HOUSE. The rapping was quite powerful and left an expressive impression. Vocals take a back seat in the song, but there is enough there to ensure the vocalists sound good. Altogether, the song helps shows off their capabilities, beneficial for any artist starting out. I do feel like their vocals and raps could have been more attractive with a killer and memorable hook, which I felt is a missing element to help the song stand out further. Overall, TRICKY HOUSE is a good start and I definitely would like to hear something even more unique and individualistic from the group.   

The music video shows a businessman experiencing a world where he lets go of the social norms that he is a part of and to be himself. And this is what the entire song is about – to embrace and be yourself. In the video, the members help edge him on, as does the music that blasts through the headphones. They take him to the arcade, have a dance off with people in cosplay costumes, smash up an ATM, and do doughnuts in a sports car. Pretty much everything he would never do. And the members were all there alongside of him to experience the high he is experience. I really liked the settings of the video, as they helped highlight the edgy profile of the song. And the post-production, such as the train roof splitting open to show gears and the incorporation of the members into the middle of the doughnuts as they were happening, helped make the video look intense and cool.

Their stage presence was phenomenal. I had to check out a few stage performance to make sure it was not a one-off thing, and I am so glad it wasn’t. xikers definitely have a future in front of them, if they keep up the stage presence. Having a super intense and energetic song helps, but the energy they put behind their choreography and facial expressions makes quite an impression and their chemistry on stage was awesome to watch. That backward twist in the final moments of the choruses was super cool and definitely was a showstopper.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] Indigo (1st Studio Album) – RM (BTS)

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It has been a long time coming, but here are my thoughts on RM’s solo debut album. Released at the start of December 2022, Indigo follows the releases of mixtapes from RM back in 2015 (titled RM) and 2018 (titled Mono). It features 10 tracks in total, including Wild Flower and Still Life that I had already reviewed separately in their respective song review posts (links to both are below). The album itself is collaboration galore, with RM seeking the assistance of Erykah Badu, Anderson Paak, Tablo (from Epik High), Kim Sa Wol, Paul Blanco, Mahalia, Colde, Youjeen (from Cherry Filter) and Park Ji Yoon to tell some very deep and powerful messages in the songs that feature on the album. I think that pretty much says it all – Indigo is such an artistic and aesthetic album that explores so much in terms of lyrics, genres (though all come back to hip-hop in one form or another) and featuring artists. This is without a doubt a recommended listen.

Also, as I have previously mentioned time and time again in recent days, this will be the final album released in 2022 in which I will cover. Later this month, I will be turning my head towards the 2023 albums, which reviews are very much long overdue. But until then, here is what I have to say about Indigo.

Indigo Album Cover

1. Yun (with Erykah Badu) – Opening up the album is the single Yun. It explores a very chill, jazzy form of R&B. This track is stunningly smooth and I really enjoyed the glow that comes from the song. Alongside RM, Yun features the late Yun Hyong-keun as the narrator who we can hear at the start and end of the track. The song is also titled after him and whom RM draws inspiration from for this track, which explores the idea of going back to his younger days to rediscover his passion for music and art. Yun also features the Queen of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu, whom I understand does not collaborate with just anyone. Her vocals oozes so much charisma, as does RM in this song. (9/10)

2. Still Life (with Anderson .Paak) – Click here to read the full review for Still Life. (9/10)

I couldn’t find the official audio link for Still Life on YouTube, so I have linked the music video here instead.

3. All Day (with Tablo) – All Day packs a punch with its instrumentation. I always end up feeling the beat and head-nodding along to the song every time it comes on. I really liked the vibrancy of the song, with the beat and brass adding a liveliness to the song that feels super invigorating. The backing vocals in the chorus also have a similar effect. This alone makes the song one of my favourites from the album. All Day features the leader of Epik High, Tablo, who delivers his part with the same vigor as RM did in the song. The pair are super balanced and make an impact with their statement of fighting social pressures ‘all day’. (10/10)

4. Forg_tful (건망증) (with Kim Sa-wol) – RM trades in rapping for breathy vocals in Forg_tful, a ballad simply instrumented by an acoustic guitar. Folksy whistle also makes an appears, just to give the song just that something bit more. Just like every other ballad I have enjoyed during my time reviewing KPOP songs, the melody of Forg_tful has this subtle swaying effect, which already tells me that it is going to be success in my books. The song features folk singer Kim Sa-wol, who just has a beautifully delicate set of vocals. I really liked how RM bent his delivery to ensure it fits alongside Kim Sa-wol’s vocals, making Forg_tful quite a harmonious track. (8/10)

5. Closer (with Paul Blanco & Mahalia) – Closer speaks towards the idea of wanting to be closer to someone who just isn’t the right person. The track comes in the form of an alternative R&B song which features the likes of Paul Blanco and Mahalia, who both sound great in the song. It took me a while to get into the song, unfortunately. Just because it feels plainer than the rest of the album. But once I did get there, it was such a nice track to have in the background. (7/10)

6. Change Pt. 2 – So far, the album has been quite heavy with featurings from other artists (and there are more to come!). But we finally hit the two solo tracks from RM himself. The first is Change Pt. 2, which is quite a unique textural change-up. It is an experimental track that kicks off with quite an abrasive and crunchy set of synths and electronica that was very much unexpected. This transforms into a jazzy piano number, before slowing down completely at the end. The experimental nature of Change Pt. 2 continues through RM’s slurred delivery. There is definitely charm to delivering the track this way and it is quite artistic. But it is quite overwhelmed when paired with the boldness of the Change’s instrumentation. Overall, quite a surprise. But one that I do like. (8.5/10)

7. Lonely – Lonely is quite an enjoyable pop number instrumentally, with the guitar work being such a prominent feature of the song’s background. The powerful nature of the pre-choruses was quite an impactful sequence and I liked how RM effortlessly switch back to the pop vibes for the chorus. RM’s vocals are amazing and well appreciated in this song. However, don’t let Lonely mislead you. Despite it being of pop vibes, the lyrics are quite pessimistic and weighty on the topic of loneliness. Altogether, it creates an interesting atmosphere, which makes it a favourite in my books. (10/10)

8. Hectic (with Colde) – The city pop instrumentation that features in Hectic is my favourite aspect of the song. The beat is quite addictive, and paired with the synths, Hectic just takes on a groovy undertone. I also enjoyed both RM and Colde’s husky vocal tone, which was another highlight of the track. Another strong track that shows off RM’s versatility and Colde’s appeal. (10/10)

9. Wild Flower (들꽃놀이) (with Youjeen) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review of Wild Flower. (10/10)

10. No.2 (with Park Ji Yoon) – Ending the album is the more positive No.2, which speaks of looking forward (rather than backwards). It is quite a comforting track, especially since the lyrics feature the line “You’ve done your best”. Park Ji Yoon’s nasally vocals shine in this song for me, while RM himself ensure the song stayed grounded. It is a nice closer to the album, and a nice ‘change of tune’ after the exploration of the heavy and deep messages that RM features on the album. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.1/10

Indigo Teaser Image

[Album Review] SKZ-Replay (3rd Compilation Album) – Stray Kids (Part. 3)

Posted in KPOP, Weekly ChartsTagged 3 Comments

What do you mean today isn’t Friday? Apologies for the delay in posting the third and final part of the SKZ-Replay album review. I may or may not have slept when I should have been drafting this post. Anyhow, as started earlier this week, I began reviewing the SKZ-Replay compilation album. The album is split into two sides. The first side, known as the A-Side of the album, features the lead single FAM, a single previously unofficially released through a special YouTube video and 8 solo songs from each Stray Kids member. The second part of the album is known as the B-Side. And it consists of 15 songs from the SKZ-RECORD or SKZ-PLAYER web-series from a few years back. These songs have never been released digitally until the release of this album.

For the purposes of this album review, I have now posted the album review in three parts – Part 1 focused on the A-Side. Part 2 will focus on the first half of the B-Side, and Part 3 (this post) will focus on the second half of the B-Side. Also, there was no teaser images for this compilation album. So I have gone through and selected images from past promotions to serve as the featured and teaser images for the album review.

SKZ-Replay Album Cover

8. Alien (외계인) (Han Solo) – Alien begins the second half of the B-Side. Han really pushes his vocals in the choruses, as if he wants to be heard. The song speaks about being lonely, like an alien who dropped down onto Earth (taken from Soompi). Wanting to be heard definitely makes sense in the context of the song. This stylistic choice, to me, feels impactful. His rapping isn’t as powerful in this song, as opposed to his other solo tracks on this album. I felt it was a nice choice to tone down the delivery, given the chorus. Otherwise, it easily could have been an overwhelming and full-on track. However, Han still manages to infuse emotions into Alien whilst rapping. I also enjoyed the chilled nature of the instrumental. (8/10)

9. Because (좋으니까) (Changbin & Felix) – Released on White Day in 2021, both Changbin and Felix adopt more of singing delivery to their rapping for Because, presumably for a softer and sweeter approach for the romantic day. However, this created more of a neutral atmosphere, and this ended up boring me. It doesn’t help that the instrumentation was pretty much bland, as well. The pair is more well known for their intensity and rapping, and if Because demonstrated anything, that is when they are at their best. (5/10)

10. Piece of a Puzzle (조각) (Changbin & Seungmin) – Unlike the preceding song, Changbin’s rapping is more appreciated. He isn’t as powerful like how he is usually heard, but his fast delivery in the bridge was a neat return to form. Plus, his other parts were likeable. Seungmin himself sounds charming throughout the song and does a great job of delivering the melodies of Piece of a Puzzle to us. Unfortunately, the combination of hooks and the instrumental just made the song feel overly repetitive, and this ultimately ended up being a lukewarm track. (6.5/10)

11. Wish You Back (Han Solo) – Han definitely dominates the B-side with his fourth (out of five) solo tracks. And I do think we are in a bit of a rut with another neutral track, Wish You Back. We do get some strong rapping from Han and the bass does help make the track a bit livelier. But the rest of the song was just plain (i.e. the autotuned vocals) and doesn’t live up to the other solo tracks he present us on this album. (7/10)

12. HaPpY (Han Solo) – Wishing a person, who is no longer by your side, happiness is the message behind the track HaPpY. Again, this is another dry track for me. The mid-tempo nature of the song was probably the biggest driver of this. The instrumental was pretty repetitive, as well. However, I did like the last moment’s push Han gives just prior to the song ending. (6/10)

13. Up All Night (Bangchan, Changbin, Felix & Seungmin) – Up All Night features the most members, four in total. Latin influences feature in the instrumentation and there is a playful energy to the song that makes it a fun listen. Felix kicks off the song with a very seductive approach. Bangchan brings personality to his vocals, while Seungmin’s vocals had a nice easygoing vibe. Changbin was the weakest member in the song in my opinion, with the higher pitch feeling quite unnatural. The bridge with the deeper notes/bass was my favourite bit in the entire song. (7.5/10)

14. Drive (Bangchan & Lee Know) – Drive is the other song that I mentioned in Thursday’s half of the B-Side review that is more recognisable than most other tracks on the album. The undeniable yet iconic sexy lyrics that I don’t think we know who of the pair wrote, the rhythmic and atmospheric hip-hop instrumentation, and the mature tone that both Bangchan and Lee Know brings just makes this a cool listen. I also like the smidge of upbeatness that Drive had, which is another appreciable energy booster during this part of the album. (8.5/10)

15. ice.cream (Hyunjin Solo) – The honour of closing the 25-track album goes to Hyunjin’s ice.cream. I liked the R&B nature of the song and Hyunjin’s husky vocals make the song charming. Don’t get me wrong, however, when I use the word “charming”. ice.cream is a very much bittersweet love song. Hyunjin also raps in the verses, and there is a nice showing of his rapping skills. The abrupt ending is not something I enjoyed and I think the song could have eased out to make the closing of both song and album more palatable. (7.5/10)

Overall B-Side Rating – 7.6/10 (this also includes song ratings from the first half of the B-Side of the album)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

Teaser Image from Stray Kids’ God’s Menu era

[Album Review] SKZ-Replay (3rd Compilation Album) – Stray Kids (Part. 2)

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Yesterday, I posted the first part of a three part album review for Stray Kids’ 3rd compilation album, SKZ-Replay. That first part focused on the A-Side of the album, which featured the lead single FAM, a single previously unofficially released through a special YouTube video and 8 solo songs from each Stray Kids member. Today, I post the second part of the album review, focusing on the first half of the compilation album’s B-Side. As mentioned yesterday, B-Side consists of 15 songs from the SKZ-RECORD or SKZ-PLAYER web-series from a few years back. These songs have never been released digitally until the release of this album.

For the purposes of this album review, I will be posting the album review in three parts – Part 1 focused on the A-Side. Part 2 (this post) will focus on the first half of the B-Side, and Part 3 will focus on the second half of the B-Side. Also, there was no teaser images for this compilation album. So I have gone through and selected images from past promotions to serve as the featured and teaser images for the album review.

SKZ-Replay Album Cover

1. Zone (Bangchan, Changbin & Han) – Starting off the B-side of the album is Zone, which was previously revealed four years ago by 3RACHA. Personally, Zone isn’t my cup of tea. But it is decent hip-hop track that shows us who 3RACHA are and what they are about. The powerful energy they channel through this track is quite bold. Changbin, who has been nominated for Best Rapper in a few KPOPREVIEWED Awards, proves to me why he is constantly stands out and worthy of the award. (7/10)

2. Close (Han Solo) – Most of the appealing elements of Close comes from Han himself. The instrumental itself was pretty chill and lowkey. This allows Han to show off a deeper tone than what I hear from him usually, and his rapping was well done. I liked how he varied his delivery in the song, which keeps listeners interested in Close, rather than going from start to end in a flat or consistent manner. The song is about meeting stranger by chance, being drawn to them, and the desire to get closer to them. (8/10)

3. Streetlight (Changbin ft. Bangchan) – You don’t need to know the language to hear the heartfelt message and emotions that Changbin pour into Streetlight. But in case you are interested, you can read more about the song from Changbin himself in the linked SOOMPI article. I have opted to not summarise the meaning of the song into a few words, especially since it touches on the topic of seeking help and is already beautifully explained by the songwriter himself. As for the music, I liked how consistent the drumming is, and how beautiful the piano and orchestral influences are in the song. I also like how the instrumental doesn’t get into the way of the Changbin and the message he is trying to deliver. Plus, his flow and tone are quite impeccable. (9/10)

4. I Hate To Admit (인정하기 싫어) (BangChan Solo) – For this particular half of the B-Side of SKZ-Replay, I Hate To Admit is my favourite track. The way Bangchan delivered this ballad was so captivating and gripping. It is one of the songs where you need to stop whatever you are doing to take it all in. You can feel the heartbreak and heavy emotions that Bangchan relays to us. It practically pours from the song when it reaches its peak. The piano and strings were beautiful yet minimalistic, allowing Bangchan’s vocals to front and centre, which was an excellent choice. (10/10)

5. I GOT IT (Han Solo) – Again, Han focuses on raps in I GOT IT. In terms of instrumentation, it is a repetitive hip-hop background. Nothing really special. But that is not the reason why I like I GOT IT. It is more so the rapping that floors me. He really showcases his talents in this song. He shows off how expressive he can be and the fast tempo he throws at us is literally fire. The autotuned high-pitched rapping at the end of the song was very interesting, but charming in its own way. (9/10)

6. Miss You (꼬마별) (Hyunjin Solo) – This half of the B-Side has been pretty 3RACHA dominant thus far. It is not until the sixth track (this one, in particular) do we hear from someone else. And that someone is Hyunjin. Miss You is a song dedicated to Hyunjin’s first pet, who has since passed away. Miss You is a touching and delicately instrumented song. Not exactly ballad territory, but you can feel the reflective emotion behind Hyunjin’s raspy tone in the song. It is a comforting listen. Personally, Miss You is not a track I have gone back to since its initial release two years ago, but revisiting it was a pleasant experience. (7/10)

7. Maknae On Top (막내온탑) (I.N ft. Bangchan & Changbin) – Maknae On Top is one of the two songs from the SKZ-RECORD series that is more recognisable then the rest. I.N is the main character in this one, with the entire song about him. I liked the colour and energy that the Latin influences bring. The combination of the influences with I.N’s playfulness makes this one fun and humourous track. And this effect is pretty much hard to avoid. Bangchan and Changbin also features in this track to help fuel the fun and humour, and the fact they feature in this track also helps reiterate the idea of the song that I.N is in fact the boss of the group. (8/10)

Overall B-Side Rating – 7.6/10 (this includes all songs from Part 2 and Part 3 of the album review, which focused on the B-side of SKZ-Replay)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

Teaser Image from Stray Kids’ Mixtape: On Track era

[Album Review] SKZ-Replay (3rd Compilation Album) – Stray Kids (Part. 1)

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged 3 Comments

As mentioned in my review for FAM song review yesterday, I will be posting an album review for SKZ-Replay. This is a compilation album, consisting of a total of 25 tracks. It is led by the Korean version of FAM, which also dropped as a single on the same day at the end of December 2022 as the album release. Due to the length of this album, it is split into two halves – an A-Side and a B-Side. A-Side consist of 10 songs – the single FAM, a single unofficially released by Stray Kids in a Youtube video and 8 never-heard-before solo singles from each member. B-Side consists of the remaining 15 songs, all of which have previously been released as part of SKZ-RECORD or SKZ-PLAYER web-series from a few years back. These songs have never been released digitally until the release of this album.

For the purposes of this album review, I will be posting the album review in three parts – Part 1 (this post) will focus on the A-Side. Part 2 will focus on the first half of the B-Side, and Part 3 will focus on the second half of the B-Side. Also, there was no teaser images for this compilation album. So I have gone through and selected images from past promotions to serve as the featured and teaser images for the album review.

SKZ-Replay Album Cover

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

2. Connected (Bangchan Solo) – Bangchan’s Connected is a decent all-English EDM track. The choruses were by far the most likeable moments within Connected, bringing some cool synths and effects to the song. This is in stark contrast to the verses, which didn’t have much going on and was pretty forgettable to me. Even the rapping in the second verse didn’t ping me as a strong element. On the other hand, Bangchan does a good job with his vocals. He shows promise, delving into falsettos during one part of the song. However, I think there is a possibility to strengthen the song with a more memorable hook or melody. (7/10)

3. Limbo (나지막이) (Lee Know Solo) – Limbo is the main reason why I decided to write an album review for SKZ-Replay. I was (and still am) impressed by Lee Know’s vocals in this track, mainly because he usually isn’t known his vocals in Stray Kids’ usual releases. However, the push he gives himself in the choruses strongly shows off his vocals and makes the choruses a highlight for me in Limbo. I wished there was more to the instrumental and the verses, as they were more on the typical side and lacked anything interesting. But despite that, it doesn’t change the fact that Limbo is a standout for me thanks to Lee Know himself. (8.5/10)

4. DOODLE (Changbin Solo) – DOODLE was a bit of a weird one for me. I remember thinking that Changbin’s solo was going to be an immature and childish sounding track, just based on the title alone. But surprisingly, it ends up being a heavy hip-hop track that shows Changbin’s rapping skills. The track itself has the message of not being set to the rules and being carefree, like a doodle we make on the page. His delivery was quite powerful, and adds to the heaviness of the song. There are some moments where it was quite textured and the intensity just hits you (in a positive manner). I do find DOODLE to be on the repetitive side, which is a bit of a letdown given how expressive the song is already. (7.5/10)

6. Love Untold (Hyunjin Solo) – Love Untold is a mix of rock (gearing towards rock balladry territory) and hip-hop. Overall, it was a nice showcase of what Hyunjin has to offer when it comes to both rapping and vocals. However, I do feel like the chorus could have been better had be executed by a stronger vocalist. That being said, Hyunjin does show off his emotive and passionate side, especially when it comes to the rapping. It also helps that the melody of Love Untold is a lot clearer and cleaner. (8/10)

6. Run (Han Solo) – Han has demonstrated that he is an all-rounder over the last few years, and this made me curious to what direction his solo track would take. For Run, he chooses to showcase his rapping skills. I really liked his flow and the minimalistic vibes of the instrumental. It feels trendy and super unique. The deep autotuned vocals during the bridge of Run pretty much can be described the same way. Overall, I was impressed with Run and really enjoyed it. (9/10)

7. Deep End (Felix Solo) – Out of all of the members’ solo track on this compilation album, Felix’s Deep End was quite unexpected. It takes the form of a ballad. I really liked all the different vocal tones and variations he gives us throughout Deep End. He definitely utilizes his infamous deep and husky tone. But he also shows off so much more – like falsettos, a raspy tone and a set of smoother mid-range vocals. The instrumental is kept to a minimal with piano and the light presence of some other instrumentals, enabling the focus to be placed on Felix and his vocals. Quite a compelling listen. (9/10)

8. Stars and Raindrops (내려요) (Seungmin Solo) – I remember think how Stars and Raindrops felt like it could have been a DAY6 song. And knowing that he is a fan of the band, I do like how he drew upon his influence to deliver a strong track. I like how pleasant everything is, from the synth-featured band instrumentation, to his vocals, to the melodies of the song. The beat in Stars and Raindrops was also a nice change in momentum, given the preceding tracks. (9/10)

9. Hug Me (안아줄게요) (I.N Solo) – At first, I thought Hug Me was going to be an acoustic ballad with the way it started for some reason. But within seconds, as soon as I.N starts singing, the song instantly transforms into a pleasantly brighter and more cheerful number. The guitar work keeps the song grounded, while I.N’s vocals were sweet and loveable. (8/10)

10. #LoveSTAY – The final song covered on the A-side of the album (and this part of the album review) is #LoveSTAY, which is undoubtedly a love song for their fans. Musically, it is a ballad. Beautifully instrumented with orchestral touches and the vocals are so dreamy and touching. I really liked the way they ended the song, reiterating the loving and appreciation message they have for STAYs. Also, the group released a video for the song at the end of 2021, so check it out below if you missed it. As a recap, it features behind the scene shots of the members recording the song and snippets throughout their promotions/award shows. A nice nostalgic walk down memory lane for fans and the members alike. (9/10)

Overall A-Side Rating – 8.3/10

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

Stray Kids’ Teaser Image from the MAXIDENT/CASE 143 era

[Review] FAM (Korean Version) – Stray Kids

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The Korean version of FAM was released last year as the lead single off Stray Kids’ 3rd compilation album, SKZ-Replay, which dropped as one of the last KPOP album releases of 2022. Since then, the song has risen to the top of my Weekly KPOP Charts segment twice this year – the 3rd weeks of both January and February. It is a bit awkward for a song to have been placed first on my own Weekly KPOP Chart segment to not have a review, so today I will be reviewing the single. This review will then lead into my album review for SKZ-Replay, which I have wanting to review for a while now. So keep your eyes opened for the album review (which will be split into three parts). But for now, here is my review for FAM.

Previously released as a Japanese single, FAM is very much a personalised song made by the group’s in-house production team 3RACHA for the group (and their fans). The entire lyrics of FAM were made of references to the members through nicknames, shouted names, descriptions and praises of each member. For me, fun is the main word I would use to describe FAM, matching up with the group’s personality when they are off-screen and not performing their usually intense title tracks. As for the music, it is an upbeat and lively electronic track. All members, including the vocalists, delivered their descriptions and praises of the succeeding member in the song by rapping. This adds to the fun side of FAM. All members were also heavily autotuned, which adds a bit of a quirky affair to the song and blends them into the electronic profile of the instrumentation. The choruses were also shared amongst the members and were the closest to feature some singing. Again, autotune was present here to match with the rest of FAM. But the choruses had a catchy ring to them FAM. Altogether, I found FAM to be an addictive track. It is light-hearted (despite the song being delivered in a not so light manner via autotuned raps), casual and fun track that pretty much speaks to the bond that Stray Kids have with one another and their carefree personalities that comes about when the members are not on stage.

The music video for FAM was an edited version of their encore performance during the second Seoul leg of their recent world tour. While this isn’t much to go on with, I do want to point out that I liked the post production of the video. It added some fun elements to the video, emphasised parts of the song and brought some much-needed colour. With the stage lighting and denim outfits, everything looked blue. So, the yellow was a nice way of offset and make it more dynamic. I also liked how the post-production also aided in the emphasis of the member that was in the spotlight for that particular part of the video.

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

[Review] Spicy – aespa

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aespa is one of the few artists that kicks off this new week, returning with their third mini-album My World and the title track Spicy. This comeback follows the group’s pre-release single Welcome to My World, which dropped last week and is a song that I will review separately in the near future. Spicy also follows the group’s 2022 comeback Girls.

Spicy is quite a change to their last comeback and even aespa’s wider discography thus far. Their main title tracks have been of more of an EDM base thus far, but Spicy manages to spice it up with a more pop-leaning comeback. Despite that however, Spicy still manages to conform to aespa’s roots, featuring textural form of EDM, dynamic bass and heavy beats – all of which still manages to make an intense statement. Not once did I feel the instrumental was overwhelming, which easily could have taken over hadn’t it been for the members (more on this in just a second). I liked the more vibrant and brighter tone the synths take on, while the dynamic profile of the instrumentation felt very suitable for the upcoming Summer season that I keep mentioning about. The pop side of the song comes through via the melodies choruses, which by far is my favourite part of Spicy. I am surprised that Spicy managed to still incorporate such pleasantly executed melodic flourishes in such an intense piece. This is mainly achieved by the members and their powerful vocals, which Spicy undoubtedly puts on full display. Upon reflection, the hooks are a bit cringy in my opinion, but I have managed to overlook this during each listen I have given Spicy so far. The rapping is more contained in the verses of the song. But while they pretty much were on par with the intensity of the song in the verses as well, I personally felt that the verses just weren’t as memorable. Hence I can’t justify giving Spicy a perfect rating. But they were so so close to earning it had it not been for the lesser memorable verses.

For once, aespa is not in their virtual world or a built set. I was prepared to see their a virtual landscape and some super cool graphics. But seeing them in actual sunshine and the real world feels very refreshing. That being said, we do get a virtual reference via the glitchy background. A nice subtle nod to their concept as a group. I really liked the confidence that the members instill on the viewers throughout the video. The music video also features some fun moments, such as a car falling from the sky into a reserved parking spot at the start of the video and the frozen-in-time party (which actually looks quite cool).

From what I can see in the music video, it appears the choreography aspect of the comeback is the weakest. None of the moves that featured in the video highlights their performance skills that the members have shown in the past. The most promising moment in the routine was during the bridge of the song (which kind of serves as the instrumental/dance break). The moves here were sharp and showed potential. But I just feel the rest was a bit plain.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 6.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] Still Life – RM (BTS) with Anderson .Paak

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Apologies with how long it has taken me to review this particular song. Still Life was released as part of RM’s debut studio album that was released in December last year. The single Wild Flower, which I did review at the time of release, was the main title track. But Still Life was released as a second single a week after the album’s release. Today, I will finally review Still Life. Also, with this song review soon to be out of the way, this does mean I will finally be posting a review for RM’s studio length album Indigo this coming weekend. Indigo’s album review will also be the final 2022 album review, which will mean that I will finally start tackling the 2023 albums! That will be coming out later this week. But until then, here is my review for Still Life.

Still Life has such a groovy flair that makes it one damn good expressive song. I remember constantly listening to the track when it was first released, just because it was such a fun number and was quite an attractive track from the album. The positive vibes exuded from Still Life were notable, and the upbeat energy throughout makes me want to have a bit of a boogie. The instrumental had some great percussion and subtle brass that gives life to that groovy flair that I already mentioned. As for the artists, RM’s rapping had really good flow and was very captivating during the verses. Anderson .Paak comes through primarily during the choruses alongside RM, and gives off a really great texture via his raspy voice. His “I’m still life” line throughout the song was very punchy and memorable, and this adds more to that expressive profile of Still Life. There is such a catchy ring to the choruses as well. I also found it clever how Anderson .Paak is able to manipulate the pronunciation of “I’m still life” to make it sound like ‘I’m still alive‘, which adds further meaning to the song (which I will touch on later). Together, the pair had great chemistry, as evident by that sequence just prior to the final chorus, and this helped make Still Life a fantastic song. Altogether, I found Still Life is be suitably selected as a second single and a highlight from the Indigo album.

The video plays on the concept of still art. Whilst everything around him is frozen, RM is still able to move about freely, grooving to the song as it plays. With everything around him frozen, he is showing how something still can continue to be alive. The lyrics also speak about moving forward. And the concept of a train was a great way to show this, as the train is a vehicle that constantly moves forward to reach its destination. A well thought out video.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.4/10

[Album Review] Code Name: Arrow (11th Mini Album) – UP10TION

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There might be a reason to why I pushed out a review for UP10TION’s What If Love despite it being released half a year ago. That is because I made a decision to review the Code Name: Arrow mini-album in which the single was present on, given the massive changes the group underwent earlier this year. While the group has reassured us that they have not disbanded and wish to continue UP10TION into the future, the lack of news (such as signing on with a company) since their departure from TOP Media does make me slightly concerned about their future. However, given the group is at the stage of their career involving military enlistments, this might be slowing things down in terms of future activities and relevant news. Regardless, I will be looking out for news of UP10TION’s future and hope that it comes soon. But for now, here is my thoughts on Code Name: Arrow.

Code Name: Arrow Album Cover

1. Angel – Starting off the mini-album is Angel, which was a solid EDM track. I did like the rush of energy that the instrumental following the first chorus. I also liked how the presence of guitar throughout the song peeking through the EDM, with my favourite being the brief yet funky guitar riffs detailing we hear in that same instrumental break just mentioned. The rapping and its flow in the song added a nice flair to the song, while the vocals were a good showing, particularly the falsetto in the choruses. Though I think a stronger hook would have really taken Angel up a notch. (8/10)

2. What If Love (Title Track) – Click here to read the review for What If Love. (7/10)

3. Bloom – For me, Bloom’s chorus was its highlight. The thumping EDM/dance instrumental that opens the centerpiece of the song was quite a showstopper and I liked how it wasn’t just a one-trick moment. The second and final chorus are also the same, with the latter incorporating an extra set of beats to just give the final chorus that just that little bit more. The vocals here was really well done. Elsewhere in Bloom, we have a pop ballad-like first verse (which helps make the first run at the chorus that bit more shocking – but in a good way). The deeper toned rapping was also well used, just to give the song more depth. Hook-wise and melody-wise, I find Bloom to be particularly strong in these areas, as well. (10/10)

4. Flash – Guitar riffs and casual energy takes the helm in Flash. It is an enjoyable track, with a slight retro tinge to the instrumental. The vocals take the win in this one, with the vocal line doing a splendid job of showcasing that bright and cheerful tone that the song has. (7.5/10)

5. Starlight – I quite enjoyed the blast of energy we get in the choruses. It isn’t as iconic as Bloom’s choruses were, but it did make the chorus for Starlight to be strong. I also enjoyed the affectionate tone that comes from the song, which is what the lyrics depict. I actually would not be surprised if this is a song for their fans. Powerful vocals were also needed to stand out over the instrumentation, and UP10TION definitely delivered in this aspect. (8/10)

6. Rewind – The final song on the album is also some of UP10TION members’ favourite. Rewind is a rock ballad that showcases the members in a more emotive state with their vocal and rapping delivery. I personally thought they executed this well, and I can see why the members’ said this was their favourite song on the mini-album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

Code Name: Arrow Teaser Image

[Review] What If Love – UP10TION

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I completely apologise for how long it has taken me to review What If Love. The single was released as part of their 11th mini-album Code Name: Arrow in November 2022. This comeback ended up shaping to be a big one for what happened after its release. What If Love now serves as the group’s last release under TOP Media. The current 7 member lineup of UP10TION (including Hwanhee and Xiao who participated in the recent Boys Planet survival series) chose not to renew their contract with TOP Media (thus leaving the agency they have been with since debut). They aren’t disbanding, confirming their intention to stay as a group. It also been confirmed that Jinhoo (who went on hiatus back in 2020) and long term absent members Kim Woo Seok and Lee Jin Hyuk have left the group. And it has been announced that Kuhn and Kogyeol were to enlist into the military. Quite an eventful 2023 already for UP10TION, who usually flies under the radar.

To me, What If Love is a decent dance pop track. The bass gives an alluring appeal, while the rest of the instrumentation has groovy influences that comes together to give off a darker and classier atmosphere. Both the bass and wider instrumentation contribute to a sleek profile. However, I wanted something more to the instrumentation to spark some interest. Aside from what I mentioned, it is pretty lackluster and plays it safe for majority of the song. We do hear some detailing in the instrumental (like the whistle), but it wasn’t anything strong. What If Love does benefits from some nice vocals and rapping. I felt the vocal line in this song worked with the mature vibes and brought an appreciable smoothness to the song. The breathiness the vocals brings during certain moments of What If Love also adds to the maturity profile of the song. This adds to the sleekness of the track. The deeper tones that the rappers brought to What If Love is a nice textural change and gives us a bit of a reprieve from ultra smoothness that What If Love pushes on the listener. I also feel like the deeper tone emphasise the funky undertones of the song. While there were some nice melodic moments throughout What If Love, I did think the hooks were weak. We do get breathy “What If Love” repetition as part of the choruses, but due to its deliver it isn’t much of a prominent hook. Had What If Love had stronger hooks and something that gives the instrumental a bit more zing, maybe I would have reviewed What If Love sooner.

What If Love is about “the temptation to win the heart of one’s love of fate while aiming for the one and only chance, which can be missed in a fleeting moment” (taken from SOOMPI). When you watch the video, it has a bit of a spy/detective concept to it. Personally, I am not exactly sure of the connection between the meaning and what we see. But my best guess is that the members are searching for that “fleeting moment”. Aside from that, I did like the darker aesthetic present in this video, which matches with the mature profile of the song. The members also look fantastic throughout the video in their outfits.

I feel like the choreography hits the mark in some parts, but completely misses it in others. The song calls for a sleek routine, but I felt it was a touch too powerful during the choruses. We do get some “slow” moments, which were the most fitting.  If they somehow softened the energy behind some of the other moves, we would see something that is aligned with the choreography.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 6/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Review] U – iKON

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Last week, iKON pre-released the single Tantara from their 3rd studio album, Take Off – the first post-YG Entertainment release since the group decided to not renew their contracts with the company in December 2022. Since December, the entire group (yes, all current 6 members of iKON) signed on with 143 Entertainment, announcing plans for an April comeback. Well, the group is now officially back with the unvielling of the entire Take Off studio album and the title track U – both dropping on Thursday of this week.

U shows a completely different side of iKON. Most of their past singles have been heavily influenced and centred around the hip-hop genre. It was only until recently (i.e., Why Why Why and BUT YOU) did the group put something else out that was not primarily hip-hop centric. U continues exploring other genres, this time opting for a fun and vibrant disco party number that I am totally digging. The energy is fantastic and the rhythmic funky guitar riffs are super infectious, bringing a smile to my face (at the very least) each time I have heard the song since its release on Thursday. It is also highly suitable for the Summer season that is fast approaching for Korea. If there is one thing I want to be critical about in terms of the instrumental, U needed more electric guitar riffs at the end to drive up the energy. Cliché as it sounds, but it will give the ending some additional flair. Bobby’s raspy vocals stands out quite a bit, which made the pre-choruses feel the most memorable part of the song. JAY’s first verse was also a nice standout. Unfortunately, the rest of U wasn’t as compelling and the other members didn’t have their moment to shine, They all sounded great, but no other parts struck me as memorable or stood out to me. It might have been that the super bright and upbeat energy just took over as the most striking aspect of the song, following the parts that I have pointed out. Still, I am glad that iKON has managed to push out new music and that U is fun and enjoyable.

The music video shows the members getting ready and going on a road trip to their next concert/live performance destination. Whilst getting ready and along the way, the members experience some hiccups. Given the bright and vibrant tone of the song, the members approach these moments with their sense of humour and fun energy – i.e., JAY riding his bicycle whilst the other members are trying to push their out-of-petrol van along and unknowingly leaving JUNE behind who has to run after them. In the end, all the members arrive at the final destination just fine and put on an amazing performance to close out the video. I liked their casual and light-hearted approach, no doubt fitting in well with the song.

As for the choreography, it is upbeat and light – just as you would have expected it to be. I really liked the “Only For U” circle the members formed in the first half of the post-chorus hook. It was a fun formation.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Review] Wind and Wish – BTOB

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BTOB made their long awaited comeback earlier this week with their 12th mini-album and their newest single, both sharing the same title Wind And Wish. For BTOB, this is their first release since The Song and Be Together in February 2022. For certain members, they had more recent releases, such as HUTA’s (otherwise known as Lee Minhyuk) BOOM and Lee Changsub’s SURRENDER (which I have yet to review – apologies).

For the most part, Wind And Wish is designed to be a pleasant track. And that is exactly the impression I get from Wind And Wish. It is a mid-tempo pop ballad track that is nicely instrumented with tropical touches and a breezy atmosphere that feels appropriate for the Spring season that Korea is currently in. I liked that the mid-tempo side of the instrumental gives the members a chance to show something other than a ballad, which is ultimately what they are known for. Per the standard with BTOB’s track and given Wind And Wish has some balladry roots, the song does manage to incorporate the usual well-known vocals of the group. We get a few really nice high notes throughout the song and strong vocals across the board. The harmony between Eunkwang, Sungjae and Hyunsik in the bridge was super well done. However, nothing is riveting as it could have been, given that pleasant effect of Wind and Wish. Similar comments can be said about the rapping in Wind And Wish. They feel pretty much toned down and don’t have much of a bite to them. We all know what Peniel and Minhyuk can bring to the table. And whilst this create balance, it does feel lacking. If the raps had a bit more of a punch to them, this would have made Wind And Wish a bit trendier. There were some promising hooks and I did like how the song took it up a notch with the chanty and lively choruses. This felt this was pretty refreshing, and a nice breather from the pleasanter side of the song, without overdoing it and disrupting the song. Overall, I feel that Wind And Wish plays it safe. In some parts of the song, this worked, while it lacked substance in other areas.

The music video for Wind And Wish pretty much has a similar Spring time and breezy atmosphere, going hand-in-hand with what the song sounded like. The flowery field scenes, the warmer lighting and the looser casual outfits feels ideal for the concept that they were going for. Even the rising sun and the red glow from this was an indication that the weather is heating up – but not to the extent of a Summer release. A nicely done video.

The mid-tempo pop nature of the song allows for some light choreography, which works really well with the song, to occur. It is enjoyable to watch, and allows a bit more for an expressive style to show (rather than melancholy vibe, which BTOB has excelled with through their more balladry releases). The latter means BTOB can show a bit more of a playful nature, which they also delivered.

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

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

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NCT DREAM’s Candy (the mini-album) was one of the last major releases of 2022. Featuring the remake of H.O.T’s Candy as the title track, Candy also featured 5 additional side tracks for the festive season. For me, this mini-album never had a dull moment and rounded out their super successful and massive year which featured the releases of Glitch Mode and Beatbox. Due to my personal lag with publishing album reviews in 2022, I ended up posting a singular album review for the entire album featuring both title tracks.

As a quick side note, despite how I started off this review above, this is not the final album review for a 2022 release which I will be posting. The final three album reviews for 2022 releases will be posted next weekend and into next week. This will mean that I will be starting album reviews for 2023 releases some time later this month.

Candy Album Cover

1. Candy (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Candy. (9/10)

2. Graduation – Graduation sparked concerns of the group disbanding, as the song is all about graduating to the next stage of one’s life. And I can completely understand where the concerns were coming when I read the English translation of the lyrics. However, there is no disbandment news in sight and I think NCT DREAM was gearing up for a comeback later this year. Anyhow, Graduation is a beautiful song of lovely vocals and nice rapping to express the message aforementioned. I liked how it wasn’t strictly a ballad (instead, it falls into the R&B genre), with the rapping taking over a decent portion of the song. But it doesn’t undermine the vocals, which each member contributed towards. Even some of the rappers dabbled with falsettos in the song. Overall, Graduation is the song that sticks in your mind thanks to its message and is hard to get out thanks to its execution. (10/10)

3. Tangerine Love (Favorite) – Tangerine Love (Favorite) returns to upbeat and funky vibes with its retro synthpop sound. I really like the super catchy chorus in this song, and the rapping was definitely a highlight. But again, the vocals excelled, with Haechan to member that we need to commend thanks to his high note. The synthesizer at the end was a really cool touch. (9/10)

4. Take My Breath (입김) – The choruses for Take My Breath were super striking thanks to the pounding effect of the instrumental. Similarly, I thought the way the rapping started off the song and how cool the rapping was throughout the song was another striking element of the song. Other than that, the other parts of Take My Breath made for a standard yet pleasant pop track. (8/10)

5. Moon (문) – We arrive at the ballad of this mini-album. Given that this is a Christmas theme album, this ballad is the first song to truly elicit the dreamy side of the festive scene through its instrumentation. The piano melody makes for a stunning background, while the vocals are both superb and captivating (as expected). The harmonies are amazing, as are the ad-libs. (8/10)

6. Walk With You (발자국) – We end the special mini-album on a very upbeat note. I liked the textures in this dance track and the brightness that the members bring to the song. I like how the production stayed fun and enjoyable. NCT DREAM nails the song with their usual high-quality delivery in both the vocal/rapping styles. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

Candy Teaser Image

[Album Review] Overload (2nd Mini Album) – Xdinary Heroes

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Another mini-album I reviewed over the weekend was Xdinary Heroes’ second mini-album, Overload. This one features the title track Hair Cut and five other side tracks, with each track exploring the rock genre in a unique and different manner from what other Korean bands have been putting out. With their discography thus far, it is definitely looks and sounds like Xdinary Heroes is carving a niche for themselves. Released in November 2022, this is the second album review I have written for the band, the first being Hello, World (which was released in July 2022 and features the title track Test Me). And as of this week, Xdinary Heroes released their third mini-album Deadlock and the title track Freakin’ Bad. But before I review the new single, here is my take on Overload.

Overload Album Cover

1. Zzz.. (잠꼬대) – Zzz.. starts off the mini-album, with a track that goes in multiple directions (more so than the title track). But the multiple directions all give Zzz.. an intriguingness to it. There is a mix of pop rock, electronic synths and groovy undertones to this track that somehow gets glued together to create an interesting track. Xdinary Heroes delivers some pleasant and others colourful and playful vocals, which I find to be super cool and characteristic. We do finish with the same laugh that is present in the title track, bridging the first and main track on the album together. (8.5/10)

2. Hair Cut (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hair Cut. (6/10)

3. LUNATIC – Playful eerie vibes begin the track, before LUNATIC goes down the powerful rock route. There is head nodding potential behind this track. What I appreciate with LUNATIC is that it doesn’t go in different directions, keeping a consistency that feels refreshing following the first two songs on the mini-album. I also appreciate the charisma that the members bring to the song via their vocals, which makes LUNATIC a great listen. (8/10)

4. Crack In The Mirror – The drumming in Crack in the Mirror was amazing and definitely was my favourite element of the song. For me, it took the song places that the other instrumentation just couldn’t. Aside from that, more head nodding potential and some great vocals moments round out this song. (8/10)

5. Ghost – I found the vocals in Ghost to be really interesting. The way they dragged out the ending of each line in the chorus was quite unique and gives Ghost so much creepy character. There was also some decent rapping in this song, which I enjoyed. The instrumentals were good, but were toned down to give off a more creepy vibe, complimenting the vocal style chosen. (7/10)

6. X-MAS – X-MAS is not Christmas carol or jingle. With Xdinary Heroes at the helm, powerful rock takes over pretty quickly. The pre-choruses and bridge was a bit dreamy, and I think the band plays into the idea of a music box at the end of the choruses. But apart from that, Xdinary Heroes completely smash out the song in a non-festive way. Parts of the song felt more so like a hype song, while the guitar work stands out. Catchy melodies and hooks make the song memorable, though I wished they were a bit more colouful with their delivery, as they have been in their other songs. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.6/10

[Review] UNFORGIVEN – LE SSERAFIM (ft. Nile Rodgers)

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Kicking off the week is LE SSERAFIM, who returns to the stage with their shared titled latest single and 1st studio album – UNFORGIVEN. It is the group’s comeback since the release of ANTIFRAGILE (also a shared title between their single and mini-album release) in October of last year. This release also marks the return of LE SSERAFIM in the very intense competition of female groups from last year, joining the likes of NewJeans and IVE who have already made successful comebacks this year.

UNFORGIVEN felt very LE SSERAFIM to me, but there was a major sequence in the song that I am not exactly keen on. I will explore this a bit more later on. But let’s focus on the strongest and most characteristic aspects of UNFORGIVEN. The first has to be the instrumentation, which samples the theme of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. While I don’t think this is the first time we heard this particular piece of iconic music in KPOP, I did like how it aids in making UNFORGIVEN appealing and fun. The iconic western cowboy whistle also features in the song, adding to the western theme of the song. There are also additional guitar work and a few extra twangs added into the instrumental, which I take is Nile Rodgers’ contribution to UNFORGIVEN. These felt cool, and builds on the concept the producers of UNFORGIVEN have forged. The second characteristic element of UNFORGIVEN is its repetitive hook. I liked the simple yet subtly expressive delivery of the song’s main hook, and how addictive it has become in the subsequent listens I have given UNFORGIVEN. Now, while it is all very solid, the part that I am most unsure about in UNFORGIVEN is the chorus itself. While I do like the melodic touches to the song and the ring it gives UNFORGIVEN, I did think that the main chorus felt a bit juvenile and felt a bit cutesy. The sing-song delivery doesn’t go well with the rest of the UNFORGIVEN, which felt sassy and attitude-heavy. I think there was a miss opportunity to do something more fitting. But at the same time, I guess the producers didn’t want a continuous churn of the same style for the 3 and a half minute length of the song. But apart from that, UNFORGIVEN is another strong and empowering song from the group, who is unafraid of showing a more confident side of themselves.

The song was all about being themselves whilst also breaking away from social norms. And the video shows this quite well. For me, the most impactful scene was the angel Kahuza, who probably represents the innocent and pure social norm, ripping off her other damaged wing and throwing it aside. Similarly, Yunjin’s scene with her pink dress tearing in the elevator was probably the second most impactful and memorable scene. There are a few other references such as dancing on tables and bright coloured wigs. In addition to all of that, LE SSERAFIM’s visual game is very strong in this comeback, showing off a very confident side to themselves. I also liked how the western theme of the song is also carried through into the music video. It makes the most sense after all.

This entire routine was super cool, and I really enjoyed it all. I liked how there was still an element of fun and a nice bounce to the choreography. The “horns” (I am assuming that is the concept behind the choreography’s main dance move) was an interesting yet easy to follow point of the choreography, while a nice mature side to the choreography works hand-in-hand with the confident vibes that the members put out.

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