Category: KPOP

[Review] Given-Taken – ENHYPEN

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Despite already having BTS and TXT under already under their company name, it seems like Big Hit Entertainment is still hungry for another male group (Don’t worry to all you female group stans, Big Hit has confirmed a female group is coming our way in 2021). This new male group is called ENHYPEN and they were formed through the survival show I-LAND, which aired earlier this year. Seven members were chosen to be part of ENHYPEN’s lineup, including Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki. Their debut single is titled Given-Taken and was dropped earlier today.

Given the current status of Big Hit Entertainment, I feel that any act who debuts under the Big Hit name is guaranteed success. But honestly, I don’t think ENHYPEN needs this guarantee given the calibre of Given-Taken itself. It is on a whole new level. Given-Taken starts off with this really beautiful harp that already screams out uniqueness. This start already feels quite tense, which is always a positive thing. The harps continue throughout the first verse as we get a slow and moody beat to accompany it and vocals. There is also some rapping. It was pretty much masked to be like the vocals and I wished they didn’t do that. Throughout the song I was yearning for something edgy and dynamic, which the raps would have served extremely well as a carrier for these two characteristics. Given-Taken then changes up the song by going into a pop-centric chorus. It reminds me of TXT’s Crown, just without the colour. If you couldn’t tell by now, but Given-Taken throws dark vibes right at you from the first second. I like the ‘To You… To… Me‘ part of the chorus. The second chorus was more so the same as the first verse. I wished they did something more with it. Likewise with the bridge. But it doesn’t mean I find the song terrible. I am totally digging this release. and will enjoy it no matter what I say about it. And it isn’t all ‘I want more’ with these parts. These sections do show and confirm with me is that ENPYPEN’s vocals are solid. I did not detect a weak spot throughout the song or any flaws in this department. Honestly, a really good job by this new group.

The lyrics of Given-Taken hints towards a dark concept. With lines such as ‘Red blood on that crown, That blood dripping down, Red Blood‘, I don’t think sunshines and flowers is going to cut it. To match with the dark vibes of the song, the music video opts for a horror theme. Oh, how I wished this debut was timed to coincide with Halloween. That would have been iconic. There isn’t anything scarier in this world, until you introduce little children to the story. And I feel that is the premise of the music video. The boys look innocent, but they (or at least one of them) has something to hide (i.e. he is an vampire). That scene at the end was expected once it started playing. But that particular member’s smile (sorry, I don’t know any of their names yet) to show off his fang was really haunting. Likewise, the really captivating yet probably trigger-warning worthy nose bleed start was definitely something I am sure people will be chatting about. I could literally sit here and list all the scenes that impressed me (hint: I was impressed by all). And all the member showcased perfect acting skills throughout the video.

The snippets of the choreography that I saw in the music video told me one thing. Never to underestimate ENHYPEN when it comes to their dance skills. This is only their debut song, yet their performance skills look like they have been around for many years. They looked super mature, despite their young age. Aside from that, I didn’t see any mind blowing or impressive moves that would have made me more eager to watch more of their stuff. I definitely will, though. I just wanted to explain why I am not giving them a 10/10 this time around (based on what I saw in the music video).

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

[Review] Mmmh – Kai (EXO)

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Kai body rolls his way into this week with the release of his solo debut single, Mmmh. It is the title track off his first solo and self-titled mini-album. From what I understand, Kai is the final member of EXO to officially release a solo song in some capacity, eights years after he kicked off his music career as an EXO member. I find this completely surprising, given that he is one of the popular members of the group. It is definitely an overdue release, so I am not going to keep you waiting anymore. Without further ado, here is my review for Mmmh.

Personally, I wasn’t exactly sure what style of music Kai would get into for his solo career. Not that I don’t follow him or anything. He just has that vibe that he is an all-rounder and can pretty much pull off whatever sound or concept that is thrown at him. I could easily see him doing something upbeat or along the lines of hip-hop for a solo song. But Mmmh goes in a different direction – sensual R&B. Of course, it makes complete sense to why he would have gone with this style for his debut. And it was well executed. I did have some concerns about how Kai would handle some parts of the song, especially since he isn’t the best vocalist in his group. But one listen into Mmmh and those concerns were tossed out of the door. Kai handles the vocal department without any issues, with his appealing low and breathy tone. He pulls off those ad-libs effortlessly, which confirms that those concerns are no longer a thing for me. The ‘Mmmh‘ hook in the chorus was quite catchy and smooth. As for the instrumental, I really liked the very subtle electronic influence we get. It is rather masked by the rest of the R&B and trap based instrumentation. But I would say this is refined rather than lacking. The same technique was used in the bridge, but this is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I could hear a hint of violins towards the end. I wished they could have gone with more of that to make Mmmh a little more interesting, as it was something I personally didn’t see coming and liked it to be explored more. Overall, Mmmh was a solid debut song that shows off Kai’s skills and talents pretty well.

One of the things that I have noticed recently with the music videos is that the editing and post-production have been amazing. Take that city scene we see in the background while Kai is sitting on the edge of the roof. That was very detailed, futuristic and very visually appealing. The yellow hue sky dance choreography scene also looked amazing. The best part, however, is how Kai is dancing (towards the end of the video) and he is transported to a different section of the same scene, leaving behind a thousand small glass shards where he used to be. That is already on a whole different level, but the fact that he could interact with those former pieces of himself added a whole new level of coolness. And his fashion looked awesome throughout the video. And his abs is quite something as well.

At the start of the review, I mentioned that Kai is body rolling. But I just uncovered some information about that particular part of the dance (I think you know which part I am talking about). It is more of a hip grind, but it still looks like a tiny body roll from afar. The rest of the choreography looks really cool and sharp, which is expected from EXO’s main dancer.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10

[Album Review] NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2 (2nd Studio Album) – NCT

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NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2 Teaser Image

Yesterday, I reviewed the first half of NCT’s second studio album, NCT 2020: Resonance. And as promised, I am reviewing the second half of the studio album today (another fast tracked album review). On top of the 13 tracks from yesterday (this count includes the additional versions of the title track and the Interlude which I did not review), Part 2 brings an additional eight songs (which includes another interlude and outro). Per usual, I have not reviewed the interlude and outro due to their lack of lyrics. And aside from that, let’s get stuck into this album!

NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2 Album Cover
NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2 Album Cover

Click here for the reviews of the tracks originally on NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1. These reviews and rating scores do not influence the album rating I will be giving to NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2 below.

1. 90’s Love (Title Track) – 90’s Love is performed by Ten, Winwin, Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Yangyang and Sungchan. Click here to read the full review for 90’s Love. (8.5/10)

3. Raise The Roof – NCT raises the roof with Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Kun, Jungwoo, Hendery, Renjun, Chenle, and Jisung at the helm. Raise The Roof is a song loaded with energy and a subtle sense of intensity that gets me excited. At first, I thought I wouldn’t like the song as much. But with a few repeats already passing, Raise The Roof caught on. Aside from the energy, I really like the members’ deep tone throughout the song, which matches with the deep autotuned voice that appears at the final chorus and the club-styled hip-hop influenced instrumental. The song’s ending has this back and forth type of motion that I really enjoyed and the song’s final moment was extremely satisfying. The biggest question mark I have is the vocally driven bridge, which I noted to be a typical NCT move. I felt it didn’t have a place in this song, which was the case yesterday in some songs from the Part 1 album. (9/10)

7. My Everything – The tracks preceding My Everything are actually some of the album’s more slower tunes (i.e. Light Bulb and Dancing In The Rain). These make way for My Everything, a ballad that features the heavenly vocals of Taeil, Xiaojun and Renjun. The entire ballad is driven by a piano only instrumental and the vocals of the three members. Three positive things to say about the song. It makes me sway along to the melodies (my self-made indicator of a good ballad). It makes me stop whatever I am doing to fully appreciate the song. And it feels pretty much like the many captivating and stunning ballad OSTs we hear. Can’t really fault anything in this song. (10/10)

18. Work It (Title Track) – Work It is performed by Johnny, Yuta, Ten, Jungwoo, Hendery, Jaemin, and Jisung. Click here to read the full review for Work It. (5/10)

19. All About You (단잠) – All About You is another amazing addition to the album. It is the type of song that made me go ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ once the chorus kicks in. I really liked that electronic influence All About You had, kicking the otherwise smooth song up a notch and injecting really strong energy into the song. I loved the crunchy and bouncy textures this instrumental brought to the song. It was definitely appealing. What also stands out for me is that All About You is vocally centric upbeat number. Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, Hendery, Shotaro, Sungchan and Chenle all sound really good in this song. And the combination of the vocals and instrumental remind me of the 90s for some reason, which I am totally digging. (10/10)

20. I.O.U – I.O.U screams retro with its R&B instrumental from the very first second. There is something about the choppy nature of the song that reminds me of music we would hear coming out of an old-style television in movies. I.O.U does not shy away from this influence. The song is made to sound like it changes in tempo (especially around the rap sequences). But whatever is done to the song is done whilst maintaining both the retro and R&B influences from start to end. Definitely a good form of consistency here. While I am absolutely fine with this direction of the song, I do think the instrumental is slightly overwhelming and was competing with the vocals/rapping. While we are on the topic of rapping and vocals (courtesy of Taeyong, Doyoung, Kun, Yangyang, Shotaro, Chenle and Jisung), I am totally digging it all. I do think the rapping has the edge, especially Jisung’s part which took me by surprise. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

  • Yangyang's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2.
    Yangyang’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2.
  • Taeil's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Taeil’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Shotaro's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Shotaro’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Jeno's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Jeno’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Haechan's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Haechan’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Hendery's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Hendery’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Yuta's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Yuta’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Winwin's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Winwin’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Jaehyun's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Jaehyun’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Jungwoo's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Jungwoo’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Sungchans's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Sungchans’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Chenle Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Chenle Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Taeyong's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Taeyong’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Ten's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Ten’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Johnny's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Johnny’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Xiaojun's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Xiaojun’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Kun's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Kun’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Renjun's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Renjun’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Lucas's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Lucas’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Doyoung's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Doyoung’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Mark's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Mark’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Jaemin's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Jaemin’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
  • Jisung's Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2
    Jisung’s Teaser Image for NCT 2020: Resonance Part 2

[Album Review] NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 (2nd Studio Album) – NCT

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NCT completes 2020 with the return to full group promotions under the collective name of NCT. This means that NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV, along with new members Shotaro and Sungchan have come together to promote under name of NCT and NCT U for their two part album. Today, I will be focusing on the first half of their second studio album, titled NCT 2020: Resonance. It features Make A Wish (Birthday Song) and From Home as the title tracks, alongside a bunch of new songs from various NCT U lineups (all of which we haven’t seen before) and the three units of NCT that I already mentioned above. It is a long album review, so let’s get moving along.

NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Album Cover

NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 also features ‘Interlude: Past to Present‘ as the sixth track. But per usual protocol for album reviews on the segment, this track was not reviewed due to lack to lyrics. There are also a Korean version of From Home and an English version of Make A Wish (Birthday Song), which were not reviewed as I had already reviewed the original versions (links below).

1. Make A Wish (Birthday Song) (Title Track) – Make A Wish (Birthday Song) was performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Lucas, Xiaojun, Jaemin and Shotaro. Click here to read the full review of Make A Wish (Birthday Song). (7/10)

2. Misfit – Misfit delves into the world of rapping, with Johnny, Taeyong, Mark, Hendery, Jeno, Yangyang and Sungchan all bringing their A-game for this track. The song is an excellent hype track, with rapping taking you back to earlier eras of rap music. The energy is quite full-on, but I won’t describe it as intense. Rather, it is fun and definitely a highlight to listen to. Mark’s leads us into the song with a sequence that confirms his talent and skillset. And each other member follows suit to show us what their skillset is capable of. I really like the more concentrated instrumental when it comes to the chorus, amplifying and intensifying Misfit’s energy, pulling you into the hype song even more. (10/10)

3. Volcano – Volcano features Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Lucas and Mark. It takes on a hip-hop influence that also brings me back to earlier eras of the music, just a little more recent than Misfit’s throwback. I like how the energy in Volcano is more subtle than compared to the preceding track. I am digging the sleek nature of the chorus, especially with layering of raps and the simply spoken ‘Bounce’ over it. It isn’t much of a standout track, compared to the two tracks before it. The inclusion of the vocals was nice, but I felt it made the song confusing. Overall, this is what I would call a ‘pleasant’ listen. I would listen to it if it was on my playlist. But I wouldn’t go through the effort to seek it out. (8/10)

4. Light Bulb (백열등) – Light Bulb is performed by four out of 23 of the members (Taeyong, Kun, Doyoung and Sungchan) and it is one of my favourite tracks on the album. The song features a really soothing instrumental and a slower tempo, which is thanks to the piano that we hear. There is also percussion to give Light Bulb a bit of a kick and enable the song to feature rapping. The combination of both gives Light Bulb an R&B profile. Taeyong and Sungchan’s rapping is superb and very mature sounding. It also follows the same pattern as the preceding side tracks, giving off a nostalgic vibe. Doyoung and Kun’s vocals were breathy and very gripping. No one felt out of place and no element felt like they outdid another. Light Bulb was a very balanced track that deserves praise and attention. (10/10)

5. Dancing In The Rain – Dancing In The Rain introduces Taeil, Yuta, Jungwoo, Xiaojun and Chenle to the album, performing alongside Johnny, Jaehyun and Kun. I really like the melodies of this jazzy R&B mashup song, especially when it comes to the catchy ‘Drip Drop’ line. I really like the opening and closing piano sequences, bringing that jazz influence to life. I also think it is these jazzy influences that allows the rapping sequences to slide into the song effortlessly. The vocals showcase really nice harmonies amongst the vocalists in this NCT U lineup and also bringing some of that R&B touch to the surface. A stunning song. (9.5/10)

7. Déjà vu (무대) (NCT Dream) – Déjà vu is the first song to be released by NCT Dream since the confirmation that NCT Dream’s lineup will become permanent and that Mark will officially return to the unit. I wondered what NCT Dream’s direction would be, given that they are no longer young as when they first debuted and that their sound has matured exponentially since Mark’s graduation. Déjà vu hints that mature NCT Dream will remain. That being said, it isn’t as captivating as past NCT Dream’s promotional track and this feels best as a side track. (7/10)

8. Nectar (月之迷) (WayV) – WayV’s discography has been quite mature from the get-go. So Nectar fits in perfectly. It feels and sounds very sensual. I really liked the subtle energy that the song contains. I also really like the main hook of the song, as it was quite simple yet very addictive. That high note was impressive. But what I find the most exciting about Nectar is that the song is in Chinese, which is the start of the multilingual approach on this album (the second title track, From Home, also features Chinese and Japanese lyrics). (8/10)

9. Music, Dance (NCT 127) – To me, NCT 127’s addition to Part 1 of NCT 2020: Resonance was the weakest of all. Music, Dance’s best moment was when the instrumental had an upbeat persona. It felt satisfying and does feel like a great track to dance to. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the rest of the song. I thought the verses were really weird with its choppy intro approach and those vocals sequence (while were very good) diverted the song away from what should have been a wholesome dance track that should have been satisfying across the board. (6/10)

10. Faded In My Last Song (피아노) – We return to another NCT U track, performed by Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Ten, Lucas, Renjun, Haechan and Jisung. It is a R&B track that features awesome melodies over a stunning piano/trap beat instrumental background. I really like how the vocal and rapping were extremely cohesive in this song. The way the song’s title, ‘Faded In My Last Song’, was sung in the song really stuck with me and has become my most favourite line/part to listen and look forward to. (10/10)

11. From Home (Title Track) – From Home was performed by Taeil, Yuta, Kun, Doyoung, Renjun, Haechan and Chenle. Click here to read the full review of From Home. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image
  • NCT 2020: Resonance Part 1 Teaser Image

[Review] Work It – NCT U

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I promised album reviews for NCT’s NCT 2020: Resonance this weekend. But before I can get to the album review, I need to review one more song, the second title track from the Part 2 of the album. Conveniently, the music video for this second title track, Work It, dropped officially today. So I will be reviewing it before I publish any album reviews for the massive group. From the 23-member lineup, Work It features Johnny, Yuta, Ten, Jungwoo, Hendery, Jaemin and Jisung. Let’s see what these members bring to the table.

I really wanted to like Work It, but I couldn’t. I don’t think I ever watched/listen to a song with such a straight face before. Out of the four title tracks that NCT have given thus far, Work It is probably my least favourite. But before I delve into the reasons why the song didn’t work for me, let’s start about the positives of Work It. The chorus was pretty solid and I can see it growing on me (provided I look past the reasons I will list later on). It features two very strong hooks. The first being the simple ‘Work It’ that is essentially spoken into the song. The second is the main synth of chorus’ instrumental, which brings some edge to the song and the fast tempo. If you know me, I like my energy and this chorus definitely tried to bring it. Unfortunately, the rest of the song just felt dull or mis-matched. I can’t get over the blandness and over-consistency the verses brought to the song. The members had pretty decent delivery with their rapping here. But the verses lacked the instrumental to really bring the song some life. I just got bored with its plainness and lack of energy. The fact that the second verse didn’t do much to change to up and felt like a repeat of the first verse didn’t help. I feel like this is a case where the producers were trying to do a lot with the members, but very little with the instrumental. The bridge was nice vocally, but it did not fit in with the rest of the song. We went straight from a fast tempo EDM track into a smoothed out, classically approach and slowed tempo backdrop for vocals. It is something that NCT does a lot and it tends to work fine. This time around, the difference was too noticeable. They could have at least gone with a slower form of EDM to give the different parts a chance to blend sounds or at least make it seem like it would fit. Overall, Work It had some highs. But it was the lows that got my attention.

Work It’s music video was no way meant to be taken seriously. Based on the casual way the members were acting and the smiles plastered over their faces, it was a fun video. The music video adopts the choreography and closeup formula that I dislike. similar to how the previous NCT U’s music videos were also structured. From memory, those ones had a bit going on, so the formula wasn’t as noticeable. Work it didn’t have much going on, so it was very noticeable from first glance. The editing felt plain (for the most part – there were some cool transitions) and I wished more could have done to it. Also Haechan’s presence at the end of the 90’s Love video is answered in Work It, creating a bridge between the videos. But I don’t see any that indicates that the connection is there for fun.

The choreography looks good. I felt more energy in the small snippets of the choreography that I saw in the music videos than from the actual song. I would like to see if they bring some of their boogie freestyle that we saw in the music video to the stage performances or not.

Song – 5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6/10

[Review] Got That Boom – SECRET NUMBER

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Earlier this month, SECERET NUMBER made their first comeback with Got That Boom. For those who have missed this female rookie group, they are a five-member group (consisting of Léa, Dita, Jinny, Soodam and Denise) under Vine Entertainment. This Got That Boom comeback comes after their debut with Who Dis? earlier this year.

The opening of Got That Boom always reminds me of an ITZY styled track. In my point of view, this sets up this track positively. And this is only positive and not a blatant copy of the popular female group because SECERT NUMBER manages to put their own spin on the style through this pop centric chorus and vocal work. Interestingly, I didn’t see this chorus coming. Personally I was expecting a little more attitude if the song was following the ITZY style instrumentally. But SECRET NUMBER manages to spin the song bad filling up the instrumentation with most notably brass and directing it down that pop route. It is still very good and I really thought it was well crafted. The ‘Dance Dance, Dance Dance‘ hook was quite catchy. So was the post-chorus hook with the ‘Tic Tac Toe‘ line. This is where the attitude that I thought was coming ended up. The vocal work was quite solid. It may not be a powerhouse style (which I think could have been used to give the song that extra layer of uniqueness especially for the final chorus – there were some good adlibs, but not that powerhouse style), but there were strong melodies throughout the song. The dance break was very logical. It had the boom that SECRET NUMBER claims that they got. And the rapping gives off a very strong edgy vibe. Overall, SECRET NUMBER proves that they have what it take on the industry with Got That Boom. They just need their own signature style or sound to really make themselves well known.

I really liked the edgy vibes the music video had. The sets, their outfits all carried gave off this vibe and looked pretty cool. There was also this kind of nostalgic factor to the set, given that many female groups have used similar sets in the past. So this video felt like a mashup of those styles, all in which came together quite nicely. The issue with the music video was the editing made it a bit messy. It felt like multiple editors were allowed the edit the video and I felt like I saw four different styles. In hindsight, it didn’t make the video that terrible looking. But it was just very distracting and very inconsistent.

The dance looks nice. There was a nice balance between the attitude behind the moves and the respective parts of the song. The chorus had this cute bounce to it, while the post-chorus hook had more of a mild sassy tone. I wished they took a bit further though, as that part really called for it. Something similar to the dance break and rap sequence would have been ideal.

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

[Review] Bad Blood – DaHye

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Over the last few months, we have glossed over the solo debut (and comeback) of DaHye, who was a former member of BESTie. This is one group we have heard for a while. The last review I have down for them was Excuse Me in 2015. It has been indirectly confirmed that the group had disbanded by 2018, with U.Ji and Dahye leaving the group in 2017 and Hyeyeon making her solo debut in 2018 (another solo debut that I have missed). DaHye made her solo debut back in October with a cover of Uhm Jung Hwa’s infamous single, Poison. Earlier this month, she returned with Bad Blood (the focus of this review).

The dramatic violins and electric guitar that start off this song really pulls you in. Bad Blood from the get-go is very dramatic and suspenseful. The entire introductory sequence then moves into the background of the instrumentation, allowing DaHye to enters with what I would describe as a very creepy-esque vocals that fits the dramatic and suspenseful vibes of the song that are maintained in the verse. The song starts to build when it gets to the pre-chorus, with the piano coming into play. The chorus comes next and it has really memorable melodies. I really liked the huskiness her voice brings to the melody, making the listening experience so much better. What I also really enjoyed was the mild electronic influence. In a time where synths dominate songs, the violins and guitars remain the dominating element of the instrumentation and not the synths. The second verse is more so the same, with a bit more of that synth influence in the mix. The stripping of the instrumentation to just have the piano remain was pretty clever, complimenting the creepiness I mentioned before. It also allows a for the dance break that follows to be intensified. What saves Bad Blood from borderline consistency are those really screechy violins in the dance break. They are quite unsettling, but they go well with the song’s tone. I would have liked one more ‘final chorus’ to really bring this song to an end. Or at least a even more dramatic ending to give the song some closure. But apart from that, Bad Blood is a song that made me go wow.

The music video would have benefited if there was some sort of vampire-like concept in it. But DaHye’s company probably isn’t the most loaded company out there at the moment, so I understand they had to make do with what they had. That being said, Bad Blood‘s music video ticks a lot of boxes. DaHye does a really good job of showcasing that creepy side throughout the video via her charismatic stares. I mean that whole sequence just prior to the second chorus pretty much sums up this horror concept. I also really liked how there was a contrast with the lighting and the darkness of the set. Likewise, the white outfits and the darkness of the set; and the black outfits with the lighting.

The choreography is pretty good. I liked the sensual nature of the routine. Not sure about the red sticks with the red strips of fabric. I guess they do add a splash of colour to the performance. I feel like the performance could have gone for some more horror-esque, yet still keep that sensual feel. I reckon that would be a unique stage concept as I think only limited female soloists have done it before.

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

[Album Review] We Can (2nd Mini Album) – Weeekly

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In this edition of the Album Review segment, I am covering Weeekly’s second mini-album, We Can. This is the first time I am reviewing their album. I passed on the opportunity to review their debut mini-album, We Are, which featured their debut title track Tag Me. But while I was vetting albums to review recently, We Can popped out me. Two of the tracks stole my attention and I knew I had to review this album to make sure I draw your attention to them. That being said, the rest of the mini-album is definitely a standout, so I recommend that you give the entire release a listen.

We Can Album Cover

1. Unnie (언니) – Opening up the album is Unnie, which is a reasonably cutesy styled pop track. The cutesy style is usually not really my cup of tea (though there are songs of this style that I do indulge myself with), but Unnie holds back from being oversaturated with this profile. As a result, the song is quite pleasant. There are some really nice vocals throughout the song, such as in the second verse and the entire bridge. The instrumental is upbeat and I really like the use of the electric guitar throughout some of the song, adding a bit of zing to the song to make it more interesting. (8/10)

2. My Earth – My Earth is a texturally interesting song and my personal favourite off the album. This is obviously thanks to the EDM instrumental that dominated the song. While I do admit that it could have been overwhelming for some, there is something aesthetic about the different EDM influences and synths they had picked for the song and how it all blends together without a noticeable hitch. Props to the producers! The bass was definitely needed to give the song depth and definition. I also liked the light vocals, which was surprising as you would expect them to be drowned out by the instrumental. But somehow, they poked through and you could hear them clearly. Props, once again, to the producers of My Earth! (9.5/10)

3. Zig Zag (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Zig Zag. (8/10)

4. Top Secret (몰래몰래) – Top Secret is another really strong track off this album. To me, this is a Goldilocks’ type of song. Nothing in this track was lacking or too soft. Nothing was too extreme or over the top. Everything was enjoyable and pleasant. Just right, as Goldilocks would say in the fairytale. (Okay, end of fairytale reference). But honestly, this is what makes the song just standout. It didn’t need craziness or need a centerpiece that the song revolves around. I particularly enjoyed the main hook ‘You, You, You~’, as it reminds me of another way back in the early 10s. It is always nice for a trip down nostalgia lane. (10/10)

5. Weeekly (월화수목금토일) – The final song on this album is a self-titled song that returns to the upbeat roots that started off the album. It is another cutesy track. There is slightly more of this cutesy profile in Weeekly in comparison to Unnie, but it isn’t a case of oversaturation. I appreciate everything in this song from the hooks to the melodies. The vocals was very nice and the guitar in the instrumentation was a nice touch. The only part that I didn’t really like was the anthem-like sequence that was the bridge of the song. It felt cliché and didn’t feel fitting for the song for me. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

Zig Zag / We Can Teaser Image

[Review] 90’s Love – NCT U

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Returning today as well is NCT with their second part of their NCT 2020 Resonance album. For those who missed NCT’s first part of the NCT 2020 Resonance album, the group formed different smaller units back in October to facilitate the release of Make A Wish (Birthday Song) and From Home. For the first release of the second part, 90’s Love is performed by Ten, WinWin, Mark, Jeno, Haechan, YangYang and Sungchan. Before we get stuck into the review, I just want to say that NCT’s album review for both the first and second part of the NCT 2020 Resonance album will be published over this coming weekend. It is in the works, so be prepared for that!

90’s Love take you back to the retro hip-hop that we got commonly from the era in the song’s name. There is a modern twist to the song with the various instruments used throughout, so the song can be better described as ‘newtro’. It is jam packed with energy that throws it back to the 90s, which makes the song so much more appealing for me. The use of drums constantly really makes 90’s Love so much more abrasive, but in a fun and dynamic manner. The ‘Hey Hey Hey’ at the start really helped hype up the song and I liked how the rapping continues the momentum of this hype. The whole rapping sequence in the second verse is proof of this, even though it is detached from the first verse. Definitely reiterates to me Mark’s capabilities and also shows off Sungchan’s talent/potential. 90’s Love‘s point of weakness has to be the sudden change from retro to vocals for the bridge. There isn’t anything wrong with the two sections (like how do I fault Haechan and Ten’s amazing high note?). It is just the sudden change that really cuts the flow of energy in the song and reduced everything that was going on beforehand into basically nothing. I wished there was some bridge to really connect the two parts, like a gradual easing into the vocal sequence. Interestingly, I found the relaunch back into the chorus to work just fine. And as I said, the vocals in this section are on point. Overall, 90’s Love is definitely a full on type of song, with just one hiccup along the way.

The ice hockey concept is definitely pretty cool. I really like how the entire ice rink had the NCT branding, which I guess SM Entertainment is fortunate enough to do. I found the dinosaurs to be a really funny and lighthearted addition to the video. Usually I would say all the references to the dinosaurs are a bit random. But since it is the mascot of the team, I really cannot say that as the dinosaur has its purpose in this video. I did also like the random video game version of the mascots dancing to the choreography. I guess the main question is what is up with Haechan (I think it is Haechan) on the spinning thing at the end of the video? A possible hint for the next video? I guess we have to wait and see.

Great choreography from what I can see from the music video. The entire dance break just after the bridge was very intense. The constant percussion and the energy really lends well to an amazing routine that NCT U pulls off without any problems.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 9/1/0
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Review] Breath – GOT7

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GOT7 is making their return with a comeback next week in the form of a studio album titled Breath of Life: Last Piece. I am excited and pumped for this comeback like all their fans, but I am slightly concerned about the ‘Last Piece‘ segment of the title. Hopefully it isn’t what I think it is. In the meanwhile this week, the group is out teasing and hyping us up with their impending return through their pre-release single, Breath. This comebacks comes after Not By The Moon, which was released back in April this year.

Breath is a light mid-tempo R&B track with a bit of a hip-hop influence. The song itself is reasonably catchy, which is thanks to the way the members are arranged in this song. I really like their their use of projection in the chorus. It is a nice play on textures here and definitely alluring to listen to. It is also a slight teaser to the vocal prowess of both Youngjae and JB, especially for those who are tuning into a GOT7 release for the first time. The whistling is also a really fun element to the song, breaking up the chorus by being inserted between lines to make the chorus appear punchier. There is also a really nice sense of bounce to the song, which I enjoyed very much. It also made the song so much more appealing, especially since I prefer more upbeat releases at the end of the day. While I think the rappers of the group were used in a fine way, I think if they had a slight more edgy sequence, this would have boosted the dynamic of Breath to a new level. But as I said, I am happy with how the song turned out. Youngjae and the rest of the composing team for Breath really knows how to appeal to our senses.

The music video for Breath feels just right for the song. It compliments the energy without a hitch and the members looked like they had a genuine time filming this video. But can we take a step back for a moment to appreciate the amazingness of the editing of this video? The switches between members and setting were so well timed and looked flawless. This technique gives the video a very unique spin and will become the excuse I would use to continue to rewatch the video. Since this is a pre-release, I looking at very nook and cranny to note any possible connection for next week’s release. The floating piece of white silk seems to be a key element in this video, appearing quite often throughout the video. It also appears in a frame at the very end. I also think the signage (or maybe the entire sets in general) will be appearing in the official comeback music video (i.e. B.O.L Station and A Piece of Cake).

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

[Review] Tonight – BLACKSWAN

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BLACKSWAN may be a newly debuted group, but they have such a long history in KPOP. They dropped Tonight as the lead single from their Goodbye Rania studio album. This now four member female group (consisting of Yongheun, Fatou, Judy and Leia) hails from DR Music, which was once the home of their predecessor groups, Rania (who debuted back in 2011) and BP Rania (who debuted in 2016). Long story short, Rania/BP Rania/BLACKSWAN have undergone numerous lineup changes for various reasons over the years, which have lead them to be rebranded. The most recent lineup involved the fifth member of BLACKSWAN, Hyeme. She has been swept up in a scandal and ‘decided’ not to renew her contract the day after the scandal broke out. The timing of this is very suspicious. But hopefully, this is the final lineup change for the group all too familiar with the procedure.

Tonight is a song full of heft and it actually comes off as a very substantial release. I really liked the electrifying instrumentation that brings a whole different type of powerful energy to the song, something that KPOP hasn’t really had for a while now. The constant electric guitar in the background peaks my interest and brings an exciting edginess to the song. The stomping percussions really amplifies the intensity and powerfulness of the instrumentation and works extremely well with the vocal work. The vocal work was enjoyable and was pretty much a solid effort. It paired with the instrumentation brought some attitude and sass to Tonight, which makes the song even more exciting. But the member with the full spotlight on her is Fatou, who brings a whole new dynamic with her rap sequence. Her delivery and technique resembles female rappers in the Western music industry and it feels very unique. Her style also fits perfectly with the attitude and sass profile that I just commented on. Hopefully her company recognises this and keeps Fatou on with the group (and avoids the entire debacle of former member Alex). Overall, Tonight might be the turning point for this female group, provided they can recover after the departure of Hyeme.

The use of the ‘disclaimer’ scene at the very start of the video, warning us of a ‘Strong Performance and Song. Sexuality’, whilst recommending it all audiences was pretty unnecessary and starts the video off with a cringy note. However, they weren’t exactly lying. The entire video has this powerful energy that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from. That is probably a good sign. The video opts for that choreography and closeup formula, but their powerfulness makes me overlook that typical approach. Their closeups are very alluring and these ladies have a lot of charisma. Aside from the ‘Strong Performance and Song’, the music video features the members dressed in nude colour tones and has a lot of sexual energy in it that I think works extremely well with their concept and makes a clear statement to other artists that they should not mess around with them. I also thought the editing for the video was really good.

They have a solid stage presence that really amplifies the song when they perform it. I also enjoyed how their live performance does not shortchange the energy and powerful nature of the dance routine, which I think is fantastic.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] BE (5th Studio Album) – BTS

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If I were to put BTS’ latest album on the usual agenda for review, I probably won’t get around to it until the start of the new year. And I feel that timeframe for a BTS related review would be too late for posting. Hence, I have decided to fasttrack the album review for BTS’ fifth studio album, BE. The album features both Life Goes On as the title track and the international hit Dynamite at the very end of the album, alongside five other new tracks. In total, there are seven tracks on this studio album (including the non-musical skit), which makes it one of the shortest studio albums I have ever seen. But that does not meant the quality is reduced! Continue to read to see what my thoughts for each of the songs were.

BE Album Review

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

2. Fly To My Room (내 방을 여행하는 법) (performed by Suga, V, Jimin & J-Hope) – Fly To My Room follows the group’s softer approach from the title track. At first glance, I actually enjoyed the song by the four member unit. But that was when I was occupied with other tasks. When I sat down to write this album review today, Fly To My Room didn’t really stand out for me (compared to the other songs on the album). It is still a nice and pleasant track to listen to, especially with the pop-centric instrumental. I really like the use of the keyboard in the song and there was an enjoyable display of falsetto and low tones. The best part of the song has to be when all the members are singing together for the chorus, as the happier tone that the song brings forth calls for this. The rapping seems a little too punchy for my liking. They just shoot out of nowhere and I didn’t like how they didn’t take the opportunity to match the vocals and the tone of the song. (7/10)

3. Blue & Grey – BTS’ ballads have always been the most captivating side tracks for me. And I am glad that there is a ballad on this toned-down album. It is a perfect excuse for a ballad if you ask me. Blue & Grey draws me in with stunning vocals from all the members. V is probably the standout member if I had to pick, with his husky and raspy tone starting off the song and infusing an amazing sense of texture. The rest of the members did an equally stunning job as V, especially with that bridge where each vocal-line member had a line. The rapping in Blue & Grey is much better and cleverer than in the preceding track, with Suga (in a separate section) and J-Hope easing us in with a really soft rap sequence before moving to RM’s slightly more powerful tone/delivery. This all over a really atmospheric slow-paced instrumental, starting off with acoustic guitars and later slow-pop influences. (10/10)

5. Telepathy (잠시) – While the first half of the album consisted of mainly a toned-down atmosphere and slower paced songs, the latter half of the album is more upbeat territory. Kicking off entrance into the upbeat territory is Telepathy. There is a feel-good vibe to this song that I really enjoyed. It is the type of song that I would hope for a performance for as it sounds like it can be a very fun stage. I love the retro nature of the instrumentation, particularly the cow bells (which instantly makes this sound so better). The vocals and rapping are really good, fitting in with that feel-good vibe that I mentioned a moment ago. It may not be at the level of Dynamite, but its great enough. (8/10)

6. Dis-ease (병) – Dis-ease has this super catchy old-school hip-hop to it. The energy that comes off Dis-ease is pretty infectious, so much that I really want to boogie along to it. Given that the song falls into the hip-hop genre (and that they also participated in the production), the rappers shine the most in this song. I really like the “Byeong” sequence that finishes off the choruses. That paired with the disc scratching was pretty memorable and is my favourite part of the whole song. The vocal-line do a splendid job themselves. I really liked how they used the same technique in Blue & Grey (i.e. giving each member of the vocal line a section in the bridge) and having the song build towards a slightly more amplified final chorus. It is what I personally hoping for when I heard the song and I am glad they delivered! (10/10)

7. Stay (performed by RM, Jungkook and Jin) – Stay tackles the future house sub-genre of EDM. It is a very clean track and it doesn’t have any crazy surprises to throw us off. In other words, I find Stay to be straightforward. While that could be a flaw in other songs, straightforwardness in EDM is a blessing as it doesn’t get complicated (and hence obnoxious). It doesn’t drown out the vocals and rapping sequences, which allows us to hear RM, Jungkook and Jin clearly throughout the song. I particularly like how satisfying the drop was and the mixture of acoustic guitars in the second verse and piano at the end of the song. I also like how smooth the vocals and rapping were. To me, the ending of the song isn’t as satisfying, as it gave me the impression that something should have followed it. That, or I just didn’t want Stay to end. (10/10)

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

Overall Album Rating – 9.1/10

  • Jin’s Tease Image for BE
  • Jungkook’s Teaser Image for BE
  • RM’s Teaser Image for BE
  • Suga’s Teaser Image for BE
  • V;s Teaser Image for BE
  • J-Hope’s Teaser Image for BE
  • Jimin’s Teaser Image for BE

[Review] Ready Or Not – MOMOLAND

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It has been almost three years since MOMOLAND released Boom Boom, their biggest hit to date. They made multiple comebacks since that comeback with songs such as Baam (my personal favourite) and more recently, Thumbs Up. But no song has managed to overtake the impact that Boom Boom had left on them and the KPOP industry. MOMOLAND made their comeback during this past week with Ready Or Not. Unfortunately, it looks like it is going to be a comeback missed by many as I don’t see much attention being drawn towards the comeback. Let’s hope that I am wrong and that things will start to pick up soon for Ready or Not.

Ready or Not is a step away from MOMOLAND’s usual brass heavy sound, opting for a much cleaner and polished sound. That being said, the song still does fall within the retro realm of music and it still features a bit of brass (more on this in just a second). Ready Or Not starts off with a rap-sing sequence, which I didn’t think was necessary whatsoever. Luckily, the song’s turning point occur right after once they bring vocals into the song. MOMOLAND’s vocals really impresses me throughout this song. It is honestly their best effort yet and should be enough to prove that these ladies can sing. The chorus is catchy with its upbeat energy and it is here that the song reminds me of Red Velvet’s Umpah Umpah. The post-chorus hook changes up the song and keeps it unique (and prevents it from becoming a carbon copy of the similar song I just mentioned) by inserting a squeaky brass synth into the song. It might be obnoxious to some, but it was used in certain parts (i.e. post-chorus hooks only) so it didn’t have an opportunity to become annoying. In fact, I thought it added a certain level of freshness to the song. Ready or Not maintains the energetic and fun sound that it had built itself for the second verse and second/final choruses. The only disruptor was bridge, which slowed down the song completely. I personally don’t think it was necessary and I am sure the producer would have thought of something more creative that didn’t need to aimlessly cut the flow of the song like that. Overall, Ready or Not was another great song from the group that people honestly should not sleep on.

I personally thought the music video was boring. The video is essentially made of closeups of each member and choreography shots that were filmed from afar (not sure why it was shot afar). It might have been a stylistic approach to facilitate physical distancing between members and crew for the music video shoot. I also note that the interaction between the members were pretty bland and didn’t have much energy to it. Interesting, given that the song was full of energy and fun vibes. Even the pastel colour palette for the video did draw my attention. Rather, it dulled it the video for me.

I guess the key move in the performance was the rolling hips during the post-chorus hook section (where those squeaky brass synths came into play). I liked it and thought it made the performance looked fun. I wished I could say the same for the rest of the performance. It seems like it lacking that fun and over the top energy from the members that MOMOLAND ‘used to’ have associated with them.

Song – 8.5/10
Music Video – 4/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.9/10

[OST Review] 2020 OST Reviews – Part 2

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It has been a long time coming, but I have finally decided to make a start on reviewing a certain type of song that I barely looked at in the past but have wanted to write about for a while now – OST songs. OST (otherwise known as Official Sound Tracks) have been a big part of KPOP. Many of the idols we know and love have gone onto being big name actors, whiles others have had to the privilege to sing some of the most famous tracks to some of the greatest drama scenes of all time.

I personally feel that there is a misconception that OSTs are usually just ballads, but I want to prove that wrong. Furthermore, there will be a Best OST category in this year’s KPOPREVIEVED Awards (hint hint). So I have picked five OSTs throughout 2020 to review and introduce to you here (and over a number of posts). Note that I have not watched all of the dramas, so I will be reviewing the song itself – like how I write my song reviews.

You’re In My Soul – Chungha
Drama: Record of Youth
Release: 15 September 2020

We start off this OST Review post with a feel good song, courtesy of Record of Youth and Chungha herself (who will be return shortly with new music!). You’re In My Soul has this electronic instrumentation that brings about epic vibes. It sounds theatrical and there is a nice pop rock influence to it, which I find to be very appealing. But the promising element is 100% Chungha’s voice. It soars and lifts up the song to new highs during the chorus. The way she went with a deep tone for the verses contrasts really nice and helps makes the chorus become that more explosive. I also love the mixed of English in the Korean. Altogether, You’re In My Soul is a very attractive song. However, it isn’t perfect. There was a part following the second chorus that had overpowering instrumentation and you could barely hear her voice. Personally, I feel like that section could have just done instrumentation, as her vocals distracted me from the music whilst I was straining to hear what she was singing. But that is me being picking. My testament for this song still stands – it is very attractive piece of music. (9/10)

Please Don’t Cry – DAVICHI
Drama: The King: Eternal Monarch
Release: 3 May 2020

It is not possible to write about OSTs and completely disregard DAVICHI. If you are unfamiliar with this particular duo, then let me help catch you up. DAVICHI (consisting of Lee Hae Ri and Kim Min Kyung) are known for their chart topping ballads. And within the OST realm of Korean music, they are very well known for amazing OSTs, such as This Love (release for Descendants of the Sun). Please Don’t Cry comes off as one of their most impressive and captivating releases yet. It pretty much starts off like any other ballad release with beautiful piano work and gripping vocals. It is the chorus that gets to me. The very soft ‘Please Don’t Cry‘ which is followed up immediately with a deep thump had me going ‘ooh’, before we are provided with more stunning vocal work from the pair (which includes that amazing falsetto line that ends off the chorus). The rest of the song does what ballads typically do by building the instrumentation and helping the song become more powerful/ A typical move it is, but it is one that pays off. I was floored with the rest of the song and am loving the bit of intensity that the electric guitar brings. DAVICHI does it once again for me. (10/10)

Someday (어떤 날엔) – Kim Jae Hwan
Drama: Crash Landing On You
Release: 19 January 2020

It has been a while since we heard from Kim Jae Hwan. While he has released a few digital songs and OSTs this year, it would be nice to see back on stage with a new album. But in the meanwhile, we will need to settle with songs like Someday and his other OSTs. It is another ballad example of an OST. If I had to sum up the song, it is very nice and soothing to listen to. I don’t find anything groundbreaking in this song when it comes to the instrumentation. It is just another ballad made of band and classical instrumentation. When it comes to his voice, Someday really shows off the raspy nature of his voice, which I think is amazing. I did really enjoy the melodies in this song and it successfully gets me to sway along to the music (if you did not see last week – swaying is how I detect a good ballad). It might not be as stunning at the ballad just before this one (see review above), but Someday is still a good one. (8/10)

Aloha (아로하) – Jo Jung Seok
Drama: Hospital Playlist
Release: 27 March 2020

The next OST I had chosen to review is Jo Jung Seok’s own Aloha, which was released for Hospital Playlist Jo Jung Seok, who is an actor, plays one of the main characters in the drama. Given his status as one of the most popular actors in the Korean acting industry and the popularity that I saw Hospital Playlist got, Aloha was going to hit the top of the charts (which it did). It is a pop ballad that really brings a smile to your face. The cheerfulness comes from Jo Jung Seok himself, who sounds like he was smiling whilst recording the song. The instrumental isn’t really a standout and felt standard at best. But I love how it complimented Jo Jung Seok’s vocals and helped amplify the sweetness of the song and the actor’s voice. His voice was really good and I really liked how the English instantly becomes the strongest and most memorable lines in the song (and his pronunciation is super clear). Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time to the recording booth for Jo Jung Seok, who as previously sung an OST with EXO’s D.O and has also worked in theatre before. I definitely would like to hear another OST from him in the future. (8/10)

Start Over – GAHO
Drama: Itaewon Class
Release: 1 February 2020

The last OST to be reviewed in this post this week (yes, another one is coming your way next week )is probably the biggest OST release of 2020. With a star studded cast and rave reviews, any OST associated with this drama was going to be elevated. And with such an easygoing vibe and really simple melodies that basically appeals to anyone, Start Over really is a prime candidate for that top spot on the charts. And I totally agree with its top spot ranking on all of the charts. It is another OST that has a sound that makes you want to smile and cuts any tension in your personal life. And since I already mentioned that the melodies were simple and easy to get into, this helped make Start Over very memorable. I really liked the upbeat vibes of the pop instrumentation and enjoyed how engaging the consistent beat in the chorus was. Gaho’s voice was very suitable for the song and empowering to listen to. Overall, I don’t have much else to say about the song. It’s top rank on the chart is justified and it is an OST that I keep on coming back to because it just works and sounds wonderfully.. (10/10)

[Album Review] IDENTITY: FIRST SIGHT (1st Mini Album) – WEi

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The album review that was supposed to be posted yesterday was meant to be WEi’s debut mini-album, IDENTITY: FIRST SIGHT. The mini-album features Twilight as the lead title track and four other side tracks – some of which were composed by the members themselves. The reason why I decided to review this particular album is because it establishes WEi’s presence in the industry in a very consistent manner. While I have mentioned that consistency can be a flaw in other reviews in the past, there have been times where I have praised consistency, with this album (and its songs) being another example of those times. There is a spin at the end of this mini-album, so keep you ears peeled for that.

Identity: First Sight Album Cover

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

2. DOREMIFA – DOREMIFA instantly has a chirpier vibe than compared to the title track. I feel that that DOREMIFA is quite similar to Twilight already in terms of style, so they aren’t really reinventing themselves with this song. I just enjoyed the song’s brighter persona, which fits in with the group’s youthfulness (since they are a newly debuted group). It also takes on board a more electronic synth approach with its instrumentation, which always has a tinge of refreshment. Like how they aren’t reinventing themselves, the song doesn’t really feature anything that might surprise you or catch you guard. It is straightforward and pleasant overall. (7.5/10)

3. Timeless (꼬리별) – Once again, they really don’t show a new side to themselves character or music-wise. It still has that bright energy that makes you smile / sounds like they smiling and it takes on a typical pop ballad sound. But what I really enjoyed in Timeless was the chorus. As a package, it was super catchy and the melody they used really memorable for me. I really like their display of vocals (that falsetto at the end of the bridge was perfect) and the rapping impressed me. I liked the instrumentation for the same pleasantry and enjoyable reasons above. The combination of the synths and the piano works really well and helps convey the happiness of finally being with their lover. (9/10)

4. Hug You (안고 싶어) – Hug You is similar to Timeless in the sense that it falls within the pop realm. There honestly isn’t much of a difference between the two songs if you were to glance briefly throughout the tracklist. What does set Hug You apart from the preceding track is the drop in the chorus, which enables the song to become more a dance track for a brief moment. It isn’t a new dynamic in KPOP, but it helps gives the song momentum and some heft to it. Hug You does a really good job of portraying WEi’s vocals once again. They were solid vocals and that high note that the end is icing on the Hug You cake. The rapping was also quite good, but the vocals have the edge. Overall, Hug You continues to keep the album consistent thus far and does a pretty good job to impress. (9/10)

5. Fuze (도화선) – So far, the album has been quite consistent in the song style, vibes and artist profile. We haven’t seen anything ‘different’ from the group over the past four songs. Interestingly, Fuze attempts to change this dynamic by opting for a dance track that has power, edge and intensity. And this can be applied for all elements (melodies, vocals, rapping and instrumental). It isn’t really be groundbreaking if you were to compare it to other male groups. But it is definitely a nice change up given their consistent sound so far. I really liked the abrasiveness of the EDM, how suited the rappers were for this style, the soaring nature of the vocals in the chorus and how the energy just doesn’t let up. Fuze really a powerful and dominant tone that puts a spin on WEi and their music, keeping the excitement up for their future releases. (9.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10

  • Identity: First Sight Teaser Image
  • Identity:First Sight Teaser Image

[Review] Life Goes On – BTS

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BTS continues to reach new heights with their latest comeback. Earlier today, the iconic male group made their comeback with Life Goes On (the title track) and Be (the title of their fifth studio album). It comes after BTS released their fourth studio album, Map of the Soul: 7 (headlined by On and Black Swan), their Japanese comeback single Stay Gold and their super catchy all-English track Dynamite. The group has also featured on Lauv’s Who and a remixed version of Jawsh 365 and Jason Derulo’s Savage Love. They have definitely had a busy year.

I was low key expecting a dance track for this comeback. Or even better, a darker and maturer song that takes further steps towards that style direction than On and Black Swan did! But after listing all their comebacks and releases throughout 2020 thus far (and this list does not even consider their solo works), I feel like a mellowed out and softer approach is more appropriate and less overwhelming for them at this current point in time. Life Goes On is still a fantastic song. It features an alternative hip-hop sound that relies heavily on really comforting and soothing guitars. While the song is softer than their previous title tracks, the music actually still fills hefty thanks to the heaviness that And this softer approach allows for the members to really focus on their vocal and rapping work. RM is the only member to actually rap in Life Goes On and his part was well tweaked for this alternative sound. Suga and J-Hope rap-sing their parts and they bring a nice energy in their respective parts. The rest of the members sing wonderfully throughout the song, helping drive forward that comforting and sentimental vibe and message. Jimin stands out with his higher pitched vocals and based on the way he starts the chorus, while V’s ad-libs shine thanks to the huskiness in his voice. I thought the autotune for the final chorus was a nice textural change, which helps keeps interesting from how I see it. Overall, Life Goes On was not what I had expected from BTS as a title track. But nonetheless, I still enjoyed it.

Based on what I am seeing for this music video, BTS and Big Hit had stepped away from their complicated and gripping storylines that require a lot of time to interpret. Life Goes On is shot in a more relaxed manner, feeling almost like a home-video style. It practically shows the members going about a day in their life where they get to hang out and travel, which suits their message that ‘Life Goes On‘ even in the most difficult of circumstances. I did like the ending, where the video applies a black and white filter and we see the member sing with microphones with their backs to the empty audience. That scene looks really pretty and aesthetic despite being so simple.

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