Category: Reviews

[Review] Elevator – BAEKHYUN (EXO)

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Monday was a big day of releases, with BAEKHYUN also returning to the music scene with his 5th mini-album, Essence of Reverie. The single Elevator is the mini-album’s title track, following the pre-release Chocolate released last week. His previous comeback was Pineapple Slice in September 2024, featuring on his fourth mini-album Hello, World, which I have yet to review (but can confirm it’s coming).

I can hear what people mean when they describe Elevator as another version of Candy (a single BAEKHYUN previously promoted in 2020). Like that song, BAEKHYUN leans into his genre of choice (R&B) and keeps it simple. Elevator features likeable grooviness and a decent pop beat that moves the song along. I did enjoy the subdued percussion and atmospheric touches of the instrumental. BAEKHYUN’s vocals are definitely Elevator‘s highlight. It was nice to hear his vocals again after so long, and the ad-libs at the end came off quite smoothly. But I wish the melodies were more riveting. There was some sleekness and vibrancy to Elevator‘s melodies, but I put this down to BAEKHYUN’s vocals and delivery. Instead, I got a standard and safe feeling that doesn’t scream excitement. Overall, I would describe Elevator as ‘simply pleasant’. As said previously on the blog, pleasantness can be a double-edged sword as it could be code for boring. And I felt like Elevator had fallen victim to just that on this occasion. Plus, knowing that the same artist pulled off a similar song in the past (i.e., Candy – as established at the start of this paragraph) doesn’t bode too well for the new song.

The lyrics liken the desire for someone to fall in love with you to an elevator going up, with the lover at the destination floor. The only problem is that you have no idea what that floor is, which forms the basis of the music video. In the video, BAEKHYUN notices a mysterious lady in the elevator. He doesn’t make a move, but is drawn to her. From then on, he has consistently been thinking of and looking for her. Eventually, he reaches her and successfully moves to be with her, as shown at the end of the video. I like how his shirt says ‘I DID WHAT LAST NIGHT?’, implying other things happened overnight. I liked the animation that is interwoven throughout the video, as well as how great BAEKHYUN continues to look in his 30s.

Like the song, the choreography fits in well with the music. Based on what I can see in the music video, the routine embraces the beat well and showcases BAEKHYUN’s charismatic energy, which he carries over from previous dance performances. While I am not sold on the song, I think I can be on the dance for this comeback.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Review] Good Thing – i-dle

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After rebranding from (G)I-DLE to i-dle earlier this month and pre-releasing the single Girlfriend, i-dle is officially back with their 8th mini-album, We Are. Leading the mini-album is the single Good Thing. It is their first release since July 2024’s Klaxon and their 7th mini-album, I SWAY.

To me, Good Thing is an underbaked version of their top hits. The instrumental behind Good Thing has so much potential and is its best asset, with the synth work and 8-bit sounding reminiscent of second-generation KPOP. The infusion of rock elements was a great way to make Good Thing feel very much in i-dle’s wheelhouse, but I wished the song explored more of this. Perhaps make the song even more electrifying. But it is ultimately the song’s hooks that don’t offer much in terms of robustness and dynamism that let Good Thing down. I liked how they carried their usual sassy feel into the chorus, but the hooks themselves didn’t spark any excitement. Also, “I heard your good thing” isn’t too great of a line. Aside from that, the rest of Good Thing is okay. Their rapping and vocals were nice. YUQI’s rap in the second verse is solid, while the pre-choruses were strong segments from the vocalists. While I don’t usually agree with autotune, I think it fits in with the instrumental of Good Thing and gives off a good effect. Overall, Good Thing has promise but undelivers when it matters the most.

The music video for Good Thing was a blast to watch. While I am not entirely sure what message the group is trying to say through their lyrics, the mix of constant fighting and then vibing with one another actually makes for a fun video. My favourite part involves MIYEON on the train, where she gets her hair pulled by MINNIE and pushes YUQI off the train. As to what this could possibly mean, my best guess (and I want to emphasise that this is a guess since I don’t understand the lyrics) is that the “constant fighting and then vibing with one another” dynamic represents their toxic relationship with a former lover, with the lyrics coming off as sarcastic and making fun of their past lover.

The choreography for this comeback is fantastic. Quite sure I have mentioned this about them in the past, but I love how their routines exude confidence, boldness and sexiness. They are a powerful group, and their choreographies have consistently shown this. The only part that I felt could be cleaner and smoother is the start of the instrumental break at the end.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10

[Review] Fly Up – RIIZE

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After their pre-release Bag Bad Back two weeks ago, RIIZE is officially back with their first studio album, Odyssey. Leading the new album is the title track Fly Up. It is their first Korean release since their Combo comeback in September last year.

From the very first second, Fly Up attracts my attention through its upbeat and fast energy. It felt almost like the music you would expect to hear when accompanying a jive dance, just slightly more paced than your usual jive music. I loved how expressive RIIZE were with their vocals and rapping, which contributed to the liveliness of Fly Up. It also helps that the hooks were catchy and earwormy. The all-in-one ‘Fly Up‘ rings in my mind even after the song ends. SHOTARO’s rapping in the second verse was solid, while SOHEE’s high note was a perfect peak for the song. The only missing element I wished for was a deep tone to ground the song slightly, particularly in the chorus. The beats weren’t enough, and I think this would have created some nice contrast in the broader song. But aside from that, Fly Up is still a superbly fun song that has me tapping my foot along from the first listen.

Just like the song, the music video for Fly Up is super fun. I liked the musical-like concept with all the dancers dancing around the members as they sing along to the song, almost like High School Musical (just without the cheesiness and bad acting). It just heightens the energy and makes the video extremely enjoyable. I was extremely nervous watching the sweaters tied around the members’ waists, but somehow (perhaps sewn on for safety precautions), they stayed on the members. Memories from primary/elementary school have come rushing back, with the number of times sweaters or jumpers would loosen as I just walked.

It should come as no surprise that I also liked this comeback’s choreography. It was everything the song asked for – upbeat, packed, fast and vibrant. I loved how the members never let up throughout the routine (based on what I saw in the music video), which reminds me of that intensity and continuous nature of the jive dance. The jumps and footwork look promising, and the body waves at the start of the final chorus catch my attention because they are incredibly smooth in the fast-paced routine.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10

[Review] Don’t Say You Love Me – JIN (BTS)

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It has been just over half a year since JIN returned to the music scene with his first solo album, Happy. That album was led by the pre-release single I’ll Be There and the title track Running Wild. Today, JIN has returned with his second solo mini-album Echo, which is led by the title track Don’t Say You Love Me.

Don’t Say You Love Me is an all-English pop ballad that is easy to listen to. It is all effortlessly soothing and pleasant, from the instrumental to the melodies to JIN’s vocals. I enjoyed the falsettos he hits in the choruses, which make the song feel and sound very pretty. The only thing stopping me from liking the song completely is the lack of emotion. The lyrics of Don’t Say You Love Me are emotionally loaded, as they express the complex feelings of a relationship that is falling apart. However, I don’t register much emotional appeal in JIN’s vocals. I am not expecting a complete outpouring of sadness or grief, but Don’t Say You Love Me needed some degree of emotion to make it a more riveting piece. There is merit in keeping the pleasantness and soothing nature of the pop-ballad to frame up a more positive message, such as encouraging the best for both sides of the broken relationship. As mentioned, his vocals are fine. I just needed more from JIN, feeling-wise, to make Don’t Say You Love Me even better.

His acting definitely doesn’t have that same problem — his acting opposite Shin Se Kyung (the actress who plays the female lead) was superb. We see the moment the pair fall in love in that gallery and make a life for themselves (by running away together). But as the story progresses, the pair grow distant and their relationship falls apart. But to understand what the video is trying to tell us, we need to go back to the start and end of the video. At the beginning, we see Shin Se Kyung alone in the car, leaving JIN behind in the car park. This is what they want the break-up to look like. But the end of the video shows the pair together post-fight, glancing at one another, indicating that both are afraid to break up. This directly references the complicated feelings they are experiencing with their relationship falling apart that are expressed in the lyrics.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

[Review] I Feel Good – BOYNEXTDOOR

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BOYNEXTDOOR is back with a new mini-album, No Genre, and the single I Feel Good. This is their first album release since September 2024’s 19.99 (album yet to be reviewed), led by the single Nice Guy. An English version of I Feel Good and the January 2025 single IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU (also yet to be reviewed) are featured on the new mini-album, as well.

Only two groups that can pull off I Feel Good‘s energetic vibes come to mind – the first element that really stands out to me in the new song. The first is BOYNEXTDOOR, who has gradually grown on me since their debut and made a name for themselves with their ability to embody energetic vibes so well. The second is Block B, as I Feel Good just has a lot of their flair. The latter also makes sense given that one of the writers (and the producer of BOYNEXTDOOR) is Block B’s leader, ZICO. The funky bass guitar and the guitar work throughout I Feel Good are punchy and charismatic, while the beat gives the song head-nodding potential. The catchiness of the song’s hook (i.e., the “I Feel Good” repetition) is made even better with the delivery of the “I“. The hacking-like delivery just gives it character and personality. The rapping just exudes so much of that already mentioned energy, while the vocals were pretty nice. LEEHAN’s vocals in the second verse have a sleek and chic feel, while I enjoyed the incline that the vocals bring alongside the background for the pre-choruses. Again, the biggest problem with I Feel Good is simply that the song is too short. While it is all energy from start to end, I Feel Good could have done better with a peak moment to build up towards and give the song more trajectory. But overall, another powerful song from BOYNEXTDOOR.

Like the song, the music video is just as fun and energetic. It starts with BOYNEXTDOOR entering a corner store and having a one-sided rap battle with the shop attendant. The rest of the video shows BOYNEXTDOOR going around, spreading their positive feeling and promoting their upcoming underground performance. Flyers and a dance battle are involved. I liked how you can tell the members had fun filming the video. I also enjoyed the comedic touch by having LEEHAN hold a ‘BOYNEXTDOOR’ sign with an expressionless face whilst everyone else is moving about. I wish they had done more with the grayscale scenes, as they felt underbaked compared to the rest of the music video. But overall, a fun watch.

And just like the rest of the comeback, the performance for this comeback embodies the energy and positive vibes of the song. The routine involves the members constantly moving, which maintains the energy throughout the routine. I enjoyed the rock references, with the microphone and air guitars during the chorus. The Michael Jackson touch made complete sense (as he was referenced in the lyrics), and I loved the range of edgy moves paired with the “I Feel Good” hook.

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

[Review] Come Over – LE SSERAFIM

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Alongside HOT from March this year, LE SSERAFIM released the single Come Over as part of their 5th mini-album. At the end of March, LE SSERAFIM collaborated with Android for a music video for the single, making it eligible for a review (i.e., this post!).

While I was not much of a fan of HOT (which has remained true almost two months on), it is a different story regarding Come Over. The song is a very addictive retro-pop, all-English song. LE SSERAFIM kills it in this song, unexpectedly. At first, I thought their very light and high-tone approach would be plain and boring. But a few repeats quickly changed my mind. The hooks, though repetitive, were effective at being earwormy and catchy. I have the “So baby come over, come over, come over” in the tone LE SSERAFIM delivers it in still stuck in my mind. The retro influences in the background made the single colourful and vibrant, while the beat kept Come Over moving along. I did like the instrumental breaks Come Over had, which helped emphasise those influences. There are two things Come Over could have done better: a longer length and more variety in the lyrics. While I praise the repetition hook-wise earlier, I feel like Come Over feels short of being taken to the next level for its repetitive lines and lasts for just over 2.25 minutes (though not the shortest song on the album).

For the music video, we see SAKURA go shopping in a retro grocery store, picking up a mysterious can labelled with an anagram that, when rearranged (thanks to the nifty AI on her very ‘retro’ cell phone), says “Open a new world” – a message she shares with the rest of the group, before paying for the can and drinking its contents. This message is about the potential of the Android-based mobile devices used by the members, which, in a retro world, definitely opens a whole new world for the user. Aside from being an Android commercial, the video nicely encapsulates those retro influences from the song. I liked the vintage patterned outfits worn by the members, and later on, the Android robots. The curled hairstyles also screamed retro, and I loved how fantastic the members looked, particularly HUH YUNJIN.

The dance for Come Over is equally as catchy as the song. I liked the energy and oomph the members put into it, which complements the vibrant and upbeat nature of the music. I also enjoyed the members’ serious demeanour during the first instrumental break following the first chorus. This gave off fun vibes, despite the members not showing that as they performed that sequence.

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

[Review] Girlfriend – i-dle

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Earlier this month, it was confirmed that the group formerly known as (G)I-DLE will be making a comeback under the new name, i-dle. Alongside this announcement, the group released a special mini-album titled We are i-dle, which features 5-member versions of their past singles from their debut track LATATA to 2021’s HWAA. This rebrand also follows their contract renewal with CUBE Entertainment, which was announced at the end of last year. Their newly released single, Girlfriend, comes from their upcoming 8th mini-album WE ARE, which will drop in 10 days.

Girlfriend leans into the pop rock genre a fair bit, more than usual for i-dle. I was geniunely surprised (in a good way) to hear how pop-leaning the chorus was, while the verses shows more of the rock elements to make it pop-rock overall. The chorus actually reminds me of a KPOP track from the early ’10s, thanks to the upbeatness, the simplicity of the hooks, the straightforwardness of the pop sound, the slight toots and the all-members sing-song chorus. The simplicity of Girlfriend‘s hooks comes across quite effectively. The “I don’t give a f*ck about love cause we are i-dle” is very catchy and addictive. At first, I was disappointed with how repetitive it was and thought it was wasted real estate. But I am not too bothered by it now. The vocals and rapping are clear and crisp, as usual. Overall, the saying ‘simple is best’ applies well for Girlfriend. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us on the 19th with the rest of WE ARE.

i-dle in the music video seems to be some sort of underground group that goes hunting down bad exes to scare them away from their former lovers, who sought out i-dle’s services. At the same time, they also provide company to those who sought them out, referring to themselves as the ‘girlfriend’ in the lyrics. Again, simple is best and I liked how clear and straightforward the video was. There is nothing to confusing and I liked how the story is on par with their other music videos in the past.

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

[Review] Maybe Tomorrow – DAY6

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DAY6 returned yesterday with the digital single, Maybe Tomorrow. The new release follows their 9th mini-album, Band-Aid and the title track Melt Down from last September.

I find Maybe Tomorrow quite captivating. It took me a few tries to realise that (I was distracted by some other things), but once I settled and focused, I found myself being whisked away by the song. The new single is a rock ballad that sounds very DAY6. I liked Maybe Tomorrow‘s wispiness and gentle nature, whilst the guitar and drums ground the song so that it doesn’t feel overly light to the point that it just breezes by, and I can’t remember it. I particularly enjoyed the drumming in the song, which gives it a bit of a punch and beat. The keyboard work was also lovely, and I liked the little buffer at the song’s end. Maybe Tomorrow also carries emotions, and I felt the members did a fantastic job relaying those emotions to the audience. They didn’t go down the heartfelt or powerful routes, but you definitely get a reflective and pensive tone from them. The melodies are soothing, and the chorus is pleasantly catchy. Altogether, Maybe Tomorrow is a beautiful yet safe ballad from DAY6 that I am sure everyone will enjoy.

Maybe Tomorrow‘s lyrics comfort those who are down, sad, or struggling and wish that tomorrow is a better day. Here is my interpretation of the beautiful accompanying music video. DAY6 portrays those emotions of feeling down, sad or struggling. The mood then is dark and heavy. Then, the room around them shakes, sending them flying out the door and falling through the sky. The members slowly open their eyes, representing that the “new day” is better and comforting. But each member opens their eyes at various times, suggesting everyone has something to make tomorrow better for them. For YOUNG K, it was the music (he had his eyes open way before falling), but he needed the bright light from the sun to make him realise maybe tomorrow is better. For SUNGJIN, it was his guitar that made him open his eyes, and for DOWOON, the colours of the confetti brought him comfort and opened his eyes. The ending shows WONPIL falling back into his bed and waking up, only to realise that there is a hole in his room to show him the light that the new day is better. It also suggests that maybe parts of their dreams did occur (i.e., the music, the light, the guitar and the colours).

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

[Review] IKUK – ONEUS

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It is time to review a release from earlier in the year – ONEUS’s IKUK. You may recognise IKUK, as it is a rearranged version of their I KNOW YOU KNOW single that they performed as part of the Road To Kingdom: Ace of Ace series from 2024. IKUK was re-released in mid-January as part of their special Dear. M album. As I had never reviewed that series, I thought I would pick up IKUK for a review. Since the release, SEOHO has enlisted into the military and ONEUS is currently promoting as a quartet.

Unfortunately, I didn’t pay much attention to the release of IKUK as I was on holiday then. Listening back for this review, it is a pity that I didn’t pay attention, as it is a strong showing from the group. I like the funky and groovy nature of the song, which feels quite refreshing coming from ONEUS. I enjoyed the punchiness of the beat in this version and the subtle hip-hop presence behind the rap sequence in the second verse. I wish the bass was more profound, particularly during the hooks when the rest of the instrumentation was stripped away. Bass is present in IKUK in its current form, but I think more could have made IKUK uber funky. I also enjoyed the crispness of their vocals and rapping, which made IKUK stronger and more alluring. And the song’s primary hook, the ‘I know, you know, I love you‘, was catchy. However, IKUK is far from perfect. More could have been done to make IKUK feel less repetitive than it was. I also want various parts of IKUK, such as LEEDO’s rap in the outro and the chorus around it, to not feel as abrupt as they did. It felt like they were slapped in, hindering IKUK from feeling cohesive. Perhaps constraining IKUK to be as short as possible was not ideal, as a few extra seconds to facilitate proper transitions and additional segments to relieve IKUK from its repetitiveness would have boosted it in my books.

I really enjoyed how theatrical the music video felt. When ONEUS goes down that path, you know the music video will be top-notch. While the regal look was very cool (both members and dancers looked awesome throughout the video) and gave off vampire vibes, I wish they explored the theme a little more, mainly since the music video supposedly explored the “deadly allure of vampires” (taken from Soompi). I also wish they had chosen a better location to shoot the video (or designed a whole castle-like set). Exposed air vents detracted slightly from the potential of the regal and vampire vibes. However, these flaws are made up by retaining the wowing elements from the Road To Kingdom: ACE OF ACE stage, such as the KEONHEE emerging from the tables and SEOHO hanging upside down.

The accompanying routine that ONEUS performed on the weekly shows was an adaptation of the routine from the original stage and music video, without some of those aforementioned wow moments. It probably doesn’t sound as exciting anymore, but they retained enough to make it a performance that is still worth watching. I liked how the routine continued to feature a sophisticated and elegant side, which they emphasised during the dance break (and was my favourite part of the routine).

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

[Review] Love Language – TXT

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TXT returned at the end of last week with their new single Love Language. This latest release follows their 7th mini-album, The Star Chapter: Sanctuary, from the end of last year and the title track Over The Moon. It also follows a well-deserved extended break for the group.

Love Language is a pleasant release from TXT, but I wish there was more to Love Language than what it had to offer. Everything from the darting synths in the background, the members’ sweet vocals, and the contrasting deeper spoken tone of the post-chorus sequence from YEONJUN, SOOBIN, and BEOMGYU was all fine. The opening line to the choruses was memorable, and I liked the extra raspiness from TAEHYUN and HEUINGKAI. But Love Language is such a safe release (relative to the rest of their discography, which has been bold and striking at times) that it feels extremely basic. I can’t hear anything exciting enough in Love Language to attract and grab my attention, aside from this being a TXT release. This will put the song’s longevity at risk. I feel like that exciting element is what Love Language is missing. But I am not entirely sure what could be used (perhaps a different texture or something that builds on the edginess that the post-chorus sequences attempt to get across), given the mellowness of Love Language, which restricts their options.

The music video shows TXT in a very cutesy light, searching for their special someone’s love language. It is interesting yet different from the usual portrayal of the members, but I thought it was quite a good watch. The video style and creative decisions really complement the song quite well. I particularly liked the scenes where one member would be at the forefront of the screen, and the rest would be just doing their own thing in the background.

I don’t think we expected to see SOOBIN’s abs as part of the choreography for this comeback, especially with such a sweet song and cutesy video. But I am sure no one is complaining about its appearance in the routine. I actually quite liked the sharp and fast movements during the chorus. It added a little visual oomph to the routine and offered the comeback a little more intensity and dynamic flair.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Review] Bag Bad Back – RIIZE

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RIIZE is also gearing up for a comeback with their first studio album, ODYSSEY, later this month. But ahead of the comeback, the group is teasing us with Bag Bad Back. It is the first comeback from the group since the release of the repackaged version of their first mini-album, Riizing: Epilogue, and the single Combo. It is also the first release following the official withdrawal of SEUNGHAN from the group.

Before I get on with the main parts of the review, I just have one thing to get off my chest – what on earth do they mean by Bag Bad Back? I don’t have the slightest clue. However, according to Soompi, the lyrics “makes a witty comparison between the essentials we carry in our bags and RIIZE’s own drive—their metaphorical bag filled with ambition and a shared vision to grow into shining artists”.

Anyhow, Bag Bad Back is a decent song. However, comparing this hip-hop sound with their previous works, I’d take their previous ’emotional pop’ numbers any day. I just find Bag Bad Back hard to vibe with, and I put it down to personal preference. After all, I have always been more pop-leaning compared to hip-hop. When I break down Bag Bad Back, there is definitely a likable quantity of energy and edge present in Bag Bad Back. I thought the instrumental was rather cool, with a nice simmering underlay that gives the track subtle amount of texture and the piano that kicks in at the bridge was very beautiful. Their vocals and rapping was quite good, though I think I would have liked a stronger and meatier hook in the song. The “Bag Bag Bag” chant felt a little too basic and straightforward for my liking. SOHEE’s high note was great peak for a low-tone song. Separately, I liked the elements. But together, Bag Bad Back doesn’t resonate with me. But I want to emphasis – it is not because the song is bad, but it is because it is simply not my style.

As for the music video, I thought it very cool. It took Bag Bad Back‘s hip-hop sound and translated it well into a visual piece. The video features a bag that represents RIIZE’s ambition, per the lyrics of the song. But for a bag carrying such an important aspect of RIIZE’s career, that bag is definitely not treated as well. It is chucked around a lot. I also liked the dance practice concept, as well as the suited look in the alley. The only thing I am uncertain about is what the accumulating classical instrumentals that concentrates as SOHEE’s delivers his high note represents.

Amazing choreography, with thanks going towards SHOTARO, Lee Bada, J BLAZE, and THE BIPS for choreographing it (this information was also taken from Soompi’s article). I really enjoyed the hip-hop flair that formed part of the routine, as well as the different bag references (backpacks, duffel bags etc) throughout it. II also like it how the moves constantly keep the members on their toes, creating an exciting and energetic routine that shows off RIIZE’s dance capabilities once again.

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

[Review] TIPI-TAP – Kep1er

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Let’s cast our minds back to November 2024, when Kep1er made their comeback with the mini-album and single of the same name, TIPI-TAP. I apologise for the delay in reviewing the single. TIPI-TAP was Kep1er’s first comeback since becoming a seven-member group, following the departure of Mashiro and Yeseo, who did not renew their contracts and left both Wake One Entertainment and the group. It also follows their Shooting Star single and their first full-length album Kep1going On.

While there are some remaining songs from 2024 that I am eager to review, TIPI-TAP isn’t one of them. Well, if I do not pick it up today, I don’t know when I will. Again, it is a song with certain elements I liked. For example, I liked the warmth of the members’ vocals. I liked how the chorus ended up having some bite to it, thanks to the catchy “Crush on you” hook. And I appreciated the soft tune. But being a soft song does have its limitations, and TIPI-TAP realises some of those limitations. Again, I don’t remember much else from the song aside from the above. Even the repetition of the song’s title wasn’t that much of a draw for me. And don’t get me started on TIPI-TAP‘s attempts to beef up this repetition. The softness also means TIPI-TAP is very ‘light on’, in that there isn’t much to ground the song. To me, this makes the song feel very fleeting and forgettable. There isn’t anything memorable about the DnB instrumental, and I can make similar comments about the vocals, though I will admit the cuter motif works well for them (and is not annoying). I am not a fan of their layering of vocals and rapping in the bridge, but the ‘remixed’ instrumental was a good way to change up the song. Overall, TIPI-TAP gave me things to like and things to forget, resulting in an ‘alright’ from me.

I also find the music video for this comeback to be rather forgettable. It matches up with their cutesy vocals and features a dreamy motif. But I feel everything is just a touch too youthful. The colour palette is vibrant, but feels more suited for the younger kids. In Australia, there is a children’s TV show that I grew up with called Play School, and the colours in the music video remind me of that TV show. The outfits exude a pure and innocent aura, which I find fine. However, some of the styling, such as Hikaru’s headpiece, is more suitable for a very young audience. And the whole ‘bag on the back’ trend throughout K-pop more recently feels very elementary or primary school-like. The wings do not help.

The choreography looks nice. It is quite cutesy and youthful. But like the rest of the comeback, there really wasn’t a standout moment in the routine, and so it was easily swept from our minds once promotions ended or you had moved on to another stage.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 6/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.2/10

[Review] HANDS UP – MEOVV

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MEOVV is gearing up for a comeback in May. But before we can hear their 1st mini-album, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE, the group pre-released the single HANDS UP (the focus of this post) on Monday. The future album release will follow their TOXIC and BODY comeback from November 2024.

HANDS UP has garnered a lukewarm response from me since its release. I liked certain elements, while other parts of the song felt very beige. Let’s start with what I liked, namely the delivery of the chorus. I really enjoyed the hooks, and MEOVV’s deadpan delivery of them was actually quite effective. It forges a catchy and memorable element in HANDS UP. I also enjoyed the momentum behind the song. That really helped me get through the song. I also liked how cool the ending of HANDS UP sounded, with what felt like a remix of everything before it. Beyond that, I felt HANDS UP was stuck in a bit of a rut. I find the vocals to be over-processed, particularly when they do the longer notes in the choruses. I am not convinced as to why they needed to do this, and I’m unsure of its effectiveness. It did help with that deadpanness, but I am sure the members could handle that part without the autotune. HANDS UP also has a beige problem with its instrumental, where everything felt overly similar throughout the song until the final moment. I wish there were more variety in the music and that it wasn’t linear as it was. The verses, as well as the rapping, were also dull and unimaginative. Overall, what I liked from HANDS UP has helped the song grow on me ever so slowly, but I don’t think I will reach the point of really enjoying the track.

The music video revolves around the Korean game arkkagi, where players flick their own stones to knock off their opponent’s stones off the board. I really like the aesthetic of the setting, which felt very clean and modern. The intense focus on the members and various hand formations displayed prominently throughout the video are probably representative of the intense focus needed to play the game and the necessary hand formations to flick a stone (particularly when it is in a precarious location on the board). I also like how, during the second verse, the stones are flying by the members as per the game. But interestingly, the most memorable moment for me was watching the kid feel so stressed about his next move against another MEOVV member during the second chorus. For some unknown reason, that scene spoke to me and was memorable.

The choreography for HANDS UP was actually quite cool. Obviously, there were a lot of arms and hands up in the air throughout the routine. But there was also an element of intensity, attitude and sassiness from the members that I quite enjoyed.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Chains – HIGHLIGHT

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HIGHLIGHT is back with their new single, Chains, from their 6th mini-album, From Real to Surreal. This is their first comeback since their Switch On mini-album and BODY single from last year. It is also the first release since the group announced that they had regained their former name, BEAST, a massive win for the group. The pre-release Endless Ending was released under the name BEAST (HIGHLIGHT), but the group has chosen to keep and promote under their current name, HIGHLIGHT.

My initial impression of Chains was that it was decent. The chorus was my main favourite segment by far, especially with that deep pounding beat that kicks it off. The melodies and hooks in Chain‘s centrepiece were pretty prolific. I wish the same could be said about the clarinet sound (which I previously described as ‘flute-like’ in other reviews) in the background. There was potential for it to be a standout element in the Chains that really pulls the audience in. However, although it is audible and detectable, I find that it is often masked by the rest of the instrumentation and doesn’t get much opportunity to truly stand out. Another weak aspect of Chains is the verses. I didn’t remember much from these segments aside from being chic and sleek. Each time I have listened to Chains since its release (it has only been two hours, but I had to replay it several times to write this review), I have been anticipating the chorus more than the verses and have not paid much attention to the verses. HIGHLIGHT/BEAST songs, in the past, have had much stronger verses that add significantly to the songs. But in Chains, I didn’t get that same feeling from the verses. Overall, my initial impression of Chains still stands even after consolidating my thoughts into this review.

Chains conveys the feeling of a “mad all-consuming love” (taken from Soompi). While I am unsure of what the video shows, my best guess is that it depicts the influence the person has on the members, leading them to engage in some sort of heist together. Gikwang kills or knocks out a bunch of guards on the inside; Dongwoon blocks the police from coming in; Dojoon keeps watch from afar, and I think Yoseob steals whatever the lover wants. I could be entirely wrong, but that is what I got out of the music video. I like the black outfits they wore throughout the video, which match that chic and sleek vibe I mentioned earlier about the song. Keeping the amount of colour (and their prominence) also matches the same vibes.

The choreography also gives me a similar decent impression. It is not their best or most memorable work, from what I could see in the music video, but it isn’t terrible. I think more can be said once they perform Chains for the first time, and I may return to review the choreography again. For the time being, the choreography remains on par with the above, at this stage.

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

[Review] Beautiful Life – Xdinary Heroes

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Aside from their previous single, Night Before The End, I know I have yet to review any of their singles from their Open ♭eta series, which are featured on their 5th mini-album Live and Fall from October last year. I will get to them eventually ahead of a future album review post for Live and Fall. But more recently (end of March), Xdinary Heroes returned with their 6th mini-album, Beautiful Mind. Today’s review focuses on the lead single Beautiful Life.

Beautiful Life is a bold track from Xdinary Heroes. Right from the start (and throughout various moments of the song), Xdinary Heroes draws inspiration from the legendary rock band Queen. This in itself is an ambitious direction. And yet, they nailed it! Xdinary Heroes’ take on rock opera is infused with contemporary and modern rock influences, giving the nostalgic aspect of Beautiful Life a fresh spin. I quite liked the combination, and it feels very cohesive. I really like it when the song picks up and intensifies, it takes the song up a notch. And that is what I call an amazing rock song. Even the Queen-inspired moments of Beautiful Life were really stunning, and the vocals during those parts were really nice. Talking about the vocals, Xdinary Heroes were consistently strong throughout the song and I liked the raspy touch they add to the song. More prolific melodies and hooks in Beautiful Life would have benefited the song. While I appreciate Beautiful Life musically, I don’t recall much beyond the surface of the song. It is only when I really focus on the song, such as when writing this review, do I notice these elements. They do sound good, but they are not the exact stand outs Beautiful Life calls for.

The music video depicts a dystopian reality where Xdinary Heroes are hunted down for playing music. They go on the run, but are tracked down by the masked man and completely bashed up by them. Xdinary Heroes put up a fight, but they don’t win. Towards the end of the video, the masked men are revealed to be Xdinary Heroes themselves, and the ones playing music or being bashed are virtual forms of themselves. I am not entirely sure what this suggests exactly, but it appears they are protecting their right to play music by being part of the forces that are against it. After all, there is that say “if you can’t beat them, join them”. I really liked Xdinary Heroes’ acting and the make-up department for making the injuries appear very real. Definitely a cool video, and the music just makes it more dramatic and impactful at certain points.

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

[Review] Countdown – TWS:

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TWS: is back with a new single titled Countdown, which comes off their 3rd mini-album, Try With Us. Both song and mini-album officially dropped this past Monday. This release is TWS:’ first major release since 2024, which saw TWS: debut with the highly successful plot twist and return with the equally successful If I’m S, Can You Be My N? and Last Festival.

Countdown very much continues the group’s ‘boyhood pop’ sound that they debuted with. The new song reminded me of plot twist from the first listen, both instrumentally, melodies and brightness wise. There are a few elements that differentiate it from their debut song, namely the deep “ba-bum” that follows some of the second and final choruses and the more intense rapping in the second verse. The former was quite intriguing yet fun, while the latter definitely helps ground the song. I also like how they prolonged the ending by splitting the final line into three parts. It makes the ending of Countdown feel like it offers up a little bit more. I would have appreciated other different elements to help give Countdown its own individuality would have been appreciated, simply because Countdown is very much familiar territory for TWS: and, dare I say, plays it safe. For example, the instrumental shares a similar foundation to plot twist. And their vocal style felt like it was lifted from the earlier song, which raises the “I wished there was more opportunity for the members to shine” comment I made in that review. That being said, Countdown hits the right spot in terms of energy and brightness, making it an ideal release to take us to the more energetic and vibrant summer sounds.

The members wonder what being an adult feels like in the music video, as they move on from their high school days in their previous music videos and into their young adult era. Plot twist – pun fully intended – being an adult isn’t all crack up to be with work, decision making and responsibilities. Just in case TWS: was looking for an answer hahaha…. There are a few different scenes in the video which all adults have experienced in some form, such as moving into your own place, the failed meals and the helplessness of a car breaking down (and your parents/guardians not around as a safety net). I liked the casual wear, which is a nice change up from the school uniform that they previously wore throughout 2024.

The choreography alongside this release is another TWS: routine that impresses. They always manage to make their dances appear fun, despite being super intense and energetic. The moves right after the intro definitely left a mark in my mind, as did the twist and turn in the first pre-choruses and the jumps during the choruses (just to name a few examples of the standout moments).

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