The K-Pop Review

REVIEW: B1A4 - Ignition Special Edition

2012-06-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of B1A4 and purchased their first full-length album Ignition when it was first released. Little did I know back then, but they've re-released the album with two brand new tracks and re-titled the album: The B1A4 Ignition Special Edition. And even though the repackaged album only contains 2 brand new tracks (plus their instrumentals at the end of of the album), I've still purchased the album and am currently waiting for it to arrive in the post (I may be posting photos of my copy when it arrives!). I reviewed the album back in March (you can read my full review here) but I think it's time that I gave my review on those brand new tracks - 잘자요 굿나잇 (Baby Goodnight) and 너 때문에 (Because Of You).

The title track of the album (the track that they're currently promoting) is Baby Goodnight and it's a huge departure from their previous title track - Baby I'm Sorry. They returned in March with a dark concept and shocked fans with their almost grown-up attitudes and darker image. But now, B1A4 have returned to their cute, fun and colourful image that they were previously known for. The song itself is a fun, light and energetic pop song that almost seems to feature old-school gameboy sounds. Although it's not a song that would be considered a huge dancefloor filler, it still has elements that make you want to get up and have "dancing party time" - as they beautifully coo in the chorus: "dancing, dancing, dancing in the moonlight". This song definately echoes their first two songs - OK and Beautiful Target - and proves that, although they showed their maturity with Baby I'm Sorry, B1A4 have not lost their fun and energetic personas.

The second new track that B1A4 have given us is 너 때문에 (Because Of You). This song is a lovely midtempo track that fits in nicely with their previous songs (especially the sound that they explored in their first two mini albums). Although the song doesn't have any gimmicks or cute moments, it's a fantastic song to display the member's vocal capabilities (especially Sandeul, who sounds absolutely amazing!)

All in all, I think that this re-release is completely worth buying (whether you've bought the original version or not). We may have 'only' been given 2 new tracks but they are both great songs and the repackaged album features lots of new photos and a brand new concept. Well worth buying, I'd say.

REVIEW: A Pink - Une Annee

2012-05-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

A Pink were one of the top rookie groups of 2011 and released a couple of hits during the past year (MY MY and I Don't Know). And now they're back with the first full length album - a short collection of songs that showcase their cute and sweet sides. But is this just more of the same of what we've already seen from A Pink? Is their image becoming a little tiring now? Let's find out.

Click the "read more" link below to read my full review of A Pink's Une Annee:

Quite simply, if you liked A Pink's past two mini albums (Seven Springs of Apink and Snow Pink) then I'm sure that you'll love Une Annee. Concept and music-wise, Une Annee doesn't drift too far away from their first two mini albums. The only difference with this album? It's got more songs.

Initially, I couldn't take to A Pink's style. Although their first mini album was a solid effort, I find it very outdated and somewhat cheesey. Old-school and retro concepts when done right can be fantastic - see T-ARA or Dal★Shabet for instance - but when your sound is still stuck in the 90s, it's not a good thing at all. I feel A Pink have positioned themselves in that 90s girlgroup era, and that's where they've stayed ever since. Admittedly, I became quite the fan of A Pink during their MY MY promotions. I thought MY MY was quite simply a fantastic song - a song which showed some maturity and growth - and their style wasn't as bland as it had been before. In fact, their second album, Snow Pink (which featured MY MY), was truly a fantastic effort - 5 solid tracks (and a big step-up from the first mini album). Therefore, I truthfully did anticipate this album, but Une Annee has been somewhat of a step back for them.

The album intro - Une Annee - is pretty much the same intro as we heard on the first mini album (already showing that the group have not progressed much in a year at all). It's bland, features some dodgy French prononciation and adds little to the concept of the album - in fact, there is absolutely no concept to this album at all. A Pink needed something explosive to kick off their first full length album - an album which could secure their place in the K-Pop industry - but instead produced a weak and dissapointing introduction. Things pick up pace again with the first full song of the album - Hush - which is their title track for this album's promotion. Hush, like their other songs, situates itself in a completely different era and, truthfully, it sounds a little outdated. Nevertheless, Hush is a really pleasant track and fun to listen to. It features some cool beats and explores a disco/electronica sound and is pretty much a perfectly crafted pop song.

Whilst Hush remains the uptempo highlight of Une Annee, the best ballad for me is 4월 19일. Inititally, I really did not like this song at all - it was cheesey and soppy. But then, I really grew to love it - it has some really great vocals and actually made me appreciate A Pink as vocalists a lot more. Uninspired? Perhaps. But it's a really strong ballad and a song that I'm going to keep playing in the near future.

4월 19일 is sandwiched inbetween 고양이 (Cat) and Bububi which are as cute as anything. Cat may be a little more sassy and Bububi may be perfect for a walk in the park with your loved one, but overall - these songs aren't songs that I'll be playing over and over. For die-hard A Pink fans, these songs will no doubt be very appealing. But for me, I'm much more interested in the track 6 - Step. For the first time ever, I can really hear A Pink tackling a mature and contemporary song. Production-wise, Step is very low-key and soft - and reminiscent of a Jordin Sparks kind of song. But being subtle is also the most endearing quality of Step - it's a song that doesn't try to be overly cute and nor does it grate on you. It's a perfectly crafted midtempo R&B song and shows the potential of A Pink's music.

After the brilliant Step comes to a close, there are 3 tracks remaining. For a full-length album, Une Annee is remarkably short - 9 tracks, with the first track being that awful introduction. And the final 3 tracks are actually rather cohesive and similar to one another. Boy, I Got U and 하늘 높이 are much more dance-pop than cutesy-pop. Although each track shares similarties with one another (synth sounds, dance beats, electronic effects), each song is still quite strong. For me, I Got U is the best of the bunch - a song which again shows A Pink tackling a more grown up sound. Sure, it may have been ripped out of T-ARA's back catalogue, but it's a fantastic addition to this album and another highlight for me.

At 9 tracks long, A Pink didn't exactly spoil their fans with a great amount of fans - but for me, the amount of tracks is almost a blessing. A Pink's style can sometimes be rather grating on me - they're like Candy Floss: sugary and exciting to begin with, but too much can make you sick. Yet, despite a few duff tracks, Une Annee is actually quite a nice listen. Short? Sure. But it's got enough strong tracks to outbalance the annoying ones. For their next release, however, if we're served up another portion of bright pink candy floss - I may have to say 'no, thank you'. I'd like to see A Pink explore different sounds and venture out of what they're doing right now.

Key tracks to listen to: Hush, 4월 19일, Step, I Got U

REVIEW: 소녀시대-태티서 (Girls' Generation Taetiseo) - Twinkle

2012-05-13T04:29:00.002-07:00

Girls' Generaiton divided into 3 this month for the release of their first sub-unit's mini album - Twinkle! The sub-unit group, comprised of members Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun, were given the odd yet appropriate name Taetiseo. Their group name may not be a word that rolls off the tongue, but what about the music? I review Taetiseo's first mini album Twinkle after the break and see if the album lived up to expectations....

Click "read more" to view my track-by-track review of Taetiseo's Twinkle mini album:

1. Twinkle
I had first expected this sub-unit group to be a ballad group - à la Super Junior K.R.Y (a ballad sub-unit group comprised of the band's most gifted vocalists). Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun are some of Girls' Generation's finest vocalists and I assumed we'd be getting a powerful ballad for their first single. I was most definately wrong - for, Twinkle is a sassy uptempo number with soulful elements thrown in for good measure. Reminiscent of Lady Marmalade, Twinkle features lots of fantastic adlibs which show off the 3 girls' splendid vocals and their personalities. Tiffany purrs throughout the whole track, giving Twinkle an authenic American soul feel, and Taeyeon (who is known for her 5* vocals) wows the listener with her powerful vocal performance that rivals the likes of Christina Aguilera. Truthfully, had it not been for the 3 girls' vocals, the song just wouldn't be exciting at all. Musically, the song is not overly daring - it has a retro 60/70s flavour - but with the Taetiseo's vocals layered throughout, it's a really exciting listen.

2. Baby Steps
Baby Steps is quite simply the polar opposite to Twinkle - yet it's another song which displays the 3 girls' wonderful vocals. A simple R&B ballad, built on strong beats and led by a piano, the song seems rather basic on the first listen. But as soon as the chorus kicks in, the listener is in for a real treat. Although the verses are a little weak, I find the chorus completely compelling and very catchy. Musically, just like Twinkle, the song is very basic in it's production. However, Taetiseo's vocals convey so much emotion that the song has a real sad atmosphere to it. Simple lines, such as "won't somebody help me", are heartwrenching and make this song a beautiful yet emotional listen.

3. OMG (Oh My God)
After a R&B ballad intermission, the jazzy and swingy sound of Twinkle returns! OMG is in a similar vein to Twinkle, yet is not as strong in my opinion. The chorus of OMG is very uplifting and catchy and is backed up with trumpets and tubas - giving this retro song a real authentic feel. However, even though the girls' vocals are as strong as ever, this song just doesn't match the top quality tracks of Twinkle and Baby Steps. OMG still remains a fantastic addition to this mini album, however, as it contributes to Taetiseo's convincing retro image.

4. Library
Library is the first track on Twinkle that sounds like a genuine Girls' Generation track. Whereas Twinkle, Baby Steps and OMG explored a sound that would not usually fit Girls' Generation's style, Library definately wouldn't sound out of place on previous Girls' Generation mini albums of albums. This is not a fan thing at all - I think Library is very strong track and one of the highlights on Twinkle for me. I feel that the production - whilst sounding completely retro and classic - is still very fresh and the chorus for Library is incredibley catchy.

5. 안녕 (Good-bye, Hello)
Once again, Taetiseo explore the soulful and retro sound with 안녕 (Good-bye, Hello). For me, although it's not as good as Twinkle, this is by far the most authentic sounding song on the album - something that would not sound out of place on the radio from the 1960s! A cute piano, simply and soft drumbeats and endearing vocals - this is a heavenly sounding song that is reminiscent of The Supremes or other bands of a similar sound. This song is very simple and doesn't rely on any gimmicks - and this gives 안녕 (Good-bye, Hello) a classsy element to it.

6. 처음이었죠 (Love Sick)
처음이었죠 (Love Sick) is the second and only ballad on the album and, like Baby Steps, explores a more contemporary R&B sound. This is a song that I could imagine U.S R&B singer Monica releasing. Vocally, it's another stellar performance from the 3 ladies - but apart from the wonderful vocals, the song doesn't evoke much emotion in me. In my opinion, it's nothing more than a 'nice' listen. A good addition? Absolutely. It fits well with the 6 songs and ensures that the album sounds cohesive - but this isn't a track that makes me want to press the repeat button over and over.

7. 체크메이트 (Checkmate)
Twinkle goes out with a bang with the final track - Checkmate. Aside from Baby Steps, this mini album has yet to explore a darker sound - and I guess that Checkmate is the darkest moment of the album. It has a feisty and powerful sound - a cool guitar, strings that build up to the chorus and crashing drums - that makes this song sound like something from a 70s action movie/series. Although not my favourite song, Checkmate adds a different element to the album - which has so far explored the more cute and sassy sides of 60s/70s music (as seen in Twinkle, Library and Good-bye Hello).

All in all, I am so impressed with Twinkle. Taetiseo really shocked me - they didn't produce a boring and typical ballad album, but rather a 7-track mini album that is well though out and cohesive. Essentially, Twinkle is a glamarous retro R&B album - featuring soaring and soulful vocals from Taeyeon, Tiffany and Taeyeon - and there are thankfully no random additions to the album.
Orange Caramel may be the most recognised sub-unit group in the K-Pop scene but if Taetiseo continue with this unique concept, Orange Caramel could be in trouble. Raina, Lizzy and Nana may have to dust off their wigs and prepare for an explosive comeback to regain their sub-unit crown that Taetiseo are very close to stealing...

REVIEW: B.A.P - POWER

2012-05-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

B.A.P made a huge splash at the beginning of 2012 with their explosive song WARRIOR. And after a short break, they've returned with another hardcore and edgy track - POWER. But does it live up it's mighty predecessor? Let's find out!

Click the "read more" link to read my track-by-track review of B.A.P's new single POWER...

1. Fight For Freedom
Fight For Freedom serves as the intro for this single - and at 1minute 26seconds long, it's far too short to warrant an in depth evaluation. But for a short introduction, it's pretty good. It has a pretty interesting industrial sound - guitars, drums, sound effects and the gritty vocals of the members. So all in all, a reasonably good kick-off to their latest release.

2. POWER
Edgy, in-your-face, grimey, rocky, feautring whistles, claims of being powerful - doesn't this sound like a familiar description? Quite simply, POWER is just a re-hash of their previous single WARRIOR. I hate to say it, but POWER is a little bit dissapointing for me. B.A.P's debut was so explosive and a debut single with the force of WARRIOR had never been seen before in K-Pop - seeing their first ever music video was truly a WOW moment for me. I questioned: who are these guys? where have they come from? But with POWER, we've just been fed the same formula. I'm not claiming that POWER is a bad song - not by any means - but this song has really made me doubt the authenticity of this group. I thought that B.A.P would - somehow - be the band who would continue to break the mould and lash out against the 'standard' K-Pop formula. But, it seems not - their concept is arguably as 'forced' and 'contrived' as every other band. I do enjoy POWER alot - the song is indeed very powerful and it's music video is truly spectacular - but I'd be surprised if anyone disagreed that this song isn't just a simple re-hash of WARRIOR.

3. What The Hell
Now, after my somewhat scathing review of POWER, who'd expect me to be so in praise of one of their random album tracks? Well, I am definately giving all my praise to What The Hell which I claim to be B.A.P's best song to date. Although this song wouldn't have existed with it's obvious Linkin Park references, I still think it's a completely refreshing song and something that I haven't heard in K-Pop before. It's not just a pop song with some rock elements - it's actually a pretty convincing rock song and is completely authentic (which is a quality that I believe POWER completely lacks). Outside of K-Pop, I enjoy many styles of music and that includes Linkin Park-esque bands. Therefore, this song gets a massive thumbs up from me.

4. 전부 거짓말
With 전부 거짓말, I'm beginning to doubt B.A.P's identity even more. Sure, being versatile is a trait that I applaud, but this is just a dull R&B ballad tagged onto the end of this single. It completely contrasts with the other 3 preceding tracks and whilst it does show off the vocalists of B.A.P's talents, it doesn't evoke any passion in me at all. Heart-wrenching? Sure. Enjoyable? Somewhat. Random? Completely.

All in all, this single has split me completely. It may have their best song to date - What The Hell - but overall, the single shows no signs of progression or true artistry. I thought B.A.P were the freshest and edgiest band around during their debut - but now it just seems a little contrived.

REVIEW: U-KISS - 도라도라 (DORADORA) (6th Mini Album)

2012-04-27T03:32:00.004-07:00

My latest review is for 7 member group U-KISS' sixth mini album - 도라도라 (DORADORA). Released a couple of days ago, I've had enough time to listen to it and give you all my review. So without further-a-do...

Click "read more" to read my track-by-track review of U-KISS' DORADORA:

1. 도라도라 (DORADORA)

After their recent stint in Japan and their long hiatus from the Korean music scene, I was definately anticipating their new title song - and it did not dissapoint in the slightest. Even though the song title raised an eyebrow - Dora the Explorer anyone? - as soon as I heard the track, I knew U-KISS were onto a winner. It's definately a departure from their recent output - 2011's dance hit Neverland and their high-voltage Japanese music (Tick Tick, Forbidden Love for example). Whilst it's not as electronic-sounding or fast-paced as their previous material, it doesn't matter at all - because DORADORA shines due to it's ecclectic sound. Combiding guitars, dance beats, catchy hooks and a dubstep breakdown, DORADORA ticks many boxes of what is hot at the moment. But that's not to say that it's generic - I actually find it very unique. The best part of the song is of course the catchy hook - doradoradoradora-ga-dora.

2. 4U (For You)

Whilst DORADORA is a departure from U-KISS' recent output, 4U is the complete opposite - it's a fun and summery dance track. 4U is very current - it wouldn't sound of place on the U.S radio, and almost has elements of recent Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj hits. Honestly, I find this a bit of a dissapointment after the awesome DORADORA but I still think it's a strong track nonetheless. I just find it very 'standard'. It's a sound we hear all the time and if it was on British or American radio, it'd be one of those songs that you'd tire of due to over-play and over-exposure.

3. 사랑이 멈출 때

After the fun, upbeat sound of 4U, U-KISS slow things down with 사랑이 멈출 때. Just like 4U, I find 사랑이 멈출 때 very 'standard' sounding. It's a typical boyband ballad that doesn't break out of the box nor does it evoke any new emotions in me. That said, however, I still find myself listening to this song quite a lot. It may have better suited Super Junior but this song does serve a great purpose for U-KISS - we get to hear their vocals on full display. Songs like this - as generic as they may be - are useful to hear individual member's vocals. And for almost lifting this song out of it's generic state into something I actually quite enjoy, U-KISS get a big tick from me.

4. AMAZING

AMAZING is a return to the uptempos and it definately has a similar vibe to 4U - although this is much superior. Whereas 4U sounds completely americanised, AMAZING has it's sound firmly rooted in the K-Pop scene. With sprinkles of English (which actually sound authentic due to their 2 American members, Kevin and Eli), this song has become really fun, anthemic and enjoyable. Sure, it's not ground-breaking and it doesn't have 'hit' written all over it, but it's a track that I keep returning to and hitting that play button.

5. TICK TOCK (OUT OF TIME)

For those unfamiliar with U-KISS' Japanese activities, this was actually U-KISS' first official single in Japan. And this is actually the song which cemented my love for this band! For this Korean mini album, the lyrics have been translated and extra English has been injected into the song - making this into a club banger, rather than the heart-wrenching Japanese original. Because I've been listening to the Japanese version for so long now, my judgement may indeed be clouded. But for me, the Japanese version is far superior and doesn't sound as awkward as this Korean remake. The English additions sometimes fall a bit flat and consequently, I think I'll be sticking to the original version from now on.

All in all, U-KISS have both delivered and un-delivered in my opinion. Whilst I think DORADORA is an incredible track and a fantastic comeback single, the other new tracks don't excite me as much. The token ballad is definately enjoyable - and I really enjoy AMAZING - but overall, the mini album lacks a cohesiveness and, as a consequence, has no real musical identity that U-KISS seem to have strived for since their debut.

Introducing.... the first ever SNSD Sub-Unit: Taetiseo!

2012-04-25T04:41:00.002-07:00

Girls' Generation fans - such as myself - were treated this morning to the first ever video teaser for the upcoming Taetiseo project. Taetiseo? Quite simply, that stands for Taeyeon - Tiffany - and Seohyun. Yes, one third of Girls' Generation have formed a sub-unit group and will be releasing their first single Twinkle before the end of the month. This is really exciting news because Girls' Generation have never produced a sub-unit group before - unlike their brother-band Super Junior, who have graced us with Super Junior-M, Super Junior Happy, Super Junior-T and the recent Donghae/Eunhyuk sub-unit.

The teaser - as glitzy and glamarous as it is - has raised a few questions. Why have Taetiseo gone down this route? Why are Girls' Generation only NOW introducing their first sub-unit group?

As the Queens of K-Pop, I personally don't understand why GG has decided that now is the right time to release a sub-unit. Currently, they're stronger than ever - and not only in Korea, they're doing amazing in Japan and have recently had high-profile TV spots in the U.S. For these 9 lovely ladies, their sun couldn't be shining any more. I am always happy to embrace new GG music - that's a no-brainer - but this has definately come as a surprise to me. I don't think forming a sub-unit is a reaction to After School's successful Orange Caramel sub-unit, nor Rainbow's recent sub-unit Rainbow Pixie. Instead, it just seems to be schedule-filler for Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun.

Aditionally, although the teaser isn't even 20 seconds long, we can already judge what kind of song this will be - fun, glitzy and perhaps somewhat of a throwaway party track. That's fine - I listen to songs like that on a regular basis - but it's not what I expected when Taetiseo was first announced. With Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun being announced as the 3 members of the group, I was expecting either a ballad group or a song which featured each memeber's powerhouse vocals. I have no doubt that this song will show off the 3 ladies' incredible vocals but I think I'd rather have heard their vocals laced on a deep, meaningful and emotional track - rather than this seemingly light and fun song.

I am still very excited to hear what the full song will sound like - and I have no doubt that I'll love it (I'm a big GG fan!) - but this just wasn't what I expected. I'll be writing another review when the full song and mini-album is released - and hopefully, I'll be completely blown away!

NEW MUSIC: Sunny Hill - Princess and Prince Charming(백마는 오고 있는가)

2012-04-21T04:51:00.003-07:00

After concluding their promotions for previous single The Grasshopper Song and the band's only male member leaving to begin his military service, Sunny Hill have made their return to the music scene this week. Their new digital single Princess and Prince Charming(백마는 오고 있는가) was released on Thursday and is very Sunny Hill. Whether or not that is a good thing is undecided.

This song (and it's music video) ooze Sunny Hill's individual charms and their quirky style. Although beginning as a ballad group, the group reinvented themselves last year with the addition of a couple new members and transformed into a very alternative yet contemporary pop group. This change of style paid off. They became an exciting group and their songs - Midnight Circus and Pray - became decent sized hits and cemented Sunny Hill's name in the K-Pop industry. Fast forward to 2012, and they've released The Grasshopper Song and Princess and Prince Charming. Now, I really do like these songs. They have fantastic music videos - full of great imagery and symbolism - and the songs themselves are upbeat, fun and definately different to what is out there at the moment. That said, however, I feel it's becoming a little samey. Their concept may be unique but their songs are no longer individual. Since Midnight Circus, I've found all their tracks very similar - they've released around 8 tracks (on their mini albums, singles etc.) and each song is a very similar to one another. Sure, Sunny Hill differ completely to the hundreads of other K-Pop groups around, but their material doesn't differ from one song to the next.

Princess and Prince Charming may indeed be a charming song, but it doesn't show any growth - nor does it differ from their previous single or mini album. To me, I'd love to see Sunny Hill switch things up yet again. We've seen them transform once - why not do it again? I'd surely welcome a new direction at this point.

REVIEW: Girl's Day - Everyday II

2012-04-18T06:38:00.004-07:00

Everyone's favourite cute and bubbly girl group are officially back! I've been awaiting the comeback of Girl's Day since last Summer, when I first became addicted to their monster-hit 반짝반짝 (Twinkle Twinkle), which went on to become one of the 2011's biggest songs. And yesterday, they released their long-awaited new mini album and new music video for Oh! My God. Today, I'll be reviewing their mini album...

So, click the "read more" link below to read my track-by-track review of Girl's Day's Everyday II mini album:

1. 둘이서 (Two Of Us)
Well, things couldn't be more of a shock when you first play Everyday II. Girl's Day are quite simply known for their fast-paced, electronic-driven and insanely-cute songs - that's their style, it always has been. But when 둘이서 came on, I was very pleasantly surprised. 둘이서 is a beautiful Spring-time ballad - with light drums and a gentle acoustic guitar - and showcases the girls' vocals (which are actually very strong). Although this song doesn't fall too far from their cute image, it's a definately side of them that we have never seen before. Beginning the mini album with this Girls' Generaiton-esque ballad is a bold move - but it totally pays off.

2. Oh! My God
After the sweet surprise of 둘이서, in comes Oh! My God which is the polar opposite. Right from the get-go, the listener knows that they're in for a high-voltage electronic track with high-pitched vocals. Although the sound of the song is very similar to their early material, I can definately see how Girl's Day have matured in their 8 months off the scene. Is the song still ridiculously cute? Yes. Is it over-the-top and high-pitched? Yes. Is it a development from their older sound? Yes. For me, Oh! My God is just the next step for Girl's Day - and it was the right step to take. They haven't alienated their old fans of Twinkle Twinkle nor have they completely changed their style to attract new fans. Oh! My God is the right mixture of cute and sexy to hopefully please as many people as possible.

3. 너, 한눈 팔지마! (Don't Flirt!)
This was originally a digital single from last year and the follow-up to Twinkle Twinkle. This was never really pushed as a single - it had a DIY music video and was never promoted on the music shows. So, for many, 너, 한눈 팔지마! could well be a brand new song. But for me, I've been addicted to this song for many months now. The track is literally an explosion of synth sounds and electronic dance beats - and it is impossible to ignore this track. It may be a bit hard to listen to at first - it's very loud and could easily cause headaches - but it's also highly addictive. I am over the moon that it's been featured on their second mini album.

4. 텔레파시 (Telepathy)
Telepathy begins with arcade sound - pinball machine beeping etc. - before breaking out into a fun little song, complete with catchy oh-oh-ohs! Althought this track is very cohesive with their other material, I wouldn't say that this song was a typical Girl's Day song. In fact, I believe it could've been sung by various other K-Pop girl groups. But regardless of that, it's a very strong song and adds a little bit of variety to Everyday II - and thus, this mini album becomes a lot more varied than their first mini album - Everyday. Additionally, the fact that it was written by member Yura illustrates the true skills of these girls - and I hope to see more composing from the members in their future releases.

Overall, this mini album is quite simply very short and very sweet. Although it doesn't boast a large tracklist, the mini album is a fantastic listen from start to finish - and explores the various sides of Girl's Day, which we hadn't seen up to this point. Tracks like Don't Flirt and Telepathy are what we've come to expect from the girls but with Oh! My God and Two Of Us, we can notice their improvement and maturity.

Next stop for Girl's Day - a full length album!

4minute VS SISTAR - The Results?

2012-04-16T10:51:00.004-07:00

Almost two weeks ago now, I reported on the impending comebacks of both 4minute and SISTAR. And last week, both girl groups released their long awaited mini albums and returned to the Korean music shows to promote their latest tracks. Admittedly, I couldn't come to a conclusion on which group would reign victorious - and, a week after the release of the albums, I'm still torn.

For me - musically - the winner was 4minute. Their mini album - especially their current single Volume Up - was truly a triumph and I've been listening to it non-stop for the past week. (For my full review of their mini album, click here!) SISTAR, on the other hand, released a mini album that was sub-standard for me. For the reasons why I was a little dissapointed in their comeback, you can read my full review of their Alone mini album here.

So 4minute triumphed on the music front - but which group saw the most success after their first week on sale? Well, although it wasn't a runaway victory, it seems that SISTAR's Alone proved to be the most popular track according to the Korean public. Instiz - which compiles various Korean charts - revealed the following data:

SISTAR - ALONE - 21,707 POINTS

4MINUTE - VOLUME UP - 15,680 POINTS

Even though only 1 week has passed, can we declare SISTAR the winner ?!

REVIEW: SISTAR - Alone

2012-04-15T06:59:00.003-07:00

SISTAR are back with their 5th release and their first ever mini album - Alone. As the follow-up to 2011's massive hit SO COOL, a lot was riding on Alone. But has it delivered? SISTAR have definately evolved as a group and their style is a lot different from their previous releases - but is this change for the better?

For my track-by-track review of SISTAR's first mini album ALONE.... click the "read more" link below!

1. Come Closer
Just like their other releases, this album begins with an introduction. Just under 1 minute long, Come Closer doesn't really add any value to the album at all. As I discussed in my review for 4minute's Volume Up, sometimes an introduction really sets an album up well. But Come Closer is a little weak and, for me, it has no purpose at all.

2. 나혼자 (Alone)
나혼자 (Alone) is SISTAR's title track and it's a song that completely differs from their previous releases. Although I completely welcome change and I love to see my favourite groups evolve and change over the years, I feel like this is too big of a departure for SISTAR and it doesn't quite work. For me, this song would've worked brilliantly for miss A who demonstrated with their Touch mini album that they can tackle this style. But for SISTAR, I feel like it's an odd direction for them to go in. They're known for their huge dance songs (SO COOL, Push Push, How Dare You) and this song doesn't fit with their previous hits. But regardless of whether the song actually fits with SISTAR's style, it is still a great song. It's highly addictive (the chorus is very catchy) and the whole vibe of the song is very sophisticated and classy. The piano and the drumbeat really make this song unique in the dance heavy world of K-Pop. Additionally, the music video was a great watch too. But, again, they've let me down. I found the choreography for Alone completely unexciting and overall, I've found watching their live performances a little boring.

3. No Mercy
Although Alone may not have been typical for SISTAR, No Mercy definately has their own stamp on it. This is a good uptempo song that wouldn't have sounded out of place on their SO COOL album. I really love the funky guitar which is throughout the song - and surprisingly, it totally fits with the dance beat. This track may not blow me away or make me want to get up and dance, it's still a great addition. The middle section of the song - which features Bora's rap - is the highlight of the whole song for me.

4. Lead Me
Lead Me is my favourite track on the whole mini album. It may not be the most ground-breaking track around, but it's a fantastic R&B ballad which shows off the strengths of each member. Hyorin takes the chorus and sounds fantastic, Soyou and Dasom deliver some really strong verses and Bora's raps give this standard R&B track the edge that it needs. It may sound like a R&B track from an American singer but it totally fits SISTAR's modern and contemporary style.

5. Girls On Top
Girls On Top is arguably the biggest 'pop' track of the album and consequently, it doesn't quite fit with SISTAR's "cool" image. This could've been sung by any other K-Pop act around but it's still a good song nonetheless, I must say. This is my least favourite song on the album because I have a feeling that's it's just "there" for the sake of it - album filler, if you will. But hey, it's a fun pop song and it's as inoffesnive as candy floss - sugary and sweet, but a bit underwhelming.

6. 널 사랑하겠어 (I Choose To Love You)
Back to the ballads and 널 사랑하겠어 (I Choose To Love You) is the last track on Alone. This is a really strong song and reinforces that SISTAR can tackle R&B ballads with ease. Just like Lead Me, I Choose To Love You is a wonderfully simple R&B ballad - but it totally works. There is no autotune or electronic trickery on this song - and once again, the vocals of SISTAR shine here. We all know that Soyou and Hyorin (especially) can be great powerhouse vocalists if required. But I Choose To Love You is a very soft song and the girls do not oversing it at all - just the right amount of vocal power is used. A great end to a somewhat mediocre mini album.

Truth be told, I was a little dissapointed in SISTAR's return. Ever since their debut, they've continued to release big uptempo songs with exciting choreography and fun videos. And although Alone can be seen as an evolution of SISTAR (which is good - I don't want any band to rehash old material and never grow as a group or change style), I just feel that this comeback was just a little lacklustre. The uptempos on Alone quite simply do not hold a candle to their previous songs. Nevertheless, their ballads are truly fantastic and therefore this mini album still has its moments of brilliance. As for the title song - I really like it - but maybe it just doesn't fit with SISTAR's style?

Tell me what you think - do you agree with me or are you totally won over for SISTAR's change in style? I'd love to read and respond to your comments!

REVIEW: 4minute - Volume Up

2012-04-12T15:52:00.001-07:00

4minute are officially back! After a year long break and a series of delays and push backs, their newest mini album Volume Up was unleashed to the public this week. But, was it worth the wait?

Check out my track-by-track review of Volume Up after the break:
1. Get on the Floor
Just like 4minute's 3 other albums, this album begins with an intro. Although some intros on albums are quite redundant, I've always thought that 4minute's intros have been rather strong and introduce the album well. Get on the Floor is no different. Right from the beginning you realise that 4minute are truly back with their unique dance style and they command the listener to get on the floor. Although it's a nice intro, I'm glad it's not a full song - I don't think the track has enough 'oomph' to warrant being a 3-4 minute long song.

2. Volume Up
Alot was riding on Volume Up - it was their first single after quite a long hiatus and the song had to deliver. But did it? The answer is quite simply a big YES. Volume Up is everything we've come to expect so far from 4minute - but taken to the next level. Their singles thus far have all been very cohesive in their sound - loud, fierce, electronic - and Volume Up fits right in with the 4minute mould. But this time, I feel like they've cranked the accelerator even more and created a track that is just as explosive as previous single Mirror Mirror. The song is very dance heavy and relies on an electronic sound - however, with the addition of the saxaphone, I find Volume Up to be very grown-up and not your run-of-the-mill dance song. The chorus is very powerful and HyunA's fierce raps build up to the explosive hook perfectly. This song is truly a decleration of 4minute's power.

3. I'm OK
I'm OK is a grand departure after the thumping Volume Up. The pace is slower and you could perhaps define I'm OK as a ballad. But in true 4minute style, this 'ballad' isn't soppy at all. I think it's really refreshing hearing 4minute tackle songs like that - a sweet and soft song with an acoustic guitar sound. These girls are not known for their ballads - although GaYoon and JiYoon are known for being powerful vocalists - but they sound totally comfortable tackling this softer sound. I would love to see this song being promoted on the music shows as it would really show a different side to the usually feisty 4minute.

4. Say My Name
Say My Name is a return to the uptempo tracks and I have to say, this is one of my favourite tracks on Volume Up. The beat is really strong and the song introduces a sound which could be described as Bhangra - lots of percussion and the use of a sitar. Production-wise, I feel like that this song could've been given an extra push - I feel like the percussion could be stronger and the sitar sound should be more prominent. It's a really individual song and reminded me of a couple tracks from their second mini album HuH.

5. Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale quite simply reminds me of a Western pop song - something that Rihanna or Beyoncé could've taken on. In fact, it does remind me a lot of Beyoncé's Run The World (Girls). The elements of the song that I find most striking are of course the military style beat which is really addictive and HyunA's rap in the middle. Despite all the criticism HyunA sometimes recieves, I do rate her rapping skills quite high - especially on tracks like this. Definately a song that wouldn't sound out of place in a club.

6. Dream Racer
Dream Racer was written and produced by the KOXX and is definately a departure from the fiercer tracks such as Say My Name and Femme Fatale. Although still very edgy, this song embraces 4minute's sweeter side for me. The production definately has an 80s feel but still manages to sound completely free. The song is really free and easy - lots of cheering and yeah sounds - and for me, it's a song that I'd like to play in the summer with my windows rolled down in my car! It's really fun and another highlight of the mini album.

7. Black Cat
This is by far my least favourite track because I feel it doesn't do anything for 4minute. It doesn't sound out of place on this album and it fits with their darker concept for this album, but overall - it's not addictive or innovative at all. Although the verses are quite interesting (they almost have a old-school swing style to them) the song overall lacks the magic of the rest of the tracks. If this song had a swing or 50s style to it - using real instruments - I feel like Black Cat could've been a real treat.

Overall, Volume Up was definately worth the wait. Although Black Cat didn't ignite much excitement in me, the other 6 tracks are addictive and not only show 4minute's unique style but also their growth as a group.

REVIEW: EXO-K - MAMA

2012-04-07T11:42:00.001-07:00

Having being teased for the past 100 days - yes, it was 100 days of teasing - April 7th finally saw the release of SM Entertainment's latest creation - EXO. EXO are a 12 member boyband technically but have split in half - 6 members have become EXO-K and will promote in Korea and the other 6 members are part of EXO-M who will be promoting in China. Because I'm a K-Pop lover and am currently learning Korean, this review will focus on EXO-K's version of their debut single MAMA.

Firstly, I have to be honest - I had completely lost interest in this whole project. I felt that we were overloaded with teasers and the hype was so over-the-top that I actually lost interest in them quickly. However, the first time that I heard MAMA and saw the music video - I was utterly blown away. From the cinematic introduction, explaining how EXO came to be, to the Iluminati-esque robes - I knew that this was not your standard run-of-the-mill music video. The music video seems to give each member a certain power of symbol - and each member can manipulate water, fire or other elements. This immediately gave the MAMA music video a unique and epic atmosphere because instead of seeing EXO-K as K-Pop Idols, they seem to be supernatural and out-of-this-world creatures. Also, the amount of special effects and the elaborate set design really shows how much SM has invested in this group. Indeed, this video is very slick and well produced - and combined with the superb choreography, the MAMA video truly is a winner and easily one of the best music videos of 2012 so far.

As for the song, it's just as unique and epic as it's music video. The strings and vocals at the beginning definately give this song a vibe that I can only describe as apocalyptic ...! I wouldn't say this song was the most radio friendly and I definately believe that MAMA will divide a few opinions - it's very brave for a debut single. However, for me, I think it's incredible. My favourite part of the song is undoubtedly the breakdown - the clashing drums, the heavy-metal guitar and the rap which wouldn't sound out of place on a heavy-metal song.

For a debut, this is flawless. But the only problem that comes with debuting with a music video like this? The follow-up. EXO may have lived up to the 100 day hype, but living up to this near-perfect music video may be even trickier.

April Showdown: 4minute VS SISTAR

2012-04-01T05:48:00.001-07:00

It's recently been confirmed that both 4minute and SISTAR will be making their 2012 comebacks in the second week of April. As today is April 1st and we'll no doubt be hearing their comeback singles within the next 2 weeks, I wanted to write about who I think will be victorious in this epic girl group showdown.

4minute - The + Points
4minute could end up having the most successful comeback because of the anticipation factor. They've been in the game longer than SISTAR and have arguably built up a bigger fanbase throughout the years. It's been a year since their last output (2011's 4minutes Left album) and their comeback has been pushed back from January, then February, to March and now it's already April. Their comeback is definately highly anticipated but have they waited too long to come back?
Secondly, since their last album, HyunA has become this massive star. She always was the focal point of 4minute, but with her viral hit Bubble Pop!, her Trouble Maker smash hit from last December and her fashion label, she's never not been mentioned on the K-Pop blogs and has promoted throughout the whole year. Because she's such a big star now, 4minute will no doubt garner even more attention - putting their comeback directly in the spotlight.

SISTAR - The + Points
SISTAR could easily win the April comeback showdown, too. Their 2011 was so successful for them - their song SO COOL was one of the biggest tracks of last year. In fact, SO COOL sold more digital copies than 4minute's Mirror Mirror track, according to the Gaon charts. But, it seems like SISTAR doesn't have as much of a following like 4minute. They only really brokethrough with their SO COOL promotions and their record label isn't as successful as 4minute's Cube Entertainment, which could mean less promotion for SISTAR.
But, their profile has been raised recently with Hyorin's role in Dream High 2. Hyorin is known for being one of the best singers in K-Pop and having weekly exposure on TV has definately boosted SISTAR's profile.

And the winner is...?
Truthfully, I couldn't reach a clear cut decision. Both groups have enough plus points to warrant a successful comeback - yet, there are certain reasons why one group could win over the other. 4minute may have been around longer and they do have superstar HyunA in their group, but because they've been on hiatus for so long - have people forgotten about them? Are they just HyunA and the other 4 girls now? SISTAR may seem like the underdogs having had their breakthrough in 2011, but they had two hits last year - SO COOL and Ma Boy - so they could easily take the top spot.

Personally, I think it quite simply depends on the song. Both groups seem to be on an equal footing as of April 1st, but when the music video, album teasers and the the eventual single is released - I think we'll truly be able to crown the champion of this battle.

REVIEW: After School - Virgin

2012-03-31T04:27:00.001-07:00

As I'm struggling to find new albums/mini-albums to review, I thought I'd review another one of my favourite albums from 2011. I'll be reviewing After School's first full length album Virgin and hopefully explain what it is about this album that I love so much.

So, for my full track-by-track album review, click on the "Read More" link now!

1. Let's Step Up!
The album begins with the fierce intro Let's Step Up!, which was also part of their promotions for their comeback single Shampoo. If you know After School, then you'll know their intro Let's Do It! from their 3rd single - Bang! (which is very similar!) After School are probably the best dancers in K-Pop (although they do have a few weak links) and their choreography is always fantastic. And Let's Step Up! really shows their talented dance skills as this intro is basically a tap dancing fest! The intro has an urban flair, tap-dancing beats and raps from the girls - and for an intro, it's pretty awesome.

2. Shampoo
As soon as the fun intro is over, in comes Shampoo - the song that After School promoted the album with. Shampoo completely differs to Let's Step Up! It's a heart-wrenching dance ballad and really struck a chord with me. Shampoo was one of my favourite songs of 2011 - along with tracks from f(x), Girls' Generation and Super Junior - but why do I love it so much? I love it because I think it's the perfect pop song that combines so many different elements. Whilst being an uptempo song that you can dance too, it's also very ballad-like and has a sadness to it. Not only does it feature beautiful singing parts, there are lots of rapping parts to the song which give the song an added edge. Quite simply, I think Shampoo doesn't concentrate on one style of music - for pop, dance or R&B lovers, you're bound to find something you like in this song.

3. Virgin
This is the title track but unfortunately, Virgin was never promoted and - to my knowledge - has never been performed live. This song is very slick and well-produced and it's an upbeat song that we've come to expect from After School. Although it's not quite as good as Shampoo, I still think they could've released this as a subsequent single to be promoted on the music shows just to show an extra side to them. It's a great club song and a highlight on the album.

4. Bang!
Bang! is an old single from After School but it's such a classic and it just had to be included on their first full-length album. The song is so unique and their drummer concept had never been done before. What's more, the song is so addictive that it's impossible not to keep playing over and over. The drum beat is awesome - I love the military drum sound and the drum rolls throughout the song. Bekah's English rap is so cool and the breakdown of the track is superb - particuarly showing off Raina's powerful vocals. After the breakdown is over, the chorus explodes back into action and seems bigger than ever. Once again, After School proved that their choreography is second to none with the fantastic moves to the song!

5. Play Ur Love
The title may make little sense in English, but this song makes perfect sense as a R&B ballad - it's simple, led by a piano and has that standard R&B beat to it. Although not groundbreaking, the song is a sweet ballad and shows off the great vocal abilities of the members (some of them, anyway...). This is by no means their best ballad to date, but I think it's a good addition to the Virgin album nonetheless.

6. Dream
Unlike most other girl groups who begin with a cute concept, After School have always been grown-up, sophisticated, fierce and rather daring with their choreography and stage outfits. But Dream seems to be the first song which has gone down the 'cute route' - Dream Dream Beverley Hills.... It's all very cutesy and the use of the saxaphone is a little cheesey perhaps - but that's not much of a problem. I still think it's a fantastic song - it's really fun and bubbly and I played it alot during last summer's heat wave. But I can't help but think that this should've been on an Orange Caramel album, rather than an After School album.

7. 너 때문에 / Because Of You
너 때문에 is by far After School's biggest hit to date and has become their signature song it seems. And it's easy to see why. This song begins as a heart-wrenching ballad that features Kahi's wonderful vocals - and what's interesting is that Kahi (who is perhaps one of the most confident and self-assured ladies in K-Pop) sounds hurt and vulernable. However, After School - being the powerful group that they are - transform this ballad into a stomping R&B song. Kahi's vulernable singing turns into a strong and angsty rap and she tells the listener about the ways she's been hurt. The chorus is very anthemic and easy to sing along to (even for non-Korean speakers) and overall, I think the song is an emotional rollercoaster. Just like Shampoo, 너 때문에 combines rap and singing to dislay their raw emotions.

8. 시간에 기대어
시간에 기대어 is a bit of a shock after the raw and emotional 너 때문에 - this song is very relaxed and is the first solo track on the album. Raina - one of the main vocalists in After School - shows off her fantastic vocal skills here and proves that she could easiy be a solo singer. The track sounds very sweet and I like the softness of the beat and the acoustic guitar - and although it's not the most exciting moment on the album, it fits in well with the other tracks.

9. 잘 지내고 있죠
Admittedly, 잘 지내고 있죠 is the song that I listen to the least and is my least favourite song on Virgin. Although After School aren't known for their ballads, they've had a few throughout the years which are truly great. This, however, sounds like it was straight from the 90s and doesn't evoke any excitement in me whatsoever.

10. Funky Man
Funky Man is a welcome return to the uptempo tracks and this time it's a duet track between Lizzy and Nana. Although this song may just be a bit of fluff, it's a good listen and is totally fun. The chorus is really catchy but - just like Dream - this could've been an Orange Caramel track.

11. My Bell
Raina has had a solo, Nana and Lizzy have had a duet, and now it's Jungah's turn for a chance in the spotlight. Her solo track - My Bell - is another big ballad and although it does sound a little dated, it's a really solid song. Jungah (along with Kahi and Raina) is the best vocalist in the group and she can totally carry this ballad on her own.

12. When I Fall
When I Fall featued on their 2009 single Because Of You and but it's my favourite ballad on the whole album. It's been re-recorded just for the Virgin album, too. I think the chorus is really strong and unlike the previous ballads 잘 지내고 있죠 and My Bell, this song doesn't sound old-fashioned or straight from a 1990's Mariah Carey album. The song sounds fresh in 2009 and with it's 2011 revamp, and is a wonderful way to round off this strong and diverse album.

Virgin is a fantastic album because it's diverse and ecclectic - just like the member's of After School themselves. Virgin showcases their dance songs (Bang!, Virgin), their rap skills (Shampoo, 너 때문에) and their ability to tackle vocal-demanding ballads (When I Fall, Play Ur Love). Although there may be a touch too many ballads for my liking, I still find it difficult to really fault this album. For After School's next round of promotions, I'd love another full-length album with more hot uptempos and less dreary ballads, though!

REVIEW: Rainbow - Over The Rainbow

2012-03-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Despite debuting two and a half years ago, Rainbow are only now releasing their first full-length album - Over The Rainbow. Although they're a full-fleged Korean success, their first album is actually a Japanese release. Korean fans may still be waiting for their debut Korean album, but for now, this Japanese album will have to suffice. And, warning - do not let that cutesy, bright cover fool you - Rainbow are sophisticated and sultry women, and Over The Rainbow proves this.

For my full track-by-track review, click the link below to read more:

1. A
A is track of many firsts - it was Rainbow's 1st Japanese single, Rainbow's 1st breakthrough and bonafide hit in Korea and the 1st track of Over The Rainbow. And as far as album openers go, you can't beat A. The track begins immediately with it's funky beats and cool bass, and you instantly know that Rainbow has arrived. Despite sounding completely current and fresh, A also has a fun, retro vibe to it. This song is really refreshing because it doesn't rely on heavy techno beats and although it's unlikely that the song was produced entirely with live instrumentation, the track has a very organic and 'live' feel to it. This broke a record in Japan (highest charting debut single for a Korean act, later to be broken by T-ARA unfortunately) and earned them the prize of Hallyu Icon Award at the Golden Disc Awards. And very much deserved in my opinion, A is truly an enigma of a track.

2. Mach
Mach is Rainbow's second Japanese single and is completely different to A. Whereas A is fun, Mach is more serious and explores a darker concept. The song is full of engine-starting sound effects and soaring vocals and is a pretty unique track overall. I don't think this is their best song by any means, but it's great hearing Rainbow tackle grittier tracks like this. There is a really interesting male vocal that echoes in the background which adds a really interesting dynamic to the song and further contributes the song's uniqueness.

3. Gonna Gonna Go !
This is Rainbow's first ever original Japanese single - both A and Mach were originally Korean singles - and wow, this song blew me away! I was beyond impressed when I first heard Gonna Gonna Go and along with To Me (내게로..), it's probably my favourite ever Rainbow song. Although the girls' vocals are incredibly sweet and sugary on this song (and they reach some incredible high notes), the song is still really anthemic and doesn't go overboard on the 'sweetness'. It's also insanely catchy: I defy anyone not to be able get "I'm gonna go, gonna gonna go..." out of their heads! The music video was equally amazing - I really enjoyed the concept of breaking free from their 'offices'. The choreography of the track was also on-point (I think Rainbow have somet of the best synchronised choreography out of all the groups at the moment!)

4. Kiss! Kiss! Disco!
OK, the title initially put me off. Kiss! Kiss! Disco! sounded like the title for a kid's song, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it was, in fact, a rather cool and laid-back disco number. The song uses disco elements but doesn't turn into a cheesey, over-the-top disco dance number. Instead, the track is rather light and easy-going. However, the song has little substance - without Woori's amazing rapping skills, the song wouldn't have been as exciting.

5. Touch me, Feel me, Love me
Despite it's title, Touch me, Feel me, Love me is actually quite a nice ballad. If there's one thing we can say about Rainbow, it's that they have wonderful voices. So whenever they tackle a ballad (which is quite rare), it's always an enjoyable experience for the listener. This track is a little dreary in places (even for my taste) but for a 90s inspired, retro ballad - it totally does the trick. I love how this track could fit into Japanese albums from the 1990s but to be honest, the song does sound a little dated. Nevertheless, this song is a great addition and breaks up the uptempo-heavy album.

6. Alright
After a 4-minute breather, the dance tunes return with Alright. Although the song may begin as a ballad, the beat soon kicks in and you realise that you're in for a treat. The song builds up into a fantastic pure dance number and is the first electronic-inspired track on the album. This song would sound incredible in a club (with the added help of a remix, maybe). Out of all the original Japanese tracks, Alright is the track that would totally fit into Rainbow's Korean back catalogue - especially next to To Me (내게로..). Woori's rap yet again stills the show - her rapping skills are truly remarkable and she seems to possess the ability to push a song to the next level, and consequently - Alright has become personal highlight of the whole album for me.

7. Not Your Girl
Not Your Girl was a track on their first ever Korean mini album - way back in 2009. Because the song is almost 3 years old now, it doesn't have that slick and current sound as the other tracks do. It may not sound as fresh or as polished as the other tracks, but it's still a good song. The chorus of the song - all sung in English - is really catchy and although it's not as shiny and brand-new as the other tracks, I'm glad it was included.

8. Energy
Another brand new original Japanese track, this time it's Energy. The song is really catchy and fun but it's not one of the best new tracks. However, that said, I think Woori's amazing rap and the incredible dubstep breakdown totally breathe life in this song. The first half of the song may fall a little flat, but with the second half having Woori's rap, the hot breakdown and ad-libs in the last chorus, the song proves to be a worthy addition.

9. Hello
Along with Alright and Gonna Gonna Go !, Hello is the best brand new Japanese song. It may begin as a ballad, but it totally transforms into an anthemic monster of a song. This song manages to be really powerful without relying too much on heavy dance beats or electronic sound effects. For me, it is the girls' vocals that really make this a powerful song.

10. Gossip Girl
Exactly the same as Not Your Girl, Gossip Girl was featued on their debut Korean mini album back in 2009. It definately sounds a little dated next to the other songs, but I like this song much more than Not Your Girl. My only issue - an issue that I have with a lot of albums, it seems - is the odd track placement. Gossip Girl is the final track but it is a fantastic uptempo number. I like when an album ends on either a ballad or ends poignantly - not I wanna gossip,the sexy, the pretty, OK!

Despite its short tracklist and some additions from the past, Over The Rainbow still remains a fantastic pop album. Rainbow explore many different genres on this album - yet all under the umbrella of fun, pop music - and in turn, they've created an album that will no doubt garner them more success in Japan in the future. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - Woori is by far the star of this group and without her rapping, I think that Rainbow wouldn't be as exciting.

Now that we finally have a full-length Japanese album from Rainbow, I am now beyond excited for their first ever full-length Korean album - and I'm sure I won't be dissapointed!

REVIEW: f(x) - Pinocchio

2012-03-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

f(x)'s first album Pinocchio was by far my favourite album of 2011. Nearing it's first birthday, I've decided to write a review of it - celebrating all its glory!

Check out my track-by-track review of f(x)'s Pinocchio below:

1. Pinocchio (Danger)
One of the biggest hits in Korea in 2011, in the top 10 of most-downloaded tracks of 2011 and f(x)'s biggest hit to date, Pinocchio (Danger) was truly a phenomenon last year. This song, for me, it just 3 minutes and 12 seconds of gold. From start to end, this song completely grabs hold of me. It's so addictive and has become my most played song of all time. But why do I love it so much? Firstly, I think it's a really quirky and unique song (that completely fits with f(x)'s image). The beat and subtle strumming of the guitar is a great background to the girls' vocals. Secondly, I think the lyrics are also completely unique. Any song that can incorporate the words pastry and macaroon into a song is already a winner for me. Also, this song is beyond addictive. The chorus is so catchy that it just sticks with you and never leads your head. The dance moves that accompany the chorus are also very fun and different too.

2. 빙그르 (Sweet Witches)
The first time I ever heard 빙그르 (Sweet Witches) I was completely blown away. I had never heard a song like this before - especially from the K-Pop world. Simple piano chords, basic drum beat and somewhat retro feel to it - I completely fell in love with it. I think it has a very 'alternative' and quirky feel to it and I struggle to think of another band who could take on this song - reinforcing f(x)'s individual style. The lyrics - all about medicine, basically - are very interesting and cute - drink it drink it power up! The breakdown with Amber's spoken part in English is also a lovely touch to this magnificant song.

3. Dangerous
I personally think that Dangerous picks up where Pinocchio (Danger) finishes. It's got a similar punchy, psychadelic effects and a guitar riff too - but this song still manages to remain unique. This track definately has f(x)'s stamp on it too - and once again, I can't think of another band who could tackle this song. Luna's voice is especially powerful in this short but sweet song. I'm not entirely sure why, but I definately get James Bond vibes from this track - it definately has a dangerous spy atmosphere to it!

4. Beautiful Goodbye
The first ballad of the album and it's a bittersweet song. Although it's clearly a sad song, it's very beautiful and manages to be uplifting at the same time. It's a good R&B track but if I'm honest, this is one of the weaker moments on the Pinocchio album. I think there is something in the production that makes this song sound a bit dated and doesn't quite fit in with f(x)'s style. Nevertheless, after 3 loud and fun songs, Beautiful Goodbye is a great way to slow things down and show the more vulernable side to f(x).

5. Gangsta Boy
Whereas the first three uptempo tracks explored the more pop/electro side of K-Pop, Gangsta Boy is straight up R&B. Even though the term 'Gangsta Boy' isn't the most coolest of nicknames, the song is pretty slick and manages to stay genuinely 'cool' without being 'try-hard'. The production is very simple and laid-back and without a doubt, Amber's awesome rap steals the show here. She's a really commendable rapper and definately gets her moment to shine on this track. I think this song could've been lengthened a little but apart from that, it's a fun track and a welcomed return to the uptempo's after the sombre Beautiful Goodbye.

6. 아이 (Love)
아이 (Love) is a return to the similar sound of Pinocchio (Danger) and Dangerous, and yet the song still manages to sound new and fresh. The song is really carefree and summery despite it's harsh beats and synthy sound. I think this song would've sounded fantastic situated next to Dangerous in the tracklist. Once again, Luna gets the chance to show off her wonderful set of pipes - which I love to hear!

7. Stand Up!
I love Stand Up! It reminds me of a Super Junior track and I think that Stand Up! wouldn't have sounded out of place on SJ's Bonamana album. I like the funky beat and the acoustic guitar and despite the very minimalistic production, the song manages to be uplifting and joyous. Also, it's great hearing Amber's singing voice on this track which we do not hear enough of! Luckily, we get to hear that on some of the tracks too.

8. My Style
Personally, My Style is the weakest moment on Pinocchio. I think it lacks some direction as a track - there is often too much going on with the percussion, the vocals and the trumpet sounds. It's a very fun track and I often listen to it but it's one of the few tracks where we don't get to see f(x)'s unique style come through - which is pretty ironic for a track title My Style.

9. So Into U
Although Beautiful Goodbye is clearly meant to be the main ballad on the album, So Into U is by far my favourite ballad that f(x) has ever released. It's a beautiful R&B number where we get to hear each member shine vocally. I will the be first to admit that Sulli and Victoria do not posess the most powerful vocals in K-Pop, but on songs like this - they sound great. This song has a really warm feel to it and it makes me feel great everytime I listen to it.

10. Lollipop (Feat. SHINee)
Oddly, the album ends with an uptempo number - and a duet with SHINee no less! Although it's an strange choice to conclude the album with, Lollipop is an awesome track that is the perfect fit for both f(x) and SHINee. Although the harsh beats, the vocals of f(x) and SHINee sound great layered on top of them. This is such a fun and catchy song - but my only issue with this song is that it is the final track! It should be placed somewhere else in the tracklist - not randomly tacked onto the end!

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Despite the random order of songs, Pinocchio still manges to be near-perfect to me. I adore f(x)'s unique and quirky image and this reflects into their music. Most of the songs on here can only be sung by f(x) and in a world where there are hundreads of K-Pop girl groups vying for the #1 spot, individuality is key. And that's what f(x) has and as a band, they will no doubt continue to be themselves and dominate the K-Pop world in 2012, just as they did in 2011!

REVIEW: SHINee - Sherlock

2012-03-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

Sherlock is the fourth mini album from Korean supergroup SHINee. After a year and a half away from the Korean music scene, they returned this week with Sherlock - but does it live up to the hype and anticipation?

Click below to read my track-by-track review of SHINee's Sherlock:

1. Sherlock.셜록 (Clue+Note)
Opening track is their title track - Sherlock - and right from the start, the 5 members of SHINee waste no time and proclaim that they're back - Shinee's back, Shinee's back. Although beginning with soft strings, the songs explodes with hip-hop beats that are very reminiscent of early 90s R&B - a sound that doesn't seem too distant to what Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson were producing during that era. Jonghyun's voice is so strong laid upon the urban beats and after hearing it for the first time, I realised how much I missed his voice. I think the chorus is especially powerful yet simple - I'm so curious, yeah! It's very poppy and fun sounding (and even reminds me of the their OTT pop anthem Juliette), but with the hip-hop element to the song, the song remains very mature. Featuring lots of adlibs, the song is a vocal triumph and really displays the talents of the 4 vocalists. Alas, Minho's presence in the song adds little to the song - just a mere spoken rap which doesn't give the song any more charm that it already has.

2. Clue
Hold up, isn't this just Sherlock? That was my first reaction when hearing Clue. In fact, for those who have yet to hear the album, Sherlock is a mash-up of Clue and Note, which are the second and third track respectively. It's a really interesting concept and something I've never come across before. But even though the first three songs are all intertwined with one another, they all have distinct elements which make them stand out. For Clue, it's the straight-up 90s R&B element that shines in this song. Whereas Sherlock has the huge chorus, Clue is much more laidback and posseses that new jack swing sound that dominated Michael Jackson's Dangerous album.

3. Note
As soon as Clue ends, Note comes in straight away with a sort of fanfare at the beginning. Now, this song is pure pop - it doesn't have the 'cool' elements that Clue and Sherlock feature. But it's a really fun and catchy track and as ever, the I'm so curious yeah chorus is in full swing.

As Note finishes, so does the wonderful Sherlock trilogy.

4. 알람시계 (Alarm Clock)
The tone of the album shifts a little with Alarm Clock. After three punchy and upbeat tracks, Alarm Clock slows things down and recalls that 90s R&B sound that Clue also has. I really like the production in this one - the beat is really old school yet the song doesn't sound dated. Although the verses don't excite me that much, the chorus is pretty catchy and I think Key's voice really shines here. And I hate to say it yet again, but Minho's 'rap' is pretty redundant here. Whereas most rappers are needed in many groups to spice up some of the tracks, Minho isn't always needed. Actually, I feel like Key is actually a far better rapper but doesn't always get his chance to show it.

5. The Reason
Alarm Clock slowed the pace a little, but it's The Reason which is the album's first ballad. It's a classic SHINee R&B song and shows off the skills of the vocalists brilliantly. What I've always loved about SHINee is their ability to portray emotions in their songs - whereas Onew's voice always seems more restraint yet sincere, Jonghyun's vocals are just so heartwrenching and powerful. Although this may be my least favourite song on the album, it's still a great addition.

6. 낯선자 (Stranger)
Stranger is a return to the huge uptempo numbers and it is the first song that screamed SHINee to me. This song would not have sounded out of place on their Lucifer album. It has that electronic element to it, which Sherlock hadn't explored until this point, and would probably sound awesome in a club. There's lots of oh oh oh's and la la la's so there's no doubt about it's catchiness. I especially like the breakdown in the middle where Onew's voice sounds fantastic. And just after the breakdown, comes - surprisingly - a pretty decent rap section for Minho!

7. 늘 그자리에 (Honesty)
Wierdly, after the dance number (which featured alarms and all) comes Honestly, a beautiful acoustic ballad. This song has really impressed me. The four vocalists prove why they're some of the best singers in Korea on this song - and I can definately hear improvement in both Key and Taemin. I feel like I could listen to a whole album of Key if he continues to sing like this. Once again, their ability to convey emotions in their singing is found here. For a simple guitar ballad with lyrics that I only understand a fraction of, I find this song completely compelling. I won't mention Minho's presence, but I would go as far as saying that Honestly is practically perfect and a wonderful way to finish this very impressive mini album.

I've been anticipating SHINee's comeback for a very very long time and the big quesiton on everyone's lips was whether it could live up to expectations. And for me, the answer is a huge YES. I find the Sherlock trilogy completely unique and interesting, the ballads on the album a step up from their previous work and vocally, they've never sounded better.

SHINee - the case is solved - Sherlock is an amazing mini album.

REVIEW: B1A4 - IGNITION

2012-03-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

B1A4 were by far my favourite boyband to debut in 2011. Their songs OK and Beautiful Target were so fun and summery, and I found myself singing along to Beautiful Target 24/7. Now, March 2012, they are officially back! IGNITION is their first full-length album and they've opted for a more grown-up and darker image this time round.

If you want to read my thoughts and feelings about the new album, click the link below to read my full review of IGNITION:

1. BABY I'M SORRY
Album opener and the main single for IGNITION, BABY I'M SORRY is a complete 180 for B1A4. They made their name for their fun and poppy tracks, but this track is rather dark, edgy and has a dirty electronic sound to it. Baro sounds awesome rapping on the verses but my favourite part of the entire song is the anthemic chorus - which Sandeul and CNU sing perfectly. The chorus is really catchy and loud and although this isn't a rock song, it definately requires loud shouting and punching-in-the-air actions! Jinyoung's voice has a bit too much autotune in the breakdown for my liking, but I guess that effect just adds to the overall electro sound of the track. I give this an A+ as it's already one of the best songs of 2012 for me.

2. THIS TIME IS OVER
I already reviewed This Time Is Over here, and I still really like it! It's a great departure from the opening track and although it's still really emotional, it has a slower pace and doesn't have that electro flavour to it. This song has the perfect balance between rapping and singing and Sandeul sounds absolutely amazing on this track. I'd have loved a music video for this song.

3. SO FINE
Third track in and it's the third style of music that B1A4 have tackled on IGNITION. So Fine is a straight-up R&B track and of course, Baro sounds completely at home here. It's a very short song and I wouldn't say it was ground-breaking or unique in any shape or form. But it shows off B1A4's versatitlity and for a light, breezy and somewhat summery track, it totally works. Actually, it's a refreshing change after the darker and sadder tones that we heard in Baby I'm Sorry and This Time Is Over.

4. SUPER SONIC
Super Sonic recalls the electronic sound that Baby I'm Sorry gave us. The autotune on this track is totally required as it gives the song a really edgy and robotic sound to it. Yet again, it's another short track but it's still really good and further shows their new 'grown up' sound.

5. 둘만 있으면 (바로 Solo) (Feat. 민 of miss A)
둘만 있으면 is track #5 and is Baro's solo track. I say 'solo track' but it still features guest vocalist, Min of miss A. Baro is actually a fantastic rapper, I'm really impressed. Even though Min takes the choruses, I don't think she adds much to this song. Maybe the song would've been a little tedious with just Baro's rapping, but he still shines on this track. It's a pretty standard R&B track (the guy raps the verses, a girl sings on the chorus) but it's a good listen. Truthfully, I prefer when the 5 guys are alltogether on one track.

6. 웃어봐
웃어봐 is another style that B1A4 tackles! This is the first ballad of the album, you could say, and is totally 50s inspired - once again showing their versatality as a vocal group. It's not the most exciting track but it's nice to hear the guys sing a more soulful song.

7. FEELING
After two slower and not-so-exciting tracks, things pick up again with FEELING. The song has that 90s dance feel to it and the beginning of the track wouldn't sound out of place in a cool bar/lounge. It's definately got album track written all over it but it still makes a nice listen.

8. 짝사랑 (산들 Solo)
Sandeul's solo track is up next and I REALLY like it! He definately has the best voice of the entire group and totally carries this ballad on his own. Whereas I think the other guys would struggle on this vocal-demanding ballad, Sandeul completely owns it. It's a typical piano-led ballad but it's really emotional and makes a nice change to the rather upbeat album.

9. YOU ARE MY GIRL
Now this song sounds like it could've come from their first two mini albums! It's really cute, fast-paced and poppy and I really like it. The 'I need you faster' parts are really catchy and I think this song would've fit in perfectly on their last mini album - which also featured Beautiful Target. The beat is really fast and fun and after Sandeul's ballad, it's a return to the uptempo-ness of IGNITION.

10. WONDERFUL TONIGHT (UNPLUGGED REMIX)
This is an acoustic version of WONDERFUL TONIGHT from their last mini album. Although this song rounds off the album nicely and shows their vocals off, it doesn't compare with the original track. The original track was a highlight of the past mini album and had a really cool vibe to it. But this guitar-led unplugged remix doesn't do it for me, sadly. After this track, the album finishes with the instrumental of BABY I'M SORRY, which just reminds me how much I love that song!

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IGNITION is definately the perfect album title for this album. The album is a short listen but for the most part, it's fast-paced, exciting and makes you want to get up! Therefore, IGNITION couldn't be a better title. The IGNITION may lose steam in the middle, but it's still a roaring listen. For their first album, I am mightily impressed. They didn't let me down and I personally think that this'll be the group who'll be going from strength to strength in 2012.

REVIEW: Nu'Est - FACE

2012-03-15T03:02:00.001-07:00

Nu'Est finally debuted yesterday with their first ever music video - FACE. And it did not dissapoint. I've been waiting for Nu'Est's debut since December, after seeing them in After School and Son Dambi's Christmas single Love Letter. Nu'Est is on the same record company (Pledis) as After School and when the members were announced, the 5 guys were tentatively named After School Boys or Pledis Boys. But their official name was announced as Nu'Est which is miles better than the original names.

And after a week of teasers, FACE was finally unveiled to us yesterday. For a debut single, I thought it was mighty impressive. It was slick and sharp and I really enjoyed the concept - a bullying concept which I had never seen in a K-Pop video before. I was really pleased that FACE was set in a school environment. Just as After School's debut video for AH~ was set in a school, so was FACE - and I liked that link. But unlike AH~, FACE is a gritty, edgy and powerful song. The English lyrics include lines such as 'stupid', 'so what' and 'shit' - proving that Nu'Est aren't messing around. The song is not only powerful in it's lyrics but also in it's beat - especially the dub-step breakdown in the middle.

Dancing wise, I thought these guys were so impressive. I enjoyed the chair choreography and the whole 'bullying/hitting' element to the routine. It was fast-paced and energetic and as it was set in a school, it looked really rebellious too. Ren is my favourite member because of his cold and non-cholant persona - he is the definition of 'So What?'.

Overall, I was highly impressed by Nu'Est's debut. Whereas other boybands might have debuted with a softer side, Nu'Est have already come at us with something strong and shocking. I feel like they won't be going down the fun/cute route, which I am very happy about. If they stick to this edgy image, I'll be looking forward to what else they have to offer.

5/5

Anticipating SHINee's Comeback

2012-03-12T04:21:00.002-07:00

SHINee are finally having their Korean comeback! Yaaaay! This is very good news considering that they were very absent from the Korean music scene in 2011 due to their Japanese activities. But on March 19th, they'll be releasing their 4th mini album - Sherlock.

It's a very interesting title and I'm very intrigued to see how the word "Sherlock" will translate into their music. SHINee have, in the past, made names such as Lucifer, Juliette, Quasimodo and JoJo into awesome songs, so I have no doubt that if there is a song with the title of "Sherlock", it'll be nothing short of amazing. The mini album will have a total of 7 tracks which is a great amount for a mini album!

They've released teaser pictures for each member (see their official site for all the teaser pictures) and once again, SHINee seem to be pushing the limits in the style department. I personally think that out of all the guy groups out there, SHINee push the most boundaries (kind of in the way that G-Dragon does in BIG BANG). Just in their performances for Lucifer, SHINee were being daring with their hairstyles, make-up, jewelry and their fashion sense. I love how how SHINee have taken fashion items which are typically feminine and transformed them into a masculine and trendy look. What's more, I'm also excited for their comeback because SHINee are some of the best dancers around. Their choreography is always on-point, fast and in sync.

I'm so exicted to see what SHINee has to bring in 2012! 7 more days to wait!

Why arrived in the post today? - Part 3

2012-03-10T14:28:00.001-08:00

I recieved another package from YesAsia which contained 3 brand new K-Pop CDs. They are: SPICA's Russian Roulette, miss A's Touch and Big Bang's ALIVE (G-Dragon Version). Check out my review of their uniqe packaging after the break.

SPICA - Russian Roulette (Case opened up, photo booklet and CD)

SPICA are the latest 5 member girl group to debut in South Korea. However, right from the get-go SPICA seemed different. They came out with a teaser song (독하게) with a music video that didn't show their faces, but you just heard their wonderful voices. Then they exploded onto the scene with Russian Roulette. Russian Roulette is a really bold pure pop song that features a cool beat and has a soulful 60s flavour to it. As soon as I heard that song, I became hooked and immediately downloaded their first ever mini album - also titled Russian Roulette. The mini album has six songs which was a pleasant surprised for me considering some mini albums only contain 2/3 songs. So, I decided to buy the album and here it is! The inside of packaging has a star consellation theme (Spica is a star consellation in real life, by the way) but the photo book is a little different. The five girls are in a more rural setting and are dressed in beige dresses. It looks really stylish and grown-up. In fact, this doesn't resemble a typical K-Pop debut - as the girls are already sophisticated and elegant, rather than adopting a cute and sweet style that most K-Pop girl groups tend to debut with.

Example of how the booklet looks inside.

Next up is Touch by miss A. I adore miss A and I have already reviewed their Touch album already (click here to read my review!) But here's a quick review of their album packaging. Firstly, it's the same size as the A Class album from 2011. As you can see from the image directly above, the album comes with a clear slip case - covered in rose petals. It looks fantastic either on or off and is a great addition, and prevents scratches on the proper cover itself! The artwork inside is really great although not that varied. The rose petal theme runs throughout the album artwork, as you can see from the photo below which shows the photo book cover and the disc itself.

miss A - Touch (inside the case)

BIG BANG ALIVE - FRONT

BIG BANG ALIVE (G-DRAGON VERSION) - BACK

And finally it's the BIG BANG album - ALIVE the fifth album (G-Dragon version). For a review about the music, check out my full review of ALIVE here.

I am beyond happy that I bought this CD because the packaging is superb. The casing is made out of metal - literally, metal. It's quite heavy and scratches easily but to have a metal CD is pretty cool, I must say. I also chose the G-Dragon version (as he is my favourite member) and I am not dissapointed with that decision at all. The photobook (enclosed in a plastic, blue covering as you can see below) is amazing. It only has G-Dragon photos but each photo is fantastic - they show off his unique style and personality. The CD also comes with a GD trading card and a leaflet about other YG products I believe... I definately reccomend buying this CD!

BIG BANG ALIVE (G-DRAGON VERSION) - Metal casing, disc case, photobook, promotional leaflet and GD trading card.

My next review of CDs should be in the next couple of weeks. My next order will contain Ayumi Hamasaki's PARTY QUEEN album and Nine Muses' Sweet Rendezvous mini album. Keep an eye out for those!

I have dozens of other K-Pop CDs too, so I may do some other packaging reviews in the very near future!

REVIEW: C-REAL - Joma Joma

2012-03-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

C-REAL debuted last year with their song No No No No No and I was a big fan of it. It was a soft R&B number with sweet vocals, and the 5 members of C-REAL were dubbed as 5 mini IU's - another K-Pop artist I'm a big fan of.

This week, they returned with their new single Joma Joma and their second mini album Love Diary. It's definately different to No No No No No but I can't help but feel that it's a step back for C-REAL. Although their first single was insanely cute, it still had a grown-up feel to it. But somehow, Joma Joma seems quite childish. The girls have been dressed in a very young way (school uniform-like, if you will) and the whole tap-dancing element to the song makes it overall a bit kiddy-like. I thought their first mini album was really strong and although the members were obviously very young, they could still compete with the older, more mature K-Pop Idols. But this time round, I feel they've gone back a step and released something 'safe' instead of trying to mature.

All of that said, I still think it's a good song. I don't think it's a song that I'll be blasting out of my car when I'm driving, but for a short and sweet song - it does the trick. I really like the rapper of the group who gives C-REAL the edge that they need. The other songs on the mini album are pretty good - 맘에 든다고 has a computer-game vibe to it but works surprisingly well.

Overall, I'm not dissapointed with this comeback. However, I am not blown away or overly impressed either. I think these 5 girls are exceptional vocalists and I do see a bright future for them, but I hope - for their sake - that their next release will be something with a bit more subtance and with signs of growth.

3/5

NEW MUSIC: EXO-K - HISTORY

2012-03-08T15:41:00.003-08:00

Well, I guess it wouldn't be right if I didn't review the latest 'prologue' song from EXO-K. Yes, prologue song. This is the second prologue song (after the reasonably good ballad WHAT IS LOVE) form SM Entertainment's latest boy group - EXO-K.

But what exactly is a prologue song? I don't think there is a definitive answer, but I guess that prologue songs are just 'teasers' befoe EXO-K unleash their FIRST single to the world? It's already so complicated before they've even officially debuted (!!!)

But still, EXO-K released HISTORY today and I have to say, I was really impressed. The song is a fantastic R&B number that really showcased the vocal abilities of the six guys. It did remind of a song that SHINee could have sung in their earlier days, but that's definately a good thing. I loved the beat right from the beginning and the acoustic guitar in the verses too. As for the music video, it really captured the 'cool' and energetic vibe of the song. I liked the video for many reasons: firstly, the video set was fantastic - it looked high-budget and I liked the look of both the outside and inside setting. Secondly, their styling. I really liked how their clothes were like proper dancers clothes - but with an extra Korean, haute-couture flair of course. And lastly, their dancing was pretty spot-on. It's great when you see a group with many members perform so perfectly in sync with one another.

So, even though this song isn't strictly EXO-K's debut, I was still impressed! If it's sign of the what's to come, then I will be anticipating their official debut.

NEW MUSIC: Nine Muses - Ticket

2012-03-08T15:06:00.001-08:00

Nine Muses are back! They finished promotions for their song News at the end of February, and on March 7th they unveiled their brand new MV for latest single Ticket.

I was totally addicted to News - it was fresh, fierce and totally diffrent. And it seems like they're on a roll now and have found their own sound. Ticket is more fun and lighter than News, but still involves their catchy hooks and agressive rapping skills. What I loved most about Ticket was the catchy chorus - Ticket One Way, One Way One Way Ticket etc. - and also their fantastic and creative music video. Although the song is really current sounding, the video has a very retro feel. Dressed as sexy ticket conductors, all eight members - yes, eight members(!) - of Nine Muses look incredible. The set (an old-fashioned train station) gives the music video a classy edge too. Their choreography is very unique too - especially with the arm gestures during the one way one way moments of the chorus.

They also released their first ever mini album - Sweet Rendezvous. The mini album features Ticket, News, Figaro (another previous single) plus WHO R U (a brand new track). All of these 4 tracks are completely different yet together, they make a very cohesive-sounding album and give Nine Muses an individual style. I really like Nine Muses' classy and elegant image which is showcased on their Sweet Rendezvous album.

4.5 / 5 !

REVIEW: BIG BANG - FANTASTIC BABY

2012-03-06T15:46:00.001-08:00

I've already the music videos for BIG BANG's BLUE and BAD BOY, and I've also reviewed their entire Alive mini album - but now it's time to review BIG BANG's latest music video for FANTASTIC BABY.

The music video was released today and oh my goodness - I am beyond impressed. I'm currently exhausted after a long, stressful day - but after seeing this music video, I feel envigorated and energised!

The music video is full of energy and excitement. It's incredibly fast-paced and that totally matches the speed of the song - a catchy, eletronic dance number. It's also refreshing seeing this side of BIG BANG after their cold New York videos of BLUE and BAD BOY. What impressed me the most about this video is the fashion. BIG BANG have always been on the forefront of fashion trends, but with FANTASTIC BABY, they have surprassed trends and their style here is unique and futuristic.

G-Dragon is my favourite BIG BANG member and by far the most adventurous and daring character of not only the group, but in South Korea as a whole. His clothes are really edgy and have a punk feel to them, but it's his hair that really steals the show. It's not often you find a man who can pull of hair like he does in this video. Despite the pink highlights and the long-flowing fringe, G-Dragon retains his masculinity through his swagger and persona. He is like the male Rapunzel in the first shot of the video and completely breaks down boundaries with his use of hair styling and make up. Iconic!

Although TOP is my least favourite member, I have to give him props for his styling in FANTASTIC BABY. He totally rocks the aqua hair and his military outfits suit him down to a tee. I'm not sure if the glasses that he rocks in the final scene are the most flattering, but he still manages to keep his suave persona in check. Daesang, Taeyang and Seungri all up their fashion-game for this video too. Although not as daring as G-Dragon or TOP, they still posess a cool and edgy style.

After all that, I'm going to watch the video one more time and head for bed. Then wake up in the morning and watch it all over again.