KuzzReviews: Crush's Crush On You may leave you with just that.

First off I had erroneously claimed that Crush was just debuting. I was in fact wrong. He has been active since 2013, as well as putting out a single over the last few months.
With that being said, this is definitely my favorite album as of now. I love R&b, and I have been beefing with K Pop's usage of the genre because it comes off as very bland in my opinion. People loved Exo's Moonlight, however I thought 2007 when I heard it, and then I read the lyrics and was just incredibly turned off.
As I have said before R&B in K Pop is just like it is in the West (with some slight difference), where it exist as a genre, however to find acts in the realm of K Pop, especially idol pop is very hard to do. Any musical act that does not follow the idol way tend to be rarer and usually do a specific genre. We have seen this with Pop-R&B duo 15&, YG's new hit Akdong Musician, upcoming ladies Megan Lee and Yuna Kim (one who gives you more Taylor Swift, the other a lady MC).
Ultimately two of these acts have the backing of well known, and influential companies behind them, however they all exist within a world that they are essentially outcast in. K Pop is dominated by the Idol trend, and that means if you don't follow it, you may or may not be a success, but you will most surely be outnumbered.
Crush comes in as one of the few R&B acts who dares go against the grain (this is so extra and exaggerated, but it makes for a good write so bear with me). So to get back on the point, Crush On You had me instantly musically, and I saw very few issues, with one that really stood out, and will be discussed.

With that being said, let's get into this album.

I Fancy You
When I heard this song, I knew I was here for it. I think taking it slow in the beginning, you really need to give it hard. A lot of people think with ballads and slower songs you need to have the intensity of a satin pillow. With R&B that is usually the opposite, and that applies to I Fancy You. The song is nothing major really, it is just about how into a girl he is. How when they met, Crush was just so into her. While he put effort into the song itself, the overall song was very chill. The beat is very simple R&B. Most of the sounds are very studio made, instead of the standard R&B we hear where we have the overused string section in the back. Here we get the machines work, and that allows for a sexier, mature sound. The only time we hear something that sounds like an instrument is near the end with the piano. What I will say is that this song goes no where really, sans the flimsy falsetto moment...but we won't talk about that...till later. It is one of those tracks you can hear on an album, but not as a single, and does not leave an impression. However after listening to the album, I could not imagine another song starting the album in all honesty. I think what saved this song is the fact that it is followed by a more confident and dynamic song.

A Little Bit (ft Lydia Paek)

I am going to come out and say it. I did not know who Lydia Paek was until I listened to this song. I have heard of her of course. I follow 2ne1, and she has been brought up a few times there. Overall though, I did not know, or cared to know who she was. However I regret that after listening to A Little Bit. This song right here is overall sickening. The xylophone in the back, the 808, the little sound in the back...they come together wonderfully. I found myself just grooving, and doing a little move listening to this. It's obviously standard R&B that you would hear from the states (if you watch 106&Park, you know exactly what I am talking about). The beat is very sexy, which is fitting, because this is a song about getting sexy. By that, he want sot get intimately closer to his partner, and is doing his best. Talking about how grown he is, and that she can get closer...His falsetto is sweeter here, compared to I Fancy You, and is more sensual overall. Now Lydia...in her little part she killed it. I don't know if R&B is her preferred style, but it definitely works for her. Her voice was sweeter, yet had the conviction. Slay a bit girl. Overall two songs in and I didn't regret my decision in listening to this album. The third song really helped reinforce 

Hey Baby (ft Zion T)

Look if I wasn't sold with A Little Bit, Hey Baby did the gotdamn job. First off let's get into this Micheal Jackson Black and White sample that lives on the second verse. I don't know if they got permission to do that or not, but I will be damned if I am not going to live for it. Musically it strays so far away from the first two songs, and that is a good thing. We go from two more current R&B songs, to a song that is basically 1993. More specifically we are getting the ode to New Jack Swing (a popular subgenre of R&B in the late 80's early 90's). Then we get to Zion T, and we are in some Michael Jackson and I...YES LORD. I sincerely hope they got permission to use any samples that have touched this album. What I love is the fact that Zion's voice is strangely appealing, and uses that to mimic Michael Jackson's preferred styling.

Whatever You Do
This song just takes whatever hype that Hey Baby created, and pulled it on stop. We get the less aggressive follow up in this sweet R&B number. It's such a sweet number. The use of strings finally make an appearance and they are just...sweet. They are bright, and contrast the very simple drum and high hat. There is nothing threatening about this song, and the lyrics express this. We get such a sappy but well done love song. When listening to this, I was getting some Musiq Soulchild-esque in sound. Like that 2000's brand of Neo-soul that never really caught on, but was still hot in R&B. The rap was short and Gray did a great job.

Annoying ft Kumapark
When I got a taste of this song...I thought late 90's early 2000's neo-soul Maxwell. The beat just gives me that vibe. Very jazzy, smooth, but very modern (or recent) in energy. I would have thought this was a very chill party type song, but instead we get a scathing break up...in falsetto. I like the idea of it, and had I not looked up the lyrics, I would have been 100% here for this. But the content of the song does not do this beat service. Still without even knowing what was said...I like it.

Beautiful You ft Choiza
This is such a perverted and sweet song all at the same time. I don't even know. Like Choiza made a comment about let me be your straw in your lemonade which I am sure means a lot more than what I think it is. But then not even a bar later, comes and says your eyes are beautiful let me swim in them. The beat is very bright, very old school (like I want to say Stevie Wonder), and I just go with it. Crush vocally is nice, especially near the end with that falsetto. I appreciate his voice at times.

Want
This song...How I want to love this fucking song. Like the intro alone...and then that beat...sick. And Crush sounds great. My issue is that they didn't think that was enough. Like right before the chorus...you know what I am talking about. That sound in the background...it just...disrupts the entire flow. And from there on...the song is just a mash of things that don't work, and don't last. Like the most consistent thing in the song comes at the end... It's a lot and it makes me mad because you can hear at it's core there is a sick ass beat. Crush sounds his best on this song, his voice loses that overall slight grating feel to it, and is more palpable. And the lyrics! Bitch let me tell you this song could have been life if it was not for the damn beat.

Hug Me ft Gaeko

Eh...the only thing about this song that I want to talk about is that I was honestly expecting a My Boo sample with how it started. It's my least favorite song off the album (even when taking into account of Want). Rather plain song when listening to the album (but definitely the most public friendly for K Pop). Gaeko came a little too hard on the record. Like a smoother approach would have definitely done good for the song, but eh. On the album it works as a gateway to the next song.

Give It To Me ft Jay Park, and Simon D.

The beat is ordinary, but I liked it. Remember that grating quality to Crush's voice I talked about earlier...it's in this song. This is an issue I will bring up later, but for now, just know...Jay Park slayed this song. Jay sounds like a full fleshed freak, and his verse sounded smooth (nasally) and moist. I can't think of another word to describe it. He sound nasty. Like I could sit here and give you a list of things I truly believe Jay Park is not above doing in bed, and this verse really says it all. Plus he gave us a math lesson...so...yay. THE NUTELLA REFERENCE IS THE REALEST NIGGA MOMENT IN THIS SONG, AND I WILL WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO TOP THAT! This is an aspiring freak anthem and I am happy. For the little Korean children that listened to this album...I'm praying for you.

Friday ft Jimbo
After Give It To Me...we all need to take a moment to go find Jesus. Friday is a very nice departure after that debauchery. There is still a very sexual vibe to it, but at a very low temp, it is hardly noticeable. The beat is very chill, giving me Maxwell flavors circa Now flavors. It's a very relaxing song, and I enjoyed it. The harmonies were lovely, the beat consistently on point. I don't know who Jimbo is, but good job bruh.

Sometimes

Maintaining the very smooth relaxed vibe created with Friday, we hit the final song. Sometimes is very chill and beautiful. It's the ritual post break up song, that you see on a lot of male R&B albums. I think the beat could have gone for a more brighter topic song, but this isn't bad. The strings are beautiful, the keys are smooth, the drum keeps it going. The beat I think is one of my favorites. It's just overall a well done song.  Crush could have gave a softer delivery, but his harmonies and arrangements in the background are just beautiful. As stated before an overall well done song. My only issue is that since this song is the final song, I wish it had ended with a more resolute feel. It just tapers off, when it could have gone like 10-20 seconds of strings, and then end with the keys. Something to give this album that final snap.

Crush On You really lives up to it's name...and then some. Like first off, it is actually R&B. Like a full album by a modern artist that sings R&B. Of course there are Korean R&B singers, but none getting the traction Crush has gotten. Also this album does not just give you a monolith sound, it gives you some old school (of various eras), gives you some darker sounds, gives you brighter, more vibrant sounds. It does not stay within one mold. I appreciate that on so many levels. I loved that this album actually made a diverse attempt at R&B.
Tracklist wise, I don't hate it. Honestly I think it works the way it is...If I would change something for the sake of it, it would have to be the order of Whatever You Do, Annoying, and Beautiful You. But they also work right where they are though.
The biggest issue I think I had, and it only was a problem while reviewing this album, was Crush himself. I think he has a lovely voice. I think he had good moments. However at times he felt stuck vocally. Like at times it should have been much softer vocally, and he was always intense. He is also a bit throaty, which can take away from the beauty of his voice. Also when singing with other singers, I found his voice rather boring, and he would get upstaged. Lydia and Zion T. stole the show on their respective songs. Like I was feeling it, and then I heard them, and I was like oh...maybe it has something to do with them being more experienced in their craft (I don't know how long Crush has been singing or working on his music overall period). Still Crush himself delivered overall, I just want a more focused and polished delivery next time.
Overall, I think the album was well made. Even if there are some issues...I don't find it bad in the slightest. Right now, this is my favorite record of 2014 in K pop, as well as being one of my favorites for all of 2014. Crush did the damn thing, and got a good line up to help out.
Hopefully his next record will only show improvements.

San E and After School's Raina have a sweet date with their duet.

Ever since San-E left JYPE, he has been on his grind making a name for himself. In the last year alone I could not not see him at some music show, or something about a song by him. 

His latest musical contribution comes in the form of a duet with the main vocalist of After School, and their sub-unit Orange Caramel, Raina.

San E and Raina: Midsummer's Night Sweetness

This song is so enjoyable. Very light, very breezy, and nothing about it comes off forced. San-E handles most of the song's structured verses, while Raina ad libs and sings the chorus. I do wish she had gotten a verse in, but it is nothing really. The song's title reference is to William Shakespeare's lighthearted play a Midsummer's Night Dream. If you have never experienced the play, it's just about random people/things/gods falling in love. Though the reason for this reference is lost to me, I do love it. 

The song itself is about a kind of random date that happens in the night hours. Raina had called him not thinking he would pick up, they go out, drink beer (San E mentions that they might be intoxicated to some degree at least twice), even go on a walk and just chill. The song itself feels like the date. San E's ability to play a storyteller and set up a scenario worked so well, and Raina only enhanced that. Another positive is their deliveries. San E has a natural fast paced, kind of squirrel sounding voice. He can either give you sever quick witted verses, or a very light almost comical-esque one. Midsummer's Night Sweetness falls under the ladder, however instead of being comical, he comes off very chill. Raina's voice is light, girly, and charismatic. 

The video is just like the song as in their is a lot of focus on San E, but it doesn't feel off or grating. Both do their best, giving cute performances, with this being one of the few times I have ever seen San E not being...well San E. He comes off more like an average nice guy, and Raina plays the girl that is charming. My favorite moment is when they were talking about the bug, and Raina stops, claps her hand as if she killed a bug...I don't know...simple things make the difference.

Overall this song and video do it for me. Just simple sweet goodness. Nothing over the top, no one is outshining the other, nothing felt out of place or lacking. 

It felt right, and I am okay with that.

Say it with me: Tahiti should have kept it.

I don't know what/who/why of the existence of Tahiti. All I know is that they made a comeback with the song Oppa Is Mine.

And well...

Tahiti: Oppa Is Mine

Why? Everything about this brings me :/.

That expression is all I can give.

The song itself is nice. It's nothing spectacular in the long run, but I would rank it in the ballpark of say Thank You Very Much, or at least a notch below that.It's entertaining, it's kind of fun, but overall, who really gonna to press replay other than fans?

What may have pushed me to this conclusion is this awful video. Their aesthetic is cute, but the everything of this comeback is giving me no thank you. Just based off the music video, the dance is uninspired. The music video is bleh. The fact that I was not even creeped out by the fact that they kidnapped two different guys and poisoned them...all because the video had me on some bored shit. Even the creepiest thing about it is boring.

How do you do that?

Regardless...Tahiti looks like a combination of multiple D-C+ girl groups, but here is to hoping they can do better...or something.

So...what do you guys think?

U-Kiss returns with Quit Playing (Don't Flirt), I am firmly on the side of them keeping this to themselves.

So forever never gonna get theree U-Kiss has returned...and...

This is my first time listening to them as a group, and I have to admit, they are doing nothing for me. 

Quit Playing (Don't Flirt) is very...

Bland/obnoxious/skip worthy.

But I like the beat.

The video doesn't help. The group has come under fire for it being too raunchy...even though it got the 19+ seal. 

I'm not bothered by a possible three way, even though two guys on one girl can end up with dick in ass moments (always here for that as a gay man)...I'm bothered that the video basically made it okay to be pushy.

This chick was obviously not here for these two dudes. She pushes them away several times, and slaps one of them.

Like...when is taking a hint a lost art?

The video really could have done better with that. Why not make it where she was scoping them out as well?

Why was she a reluctant participant?

These are simple ass things that could have been dealt with better.

Also the choreo is bland and the video just looks...

I doubt I am going to listen to their album, because this really just bored the fuck out of me.

But here is the video.

Important information: Ali actually does release music.

Ali: What Is Love? (ft Loco)

I never knew Ali was a legit musical artist. I just assumed she was one of those people you call to sing at your event or something...

Well now that I know this information, I like it. Ali is one of those emotive singers with an interesting approach to singing (Slightly throaty to come off a little more raw than her actual voice allows). It's not noticeable here since she kept it cute. However she knows herself and gave us some moments. The beat near the end did this change up, and we got some drama. I will say Loco is eh...but I am no expert on Korean rappers, so I can't really judge him. 

Still this should definitely get a video, with her on the beach with some cute ass dude and some simple choreo she don't have to do. 

K Pop's resident Light skin finally releases his second full album.

As I said in another post, I have a special relationship with Taeyang. I firmly believe he has an appreciation for black culture, however do to looking on the outside his views may seem a little skewed, and can veer toward problematic at times. So I stay at arms lengths with his ugly ass hairdo, and his clothes that need to be returned to Asap Rocky.

I tend to affectionately call him Korean Light Skinned. He GIVES vibes that he wants his ultimate form to be a better Chris Brown (not with the whole incident, just musically and such). And you know what...I want him to get there. Just from his interviews he has done, he tends to view music with a more critical eye. However he has limitations, oddly set by the company hyped to be about the artist (Which I saw through when  I got into K pop real quick). However I firmly believed that if anyone was going to give me R&B in Korean Pop, it would be Taeyang. It had to be. 

I will say that I personally am not getting R&B at a very extensive level. There is shades of it, but overall, no to R&B. Especially the R&B he was talking about (talking about Frank Ocean, and Miguel, and shit...)

I honestly thought we were going to get some The Weekend type shit. Or at least The Future..but alas...

However I don't even want to pretend that the album did not give me all I could ask for.

KuzzReviews: Jiyeon's solo debut with 1min 1sec (video)

Everytime I hear anything about T-Ara, I immediately say bless their hearts. They are one of the legit K Pop scandals, and because of what went down, they are basically trying to get somewhere. They are doing as well as they are going to do, now...which is well...bless their hearts.
So when one of them goes solo, hm...
Jiyeon debuted as a solosit not too long ago, and has been on the efforts for her spotlight. With that she has given us a rather solid video.

T-Ara's Jiyeon: Never Ever (1min 1sec)

I have to say this is one of the more creative videos so far. 

First off there is a story line. With story lines in music videos, you have to fit a shitload of narrative in a three to four minute space. Couple that with the standard vanity scenes of the artist, as well as dance scenes, you really have maybe 2 minutes to make a case with a story. With Never Ever, I am positive that this video did well with what they wanted to accomplish. With Never Ever, they decided to give focus on the story more so than the actual performance aspect (which CCM compensated with a dance practice for anyone feening for that). I appreciate this as it allows for the story to develop and move on, and come to an end. Jiyeon is esentially dreaming her day to day life. She is not aware of the fact that this is not reality at first. She continues to do the same thing over and over again. The space in which she was inhabiting inside of her own mind gave off a very fake feel. Not fake in that it looked cheap. But it had no basis in reality. Come to find out that this may have possibly been induced, and she is involuntarily being drugged into this hallucination.

This is supported by Jiyeon's world going white suddenly, only for a figure of a man in a white jacket (like a doctor's) appearing. She then goes back to her own little world, however it does not last as she is now more aware. Things are dead in the house (the flowers, and the fish), she notices the time has flown way to quickly, and does not move in the same way everything else does. By the end it is snowing in the house, and a man in black with an umbrella is standing near the door. 

We end the story with her in an asylum, the only thing from her world is the red scarf she was knitting.

I just gave you a semi-play-by-play of this story.

I liked it, however I do think there were some vague things. Of course the man in white is supported by the final scene. However I am confused as to why she is there? I believe that she is drugged into a hallucination, and she is slowly but surely becoming immune to its affects. Which is why by the end, we see her more aware and at the window. 

Also who is the man in black?

The video started off fine, only to get a little wonky near the end. It was as if they realized they only had so much time and kind of skipped over things to make it end on time. I do think the video was good. The dance scenes were nice...I mean...the mirror one was sickening to be completely honest, but overall they were not the main focus of the video, and really didn't even take up much space. They were just peppered in...some places a little heavy on said pepper.

KuzzReviews: The not ice skater Yuna Kim's debut with Without You (ft MFBTY)

The visibility of the Korean music industry for a lot of international fans relies heavily on K Pop. That is the simple truth. We come in for the flash, dancing, pop inducing visual latent products, and for some we stick with just that. However, like any music industry around the world, the pop sound does not necessarily reflect the entirety of an industry. K Pop is a case where the music industry is small, there for a large portion of that scene is ran by the idol culture. 

However there are musical acts that do not fit in the idol mold, yet still make a space for themselves in it. Most often it is ballad singers, R&B, Rock (pick your poison), and a few rappers. 

One new act that falls in with that tiny majority is Yuna Kim...no not the ice skater.

Yuna Kim: Without You Now (Ft. Tasha, Drunken Tiger, and Bizzy)

Yuna Kim is a rapper/singer who got her start with some attention from the show K Pop Star (season 3). The song focuses mostly on her rapping prowess, with help from K Pop's Rap God's MFBY (Husband and wife duo Drunken Tiger and Tasha/Yoon Mirae with their tag along kid Bizzy). 

The song is very breezy, like most of Korea's rap that is made to be digestible to the masses. Think of the song I Want to be a  Billionaire 

While the songs differ heavily in content, and the beats are definitely different, the overall vibe matches up perfectly. Very breezy, not really intimidating, very safe. This is the shit you could play in front of your parents, and they would sing along with it.What I like is no pretenses. We are not getting some little girl thinking she about that life. We are getting a girl who is communicating something she can easily identify with, as well as her more than likely target audience, through a valid form of music.  

The song itself is nice. I appreciate it, I like the chorus, and even though TD is kind of heavy on the song, the feature remains a feature.

Also props to an Erykah Badu reference (can't come home, call Tyrone)...I really hope she wrote that herself. 

This song is something I could see blowing up in the states, however SK, eh. While they do give love to the non Idol artist (most of their chart is non Idols), I don't think they are ready to be receptive of a lady emcee.

However I am curious as to what she can and will do musically.

The video...eh. I like it, but it had nothing to do with the song. Unless that girl that was supposed to be "slutty" was her ex...once again...eh. It makes no sense with the actual song. It looks great, and I like the music on top of the video. But... 2+2 is not summing up to 4. Other than that..nothing else. 

Yuna Kim's Without You Now is not the strongest of debuts, but it is a nice one. If she is afforded more opportunities, I hope she can bring something that will leave a bigger impact musically. Femcee's are rare to find in any industry, and I would hate to see one fall to the wayside in K Pop. 

2ne1's Gotta Be You could have been kept

It was long ago promised by YG that four MV's would be released, and Gotta Be You was one of them. Now...it did not happen immediately.
Instead we got Come Back Home, and Happy.
It was in May, on the day of the group's fifth anniversary, did the video for Gotta Be You get released.

2ne1: Gotta Be You

Now I like the song, and said with the right video and promotional handling it could do well...Performed once on music shows, and the video was after they completed their Korean activities (now they are doing random things and touring until their next album).
Thankfully this video was released on the day of their anniversary, but unfortunately the results were just.
Meh.
That is all I can really say to describe it.
Meh.
I get where it was going, and I like some of the visual moments, but overall..meh. 2+2 is not summing up to 4 right now. It just seemed not fully put together.
Like I get that they are going through a maze to find their dude (although the only one to find him is CL). I get the obstacles. I get all of that. The song is about being with someone through it all.
This would have been a visually clever, if they had dedicated a little more time in making it work.
There isn't much to say other than...cute.
Plus there are two other versions and a supposed fourth.
I have seen the dance version, and...hm.
Gotta Be You had a lot of good things (everyone looked cute, there were some nice moments visually, it seemed to have a plot that it tried to follow through with), but they just did not add up to make a successful video.

KuzzReviews: 15& deliver a pleasanstly sweet record with Sugar

You like that title?

Anyway, I am going to say it. I am a fan of 15&. Despite them being 16, and me being 22 (gay male so there is no creepy desires going on), I like them. They are talented singers, and their music is cute. Going on two years soon, the group has released three singles prior to their first album, with little impact from them. However now, they are moving forward as a group, and an album has been bestowed to us.

I would describe the overall feel of this album as it is called...Sugary. It is mild pop, R&B, with some other influences here and there. Very pleasant, and fun. I think the album was done well enough, and the girls more than delivered on their part as the communicators of the music. I do think there are some things that could have been handled better of course, but before I get to that.

15& Sugar full album

KuzzReviews: 15& and Can't Hide It

15& has returned with their latest digital single Can't Hide It. Released around 12 p.m. in Korean Standard Time, the single has done a good job, and has hit number one on quite a few charts (apparently they are close to an All-Kill). They have also taken to K Pop star 3, to perform their new single during the season finale. Also posted in the last post about them, a music video is on the way, with a large amount of teasers having been released (2 each for the duo, and then one combining all four).
And it is officially confirmed that they will be promoting the track on radio shows (schedule for them has been updated on their official site), and music shows (Inkigayo released their preview for next week as well).
All of this before they release their first album in a month's time.
Needless to say, 15& are about to be busy.

And to keep them busy they need a song to promote...and that is Can't Hide It.

                                                            15&'s new single Can't Hide It

Can't Hide It is essentially the song I could only imagine 15& and the like pulling off. It is very JYP (the producer). It is a positive, yet mellow love song with heavy R&B leanings. JYP usually does two types of R&B songs now, some that obviously have late to mid 80's to the 90's influence. But that I mean that some of his songs would work in the past, but translates decently enough to modern times. There are cases of songs where he (or the other in house producers) are able to make more modern music...or modern enough to have been relevant in the last decade or so.
Can't Hide It falls in the former category. The beat is very 90's and does not fit in with todays music (unless looking at older R&B singers).
This is not bad, insteads gives the song a lofty, mature feel. This is countered by the lyrics, which don't go all "first love...ooh innocent", but instead doesn't feel out of place for two teenage girls to say. Thank you JYP for actually being able to write something that doesn't feel too much. What really sales it though...
Jimin and Yerin.
I will admit I am a fan of them. They are a vocal based group, I live for singers. Jimin is a more competent voclaist on a technical level, however Yerin can handle a song with more wit than her group-mate. That does not mean I have not been wowed by Jimin. The girl has the voice, and the ability to express lovely, but she lacks in how to do it sometimes. She is not as confident as a singer as Yerin, who knows what and who she is right now. However I love Jimin in this song just as much.
15& individually approach this song differently. Jimin while the stronger voice, comes off more timid and almost whimsical. Yerin takes this on like a your average teen girl singing R&B. She sings wise beyond her years. Yerin's voice is less girly, with a more mature feel, and she has been listening to R&B since whenever she says, so her style is going to be more grown folk.
Despite the difference between the two (and the fact that Yerin appeals more to this song), both hold their own, and come together when needed.
The only thing I can actually say I was mad about...is the fact that the song ended too damn early. The song has two verses (with pre-choruses attached) and two verses, and at the end the girls are riffing and running until Jimin confesses she thinks she is in love. After she said that some harmonizing should have happened, and some big vocals on one last chorus. It's typical for a JYP promo single to lack in some area, but this is the first that focuses on vocals and it doesn't finish off. In most songs you get to the end and feel like there is no climax...here the set up for a climax was made...and it doesn't happen.
And that is really the only thing that just bothers me. Like such a good song, but a stronger ending would have made this song.
15& spent their first two years kind of waiting for this moment. Jimin was basically inserted into JYPE, and probably needed some sort of training, which makes sense as to why the group has not progressed (but Baek Ah Yeon has two minis under her belt).  Now two years later, the group is on their way to trying to solidify themselves as a legit threat in the idol world. With a JYP produced track, they may just get that with this good song.
Song: 4/5
Inkigayo preview:

Kuzzviews: Apink's Pink Blossom is a delight.

Apink has been trying to get on this come up for three years. Of course, it takes some time, and some stuggles. In their three years since debut, they have released three minis (including their new one), and one album. They have been the cute girl group, and finally started making some sort of traction with their last single NoNoNo. Despite the plagiarism controversy, the song was successful and did well for them. It also doesn't hurt that Eunji is really liked after her role in Reply 1997 and whatever other drama she was on (or whatever it is called) and is a good singer, and seemingly nice person. Also Nauen got some attention for her times on dramas, as well as her being Taemin's play wife on We Got Married. I can't speak for the other members but they exist.

So the year is 2014, and Apink have made their comeback with the appropriate for spring mini Pink Blossom.
To start Pink Blossom is very...cute.
I mean that in two different ways. Overall it sounds like some sort of body spray preteen girls wear. It's cute. It is very nonthreatening, very bubbly, light, and flowy. There is nothing about this album that comes off edgy, mature, grand, or quirky. It is simply cute.
It is the Bubbles of minis.
If you had to think of a physical manifestation of this album...it would probably be cherry blossom, or some other pretty and pink flower.
. It has this late 90's early 2000's pop feel. Like right before Christina and Britney did their switch to a more mature/overtly sexual looks they sported, it was that R&B inspired, sugary as fuck pop music. A more concentrated form would be Mandy Moore.
Here is an example:

And for their emotional ballad existence they embody this.

Yes Apink at their truest...is Mandy Moore.

I'm kidding, I am not saying that Apink is the Korean group version of Mandy Moore. Instead I am saying these two acts (at different times of course) have similarities. Apink is an idol group, and by that they are required to not only to be able to sing (in theory), but also perform. Mandy was a bubblegum pop singer, who turned into an actress....Eunji....I'm kidding.
But anyway, I am just using Mandy as a reference point, nothing more, nothing less.

Apink starts with Sunday Monday. I sat here thinking about this title, and asking why...but I stopped that. The song is essentially about a girl who cannot stop thinking about the boy of her dreams. From Sunday to Monday. I assume they mean more than that...but...eh. The song starts off the mini, and while I don't agree with that, the song is pretty nonthreatening. It is very chill, only getting anywhere remotely big during the chorus. The verses are strummed and a few random sounds in the background. I think they could have just kept it simple and it would have worked. The guitar is soon accompanied by a string section (which is really used liberally now). One thing that bothered me was the overall lack of uniqueness in the voices. All of them are the same shade of pink, with Chorong and the other one being of a slightly darker quality, while Eunji have a much more fuller and vibrant feel to her voice.
A six member group and everyone is blending in...that's not a strong look, but the song is not meant to really capture you.

Mr. Chu comes next and...I like it. I love the beat to the verse. It is very bubbblegum pop. Very R&B pop for teenage white girls, very digestible. There is nothing about it that comes off dangerous or even threateninig. The chorus pick up and try to give a more brighter, sweeter tone to the song. The verses are not sexual...but romantic. There is a lusty vibe, even if it is supposed to exist in the PG realm. I mean they are talking about their first kiss...Vocally we have the same issue of the girls not really being able to stand out. Eunji is the main vocalist, with Bomi and Namjoo coming in as the leads. The other three are there...and that is all there is to that. When you have songs that don't really utilize the talents you have, it is kind of a problem. But the song doesn't really need the same kind of oomph that a song like NoNoNo would. My issue is not the delivery because it works...it is the fact that the voices are all similar, and blend in way too well.

Moving on to Crystal...we have an uptempo that is very pep in the step. Here we finally having Eunji trying to be about shit as a vocalist, as well as Bomi and Namjoo. I really can't think of anything about this song that would make me want to write. It bright, cute, and lovely. It's like walking down a street on the first day of spring (not the first date of spring, but the first day the weather wants to act right and giving you warm weather, and shorts, and clear skies and shit). I think Bomi is slaying in the background, but I am not sure. That may just be Eunji but I don't know. I think this song is the high point of the album...and then we move into ballad territory.

Fairy Tale Love was one of two tracks that Chorong contributed. No one else is listed for lyrics, so there you go...The song is about a girl who wants her love back...her fairytale love. Eh she was in the wrong and now she crying about it. It is sad and sweet at the same time. It sounds exactly like something Jessica Simpson would have done. Whomever created this beat made an interesting choice in replacing the acoustic vibe, with a more dramatic electric guitar. It gives the song a bigger feel, and oddly it is not out of place. Namjoo was getting big when it came so the drama was right where it should be if it was needed. I would like to hear this simply with the guitar and simpler vocals just because...but overall nothing really about this song I can hate.

So Long is another ballad of the sad kind. It's about a girl who wishes her friend had saw her the same way she saw him. It's cute. Honestly...everything about this song is giving me late 90's pop. I love it. I can't even front.

Mr. Chu is at the end thankfully because I can skip it. I got the On Stage version which shits on this version.
Overall this is a really solid ep. Apink have a niche that I don't think they will be able to continue on in, but for now are doing a good job with. They are the nice little alternative to the maturing SNSD, and the more...fierce...2ne1. I'm not even into the "cute concept" but I do believe that they make it work. The music is very pink to give a color, and works well for spring. If I have a criticism, it is for a new listener I am not totally familiar with their voices; like I said they are all various shades of pink in my opinion with Eunji being the most vibrant and fuller color (due to her being the best vocalist in the group). I am also a little surprised that Namjoo was as active on the album as she was. Usually when you have a group with as big of a talent gap as Apink does (Namjoo and Bomi are the lead vocalists), you usually see the main vocalist kind of dominating the song and will always get the heavy lifting parts. But in some songs Namjoo was the one doing the high notes...strange.
Anyway this is the perfect Spring time album. Very safe, floaty, and sugary pop perfection.
4/5
Faves: Mr. Chu (On Stage), Crystal, Fairy Tale Love

2ne1's new album *late* review

Today is kind of a review and analyze day.
After two years of whatever YG was doing, 2ne1 finally released their second full album (almost five years into their careers...that says a lot).

Crush, the title of their album, debuted with great numbers, a good single, and a tour. It did so well, that it even topped the iTunes chart in the US (that is an accomplishment, but don't let it get to you), and debuted at #60 on the Billboard 200 (which is the chart for albums, and that placement is pretty damn high). Regardless of how many wins they get for this comeback on Music Shows...2ne1 came out a winner in this.
When it comes to the album, for me I went through stages to get where I am today. At first I was in love with the album. I thought it was a a great cohesive body of work...but then I listened to it again...and again...and again...
And I found problems. Small ones.
So where do I stand today?
 First off the album starts with Crush, the title track (not the promotional single). For it to be a full song, it works just as good as the opening track. Crush has an energy that reminds you of 2ne1 in a sense. Kind of chaotic, not fully fleshed out, but entertaining. The song is loud and brassy and energetic. It left me excited for what was next. Unfortunately Crush does not really describe the album at all. It doesn't even describe 2ne1 on the album. While I like it, and it does work in a sense musically, eh...we get a 180 immediately.

All that bravada and boss bitch attitude falls so quickly to the way side with "experimental" pop record Come Back Home. Originally I loved it, but had some issues I could not pin point. After a few more listens, I found that Come Back Home was very...ambitious. What this song did right was take sounds that were more solemn in nature, and allowed the girls to sing over that. 2ne1 themselves did everything right, CL specifically gave me a lot, and I was okay with that. And in stand alone sections I appreciate what they did. I won't lie I loved the intro and first verse. The xylophone (I think) just gave off this swaying feel. And then when the beat drops>>>>
Shit. And to top it off, CL comes in and gives off the best part of the song to be honest. The reggae element of the song is played with. We have more cliche/traditional (which ever way you want to assess it) in the verses, the chorus take a more pop lean, and the break down basically breaks it down and then recreates it in this electronic sound. The chorus itself feels like it wants to be epic, but I think the girls don't have the skill vocally for that. The breakdown is nice by itself, but was too much in the song. That second one could have been a bridge or something. The final chorus raises the key only slightly, and then the song ends. The song has nothing epic after CL comes in on the first verse, and it coast for the most part. It's nice, but I kind of wanted a little more. Just a little.

Gotta Be You was supposed to be the other promotional track, but they have only performed it once...sad because this song was obviously meant to be the mainstream pop song. It is very poppy, very dance oriented. In my opinion much more focused sound wise. I think with Come Back Home, they were trying to create this moment, but with Gotta Be You, it came a lot more naturally. I do with 2ne1 could/would step it up vocally. A lot of the times the song could benefit from a little more spark. CL's two verses are nice, the second one being the best. I had trouble identifying Minzy at times in the song. I found that CL, Minzy, and Bom all have slight similarities in tone. Bom would come in, and then Minzy, but it was immediate and I still thought it was Bom, though it was an overall improvement vocally. It's a nice song, that I could see tearing up the charts if given the right promo/video.

If I Were You is the first(technically second if you count Come Back Home) ballad of the album, and it was written by CL. Nice. Dara starts the song off, which is strange. This is one of those songs where I wished more oomph vocally. CL gave it. CL was feeling it. The others sounded good. But it just felt like CL was somewhere else emotionally, and vocally. One thing I don't like are the ad libs in the background during the chorus. They are so choppy, and misplaced, and come off with poor execution. Also the chorus has this slight dramatic feel to it...that I don't think the girls can give just yet. I think CL can, despite being a technically poor vocalist herself. I don't want to sit here and praise CL all day, but she gave levels in this song.

Good To You acts as the sister track to If I Were You. I honestly could not imagine one without the other. If I Were You is the grand ballad for drama, Good To You takes those emotions, and makes you sit in them in the dark. The song in my opinion takes the strengths of the girls and puts them to good use. Dara is on the chorus, which is usually a bad idea always for a weaker vocalist, however she rides through it with her sweeter voice. This song is much more focused in mu opinion, cleaner in sound, and all elements work together. G-Dragon contributed to this song, and honestly it shows the level of mastery over their craft. CL's is nice, but very unfocused in my opinion, it wants to be ambitious and tries for this grand moment, but doesn't get there. Good To You sets limits that 2ne1 can work with, and they all give smooth, sensual deliveries.

Mental Breakdown follows as the next transition in the album. THe CL solo also feels like the end of album (explain later). Essentially, it is a dance track, very electronic, and a rap song. I have to commend CL because, while I prefer her as a singer, and people have been giving her a hard time because she kind of fell off as a rapper, she stepped up to the plate on this album, and Mental Breakdown is a testament to that I think. I essentially have no issues with this song...other than the whole Qur'an scandal. Other than that...nothing. I twerk to this song, and I think it is one of the better solos from their idol rappers in a minute.
*Side note I would love to do a piece on what regional styles of rap do these rappers take influence from. I have yet to see a southern rap influenced Korean Rapper yet...*
After Mental Breakdown, we take a trip to album rejects past...aka Happy.

Happy after Mental Breakdown feels off, for several reasons. First off, the entire first half of the album has a sound to it. While there are many genre shifts (dance pop, R&B, reggae, electronic, etc.), they all work together. Musically they all have this dark, mature feel to them. Comparing to songs from last year even there is such a difference between Falling In Love and Good To You. Even Missing You feels disconnected from their songs. This is mostly likely due to these songs probably being made not too long ago. I do think Missing You was made earlier in 2013, and released later. Most of the first part of Crush had to be late November-early December. So when we get to Happy, essentially we are getting a taste at what was another album. Happy is very vibrant which is off compared to the tracks one through six. However Happy is not a bad song. It is far from it. In fact it ties with Good To You as my favorite off the album overall. It just sticks out to me. For anyone that does not know the song is about accepting a love as over, and while not really happy about it, you don't have ill will over said break up. It's nice and refreshing and the production is cute. It also allows for a happy and brighter 2ne1 on the album, especially after most of the songs leave them in pain, or a craze.

Next we have Scream (Korean version). My overall least favorite song off the album. It sounds exactly like 2ne1 2011/2012. That's not bad, but this song does just like Happy and sticks out. However unlike Happy, it doesn't have that refreshing quality to it. I don't hate the song, but this definitely was meant for another album.

Baby I Miss You is a song a I love. It is breezy and smooth, and once again allows for the girls to sit in comfort and sing without issues. Plus this is another CL creation. In my opinion it does better than If I Were You. The beat is just so sexy and like new wave recreated 90's R&B, but not to the point where it sounds dated. This song is a song I can vibe to without getting sick of it.
Now while I like it, there is one minor thing, that unfortunately becomes an issue for me. Baby I Miss You is a breezy and solid track, but is very fillerish.
When it comes to fillers, I have the personal philosophy that not everything can be a single, and not every song can stand alone. Some songs need assistance. Or work as a way to build up to something greater. The purpose of a filler, for me, is to make sure the album runs smoothly. You can have a lot of great songs on your album, but if they don't make sense together, it just makes the experience wonky for me (*See Beyonce's B'Day album). So what does this have to do with Baby I Miss You?
This song is a filler, that has nothing to live for. That sounds bad, but there is no song that follows for Baby I Miss You to serve a purpose. It feels like a track that you would listen to, like, and then the next track comes in and you get your life. However...what follows is not what BIMY can benefit.  

Come Back Home (Unplugged) feels like that secret bonus track, and feels kind of disconnected for me. Why? Because there is something missing between it and the preceding track. I almost think that if Baby I Miss You had come before Happy then I would be singing a different tune...but alas.
Come Back Home (Unplugged) is the final song on the album, and it is nice. I never got the point of taking up space with tracks like this (or instrumentals). Still the song is more focused in my opinion.
While the reggae vibe was the main point of the original version, it got played with way too much to really be effective in my opinion. Too many genre shifts and mixing to make it work. However here, the song focuses on the acoustic vibe, while adding strings in the chorus (usually strings are like advanced sad instruments or something). CL's rap verse is nice and takes the place of where the electronic breakdown kicks in the original.

The album is nice, but I wish somethings were dealt with better. There was obvious ambition that could have been dealt with better, but overall it is not bad. I think the main thing is that there is a section of this album that was obviously meant for 2012/2013. It just is a noticeable point when listening, that I wish wasn't there. It's really only two songs, but they take the mood of the album and switch it, and I can never really get it back. That being said they are not awful songs, just misplaced.
2ne1 the group did a nice job with what they were given. I wish they had more spark as singers (sans CL, who stood out to me as a singer) when it was needed, but overall I can't really complain beyond what is written here.
Rating: 3.9/5
Faves: Good To You, Mental Breakdown, Happy, Baby I Miss You, Come Back Home (Unplugged)