I don't know how to explain the theme...but there are elements in it that...just look at some of the pictures.
Under the cut.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
2ne1 did a photoshoot, and yeah...
For Vogue Korea, and...
I don't know how to explain the theme...but there are elements in it that...just look at some of the pictures.
I don't know how to explain the theme...but there are elements in it that...just look at some of the pictures.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
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:
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.
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:
Saturday, April 12, 2014
15& is coming back....with a JYP track
2 year old, girl group 15& are returning after a year since their last comeback. This time they are legit doing their thing.
It all started a few days ago when JYPNation posted a teaser pic, with a date. JYPNation of course went wild. The obvious three that came up were: 2PM, the new girlgroup 6MIX, and 15&.
2PM had steadily been prepping for their return, with members talking about it (Wooyoung in an interview, and Nichkhun on twitter as examples), there are even pics of them on location for their video. So they had a lot going for them as the group this teaser was for.
Then there is 6Mix, the soon to debut girl group. With Wonder Girls temporarily out of commission, and it had been reported a showcase was happening for the group in April, it was assumed that JYPE would be moving along with the new girl group.
15& had the least going for them other than some things saying they would return within the first Quarter...which is over. There was also the fact that Yerin was in the practice room for JYP a lot, but she usually is there. However Jimin started posting in there as well, and Yerin even took a pic with some sound engineer dude...this meant something was happening, but when, and with the fact 2PM and 6Mix had more going for them...eh.
It was not until the next day that it was stated 15& would return April 13 around noon (for me...like three hours) with another digital single, titled I Can't Hide. It will debut at noon, video and all , and then they will perform it at K Pop Star.
Okay...so what makes this comeback special?
Well it was also said that the group would release their first album in May. Meaning that I Can't Hide is a pre-release.
Admittedly it is great that this is happening, and it feels like I should be yelling finally (I really like this lil group), but I thought about it...usually groups put out their first album a year or two after debut (this is assuming that 15& are not about to release a mini album instead), so they are on the right path, it's just that 2012 and 2013 were dry music wise. Usually you get a mini album not too far off from their debut...and we didn't.
But anyway, yay they are back...and I won't talk about a certain something.
Here is the teaser for their video (full teaser there are like four, two for each girl):
It all started a few days ago when JYPNation posted a teaser pic, with a date. JYPNation of course went wild. The obvious three that came up were: 2PM, the new girlgroup 6MIX, and 15&.
2PM had steadily been prepping for their return, with members talking about it (Wooyoung in an interview, and Nichkhun on twitter as examples), there are even pics of them on location for their video. So they had a lot going for them as the group this teaser was for.
Then there is 6Mix, the soon to debut girl group. With Wonder Girls temporarily out of commission, and it had been reported a showcase was happening for the group in April, it was assumed that JYPE would be moving along with the new girl group.
15& had the least going for them other than some things saying they would return within the first Quarter...which is over. There was also the fact that Yerin was in the practice room for JYP a lot, but she usually is there. However Jimin started posting in there as well, and Yerin even took a pic with some sound engineer dude...this meant something was happening, but when, and with the fact 2PM and 6Mix had more going for them...eh.
It was not until the next day that it was stated 15& would return April 13 around noon (for me...like three hours) with another digital single, titled I Can't Hide. It will debut at noon, video and all , and then they will perform it at K Pop Star.
Okay...so what makes this comeback special?
Well it was also said that the group would release their first album in May. Meaning that I Can't Hide is a pre-release.
Admittedly it is great that this is happening, and it feels like I should be yelling finally (I really like this lil group), but I thought about it...usually groups put out their first album a year or two after debut (this is assuming that 15& are not about to release a mini album instead), so they are on the right path, it's just that 2012 and 2013 were dry music wise. Usually you get a mini album not too far off from their debut...and we didn't.
But anyway, yay they are back...and I won't talk about a certain something.
Here is the teaser for their video (full teaser there are like four, two for each girl):
Kuzzviews: Apink's Pink Blossom is a delight.
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
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Not K pop related (But I will make it work)
One of my favorites is finally making a return to the music scene.
Jazmine Sullivan decided to come out of her semi retirement and grace people with her presence and vocals.
Honestly I think it is great she took time off for herself, even if she thought it would be a permanent one.
For a K pop tie in...this could be the same thing Sunye is experiencing. Ultimately Jazmine's career was not going the way she wanted so she took time off, and that is good. If you lose focus, even if it is something you love, please do yourself a favor and reevaluate everything. Sunye could possibly be done with K pop, or she may just need time away from music to really regain a sense of herself.
I think a lot of idols need that. Some got in for the reason of getting into other venues (perfectly valid as being a singer is not the only responsibility of an idol), others really want to be apart of music...and get that fame. But if you lost sight of your goal, it is always nice to really just look at what you are doing and where you are.
*This is assuming that many of these idols have the option of taking time off for themselves, especially long periods of time like Jazmine who took four years, or Sunye who is taking five for Haiti...which they don't*
*Also Sunye did not say she was giving up idol life, but she is going to make focus on Haiti and her family*
*Also I hate the Haiti situation, I don't hate Sunye wanting to find balance in her life and career*
Anyway for my Jazmine Sullivan fans, here is her performing and I want to share my happiness.
Jazmine Sullivan decided to come out of her semi retirement and grace people with her presence and vocals.
Honestly I think it is great she took time off for herself, even if she thought it would be a permanent one.
For a K pop tie in...this could be the same thing Sunye is experiencing. Ultimately Jazmine's career was not going the way she wanted so she took time off, and that is good. If you lose focus, even if it is something you love, please do yourself a favor and reevaluate everything. Sunye could possibly be done with K pop, or she may just need time away from music to really regain a sense of herself.
I think a lot of idols need that. Some got in for the reason of getting into other venues (perfectly valid as being a singer is not the only responsibility of an idol), others really want to be apart of music...and get that fame. But if you lost sight of your goal, it is always nice to really just look at what you are doing and where you are.
*This is assuming that many of these idols have the option of taking time off for themselves, especially long periods of time like Jazmine who took four years, or Sunye who is taking five for Haiti...which they don't*
*Also Sunye did not say she was giving up idol life, but she is going to make focus on Haiti and her family*
*Also I hate the Haiti situation, I don't hate Sunye wanting to find balance in her life and career*
Anyway for my Jazmine Sullivan fans, here is her performing and I want to share my happiness.
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)
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)
Things I do, and hope to do well
Hey, another post!
*For the imaginary people who follow this blog*
I like to analyze and review shit. Yes I am one of those fans. Yes I look beyond what there is and see for other things. However that does not always happen. Most often, I take things for face value, and just try to say what worked, if it worked with the song, and what I thought could have been improved (there will always be something, even if it is just minor organizational issues of songs on an album).
But yeah, be looking out for that.
I am just waiting for translations of songs so I can get the lyrics.
Right now I am in the middle of listening to Pink Blossom by Apink, and...it's cute. That's good and bad.
So yeah be on the look out for any reviews.
*For the imaginary people who follow this blog*
I like to analyze and review shit. Yes I am one of those fans. Yes I look beyond what there is and see for other things. However that does not always happen. Most often, I take things for face value, and just try to say what worked, if it worked with the song, and what I thought could have been improved (there will always be something, even if it is just minor organizational issues of songs on an album).
But yeah, be looking out for that.
I am just waiting for translations of songs so I can get the lyrics.
Right now I am in the middle of listening to Pink Blossom by Apink, and...it's cute. That's good and bad.
So yeah be on the look out for any reviews.
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