As said in another post, Got7 has returned. Their hiatus (if you want to call it that considering they have had a more visible presence in four months than some of their seniors have had in their careers) has been ended with their new single A. The song had been debuted earlier with a showcase (not yet released), and comeback stages on music shows (along with fan preferred Good Tonight). After a few days they (being their company JYPE) have finally released their second music video.
Got7: A music video
I am going to come forward and say I love this video. Coherent plot (they all fall for the same girl), charming, it fits the song (bright lighting, colorful, with a bit of a comical flair). It makes the song a lot more interesting than it actually is. I do think that them lusting after the same girl is tired. Like I understand it is expensive to hire seven different girls, as well as make sure that the group themselves are able to get time in with their lady, as well as group shots, as well as a story, as well as background scenes, and all that. But still...tired of the one girl/guy fits all. But that is just a really minor complaint. Like it only popped up when I was writing this.
Also bonus points for a more diverse range of background people. I think this was the video shot in Malaysia, which would account for the lack of Korean faces. However shot out to the wide range of ethnicities, and shades going on.
But once again, that is just a bonus. The fact that the video on its own was solid gives me hope.
Got7's new mini Got*insert one of them damn hearts* has been released today, be on the lookout for the review!
First off, I thought AOA was a band...
Eh...
Anyway they are back with the help of Bravesound/Brave Bros./Whatever his name is.
AOA: Short Hair
The song is soooo Brave Bros. Like you can hear Alone rocking in the background. Still it is a cute song. They are a cute group, and the video isn't half terrible. These outfits are meh...like what policewoman wears that? Still it is nothing terrible. The song is actually nice, and I don't have a problem nodding my head to it. Although I think I am getting to the point where Brave Bros just needs to be an album track...instead of a single.
AOA's first mini album has been release so be on the look out for a possible review!
In the midst of a positively received album, a successful tour, a company tour, and different solo ventures...2ne1 have somehow managed to put in creating a Japanese album of Crush. With that...you are not only getting Japanese versions of their newly released album...you are getting Japanese versions of 2012-2013 songs, as well as some other things...videos and such.
The Blackjacks of Japan (and for the lucky ones that can get a copy on the international front) are getting a big album.
So in their efforts to make it known...they are releasing videos of some songs in Japanese.
There is only one new video and it is for the opening title song, Crush.
2ne1: Crush (Japanese version)
Now you have heard my stance on the song. It's cool, but it lacks something...a small something. But I like it. The video...fits reflects my sentiments on the song. I like what they were going for...but it did not really come together fully. I liked the visuals (Especially after the three versions of Gotta Be You), and they devoted time to each place...but what does the opening scene have to do with anything (also for anyone that does not get it, that was a reference to Breakfast At Tiffany's. Classic Audrey Hepburn cinema masterpiece). Why are they in a burlesque room? Why are they dressed like slight anarchistic? Why is CL in a dressing room full of halfdressed chicks dancing? Why is Dara at school? Each girl was essentially given a place, but it didn't fully work for me. A lot of this should make sense, but it doesn't. THe end with the illuminati esque moment just...where and why? It should make sense because that is the big moment of the song, but eh. It feels like they were trying to make a more focused version of I Am The Best (I hate the song, but the overall visual is decent), however it just came off bleh, and if anything more cluttered. I do appreciate them going with girl power, and trying to express their sexuality a bit. It's cool. However it just felt a little sloppy to me. I do think this is an overall improvement from Gotta Be You, and a lot of the scenes are definitely gif worthy. But they done better, and probably will continue to do better.
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.
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.
In a twist, we are getting the Korean version of a Japanese released record after. Jun. K is one of the six member group, who has stuck mostly to music. His fans have been very vocal about him releasing something in Korean, and it seems like their prayers are being answered.
So here is the Korean version of No Love
Jun. K: No Love (Korean Version)
Now I am not exactly a fan of 2PM. The first real full record I have listened to by them was Grown, which I absolutely loved. However as a group, I really am not into them. One I don't like boygroups, and two...I am not a particularly insane about JYPE boygroups. I don't understand why, but 2PM and Got7 just do nothing for me, and they are more or less set up like other boygroups. I do however appreciate the music they make though...just not enough to like them.
However I acknowledge that Jun K. is incredibly well rounded and has an actual desire for music. No Love is nothing short of a good song. It's a ballad that doesn't feel like your standard K Pop ballad, the lyrics make sense without trying hard...it feels like a lot of dedication went into making something worth the time. If The beginning I have heard in another song (R. Kelly's When A Woman Loves), and this video really tries to be artistic to the point where it comes off as doing too much. Eh...
Also Jun K's delivery can be a tad bit on the annoying side...throaty and airy...but that is a personal thing.
Anyway the song is nice, and from my understanding it is on an album.
It has been confirmed that his Japanese album will be released in SK.
What do you guys think of the song? Do you think his album will do well?
I do think the song is a bit cluttered production wise, and Snoop is very active on the song, but I like it. Psy does the chorus, and follows Snoop with a Korean verse every time, but it feels like Snoop is running this song. I don't feel like I need to take this song too seriously and I appreciate that. Also it is more in the lane of what I like outside of K Pop...so...thanks...I guess.
I do think the beginning scenes in the video were too much. I like the adventure they go on more. It's fun. Like they are two grown (old) ass men who go on a drinking spree because they can. It doesn't feel overly made, or pretentious like some K Pop videos come off to me.
I also appreciate that blackface moment was not added to the video.
Overall the video is just drinking until your organs say no...and then repeat.
We get two cameos from YG's G Dragon and CL (the leaders of their respective groups).
I don't know. I really don't hate it. Psy, YG, and his international label recognize that Psy can only...well to be taken seriously will be hard. There are a lot of implications in that (Western problems, and a whole lot of racism), but if you can't prosper off your own struggles, then who can (we know who, just let me get that out there). Psy has to be a joke character to even get recognition anywhere outside of South Korea.
I do applaud him in trying to continue to make a career in the states (Albeit unexpectedly). No doubt YG is waiting to use this for his other acts (more than likely 2ne1 and Lee Hi, who don't have the pressures of military obligations to fulfill...plus the west is more into female acts/solo acts).
In the meantime I'm going to enjoy this a few times before I get over it.
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.
Now I have a special relationship with Taeyang. He is...special. Musically I will concede that he is one of the few artist to actually do R&B in the realm of K Pop. We throw that term around a lot...and we shouldn't. K Pop's interpretation of R&B is limited. Very outdated, very contrite. The most modern we will get is more so in line with a mature version of R&B that you see with older acts. Taeyang I could see as one of the few who geniunely has an interest in the genre, and tries to keep up with it.
So my expectations for Taeyang were...special. I won't get into the album...that's for another post, but I will talk about this video.
Taeyang: Eyes, Nose Lips
The video is very...bland. It is essentially him walking and singing shirtless in a parking lot...
I mean there is not really much to give. The end with the billboard of his ex burning up was kind of extra giving the lack of anything in the video.
And his dancing was very extra...once again do to the lack of anything in the video.
He should have just gave a straight up attempt at De'Angelo's iconic video Untitled (How Does It Feel). I mean I was pretty sure the video was going that way, but who wants to really go for that comparison.
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.
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.
So rising girl group Apink have been trying to get on that about shit status, and have been adamant in keeping their cute (but maturing) look.
So today they came back with Pink Blossom (their mini), and the single is called Mr. Chu.
Mr. Chu is...cute. I say cute because it doesn't have the overall same hype as No No No did. I am not saying they need to just outright try to replicate that song (that would be bad), but Mr. Chu feels like it is missing just a small something, yet that something is incredibly important. I blame the beat of the song. It is very lowkey chill, and this song does not sound like it wants to be chill. Despite that, I don't hate it. I actually kind of like it, but I can tell this song won't have any immediate effects.
The video itself is cute...and I enjoyed it. I wonder how old some of these girls are? I know Nauen is a 94 girl, and I think Eunji is too, or at least '93. I know Namjoo is the baby of the group, but she looking grown right now. I think this is the last time they can get away with this. If they want to keep it wholesome their company may need to start thinking about doing something like Mariah Carey pre-Butterfly.
