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.
While I work on a massive post for 15&, and gather the strength to write reviews for Hyosung and Jiyeon (As well as venture into more male idols because)...I just want to remind people that these two female acts happened earlier in the year and I was thoroughly here for what they delivered.
Ladies Code: So Wonderful
I loved everything about So Wonderful. The song was dark and fun at the same time, and worked well with the slightly dimmer feel of winter. The video had a story line to it (and was almost fully understandable), and they looked amazing. The only issue I had was that the song was an obvious attempt to recreate what had happened in Pretty Pretty, their last single. I mean...the little part near middle where Sojung became relevant to the song (she was only used on the chorus at first), was...really...eh. Still a nice song, but next time don't try to do the same thing again that closely. Sadly the song did not give them the push forward, but it did keep them on their good streak of releases.
Bestie: Thank U Very Much
I like Bestie. Bestie is a fun group. Bestie has nothing dynamic to them. Unfortunately the only place they could take up is well occupied by Sistar. The issue with Bestie is that they blend in way too well, and their music is very light. Nothing that could make you go wow, but it will get you going. Their single prior to this was Love Options, and while it was a signature Brave Sound moment, it didn't get them anywhere. They then follow up with the light breezy break up song Thank U Very Much *ow!*...however it was released in the time. This song isn't by any means a big single that could have pushed them into the big leagues, however it could have been a summer single. The visual, the very relaxed ass beat...why release this now? Does not make sense. It's a nice track, just bad timing in my opinion.
Last month, 15& returned with their pre-release single Can't Hide It. The spring time love song did well all things considered, and the duo did do a little promo for the song.
However they have decided to take the kiddie gloves off and are on their way to releasing their first album...Sugar.
Now JYPE has actually been trying with 15&. They have been on the radio show circuit, and a few variety shows.
However they now have a full album coming out soon.
So to catch you guys up...
15& made their comeback with Sugar.
I really want to hear the studio version (got to wait until tonight for that), however this gives us a good idea of what we are dealing with. I think the staging is a good idea, but it needs to be tightened up. First off there are a lot of people on one stage. Thankfully 15& are the focal point. The staging looks a little busy, which can get distracting. Also the girls look a lil flat performance wise, and while they sounded nice (and energetic), it seemed a little all over the place (trying to show off their vocals).
I like the concept of the performance, and it seems like they will do it justice. This may just be first performance jitters, and they will get better.
I know I said they would, as it was reported in April...however things have happened.
With the unfortunate Sewol Ferry incident, the Korean entertainment industry basically stopped out of respect. This hiatus, so to speak, lasted for about two weeks, and maybe a week or so ago, K Pop has been getting back into motion.
15& had just released their single, and I don't think even a day later, shit went down. As of now they have been promoting as much as possible, and in their last two rounds it was revealed an album was coming.
Once again, it had been reported earlier that they were indeed releasing an album in May, but things happened, and plans were more than likely changed. 2PM, a certified moneymaker of JYPE were pushed back to September for their return to K pop (however most of this is due to the fact that individual activities are taking up most of their time).
And with some sort of report having come out saying that 15& and Got7 were going to be active in June...I just assumed early June comeback. No one would blame them for pushing it back.
However come to find out...the album is coming in a week....actually like four days.
While the album title has not been dropped, the teaser for their comeback single Sugar has dropped.
The teaser does its job: it gives just enough to get an idea of what we are getting. The sound is obviously retro (however it is not a JYP production), and the video is going to play up on that. Also the song was created by the same person who did their previous singles I Dream and Somebody. These songs were not as received as they could have been, but overall positive reviews did come up.
They will be peforming Sugar on Inkygayo (May 25), and the video will drop the next day (May 26).
G.Na has returned, after how much time away...I don't know how much, but yeah she back.
My problem is that I am not very familiar with her, nor do I want to really get into her. So I am looking at this as someone just getting into her. Like this would be my gateway into G.Na...and uhmmmm....
Pretty Lingerie (G.Na's Secret)
Now where does this song go wrong?
Well the song is called Pretty Lingerie, but we are basically getting something that Apink would do (change the lyrical content just a little). Why are you talking about your panties when you singing to your oppa?
Grow up.
It just feels like a massive disconnect for me. The beat is something I could bop to, and the song is not terrible. It's just knowing what it is about just makes me say no. The lyrics are about a girl who wants to look cute in some sickening Victoria's Secret for her man (aka this will lead to sex). She thinks she is in love, and she is now thinking about him.
I think the song is lowkey about sex in some form. Why are you buying new linens, girl? Why would your man see it?
Why? Because she is going to give him her body.
*Turns on Partition by Beyonce*
This song does not directly say it, but I just came to that conclusion...
Despite the possible sexual theme, the song is just so...dull. Like how do you take such a possible scandalous topic and just...bleh.
Then the video happened and I...
The video is standard in K pop, that ashy pastel colors which gives you spring time, cute dancing, people in outfits you wouldn't see on a normal day by the mass public (like a small section yes, not everyone on every corner looking this nice on any given day).
What really just stopped me was the lingerie store scenes. When she was in the dressing room, and...
Look a guy creeping on a girl changing into panties. Not just some pants, which is still bad, but she trying on bras, and panties and shit).
I was bored by the video up until then, after that I was just uncomfortable. What's worse is that the guy did not even get punished. It was played for laughs, which is terrible because it wasn't even funny. Like people always want to take very serious topics and try to make black comedy...but fucks most of it ain't funny.
I put long awaited because it is like two weeks overdue, and there was a reason for that.
Anyway...Exo is back...as if they left...with their new mini album called Overdose. On said mini is their promo single, the title track Overdose...to which we get two videos (Chinese and Korean version).
Honestly the videos are meh. SM are not really invested in making decent videos now, instead they rather just give you a dance in an ugly box set. I am not opposed to box sets for dance videos, but please...try harder. All that money and tax evasion and you can't afford to make a good video?
Overdose the song is fine. It's actually a decent follow up song to Growl, and it won't do terribly. The only thing that befuddles me is that they did OT12 (pardon me for saying this stupid ass thing) for the videos (the entire group sung for the video version), but apparently the mini's are divided into Exo-K/Exo-M.
This may just be a way to make sure everyone on both sides watches the videos...I don't know or really care to that extent.
