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[lordmayokcorner]

OurR 『HaaAakkKKK!!!』 - Single Review

Image: Kpopping

I recently stumbled upon an underground Korean alternative-indie gem of a band, OurR, while looking through my Spotify. I immediately fell in love with their vocalist and guitarist Hong Dahye’s vocal tone, and as I listened further, began to fall in love with everything about the band’s style. The trio is signed to Happy Robots Records, a small British electronic music label. The group is based in Seoul, and have been active since 2018, a year prior to the single I’ll review today. Without further ado, let’s get into this A/B single, HaaAakkKKK!!!

HaaAakkKKK!!! - 7

This track would be better described as an A-side track than a title track seeing as it doesn’t really fit the general K-pop idea of a title track. It’s much softer and more subdued, following the character of OurR. It has a chill groove akin to a candle flame, occasionally flaring up as Dahye’s rasp comes out or a bass fill is carried up the mix. It continues in this way through an instrumental breakdown before Dahye comes back in and the Jinkyu on the bass does an incredibly placed downward arpeggio with the synth adding a syncopated groove. Dahye’s voice builds in pitch volume and most importantly strain, giving this part of the song a desperate tension. A high note followed by a bass pickup drops the tension to bring it down to a third chorus with more flavour and some vocable notes. My interpretation of the lyrics is a depiction of an interesting story from the perspective of an insecure and hostile person who wishes that the rest of the world wouldn’t write them off because of their tough exterior and instead take the time to try to see inside. An interesting theme that matches the soft and slightly melancholy feel to the song. I love the end of the track, but I feel like the first half is a bit redundant. I would love to see more energy throughout. It is a very well made song though, I’ll give it that.

Alone With You - 10

This song seems slow as it is in half-time but pulls along quite swiftly. Dahye’s vocals are beautifully on display here, with just some dreamy guitars and soft rhythm behind her. When she hits the top note right before the end of the chorus her voice breaks displaying that same sense of desperation in the most beautiful way. The way that the warm guitar and her silvery backup vocals cradle the main line is texturally incredible. The use of timbre throughout is nothing less than masterful. In the last chorus more dreamlike guitar lines enter and we’re blessed with a cycle of her hoarse high notes and beautiful smooth low notes. The build of this song is magical to say the least, using natural tension to carry it forward. The lyrics seem to describe someone who fears death as it approaches them yet is grounded in the knowledge that they will forever be together with their loved one as they drift away from the rest of the world. There is a lot of sadness and tension in that narrative yet also love and relief, reflecting the structure of the song perfectly. A truly incredible song.

Final Thoughts

I’m just going to go ahead and embarrass myself and say that I’ve shed more than a few tears in the process of writing this. I truly am blown away by the expertise of this group. I am rarely touched by lyrics, but the way that they weave the emotion perfectly into every aspect of each song makes it impossible not to feel something. Each member has a unique quality to their musical style that all work together excellently, though I’m most stunned by Dahye’s vocal technique. I’ll give the single an 8.5 as a whole, but Alone With You is definitely a 10/10 for me. I see it as their masterpiece, their magnum opus, however you want to say it. It perfectly encapsulates everything that I love about them. Their limited popularity is frankly shocking, though I guess I can see how it takes someone who’s really listening to be able to truly see everything amazing about them. That’ll be all for this one, thanks so much for reading.

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

THE BOYZ 『Christmas in August』 - Album Review

Allkpop

THE BOYZ—no not the TV show—is a boy group (shocker) that I know very little about, besides the fact that they are supposedly very good and I should check them out. Perfectly timed, I got a request to write a review for this album. (Send me asks on my Tumblr if you want something reviewed!) If life has taught me anything it’s to always believe random people on the internet, so let’s see how their newest album PHANTASY Pt.1, Christmas In August, holds up to my standards. I rate on a balanced scale so a 5 out of 10 means I feel neutrally, not that I don’t like it. Enjoy!

LIP GLOSS - 6.5

This song has an upbeat, summery beat that feels like a cross between new Harry Styles and Prince. It’s pleasant and groovy. Some of the elements feel a bit disorganized however, which is off putting for a song that requires the rhythm to be tight and right in the pocket. It works well as a title track but could use a little more catchiness which it lacks because it’s a little generic. I love the energy though, classic summer song!

Passion Fruit - 7

I love the sampled beat! This song also has a lot of funk but is a bit darker feeling and has a wider sound spectrum. I love the way the bass and the rapping in the verses overlap. The prechorus draws things out but doesn’t drop the tension at all. The chorus is a bit of an anti drop, letting go of all of the tension and build from the prechorus, feeling much more hushed. Classically, it scales up again in 8 bars but still feels somewhat laid-back. It’s much more energized than LIP GLOSS and I’m living for it. It’s not adventurous but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Lighthouse - 7.5

This one is not at all uplifting. The beat feels somehow underwater and ocean-cave-like if that makes sense and lacks the funkiness of the past couple songs. The chorus is lighter and more subdued, but when the post chorus hits it feels massive and dark. Massive modulated synth basses back screaming vocals for a mere 4 bars in a way that makes me want it back more than anything. The second verse doesn’t do that many interesting things till the end when it brings in some crunchy harmonies with some extra instrumentals. The post chorus has even more oomph this time around and thankfully lasts a little longer. A post post chorus concludes the song excellently. The whole song feels very reminiscent of being under the ocean. Lovely stuff.

Fantasize - 8

Arguably the first epic on the album, this song starts with a stripped down drum and bass verse and adds more synths in the prechorus to build tension to yet another anti drop…getting a little old. It feels very After Hours (The Weeknd); It’s very much a reference to the 80s, just like After Hours. We love an 80s K-pop banger, just like the iconic LA DI DA. I like its ability to simultaneously be this big power song but also be pretty laid back in the chorus and verses. Certainly a banger.

Fire Eyes - 4

The kick-snare beat, pluck bass, and fun quick vocals are indicators of a classic light pop song. The vocals are definitely sub-par, which is unfortunate because there’s not very much beat to back them up. The melody is nothing to speak of either. I would say it’s the first clunker so far, which is pretty good overall. It’s not painful, it just doesn’t feel like anything special. Light pop has never really been my thing anyway. The end has some more synths, but that doesn’t change much for me.

Fairy Tale - 5

Another one with ‘meh’ vocals. The autotune is unsoundly, I guess you could say. The melodies feel a bit all over the place in the verse; They don’t really connect in a way that they should. The chorus turns things around a bit though. The arpeggiated synths are really nice to listen to. It’s definitely refreshing to hear a final track that’s not just a flat boring ballad. It has flavour for sure.

Final Thoughts

A great summer comeback! The sealike and tropical vibes keep going throughout the album. Super fun but also has some pretty impressive production in it. The middle of the record is really solid. I give this album an overall score of about 6.5 for that reason, with my favorite song being Fantasize. I didn’t love everything on it but I can say that I’m overall very satisfied with it. Some interesting stuff from THE BOYZ, thanks for recommending this to me! I’ll have to listen to some of their other releases. Thanks for reading!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

Meredith O'Connor 『I Am』 - Album Review

This is a review by request! Feel free to request anything for me to review. Generally I only review K-pop but I’m making an exception for this, Meredith Connor’s first album “I Am”. Truth be told, I know very little about her besides that her music is focused around anti-bullying and self-confidence motifs. I’m excited to learn more! Keep in mind that my rating system is 1 to 10, with a 5 indicating complete neutrality.

I Am - 7

A wide blend of trumpet, bass, drums, and piano open the album and the song abruptly but strongly nonetheless. I really love the tone on the bass, I strive to achieve that. Her voice is quite strong as well, matching the instrumentals well. The chord progression is certainly quite basic though, which makes it hard for the song to pop out to me. I do really like the way the drums build in each 4-bar section of the chorus though!

The Game - 6

A much softer opening, just guitar and soft synth pads. I love the delay on her vocals here, it’s very satisfying. The lyrics don’t fit the rhythm very well and don’t quite rhyme, and I think the vocal melodies drag it down a bit. I wish the instrumentals were a bit louder, I think that would balance the mix a little better. I have a lot of respect for the purity of her vocals though, definitely. I’m loving the minimalistic late 90s early 2000s  vibe of the synths, they remind me of first generation K-pop! 

Just The Thing - 3.5

I like the pizzicatos at the beginning. The other elements don’t really blend in with it very well though. I think that as the song builds it becomes less coherent which is unfortunate because I like some part of it individually. It has the same basic chord progression again as well, and when it tries to switch it up it doesn’t quite work for me. I think there’s probably a lot to like in this song, but it doesn’t really fit with me.

Distraction - 5

This is the first song on the album with a very dark start. The beginning has me very excited for something that goes hard. I like the subtle use of the 3-3-2 latin beat. The vocals aren’t quite as great here though. The chorus is pretty disappointing after the intro set it up for so much power. I’m still loving the rich dark vibe though.

Unforgettable Night - 3

This is a much softer song, a classic soft ballad at least for now. Her vocals aren’t great here, and neither are the unnamed featured singer’s. It builds in energy but the background doesn’t take it there. Once again I think some better mixing and processing would really help this song out.

14 Miles - 4

Another heavy opening that lacks the power in bass to really carry it through. This could be great, I just wish that the mix was better and that the EQing was a bit more full spectrum. Many of these songs feel very heavy on the 1-4kHz frequency range (white noise, wind noise) and lacking in low bass (20-70Hz) and high silvery treble (5-10kHz). With that and a hard rock beat this song would go so hard! I find it odd that this is the least streamed song on the album.

Stronger (feat. Garrett Clayton) - 3

This one has another soft quality to it, a true ballad feel. It has many of the same issues as the other songs, but the EQing does feel a bit better. Meredith also sounds much better here. The vocals are somewhat overpowering in a way that flattens the beat. It builds into a power ballad, even changing the key. Not my style but it’s alright.

Guardian Angel - 5.5

I really like the piano melody at the beginning! The vocal melodies are also much better. The piano has a much sturdier bass and is better mixed into the vocals, the instrumentals compliment the vocals in a way that improves the songs coherency as a whole. This song is definitely not the type of song I would listen to but many of the previous issues I’ve pointed out are a lot less noticeable here! 

Face That’s Perfect - 7

This is a refreshingly strong finish! The mixing is once again much better and the equalizing feels better. The drums and vocals could be processed a little better though. Everything clicks into place pretty well. I love the vocal melody in the chorus, it makes me smile! I love the use of the flat 7th and the 6th and the harmonies. The rest of the song is meh for me, but those harmonies are great.

Final Thoughts

It’s really a shame that Meredith O’Connor isn’t much more popular. That may seem like an odd thing to hear me say after delivering this somewhat scorching review (sorry!!), but that’s just the thing! I think that she has a great voice and has a good grasp of musicality. If she was given a higher budget I would really like her music. Almost every issue I had would be easily fixed with better production, writing, mixing, and mastering. Either getting a better company or alternatively joining a rock band would actually be really good for her, musically! I give this album an overall score of 5 taking everything into account, with my favorite song being Face That’s Perfect, one that I think would sound GREAT with a live band! Thank you for recommending this album to me, I hope I wasn’t too harsh! Meredith O’Connor deserves a lot of attention for sure. One day I have a feeling I’m gonna hear about her getting a better gig and being a huge deal. Thanks for reading!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

Current To-Review List

New:

Everglow 8.18

aespa Better Things 8.18

Gidle Heat 9.03

Asks:

THE BOYZ - Christmas In August

Stray Kids - 5 star

Personal:

SHINee - Odd

The Perfect Red Velvet

Generally I prioritize them in this order, starting with the oldest request / oldest release

[lordmayokcorner]

Can you review 5 star by stray kids??

Yes, totally! I'm currently working on two other requests so it may not happen immediately but I will do my best!

[lordmayokcorner]

Could you do an album review for Christmas in August - THE BOYZ? Theres more albums I can suggest if you need more to review!!!

Hi Anon! Someone just recently recommended that I listen to THE BOYZ, so this is perfect! I’ll have time this week to review it as well as another request. Review coming soon :)

[lordmayokcorner]

aespa Savage - Album Review

-- Image: Rolling Stone --

I’ve always loved aespa. I would consider them in my top three groups actually. Something I’ve never looked too deep into of theirs though is the Savage mini album, that is until recently. Every song just absolutely slaps, so I feel that I need to review this thing formally. My rating system puts 5/10 as totally neutral, and is mostly based on how quality I feel that the song is. Enjoy!

aenergy - 7.5

This song has a powerful anthemic pulse that is led by pitch enveloped distorted synth bass and a big-sounding hard-hitting drumbeat. It’s a bold but strong way to start an EP, but that’s pretty normal for aespa. The slight distortion is applied to virtually every element that comes in, but a separate reverbed echo is applied to the vocals, further adding to the anthemic quality of it. As for the melodic content, it can get a bit boring seeing as it’s the same basic two melodies repeated for a whole song over a pretty simple and unchanging beat. The bridge breaks it up though, a classic aespa thing. I love the back and forth lines about each member's role and the whole “___ your hands in the air” part. Generally a pretty good song, but can be a bit dry after too much listening.

Savage - 9

I never thought I would need this blend between a hiphop and industrial beat, but hell yeah I am living for it. The occasional vocal doubling adds emphasis to specific words in a creative way. When everything shifts up for Giselle’s rap, I don’t believe it’s possible to not break into a smile. Her lines here are so incredibly fun to listen to. The prechorus is pretty good, but I’m pretty disappointed by how much autotune they put on Ningning considering she could do so well without it. The elements of the beat that enter in and out on the offbeats in the amelodic chorus make it very pleasing to the ear. Giselle and Karina’s rapping in the second verse is just as fun and well done as the first, and Winter’s prechorus is to die for. The layering of harmonies and industrial percussion is very artful and well done. Not a big fan of the bridge however, it just doesn’t feel that unique. The ending after the instrumental break continues to prove how incredible the key changes and layering is in this song, not to mention the impressive high notes from Ningning.

I’ll Make You Cry - 8.5

The droning synth is a very experimental choice for a foundation to the beat, but it works very well as the bass and layered vocals enter. In the prechorus, the same synth gains an 8-bit quality. The way that everything drops down for the chorus gives the song a very ominous feeling to it, and then when elements re-enter we’re served with this excellent syncopation in the vocals requiring significant head bobbing. The whole song feels like it’s going back and forth between screaming and whispering, both in vocals and in instrumentals. It’s truly both a funky and a beautiful and dark song.

YEPPI YEPPI - 10

This song keeps some of the industrial-sounding percussion and synths from Savage but is much more upbeat and syncopated. The vocal delivery still feels very low-key though. The song starts to build faster and faster, and before the listener knows it everything drops and after a muted scream of “AESPA”, the song kicks into a completely unexpected massive catchy anthemic EDM beat. The way that the power drops on the down beat but the synth enters on the makes it 100 times more powerful. In the second verse, we’re given THREE separate beat changes, from a jungle beat for a few lines to a trap beat with horn stabs for the next few and back to the jumpy beat of the first verse. Once again “AESPA”, and the whole thing explodes into another huge chorus. This song is an absolute songwriting masterpiece between the vast assortment of beat and style changes, complex chord switches, entire world of instrumental sounds, and it’s ability to keep the listener on their toes. Most importantly, through all of this, it’s impossible not to be right there with it at every turn. I can’t listen to this song without bursting out into a stupid grin and bobbing my head.

ICONIC - 7.5

Full-on industrial, maybe even more than Savage. Just like every song previous, the use of syncopation makes the song infectious. The relaxing and soft prechorus leads to a sparse but intense chorus filled to the brim with power, using the classic 3-3-3-3-2-2 eighth note pattern (if you don’t know what I’m referring to, listen to the rhythm of the bass synth in the chorus). The verses are very straight though, following the beat with little to no syncopation. That’s part of what gives this song its ICONIC (haha) feel; The verses and bridge are straight while the prechorus and chorus are in the syncopated 333322 pattern. Sorry to go full-blown music nerd on you all. Aside from that, this song is a little dry compared to some others on this album.

Lucid Dream - 10

This song is the very antithesis of “dry”, it feels like drowning deep underwater. The sound design and melodies feel liquid. The bass in the chorus is so powerful and smooth compared to the relatively silvery sound of the other elements, making for a beautiful rich spectrum of sound but lacking any muddiness. Despite being as tripped out as I’m making it sound, it simultaneously feels very badass and groovy. The contrast creates a slight tension, and the song is tight enough that it feels like it needs to snap. In probably my favorite moment in any aespa song, snap it does. The synths become sharp and bright in an absolutely massive hit on the downbeat, playing with the pitch and rhythm as it bounces off of the downbeat increasing the slam’s effect in a way similar to a sidechain on a techno kick drum. Some badass spoken lines from Giselle create some beautiful polyrhythms, and the sub bass growls as it kicks into a half-time feel. Just like that, the power move of a breakdown is over and the song finishes smoothly. Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole song, but the breakdown is what really puts it at a 10. Aespa and their breakdowns man…

Final Thoughts

As aespa’s first long form release following singles Black Mamba, Forever, and Next Level, it has a lot to prove. Aespa’s music has never been lazy, and Savage proves that they aren’t just trying to make money off a title track. Every song is creative and meaningful to the album, keeping a very cohesive sound. Not a single track feels half-assed or part of a format. The use of percussion, syncopation, pitch, style, layering, and harmony is some of the best I’ve seen. I give this album an overall score of 9 for that reason, and my favorite track would have to be YEPPI YEPPI, just barely over Lucid Dream. I initially didn’t like much of this at first but with more listening I’ve come to love everything on it. It’s a game changer for me and the way I view aespa and K-pop as a whole. They’ve set a new standard for what I expect of songwriting and production that I believe very few other groups will be able to keep up with. Aespa is absolutely shattering barriers and proving that music is about more than money. Thank you for reading,

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

ODD EYE CIRCLE <Version Up> - Album Review

There’s no word that describes how eagerly I have been anticipating this EP. I don’t believe I talk quite enough about LOONA in my reviews. That’s sarcastic, of course. I probably mention them at least once per review, as they are my ult group and have incredible music. With all of the members being recently freed from their unfair contracts with Blockberry Creative, five of them including the OEC squad (Jinsoul, Kim Lip, Choerry) have joined Jaden Jeong’s new label MODHAUS. While no music from the full 5-piece girl group ARTMS has been released yet, Odd Eye Circle has come out with a new EP. It will be interesting to see the JJ sound continue into the modern era of LOONA, and to see if their sound resembles the 2017 Mix & Match or has changed. I’ll listen to each of them three times and rate them afterwards. Keep in mind that a five on my scale represents neither like or dislike.

Did You Wait? - 6.5

Yes. Yes I did wait. It’s surprising to me that all of the clips of Blockberry-published OEC songs haven’t been copyright claimed. Let’s hope it stays that way. As for the intro itself, the synth is uncannily similar to the one in Chaotic and Starlight on the 2017 EP. It brings a modern twist to it though that makes me anxious to hear what the title track will have to do with it.

Air Force One - 9.5

This song embodies the direction that K-pop has been dying to follow for a long time now. Groups like NewJeans and STAYC have started to move the girl crush sound to a more “lo-fi” and minimalistic sound. The whole first verse has this very soft feeling to it that’s reminiscent of that. The chorus is very fun and addictive and the crunchy, silvery vocal processing is fascinating. The hook feels like it’s keeping you on your toes. On the other hand, the breakdown is absolutely chilling, maximizing that vocal effect and drawing out the rich synth pads to create a simultaneously beautiful and terrifying ambiance. When the chorus comes back around, it seems to have more meaning and the synths hit way harder. Very well done track.

Je Ne Sais Quoi - 5

The introductory few seconds of this song make it seem almost like a lo-fi hiphop song, but when the beat comes in it becomes clear that this song actually has more of a relaxed dance music feel. I don’t love what’s been done with the vocals on this track. The processing on their voices is a little over the top and reminds me of some of what I didn’t like from tripleS’s vocals. The beat feels somewhat squashed and garbled unfortunately. I think it has the potential to feel much larger than it does, but because of those factors coupled with my general dislike for the melodic content, it’s certainly not my favorite song but also has elements to it that I like.

Lucid - 7

This is the 1000th song I’ve seen with Lucid in the name, I swear. Ooh, so soft and comforting at the beginning though. It has a lilting flow that makes it auditorily resemble the slowly rising and falling waves of a calm ocean in the morning. The vocals in the refrain have the same sort of rising and falling sound, and the way they drop lower reminds me of Zero (NewJeans) which is a very rare thing to do in a pop song. The vocals themselves aren’t done quite as I would look for similarly to Je Ne Sais Quoi though. As more elements enter, it becomes more bouncy but stays very peaceful. A little more variation musically could help this song be even better.

Love Me Like - 4.5

With the addition of this song, it’s becoming clear that this album generally has a repetitive chill dance vibe featured in all of the songs so far. This one is interesting but the beat feels a little garbled like the previous couple songs. It’s much more upbeat however, with more of a R&B and disco fusion beat. It can get pretty boring, that would be my main critique. More depth would be helpful, certainly.

My Secret Playlist - 4.5

This one feels much more like classic early LOONA. The sound is generally more spacious and wide. It reminds me particularly of LOONA 1/3's stuff. The actual songwriting is pretty dry though, and the chorus is very disappointing. It could definitely be worse though. That’s basically all I have to say. It’s fine.

Final Thoughts

This EP is a very big deal for LOONA, a symbol of progress and freedom from BBC. I personally feel that the songwriting and production on basically every song feels pretty half-assed. I think that Lucid with its ocean-like production and the terrifying and fascinating Air Force One are definitely the two with the most thought and effort in them. I don’t see much in Je Ne Sais Quoi, unlike many other fans. Despite the meaning of this, I didn’t love the content itself. I give this album an overall score of 5 for that reason, with my favorite song being Air Force One. I’m really hoping for good things in the future of LOONA, ARTMS, and other affiliated groups. We’re just going to have to hold out and hope that JJ pulls it together a bit. Thanks for reading!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

CHUNG HA Querencia - Album Review

-- Image: K-pop Database --

Basic as it may sound, I found Chung Ha through Gotta Go. The beat is what hooked me but I began to really like her unique vocal style. It’s almost whiny but in a good way, and her technique is very impressive. Looking through her discography recently I found this album, Querencia, and immediately was excited. I always love reviewing albums with multiple sides because of how interesting it is to compare them; Generally they are a very good experience for reviewers. I’m very excited to review this 21-song colossus of an album. Hope you enjoy!

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

SIDE A {NOBLE} - 6.5

This is a dark start for an album, particularly for a side labeled “Noble”. I like it though. The switch from the dark synth bass to the soft pads halfway through is really pleasant and relaxing. The spoken word vocals remind me of Le Sserafim’s characteristic opener tracks. The large space reverb with ambient noises gives the effect of being in a large sea cave, perhaps the oasis Querencia that Chung Ha describes lyrically.

Bicycle - 8

This track opens with a powerful latin feel reminiscent of Mamamoo. The synth bass is very well done and adds more darkness to the beat. The ambiance continues to be incredible. While it may not be the most unique, I really enjoy listening to this song. All of the small sound effects such as the bell in the chorus are very intentionally placed. I particularly love the melodic elements of the post chorus. Parts besides the post chorus don’t stand out to me though, at least not as much.

Masquerade - 8

Here we have another latin feel, I’m starting to see a general theme here, possibly in the image of the title. This song is another big, dark, power song, but has a more upbeat and even more of a Mamamoo-esque twist. Something it shares with Bicycle is the expert placing of samples and ambient noises. The vocals are nice, and the beat is generally entertaining. It also reminds me somewhat of early (G)I-DLE. Upon the third listen, I like this song more. While I do think it can be repetitive, it is actually engaging and powerful throughout the whole track.

Flying on Faith - 9

The muted guitars are very interesting here. I am generally skeptical of guitar in K-pop, but on occasion I like it, such as Hell in Heaven by TWICE, the first K-pop song I ever liked. The chorus is quite nice. The layering of the synths with the guitar is tight and satisfying to hear. The verses are nothing to speak about though, but Chung Ha’s vocals carry the listener through it. This song generally feels more like 10s western pop to me, which makes it not very refreshing. I have been known to have a large soft spot for that exact type of music though, particularly early-Ariana-esque pop like this. It works great as a B-side, or technically A-side following the dual-record scheme of this album. Love it!

Luce Sicut Stellae - 4

The final A-side track. I suppose you could say it’s very hard to see what this song is asking for. It feels sort of all over the place, I can’t really find any defining part of it. It feels somewhat patched and pulled together. It would work fine as background music or as part of a soundtrack. It’s just generally confusing as a song. I don’t really dislike anything in particular but it just doesn’t really work.

SIDE B {SAVAGE} - 5.5

This opener is still dark but much higher energy. The style is early 90s techno. Interested to see what this could mean for the rest of this side.

Stay Tonight - 7

The harp at the beginning feels like something Bjork would do. The instrumentals led by a plucked bass synth are engaging but laid back. The vocals are very smooth and lovely, particularly in the prechorus; This seems to be the norm with Chung Ha. As the song gets to the chorus, the bass comes back in and the general feel becomes very disco-like. It’s fun but sophisticated and magical. I personally don’t find this style to be incredibly engaging but I like the song overall. It still has the Chung Ha touch. 

Dream of You (with R3HAB) - 6

This song feels fun and classic. It reminds me a lot of the kind of direction that Dua Lipa went on Future Nostalgia, this song particularly reminding me of Break My Heart. I’m starting to see that this old-school electronic sound is the theme of Side B, as demonstrated by the opener. To be honest, I’m not really in love with this song. For the most part I’ve been ignoring the lyrics of these songs, but as this is a completely english song, I will say that the lyric writing feels very half-assed. That said, this song is fun to listen to, and feels like a classic anthem. It lacks some of the magical aura of Stay Tonight though.

Bother Me - 7

This track immediately feels more drawn out than the previous few of Side B. Silvery vocals meet soft resonant R&B pads and an energetic bassline. The use of autotune in this song feels stylistic, and I know that Chung Ha would not need that much as she’s proven that she has a great voice. It wouldn’t be my first choice for vocal processing though. This feels like a cross between Red Velvet and STAYC R&B songs. I love the balance of tight and together with the bass and drums to magical and spacious with the vocals, synths, and guitar. It can at times be repetitive and stagnant however, which seems to be a common complaint of mine for this album. Nonetheless, this is the kind of b-side track that I love.

Chill - 5

Wow, the synth here is very powerful! It reminds me of Charli XCX’s ILY2 from Number One Angel. The choral background vocals add a very interesting contrast to the synth in the background. As the song picks up and slides into the chorus, everything seems to work in synchronization. That said, the rest of the song does feel somewhat out of sync and not well mixed. It reminds me somewhat of IVE’s Mine, which I really liked but felt like the songwriting could’ve used some more work for. I also don’t really love the vocals on this track; They just don’t feel quite as quality, and the autotune isn’t tasteful, at least to my ears. This certainly isn’t my favorite, but is a better closing song than Luce Sicut Stellae.

SIDE C {UNKNOWN} - 6.5

This intro still has the old school electronic feel, but it’s much more industrial and feels more like a clip from a DJ set. Musically, this opener is very fun to listen to. It seems well put together and does a good job replicating the style it’s looking to. The name UNKNOWN and the fact that this is in the middle-end implies that this side will be more on the experimental side, which is great.

PLAY (feat. Changmo) - 8.5

I must say, after the slight dub influence of the intro, I should’ve expected to hear steel drums, but it still threw me off. That’s nothing bad though, of course. The verses keep the bouncy feeling of the beginning but the prechorus dissolves it into a light and beautiful moment for her silvery vocals to shine through. The chorus may as well be a cover of Egotistic (Mamamoo), like it’s almost identical. The latin feel is identical but I don’t like it less for its similarity. I don’t love Changmo’s rapping, but it fits well into the latin dance style. It’s light but dark, fun but entrancing.

Demente (feat. Guaynaa) - 4.5

More steel drums and upbeat latin vibes. In addition, Chung Ha speaks Spanish here! It’s upbeat and joyous in its island sound. The vocals are not extremely impressive however, she just doesn’t sound as good with this track. The song doesn’t feel like it’s intended to be the absolute best it can be, which always hurts me to see. To all production companies, please treat your b-sides just as well as your title tracks! B-side tracks do not have to be less finished than TTs. It’s nice, but that’s really all I can get from it. Cool to see some Spanish K-pop though!

Lemon (feat. Colde) - 3.5

So far it seems like the second to last track of each side has attempted something more R&B-like. That holds true for Lemon, as it crosses the previous island style with an R&B ballad feel. I don’t really like what’s been done in vocal processing with her doubling and other questionable choices that make her voice sound dry and uncomfortable. It certainly sounds very characteristic, and I’ve heard it done before, but I just don’t like the way it’s done here. The Colde feature is quite good however, this whole section of the song is my favorite, both for the instrumental choices and the lack of that vocal processing on Chung Ha.

BYULHARANG (160504 + 170607) - 5

This song starts as a soft spoken and minimalistic guitar ballad and adds elements in as it gets to the chorus. Elements slowly get added and removed for a gentle build in energy. I haven’t liked a guitar ballad in a very, very, long time. I don’t blame this song at all, in fact I think it’s a pretty good one at that. Even keeping that in mind, it’s just not for me. I think her vocals sound great, I like the songwriting, I just don’t like the style. I think a neutral 5/10 would be appropriate for this song.

SIDE D {PLEASURES} - 8

Sparse and disorienting bass hits are slowly coupled with other pieces to create a large image, all to be shattered and brought back to the oddly arranged bass stabs. By far the most interesting opener track this far. Unfathomably more interesting, at least to me. I really love this as a miniature song on its own. It sounds a lot like Eenhorn by Hush and The Core by Peenoise. It also makes me wonder what is in store for the final side of this record. I don’t want to set my hopes too high, but I would love it if some of the songs had a similar sound design to this.

X - 9.5

Filtered gospel vocal chops lead to a soft and reverbed-to-hell ballad track. Ethereal hits layered into the texture of tambourines and rhythm guitar give the song a powerful dreamlike effect. The chorus adds some more ambient noise and instrumentals, almost producing the Phil Spector “Wall of Sound”. It’s a somber movie soundtrack song with a 1960s vibe. As the song carries into the bridge the vocal chops come back and give this part a dark and driving feeling. As the shout chorus hits, both sides of the track combine and it’s both the sweet somber feeling and the angry and powerful one. I really did not expect to like this song as much as I do, but everything is done extremely well and flows perfectly as an homage to the 1960s girl group style.

All Night Long - 10

Light and breathy vocals match modern R&B influenced synths and pianos. At almost a minute in, the chorus comes in and with it many more layers of synths and basses that, even after the chorus, seem to build. The slight distortion of the vocals starting in the second chorus gives the song more character and is a very creative touch. Her vocal tone is very pure and beautiful and reminds me of the fragile beauty of Janet Jackson’s. The way that her vocals are less compressed in post processing allows her much more dynamic range for a beautiful lilting flow. I would be bored if it weren’t for the instrumentals and the vocals continuing to one-up each other. This is how an intimate ballad should sound, combined with some extra instrumental power to really top it off.

Everybody Has - 5

Record fuzz, samples, dog barks, and retro synths set this song off for a feeling of nostalgia. This last section seems to be 100% ballads, which is interesting when listening to everything together. Unlike the previous two, I really don’t find this one to be very interesting. The melodies don’t have anything important to communicate, and the song generally seems very overdone. There’s nothing inherently bad in this song, but it lacks many qualities of a good song. Solid 5.

Come N Goes - 6

The initial beat of this song sets it up to hit a little harder than the previous few. The melodies almost have an early 10s Taylor Swift feeling to them, like Red or late 1989 era. The chorus completely changes the background by adding several instrumental elements individually and removing them just as quickly. It’s a bit of a mess of a way to handle the song but it also makes me wish that there was more of the song with this sort of sound because it works much better than the verse sound. Autotune in some places feels flattening but most of the time isn’t a major problem. Similarly to many songs on this album and others, amazing sounding songs can still be crushed by their songwriting. This song just doesn’t fully make sense as a whole work. I think with some more work it could be amazing.

Querencia (Epilogue) - 6.5

All I know is that within two seconds of hearing the funky, distorted, hip hop-style beat at the beginning, I was addicted. Needless to say, it was very disappointing when it was cut off. Holy Querencia! Through seconds of silence, Chung Ha’s reverb-filled voice speaks “Querencia” and had me jumping out of my seat. Eventually, ambient instrumentals featuring marimba chords come in and finish the album. In a way this symbolizes some of the differences between music styles on this album.

Final Thoughts

Some artists like to produce an album in which they put a piece of their soul, a bit of the essence of what music means to them, an album that’s almost more for them; A masterpiece album. Querencia is Chung Ha’s masterpiece album. Four individually themed sides surrounded by this idea of Chung Ha’s special quiet place, dubbed by her, “My own oasis, Querencia”. The word means just that, a favorite spot. The latin root quaerere means to seek. I see this as a pursuit for solace in the wild world we live in today. The music carries this sense of maturity perfectly through the powerful and synth-driven Noble, the bold and dancey Savage, the playful and latin-inspired Unknown, and the beautiful and heartfelt Pleasures. While I didn’t like some of the music, I loved most of it, and the theme of the album and the thought put into it is unbelievably impressive. I give this album an overall score of 8.5 for that reason, with my favorite song being the least streamed but perhaps the best, All Night Long. If you read all 2600 words of this review, thank you so much! Tell me what you think about Querencia!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

A fun mashup-type thing I made of a ton of different songs that string together

[lordmayokcorner]

UPDATE aespa My World - Album Review

-- image: koreatimes --

After what feels like a lifetime, SM Entertainment’s aespa has finally dropped their new mini album My World. The group released a whopping 4 prereleases, always a red flag in my opinion. That said, I think that this EP has the potential to be a big hit among fans. This is a pretty noticeable departure from their original sound, but I see it as a good thing. Despite my bias being Ningning, we all have to admit that Blonde Karina is a massive slay. 

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

Welcome To MY World (feat. nævis) - 10

We start off with a somewhat ominous but sweet guitar riff. When the refrain hits, the bass is incredible and super smooth. Ningning is killing it on the refrain! (or chorus depending on how you see it). In the verses the autotune is quite excessive, but the chorus sounds more tasteful to me. As the song progresses, it continuously builds to hit harder and harder, adding drums, strings, more bass, synths, harmonies, backups, and the vocaloid-esque nævis lines. The descending strings into the final chorus are the highlight of the entire song. Every single word and musical element of the last chorus feels intentional and precise. The previous sense of suspense has been supplemented with passion and power. This song is amazing, I have nothing else to say.

Spicy - 9

The tense suspense and power of Welcome to MY World is replaced by a hard-hitting funky beat. The sound design of the synth bass is seriously impressive and pleasing to the ear. The production is done by Moonshine, an absolute beast in the kpop scene. Peek-A-Boo, Naughty, and Forever 1, just to name a few. The rap in the verse feels like a cross between the Irene rap in Dumb Dumb and Robyn’s Konichiwa B*tches. The chorus slaps. So. Hard. All the pitch sliding in the vocals and synths gives this song a jazzy, danceable feel. Some parts feel a bit boring and repetitive, but the track is addictive nevertheless. There are elements of Illusion, but other than that it’s a new sound for aespa.

Salty & Sweet - 7.5

This song continues the trend of excellent sound design in the bass. The vocal processing is also quite nice. The master is a little quiet compared to the other songs which is a bit disappointing, but if you turn up the volume it’s just fine. This one reminds me a bit of Savage, and both of them aren’t exactly revolutionary, though I do prefer this song. The production is super satisfying, perhaps even more than Spicy, but the songwriting could use some work. The only part that I find to be all around incredible is the breakdown/refrain with the heavy synth stabs. A classic hard-hitting aespa track that can be a little boring if you aren’t really focusing on the sounds and production. 

Thirsty - 7

They’re going for a Red Velvet style R&B track here. They pull it off…mostly. I personally don’t think aespa suits this style, but it does sound pretty good overall. Once again, heavy autotune that at times is distracting. I don’t think aespa really needs as much autotune as SM gives them! The production is also not quite as exquisite as the previous 3 tracks. I’m a sucker for this style though, being as much of a Reveluv as I am. Very pretty and dreamy.

I’m Unhappy - 8.5

Another R&B feel to this song. Aespa is really bringing the groove in this EP, I must say. The verse has a nice fun light beat, the pre-chorus is smooth R&B, and the chorus is a combination of Spicy and Welcome to MY World in sound. I love the vocals, particularly in the chorus, my God! Other parts don’t really stand out to me as much however. The rap parts aren’t that impressive, but that’s not necessarily the goal. The slight vocal fry and growl in the “I’m unhappy” just adds to the aggressively cool sound of the song. I think that Giselle and Karina in particular absolutely nail it here. Relaxed and powerful, love it. Thumbs up aespa 👍

‘Til We Meet Again - 4

The song begins with some beautiful bells, strings, and soft vocals. The acoustic guitar that enters afterward isn’t exactly for me though. The chorus cements this song as a power ballad, but it’s not really a good one. There’s nothing very wrong with this song, I just don’t really see anything that notable in it. It’s a fine song, it just happens to be extremely similar to almost every end song ballad in kpop, and feels a bit cheesy. I feel like there would be better ways to end this album, but this isn’t necessarily a bad way to do it. 

Final Thoughts

This must be the 10th time I’ve mentioned groove in this review, but this comeback really embodies the word. I certainly think this is a good direction for aespa. I like their older concepts too, but I think progressing as a group is very important. In my eyes, if they keep reinventing and developing their sound, they possibly have the ability to overtake groups with more defined, static sounds such as Blackpink, who they are often accused of imitating. That however is a whole other debate. I found this album to be generally impressive, particularly on the production side. SM undeniably has the best producers of the big 3, at least from my opinion as an amateur producer and sound designer. I give this album an overall score of 8, with my favorite song being the opener, Welcome to MY World. Thank you for reading, let me know what your thoughts are on any of this!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

Dreamcatcher [Apocalypse: From Us] - Album Review

-- image: Asian Junkie --

I learned about Dreamcatcher through my kpop-lover friend who stans them, Andrew. It only makes sense that his thoughts be included here as well, so we decided to co-review this album for that reason. His thoughts will be included with mine, directly below them.

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. My rating is the first number, Andrew’s is the second. Please take our ratings with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

Intro: From Us - 6.5, 7

The soft parts are very well done. The pianos and synths are layered very nicely. I’m rarely a fan of electric guitar in pop music so that part isn’t as much to my liking, though the vibe is really intense nonetheless. The ending with the mysterious sounding synths and chords is very well done.

Andrew: It’s very creatively done, sounding both natural/earthy and futuristic. It has a very fluid feel, with clean transitions between hope, peace and war. The delicate piano at the end, which matches the electronics of the beginning, brings it full circle.

BONVOYAGE - 5.5, 8

This track starts off quite soft but very quickly launches into a high energy guitar and slap bass beat, just to fall back into the quiet again with verse 1. The vocals here could be better admittedly. This pattern gives the song a bit of a messy and incomplete feeling unfortunately. The chorus however has a significant amount of vocal power. Very impressive. I’m certainly not in love with the song’s composition itself but the vocals and other specific elements in places are very nice.

Andrew: This one is a bit of a grower honestly. At first I wasn’t a fan of the interspersed electronics in the beginning riff, nor satisfied with the backing track during the chorus. But now I feel that the elements add a very adventurous feel to the song. The vocals are superb, out of this world superb, and I love the acoustic guitar coupled with the delicate vocals of the first pre-chorus.

DEMIAN - 5.5, 5,5

Woah, what a start! More slap bass, I certainly don’t mind as a bassist myself. Whether or not I think this guitar and bass is really suitable to this style, that’s more debatable. The anime-opening energy is quite strong with this one. That said, I think it’s a powerful and energetic track, and the vocals are relatively smooth as well.

Andrew: Honestly I feel the song has potential, but it doesn’t do it for me. I feel the backing track is too loud and frenetic, which unfortunately overpowers the already strong vocals. The muffle on the rap was a bit much as well. I loved the chorus as a whole though, and the overall composition hit hard and hit well.

Propose - 7.5, 8

Wow. The production at the beginning is so incredibly dark and smooth. The synth percussion in the verse is also very unique and sets a precedent for the rest of the song. The chorus is slightly disappointing compared to the verse and intro. Only slightly though, it still carries a certain amount of march-like power, almost like Blue Blood by IVE. The rap section is really cool and reminds me a lot of the one in Addicted by PIXY. I love her deep voice! Again, the rock vibe doesn’t really suit my taste so for that reason I’ll have to give it a 7.5, though that still means I really like this song! 

Andrew:  

My favorite song on the EP. It has a total anthem sound, with the switch between the first chorus and the rap hitting just right. The vocals are effortless and powerful, the rap is strong, and I love the instrumentals in the background. The message is clear: fight for true love.

To. You - 4, 4

Love the muffled vocals in the beginning. I’ve been hearing that a lot lately in these new releases. Not a fan of the semi-rock ballad aspect of this though. It’s unsurprising that the last song will be a ballad, but this one doesn’t really do it for me. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate it or anything, it just feels somewhat cheesy and out of place.

Andrew: It is a little monotonous for me. While calming, and with very steady vocals and a lovely message, it sounds a bit held back from what it could be. Overall not too much to say, except that it’s nice to calm down from the previous songs, but a bit underwhelming.

Final Thoughts

This was a very interesting experience. I’ve never been that into Dreamcatcher because their rock sound just isn’t exactly for me, though I actually really enjoyed Propose. I certainly find it to be the most interesting song on the album. I would give this album an overall score of 5.5, and Andrew gave it a 6.5. The two of us had generally very similar thoughts about many of the songs, which surprised me but I also appreciate the external confirmation of my thoughts. I’m fairly neutral on basically every song besides Propose, but I didn't hate anything. Above all, I’m glad to get to know Dreamcatcher a bit better! Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!

- Maya and Andrew

[lordmayokcorner]

NCT 127 Regular-Irregular - Album Review

-- Image: MTV --

NCT 127 is actually a group I found through LOONA’s live cover of Cherry Bomb. I loved LOONA’s performance and the song so much I decided to check out some more NCT 127. I haven’t listened to all of their albums yet, but I know a good amount of their stuff. This album is split into side A, Regular, and side B, Irregular. Note that this is the original version, not the repackage.

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

City 127 - 6

Clean piano chords, varied percussion, and smooth bass form the beginning of this song. Paired with almost hushed vocals, this song really sets the mood for the Regular side of this album. It feels very Bruno Mars, almost a campfire song vibe. Somewhat repetitive and dry, but that’s to be expected with an intro song. Vocals are not top notch, but the vibe is there for sure. I overall like this song.

Regular (Korean Version) - 7

This song takes the same subdued energy from City 127 and puts a fun spin on it. The beat is relaxed but playful. Verses aren’t spectacular but the chorus slaps holy f*ck. It has the same sort of bad*ss energy as AUTOMATIC by Chancellor or We Go Up by fellow subunit NCT Dream. It has a very strong movie soundtrack feel, in a good way. Unfortunately, the rhymes and vocal rhythms are not as good as the English version for once in kpop, so it loses some of its charm. For that reason I’ll have to lower its score.

Replay (PM 01:27) - 8

Another track that could be described as both energetic and relaxed. That mood combined with the distant vocal chops and stab synth remind me of LOONA’s Heat from XX. Both songs remind me a decent bit of Diplo’s production. Both are produced by highly esteemed names in kpop: Heat by Daniel Caesar (Red Flavor, New) and Replay by LDN Noise (Jopping, Dumb Dumb). All tangents aside, this song is great and feels iconic, though its similarity to so many songs makes it somewhat ‘done’ already. Despite that, its hype is undeniable.

Knock On - 8

Soft electric piano and pitched vocal chops set a calm, spacey vibe for this R&B ballad. This song feels as if you’re driving slowly down a country road with the windows down on a cool summer night. Perfect 10 by Red Velvet, that’s what I see in this song. Smooth, nurturing, and beautiful. Occasionally, use of autotune can be excessive, but mostly the vocals are beautiful. Lacks some excitement, but certainly soft and incredibly textured. A great track.

No Longer - 4

Minimalist R&B tinged classical instrumentation sets the stage for soft and sweet vocals. This song is a full-on ballad. Personally I tend to not be impressed by classic ballads. I generally want a bit of flair in these types of songs. That said, the vocals are quite nice in this song, and the slow build feels quite cinematic. Not my cup of tea exactly but a beautiful song no less.

Interlude: Regular to Irregular - 6.5

I know this isn’t exactly a full on song, as it’s an interlude, but I figured I should include it anyway. This song continues the classical vibe of No Longer but removes the R&B aspect. It’s as if from Knock On to this interlude there is a slow transition between R&B and classical ballad. Holy sh*t! About half way in we switch to Side B Irregular and WOW. It’s immersive, dark, hip hop inspired beat is stunning. The 6.5 score is an average between a 5 for the first half and an 8 for the second.

My Van - 7.5

Dark and frightening, this icy cold beat sets the stage for some incredibly smooth rapping from Taeyong and Mark. The sharp high pitched synth mixed with the low bass are a daring combo that work together perfectly. The deep echo and experimental dark remind me of The Weeknd’s first mixtapes. Can feel a bit “swampy” because of how tripped out it is. Good song though.

Come Back - 9

We’re bringing back the gritty synth from Regular to Irregular. It’s much more approachable than the interlude however, though still an intense song. These are matched with the harmonized low-pass filtered plucks for some ear candy juxtaposition. It actually feels quite a bit like Puzzle, the Charli Taft produced b-side off Choerry’s solo release. Generally a Charli Taft vibe with the synth sounds. In particular the verses are infectiously groovy. 

Fly Away With Me - 7.5

The instrumentals at the very beginning are relatively the same from My Van, but this song utilizes them completely differently. The song could be characterized as a high energy ballad. It has a certain quality, best described as a slow driving force. Between the harmony choices and the smooth but energetic feel to it, this song gives Red Velvet to me. I generally like this song.

Regular (English Version) - 8

Not only does this song slap, the english version is actually better than the Korean version. There are so many hilarious slang references and memeable lyrics. Doesn’t quite fit the Irregular vibe, but who cares.

Run Back 2 U (Bonus Track) - 6

Autotune at the beginning is a bit off-puttingly strong. Because of this and the lack of change in the music, the verses aren’t extremely impressive. I believe this isn’t the first time I’ve referenced Love Cherry Motion, but this song really reminds me of it. Smooth and soft turns into hard hitting and bad*ss. The different parts of the song could be slightly more coherent however. The rap parts remind me of My Van once again. Seems to be a motif on the Irregular side. Solid but not amazing.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed listening to this album! I love the concept of the Regular and Irregular sides. It feels like a throwback to the record days, with the A side and B side. I would say I preferred the sound of the Irregular side, partially just because, as the name suggests, it is certainly somewhat irregular in kpop, particularly songs like My Van and the interlude between sides. I really loved the gritty synths and driving feel to all of the Irregular songs. I would give this album an overall score of 7.5. Some songs were amazing and some were decent, but I didn't really dislike anything. If the ratings didn’t make it clear, my favorite song off this record is Come Back. It really reminds me of Ay-Yo from the 4th album repackage. This album shows that NCT 127 is a very, very versatile group and can dial in many different styles. Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

(G)I-DLE I feel - Album Review

-- image: allkpop --

Kpop girl group (G)I-DLE is known for many things, one of which being that member Soyeon, pictured in the center above, writes the majority of their songs independently, something not often seen in the world of kpop. This mini album, the 6th in the series of “I _” ones, was also produced by Soyeon. All of the members are bringing a fun girly concept to this comeback, so I’m excited to see how this change is reflected in the music. In the past, I’ve only enjoyed I Trust, so I’m hoping I can find more I enjoy in this comeback.

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

Queencard - 5.5

I love the beat in this song, the production of these summer specials have been incredible so far. The Minnie intro of verse 1 is absolutely golden, I love her husky tone here. There is a high amount of excitement and energy despite the fairly soft sound of the track. Unfortunately though, this track goes downhill the longer the tape rolls. The chorus is somewhat disappointing, and the lyrics are just…cringe. I think this song has a lot of potential in verse 1, but after that the chord progression and instrumentals become boring as they don’t really change in any meaningful way. That said, the song keeps its fun bounce throughout, and verse 1 is one of my favorite verse 1s in kpop. As usual for (G)I-DLE, the vocals sound great, particularly Minnie and Miyeon.

Allergy - 5

(G)I-DLE has really been going for a sort of 2000s teen pop vibe lately. I don’t like or dislike that, but it is certainly noticeable. This song feels like a classic boy band song from the 2000s. I don’t really love this style, but I think this track pulls it off fairly well, and no part of it feels forced or awkward. That said, it may pull off the style a little too well. You could replace the vocals with any other group, and it would fit right in. I think that the message of this song is very thoughtful and nice, and actually reminds me of a lot of the themes from 2000s music, unsurprisingly. 

Lucid - 8

This feels more like old (G)I-DLE, or at least pre-Nxde. It feels almost creepy. The verses are dry and gritty, and when the heavy bass in the pre-chorus kicks in it feels nothing less than magical. Minnie is the queen of (G)I-DLE this comeback, according to me. Her voice is so smooth and addictive. The slowed part before the chorus is really unique and cool, especially as it launches into a simultaneously dark and fun chorus. This song actually reminds me a lot of Tainted Love, a massive throwback! They both share the same blend of styles. I really like this song!

All Night - 6

Wow, the first few seconds of piano here are beautiful and ominous. The beat kicks in in a massive switch-up to another dark and fun verse. The use of guitars and electric bass continues in this song, continually building throughout the track. The two-chord progression in the chorus feels pretty repetitive, though the bass and guitars make it more entertaining. It feels like a b-side if I’m being honest, and not a power b-side like others on this comeback. I don’t particularly dislike anything, I just don’t find it to be that interesting. 

Paradise - 8

Holy intro bass! I swear, every intro is so good these days. The verses make this feel like a Basic Ballad™, but the chorus pushes it into power ballad land. The combination of the bass, synth, and percussion create a beautiful bed for the soft vocals to lie on, if that analogy makes any sense. The percussion and harmonic chords in the verses are also unique and tastefully placed. It really feels like CHVRCHES to me! I would recommend CHVRCHES to basically any kpop girl-group fan, particularly LOONA and (G)I-DLE fans. Honestly this is the first Soyeon rap since I Trust that I’ve enjoyed. This is how a cheesy ballad should be done, and I mean that in the best way.

Peter Pan - 4

The crowd noise, claps, and acoustic guitar further cement this mini-album’s summer vibe. This song feels like an end credit scene, or something someone would play over a campfire. Similar to Allergy, I don’t like this style, but I think (G)I-DLE pulls it off decently well. I don’t think it’s quite as solid of a track as Allergy, but nonetheless it fulfills its role as a carefree teen movie end song. It’s just nothing impressive from them, and I don’t love it personally. Certainly a different way of ending a kpop album than I’m used to seeing.

Final Thoughts

(G)I-DLE has cultivated an experience with this mini-album. Despite my opinions on any of the songs individually, everything is cohesive in a soundtrack-like way. Summer nights, parties, and 2000s teen movies. As I said previously, I don’t love much new (G)I-DLE, so I didn’t enjoy the style of some of these songs. This has been very challenging to review because so many of the songs are quality but not to my taste. Lucid and Paradise, however, I found to be very good! I would have to say that overall this album continues the streak of great spring/summer specials this year. I give this album an overall score of 6, with my favorite song being Paradise, just barely over Lucid. Thank you for reading, let me know what your thoughts are on any of this!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

tripleS +(KR)ystal Eyes <AESTHETIC> - Album Review

-- image: Let's GO News --

tripleS, MODHAUS Entertainment’s first kpop group. The label, founded and operated by LOONA’s former creative director and music producer Jaden Jeong, aims to “launch the world’s first kpop artist made and operated by its fans.” A whopping 24 members make up four subunits of tripleS: Acid Angel from Asia, EVOLution, LOVElution, and +(KR)ystal Eyes. As of May 2023, only AAA and +(KR)ystal Eyes have debuted yet, with the latter’s debut mini-album <AESTHETIC> having been released on May 4th. Admittedly, I know very little about tripleS but as an Orbit I’m hoping that Jaden will put some LOONA in them, but I’ll have to see.

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

Cherry 100% - 7

Incredible sound design. The attention to detail in the contrast in frequencies between the chimes, synths, and electric bass is applause-worthy. This reminds me a lot of Odd Eye Circle and [X X], both of which were Jaden’s work. Certainly a great intro track.

Cherry Talk - 8

None of the magical production from Cherry 100% was lost in this song. Absolutely beautiful instrumentation. When the vocals come in, the energy of the song switches to be a little more fun and upbeat, think WOW (LOONA) and verse 1 from Attention (NewJeans). The sounds and textures continue to build into the chorus, but melodically it feels like the song could use a bit more direction. It feels like more of a gem b-side than the title track it’s labeled, but I’m generally known to be a sucker for a great b-side. I haven’t said anything about vocals yet, but they’re all light and smooth. The songwriting isn’t keeping me on my toes necessarily but the production is just so incredible it doesn’t matter.

Touch - 4

A smooth sparkly pop-R&B track, with a bit of a retro feel. It feels like this song is trying to accomplish the sort of sound of Everyday I Love You, LOONA ViVi’s solo title track. What a coincidence that everything sounds like early LOONA… Unfortunately the vocals in Touch aren’t hitting the same mark. You’ll find this is a typical criticism from me, but there is excessive and audible use of autotune throughout much of the song. Despite the vocals being a bit lacking, this song has a fun dreamy sound that I enjoy.

Hide & Seek - 5

More power, less pretty! Well, it’s still pretty, but the drums and bass push this song along in a more upbeat groove. Like Touch, this song also has somewhat noticeable vocal issues, but unlike Touch, they don’t distract from the hype vibe of this song. It’s one of those songs that you just have to bop to, even the first time hearing it. It lacks some direction, giving it a sort of “aimless” feeling though. No strong feelings either way from me here.

Deja-Vu - 7.5

Muted guitars and smooth percussion make for a very unique and smooth backing to this track. It’s just as mellow as the rest, but it’s tight in a way that makes it feel clean and powerful. Very pleasant and satisfying to listen to. The production and songwriting work together here much better than the other songs. There are more vocal problems, but generally they blend into the song just fine. 

Dimension (KRE Ver.) - 7.5

The radio distortion at the beginning helps cement that sort of retro sound to this EP. The percussion on this song is quite varied and unique. This song certainly feels very production forward, but I don’t mind at all. I generally like a more even blend of vocals and music anyways. After listening to the AAA version of this song, I actually think that KRE does it better. The KRE version is more stripped down and subdued, but packs a considerable punch. This song utilizes all of the uniqueness of the production on this album, but doesn’t overuse it. It feels effortless. Love it!

Final Thoughts

This was a really interesting experience for me. I was correct in my prediction that there would be similarities to Jaden-era LOONA. I really loved the complex synth driven production combined with soft aesthetic vocals, just like the title of the mini-album. I still know very little about tripleS, but now I know a little more. I would have to say my overall favorite song on this album is the title track, Cherry Talk. I believe it best demonstrates the strengths of this group. I give this album an overall score of 6.5. Unique, immersive, and dynamic. I’m excited to see what’s next for tripleS! Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think about tripleS and this album!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

aespa My World - Album Review

-- image: euphoriazine --

After what feels like a lifetime, SM Entertainment’s aespa has finally dropped their new mini album My World. The group released a whopping 4 prereleases, always a red flag in my opinion. That said, I think that this EP has the potential to be a big hit among fans. This is a pretty noticeable departure from their original sound, but I see it as a good thing. Despite my bias being Ningning, we all have to admit that Blonde Karina is a massive slay. 

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

Welcome To MY World (feat. nævis) - 8

First off, is that vocaloid I hear? Something similar nonetheless. We start off with a somewhat ominous but sweet guitar riff. When the refrain hits, the bass is incredible and super smooth. Ningning is killing it on the refrain! (or chorus depending on how you see it). As the song progresses, it continuously builds to hit harder and harder, adding drums, strings, more bass, synths, harmonies, backups, and the vocaloid-esque nævis lines. In the verses the autotune is quite excessive, but the chorus sounds more tasteful to me. That said, I still love this song!

Spicy - 9

This song has much more power than the previous. The sound design of the synth bass is seriously impressive and pleasing to the ear. The production is done by Moonshine, an absolute beast in the kpop scene. Peek-A-Boo, Naughty, and Forever 1, just to name a few. The rap in the verse feels like a cross between the Irene rap in Dumb Dumb and Robyn’s Konichiwa B*tches. The chorus slaps. So. Hard. All the pitch sliding in the vocals and synths gives this song a jazzy, danceable feel. There are elements of Illusion, but other than that it’s a new sound for aespa.

Salty & Sweet - 7.5

This song continues the trend of excellent sound design in the bass. The vocal processing is also quite nice. The master is a little quiet compared to the other songs which is a bit disappointing, but if you turn up the volume it’s just fine. This one reminds me a bit of Savage, and both of them aren’t exactly revolutionary, though I do prefer this song. The production is super satisfying, perhaps even more than Spicy, but the songwriting could use some work. A hard-hitting funky track that can be a little boring if you aren’t really focusing on the sounds.

Thirsty - 6

They’re going for a Red Velvet style R&B track here. It’s debatable whether or not they pull it off. I personally don’t think aespa is made for this style, but it does sound pretty good. Once again, heavy autotune that at times is distracting. I don’t think aespa really needs as much autotune as SM gives them! The production is also not quite as exquisite as the previous 3 tracks. I’m a sucker for this style though, being as much of a Reveluv as I am. 

I’m Unhappy - 7

Another R&B feel to this song. Aespa is really bringing the groove in this EP, I must say. I love the vocals, particularly in the chorus, my God! Everything besides the chorus doesn’t really stand out to me as much however. The rap parts aren’t that impressive, but that’s not necessarily the goal. The slight vocal fry and growl in the “I’m unhappy” just adds to the aggressively cool sound of the song. I think that Giselle and Karina in particular absolutely nail it. Thumbs up aespa 👍

‘Til We Meet Again - 5

The song begins with some beautiful bells, strings, and soft vocals. The acoustic guitar that enters afterward isn’t exactly for me though. The chorus cements this song as a power ballad. There’s nothing wrong with this song, I just don’t really see anything that notable in it. It’s a decent song, it just happens to be extremely similar to almost every end song ballad in kpop. I feel like there would be better ways to end this album, but this isn’t necessarily a bad way to do it. 

Final Thoughts

This must be the 10th time I’ve mentioned groove in this review, but this comeback really embodies the word. I certainly think this is a good direction for aespa. I like their older concepts too, but I think progressing as a group is very important. In my eyes, if they keep reinventing and developing their sound, they possibly have the ability to overtake groups with more defined, static sounds such as Blackpink, who they are often accused of imitating. That however is a whole other debate. I found this album to be generally impressive, particularly on the production side. SM undeniably has the best producers of the big 3, at least from my opinion as an amateur producer and sound designer. I give this album an overall score of 7, with my favorite song being the banger that is Spicy, the title track. Thank you for reading, let me know what your thoughts are on any of this!

- Maya

[lordmayokcorner]

NewJeans Discography Review

-- up to 5/4/23 --

-- image: soompi --

NewJeans. A really, really, big name in 2023. Their sound is light, dark, and smooth, incorporating elements of old school k-pop and blending it with smooth production and clean vocals. In a world full of loud powerful girl crush groups, a group like NewJeans is a breath of fresh air for many. Despite some controversy with the age of some of the members, they remain not only one of the most popular 4th generation kpop groups, but will certainly be influential and relevant for years to come.

I’ve heard some songs more than others, but I’ve heard all of them at least 3 times. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest not to spread hate :)

Attention - 9.5/10

Vocal chops and soft keys lead this smooth R&B style track. The verses are tight and neat, and the chorus blossoms into a beautiful array of texture, timbre, and harmony. The percussion only takes this song to a higher level. I absolutely love this song. I’m a sucker for R&B, I always have been. It’s like they took Le Sserafim’s Impurities and made it even better. Also reminds me quite a bit of Why off LOVESTRUCK! by Kep1er.

Hype Boy - 10/10

More vocal chops at the start of this song. The difference is that this beat immediately has more drive. Honey-soft vocals blend with the thin synth sound of the verse, creating a relaxed but entertaining buildup to a chorus unlike any other in kpop. The vocals in the chorus are absolutely stunning. Clear, raw, and powerful. One of my favorite songs, period.

Cookie - 6/10

A polyrhythmic synth beat starts off this song. The style is much more hip-hop inspired than the first two tracks. The clean and simplistic vibe continues, though at times it can be boring. Unfortunately, the lyrics of this song are very questionable, particularly for someone as young as Hyein. I know they’re technically about fans, but we all know what it sounds like. For those reasons this song doesn’t do as much for me, but it’s still pleasant.

Hurt - 7/10

Hi Bruno Mars! More vocal chops and more R&B feel. Classic boots-and-cats type beat. As usual, smooth and molasses-like vocals. Like Cookie, it can get slightly boring, but it’s nice to listen to. I like it more than Cookie but definitely less than the rest of the songs I’ve rated so far.

Ditto - 7/10

Ethereal and iconic “ooh-hoo-hooooo” starts off this one. Sing it anywhere in public if you’re brave and at least one person will start singing along. The snares and sustained pads are aesthetic to say the least. Unfortunately, in my opinion the vocals are less magnificent, and the melodies are a bit lackluster. Needless to say, this song is still iconic.

OMG - 8/10

More of the iconic synth sound, only here there’s a bit more resonance. More backup vocals as well. It feels like the other songs are ODD Front and this song is Girl Front (LOONA OEC) if that makes any sense. More backups, more substance. Less addictive than Hype Boy but is nonetheless a masterpiece. The “they keep on asking me who is he” backup vocal is so iconic and amazing. Despite the more involved production, this song doesn’t have too much direction and the vocals are only great rather than incredible. Solid 8.

Zero - 10/10

A glitchy arpeggiated sine synth leads the verse, and soon after a jungle beat and smooth synth bass kick in. The vocal processing is impeccable, and the surprisingly simple melodies are simply addicting in the context of the song. The drop in the melody before the tastefully chopped up pre-chorus perfectly set the stage for the uh…“Coca Cola is tasty, here’s some Coke.” A bit cringe, but it is a promo after all. Words cannot express how much I love this song though. This deserves more than a 10/10. So, SO, amazing!

Final Thoughts

Okay so yeah I am in love with NewJeans. Their concept is amazing, their vocals are amazing, their visuals are amazing, their sound is amazing, it goes on and on. Out of their discography I definitely like Zero the most, but Hype Boy and Attention are close. This is the first time I’ve given every single song on an album/collection over a 5/10. Congratulations NewJeans, you’ve set records on the charts, and records in my ears.

Thank you for reading this review! Let me know what you think!

- Maya