#now i've got exo's obsession stuck in my head

[heymeowmao]

一念关山 | A Journey to Love E5 ° shut up and go away X'D

[anyways-wonderwall]

Album of the Week #4

Bambi

(2021)

By 백현 (BAEKHYUN)

Overall Rating: 10/10

TL;DR: An album with a voice and guitar so smooth it cured my concussion.

So I know that I chose last week's album as my concussion album, but this is the one that really got me through the last few weeks. Every day I have to lay down in the nurse's office during what would be my band period to get rid of the headache from my bonked head. Every day when I am laying in that dark room I put in headphones and listen to just this album. I recovered from this concussion quicker than most do so I'm pretty sure that Byun Baekhyun's voice has actual medicinal properties.

I usually don't listen to any solo music from any kpop artist, but since EXO is one of my favorite groups of all time Baekhyun was a good first try. I won't give away too much right now but believe me when I say this is one of my favorite albums I've heard in the past year.

General Thoughts

Going into this album I did not expect it to sound like this. I've heard the solo stuff from other EXO members and members of SM groups and it all just sounds like pop that blends in. There is nothing in it that makes it unique and it doesn't feel like there is much of a connection between the artist and what they are singing (unless they wrote the song like Jonghyun, he is a beautiful exception). Baekhyun doesn't fit into this generic pop category, instead going a more R&B route which I absolutely adore.

This album is so relaxed, each track having either a piano or guitar part that makes me glad that I enjoy music. Do you ever hear an album and are glad that you have made the choices in life to get to this point? Because that's where I'm at right now. I don't know who the electric guitar player in “Bambi” and "Love Scene” is, but they deserve a raise. I know that Baekhyun isn't the one that wrote these songs, but they fit his voice perfectly. I don't think anyone will ever be able to sing these songs and come close to sounding as amazing as him.

I'm going to group “Bambi” and “Love Scene” together in this review because to me they have roughly the same energy: Smooth and cathartic. Bambi is the perfect title track, showing off his voice but not making it the biggest focus, and making it clear what the tone for the rest of the album is. The music video is absolutely flawless and just nice to look at. I honestly couldn't say how many times I've watched it. "Love Scene” isn't as well known but it should be. It's definitely my favorite on the album and really allowed me to enter another world when I was stuck in that nurse's office.

“Amusement Park” is the B-side for this album and I was obsessed with it for a solid week. I'm talking four times minimum I would play this song, trying to commit every part of it to memory. The piano at the beginning allows the song to be calm yet still have life, and you can almost hear the smile in his voice as he sings.

Which takes me to his voice. Holy crap. Holy crap. It's not that he can just sing high, he does everything so smoothly I never once thought he was towards the top of his range. He slips into falsetto notes so easily it seems totally effortless, as effortless as when he sings lower songs. I think the best showcase of his voice and his amazing ability to do runs is in “All I Got”, which is probably one of the greatest vocal performances I have ever heard. It belongs in the hall of fame alongside Onew's 40 second note and Mariah Carey. This song is more a test of how amazing his singing ability is than a song and I'm okay with that.

Final Verdict

Do you like kpop? Do you like any R&B/alternative? Do you like hearing a voice so good you question if that person even exists? Do you love hearing electric guitar with all those nice pedals that just makes you sigh in comfort? Then this album is for you. Seriously, go listen to it right now. I wouldn't blame you if you don't buy it since it's just a mini album, but at least give it a listen. It is incredible. That being said I am 100% taking the L and paying $25 for 6 songs. Honestly? I would love to have a poster and sticker so I think it's totally worth it.

[billie-harper7]

Albums of 2019

Thankyou so much @ayixha!!

It’s taken me so long to choose only 9 because there’s been over 30 albums I’ve loved so much this year and couldn’t decide between. I’ve narrowed it to one per artist but even still, it was very difficult😂

I also apologise for this being v v v long, you only have to list your 9 favourites but I got carried away ranting about them, as per. You can just scroll past if you want😂

1) City Lights - BAEKHYUN

My favourite album of the year. No doubt. Despite being a mini album with only 6 songs, I love each so much and could never get tired of them. An album I can listen to in every mood. Going out out? Going to sleep? Getting ready on a morning? Trying to study? Relaxing? It works (for me, anyway).

Not what I expected from his solo music after discovering SuperM & EXO but very pleasantly surprised. So smooth, so chilled?? Sexy? Absolute heaven. Baek’s voice is just something else entirely. Idk man, this album’s just a lot.

Favourite song/s: them all, I couldn’t honestly choose any in particular.

2) SuperM The 1st Mini Album - SuperM

I was hesitant when I first saw all the promos for SuperM but when I actually listened to the album?? Wow wow wow. All 5 of the songs are so catchy, listen to this album once and you’ll most likely be singing, humming or dancing to them for days. Even the 2 instrumentals are lovely to listen to.

My brother who hates kpop refers to Jopping as 'the one with the cars and helicopter' and doesn't mind this song at all which says a lot (I've decided it's my gateway to get him into more lol).

I’m also very thankful that this album introduced me to 4 other groups and many albums this year, 3 of which made it onto this list.

Favourite song/s: also them all? Although Jopping, I Can’t Stand The Rain & Super Car are my most listened to this year. 

3) April, and a flower - CHEN

I literally discovered this album about three weeks ago?? I also did not expect Chen’s solo works to sound like this after listening to EXO but it’s honestly perfect. 

I don’t normally listen to this kind of music but his voice is so delicate and soothing? He could sing absolutely anything. Every song is so beautiful and calming, the perfect playlist for relaxing and/or falling asleep to.

Favourite song/s: Flower, Beautiful goodbye & I’ll be there

4) The Balance - Catfish and the Bottlemen

I kinda stopped listening to CATB for a while when I found kpop as I was constantly discovering new artists. Around September/October I disconnected with kpop for a little while and when I found this album I listened to it for weeks on end.

Not a single song to skip and I happily listen to on a loop. Also one of my go to albums when I’m fancying a change (or when I’m just missing their sound).

Favourite song/s: Longshot, 2all, Sidetrack, Encore.

5) OBSESSION - EXO

My first EXO comeback and boy, they did not disappoint. The title track is absolutely phenomenal and I’ve had it stuck in my head since its release (how can you not?) but the entire album is such a great listen. It’s just, different? I can’t even explain how but it’s so distinct and exciting, I love it.

Also the most intriguing group I've discovered this year with all their different sounds, personalities, sub units and solo works, very looking forward to everything's that's coming up next year.

Favourite song/s: Obsession, Trouble, Ya Ya Ya & Baby You Are.

6) MIRRORS - Jackson Wang

An emotional rollercoaster of an album that I’m so grateful to have been on. It has songs that’ll make you want to cry (BULLET TO THE HEART, ON THE ROCKS, I’m talking about you), songs that’ll have you dancing and feeling like that bitch, songs that’ll make you soft, songs that’ll get you thinking.

I feel like he put so much into this album, so thankyou Jackson Wang. I love you.

Favourite song/s: BULLET TO THE HEART, ON THE ROCKS & DWAY!

7) MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA - BTS

The first kpop album I ever listened to (and bought!!). I found BTS as the second teaser for Boy With Luv was released and without them, I wouldn’t be on here and have come across so many lovely people. Nor would I have discovered all the music and artists I now couldn’t go without, so this album is very special to me.

Probably one of my most played albums of the year too, I love each song so much and it never fails to get me all giddy and hyper like a child (don't put Boy With Luv on around me unless you wanna see me rip the choreo to shreds).

Favourite song/s: I choose them all.

8) TREASURE EP.FIN: All To Action - ATEEZ

This was also my first ATEEZ comeback and having waited what felt like forever, it was so, so worth it. While their other 2 2019 albums could’ve made it onto my list, this is by far my favourite.

I remember listening for the first time going ‘this song is my favourite’ then played the next song like ‘nevermind, this is it’, which happened for practically each track.

Even the 3 shorter tracks are amazing (I don’t know what you call them, there are words so I can’t call them instrumentals?? But you know what I mean).

AND I ALSO GOT ATEEZ TICKETS FOR LONDON SO CATCH ME SOBBING WATCHING THEM PERFORM LIVE, LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING???

Favourite song/s: WONDERLAND, MIST, WIN & SUNRISE.

9) The Book Of Us: Entropy - DAY6

Another album I only really found last month (through Sweet Chaos). I’m pretty new to kpop this year and I’ve not heard anything like DAY6 before, I’m in love. My housemates compare their sound to McFly and honestly, I can hear it. 

I cannot praise them and this album enough. I’ve a feeling I’ll be listening to this one years from now. 

Favourite song/s: I honestly can’t pick ahh, but Sweet Chaos is my most played. 

And here’s the other albums I wanted to put into this list (so you can see the stuggle I had picking only 9 oops):

Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent (extended ver.) - Lewis Capaldi

MTV Unplugged Live - DMA’S

Without Fear - Dermot Kennedy

Call My Name - GOT7

TREASURE EP.3: One To All - ATEEZ

TREASURE EP.2: Zero To One - ATEEZ

FOLLOW - FIND YOU - Monsta X

Take 2. We Are Here - Monsta X

Dear my dear - CHEN

Tagging:  @bangtanbabeloveyourself @tenw1n @rkai800bts @mystically-mysterious @starsinyourheart23 @memeofthesoul @nerdishfeels @roo-roo-girl @walewalentina @trashlord-007 @infiresmaanyeah @muraae @mitch-yy @ayixha @honeyprince-yoongi

[jsun-w]

Kpop tag!

So I was tagged by this lovely bean who loves to tag me a lot! @sunmoon-star thank you s much for tagging me hun!❤

1. ULTIMATE BIAS

Ok, the ultimate but really ULTIMATE bias of me is.

JACKSON WANG!!!

Everyone who ever read my tags/blogs would've known this. This boy is REALLY special to me and taught me a lot lessons of life and how to be yourself!

Jackson is the one that makes me smile & happy every time! Even when I've like a deep depression..he knows how to make me smile. It's so cheesy like some fanfics but it's like his ultimate bias power! And that's one of the reasons why I love him so much!!❤❤❤

2. ULTIMATE BIAS WRECKER?

I don't really have one, I have like TONS of them. And it's not healthy bias wreckers are so evil!

3. FAVOURITE KPOP SONG?

I'm gonna pick a few cause I can't choose just one

1. Nu'est W - Where U at

2. Red Velvet - Peek a boo

3. Svt - Clap

4. BTOB - Dream

5. Twice - Heart Shaker (It's stuck in my head!)

6. The Boyz - Boy

4. FIRST KPOP SONG?

EXO's Call Me Baby

5. FAVOURITE KPOP ALBUM/SINGLE?

BTOB's Brother act! It's AMAZING!!

6. FAVOURITE KPOP SHIP?

I see ships more like friends ships and not gay ships. I love Markson, Jackbum Vkook, Bobdong, Eunbin,...

7. HARD OR SOFT STAN?

Hard and I don't mind!

8. FAVOURITE KPOP COMPANY?

I think, JYP or Cube!

9. BACKSTORY OF HOW I GOT INTO KPOP?

So, A friend of mine was already into kpop and sended randomly a MV exo's call me baby in the groupchat (with my sisters + other friends) and I was like "what's this? Is this one of this Kpop video's she was talking about lately?" So I clicked like I was really curious about it and I really liked it. So I did some research about EXO and went to listen some other songs. Then I got recommendations for another MV called dope by BTS so I clicked and same happens with infinite. And then I got obsessed with it. And I was really happy that I finally found my unic music I liked and now I'm almost 2y into kpop! And I'm a huge multi fandom who loves to get to know more groups!

Tags: @monbaby-trash @nekojinmin @hyungwonsturtle @kpopstans @multifanstuff @bulletproofdreamknights @24k-are-my-kings