MUSIC REVIEW: "Me?" by HA:TFELT

HA:TFELT - Me? [mini album]
Rating: ½
Genre: K-Pop/Indie
Language: Korean

Track List:

1. Iron Girl (feat. Lim of Wonder Girls) -xx
2. Truth -xx
3. Ain't Nobody -xx
4. Bond (feat. Beenzino)-xx
5. Wherever Together -xx
6. Peter Pan -xx
7. Nothing Lasts Forever -xx

I haven't been a fan of Wonder Girls for very long. In fact, I only have their 2012 album "Wonder Party". I never bothered getting into their previous work (they haven't released anything sense). So I wasn't as excited about this solo debut from Wonder Girls member, Ye Eun... But because she was a member of said group and JYP records, I was still curious and had my listening ears on.
I watched the video for "Ain't Nobody" and was a little confused as to whether I liked it or not; especially her voice. When you're in a group, and have a distinct voice, it doesn't really stand out that much, but as a solo artist, she definitely carries her own. After listening a few more times, I fell in love with the song and ended up loving her voice.
I listened through the full album a few times until I had my favorites chosen and even knew some of the lyrics to a few songs.
"Iron Girl" was yet another song that I was unsure of upon first listen. It has a weird beginning, interesting--albeit empowering--lyrics and just no definite genre. I immediately recognized Lim's voice in the song. She is one of the only members of Wonder Girls who I could recognize by face and voice. After really listening through, this became my second favorite song right after "Ain't Nobody".
I believe the only song that I wouldn't go to to play would be "Peter Pan". It's a pretty song, but a bit too. . . soundtrack-y sounding.
"Nothing Lasts Forever" has to be the most unique song on this album. It sounds as if it wasn't mixed properly, but yet.... on purpose. If that makes sense. I read that it was actually written for a Wonder Girls fan who passed away. And I choose not to look too hard into that, because I'd rather not tie something like that or what exactly happened every time I listen to this song. But it's kind of hard not to when the lyrics read: "But I'm here to remember/You'll always be remembered".

Overall, I sincerely enjoyed this album and was very much pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. I just hope that if Ye Eun [aka HA:TFELT] does more solo work, it's just as good, and just as surprising. I didn't expect her to have such a beautiful voice.
This album has the same kind of vibe of the Wonder Girls song "Girlfriend", which was my favorite on the "Wonder Party" album. And Ye Eun just happened to right it.

Bonus Video:
   The beautiful music video for "Ain't Nobody".

MUSIC REVIEW: Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience

Justin Timberlake - "20/20 Experience (Target Deluxe Edition" [Album]
Rating: ½
Genre: Pop/R&B/Soul
Language: English

Tracklisting:
1. Pusher Love Girl
2. Suit & Tie feat. JAY Z
3. Don't Hold The Wall
4. Strawberry Bubblegum
5. Tunnel Vision
6. Spaceship Coupe
7. That Girl
8. Let The Groove Get In
9. Mirrors
10. Blue Ocean Floor
11. Dress On (Target Exclusive)
12. Body Count (Target Exclusive)

My Thoughts:
It has been far too long since Justin Timberlake released anything, so as soon as I found out he had an album coming up, I knew I had to get it. I ended up purchasing this the day it came out at Target (so I could get the two bonus songs).

 I wasn't 100% sold with "Suit & Tie" (it's grown on me), but I didn't care. I needed an album with pages that had his face and a cd with his voice!
Luckily most of the other songs are soo much better. Like my two current favourites, "Mirrors" and "Blue Ocean Floor". When I first heard "Mirrors," there was something about it that pulled me in and when I actually learned the lyrics and say the music video for it, it immediately became my favorite. "Blue Ocean Floor" has a different vibe than anything he's ever released--not just on this album; and it fits into that alternative style genre that is actually my favorite kind of music. I still don't fully understand the song, but I don't care. It's beautiful and tranquil.

"Let the Groove Get In" and "Strawberry Bubblegum" are ones I find myself playing frequently at work, the upbeat, fun vibe of the songs keep me moving and working quickly.

I'll admit I was a little disappointed there were only 12 songs on the deluxe album, but with the length of each song (most 6+ minutes) it feels like an album of 20 songs. Recently Justin stated that this was only part one of more songs to come. I'll be picking that up the day it's released as well (and possibly an extra copy for a giveaway!! ^_^").

I only gave it 4½ stars only because the entire album doesn't have a repeat listen factor so much as a select few: "Mirrors," "Blue Ocean Floor," "Let the Groove Get In," "Strawberry Bubblegum," "Tunnel Vision," and "Dress On."

Is it worth it to buy the Target copy for two extra songs? In my opinion, yes. One the covers are different and you can actually see his face, though out of focus... his face! and two, I love "Dress On" and feel like "Body Count" has a feel reminiscent of his first album, "Justified."

Have you listened to JT's new album? What do you think? What are your favourite songs?

Bonus video:
Check out his music video for "Mirrors". I may have shed a tear or two, and didn't quite understand why. It's beautiful and perfect beyond words!!

MUSIC REVIEW: "I'll Be There" by SPICA

SPICA - "I'll Be There" [single]
Rating:
Genre: K-Pop/Dance/R&B
Language:  Korean
Members(left to right): Boa, Juhyun, Jiwon, Narae, and Bohyung
Purchase: iTunes

SPICA is a five member girl group that debuted earlier this year with a beautiful and sad song called "독하게" or Potently. Following with the release of their official debut tracks "Russian Roulette" and "Painkiller" along with the music video. These girls proved that they're not only pretty but have wicked beautiful voices and the moves.

They quickly became one of my favourite K-Pop girl groups I've ever heard with the release of their first mini album. Every song shows how talented the girls are and I fell in love with each of their voices. Finding it hard to choose and stick with a bias.

Finally, they've had their long awaited comeback with the song "I'll Be There", a completely different tune and feel than their previous releases. The song is reminscent of the mid to late 90's pop and R&B funky rhythm sound. The style in the music video fits that era as well.
Though I didn't immediately love the song like I did their previous releases, I still loved it. It's fun, a little edge and the style of music that brings up nostalgia from when I first fell in love with music.
This music video is the first time I've actually seen them smile, as their previous videos have all been sad and with one member, I actually couldn't tell that it was the same girl. She looked at least 10 years younger!

Their harmonies, vocal and dance talent shows that even though they're fairly older {age wise} in the K-Pop world, they're still very much in the prime of their lives.

These girls are going to remain in my "Top 5 Girl Groups" for a very very long time and I can't wait to see what they release next.

Bonus Video:
SPICA's latest music video for their fun song, "I'll Be There".

MUSIC REVIEW: "Just the Way I Am" by Genie Zhuo

Genie Zhuo - "Just the Way I Am" [album]
Rating:
Genre: C-Pop/Dance
Language: Mandarin
Country: Taiwan
Purchase: iTunes

Tracklisting:
1. "反派"
2. "不要不要"
3. "髒兮兮"
4. "想飛的自由落體"
5. "夠了"
6. "針"
7. "哇哇叫"
8. "得分"
9. "恐慌症"
10. "話說夏娃"
11. "反正"

My Thoughts:
Don't worry, I can't read any of those song titles either. My ability to read Asian languages begins and ends with Korean. Throw in Chinese, Japanese or any others and I'm a lost puppy!
I first learned about Genie Zhuo through the Taiwanese drama, Office Girls. Her song "Bu Yao Bu Yao" {不要不要} is used as the main theme song, and after watching numerous episodes the song became stuck in my head, at least the only parts I remember. So I finally went and looked for the song and the music video itself was just as addicting. After searching through the YouTube of her record label I found the music video for her song "想飛的自由落體" that I immediately recognized as the song they used during heartfelt times in the same drama, Office Girls (which I recommend). The clips from the drama in the music video helped too. I knew that I had to check out the rest of the album, and downloaded it that instant.

After listening through the entire album, I knew I had found a gem. It is the first Asian album on my iPod that isn't Korean or Japanese (mind you any Japanese song is performed by someone who is Korean). And it won't be my last. It is most likely my favourite album I've listened to this year. {With G-Dragon's "One of a Kind" following close behind.} There is a song in almost every genre, ballad, pop, R&B, dance, electro, a little rock flair. And I so desperately want to learn Mandarin so I can understand at least one word.

I know you're probably thinking "if you don't understand, why listen?" Well, I didn't understand any Korean when I first listened to K-Pop and now I can read it, and use sentences, as well as understand most of the lyrics. It takes time. But, aside from that, she has a beautiful voice and the songs hit so many notes that I just want to keep listening.

The songs "针", "哇哇叫", "反派"  are fun songs with beats that remind me of popping bubbles, heavy electric guitar rifs and loud singing that is mesmerizing & has me dancing every time I'm trying to do something else like the dishes or clean my room. #Fail. :]

Then there's the final song, "话说夏娃" that is light and airy, a simple pop sound with paired with her sweet melodic voice
The flow of this album is perfect. It's like a roller coaster to get you up on your feet, sit down and chill and then back up again. You start off with a hyper song and end with a chill song.

I'll be checking more out from Genie, as well as any of the dramas she's been in. One of her songs, "話說夏娃" is actually the theme song of a recent drama she's been acting in and is now the next drama I'll be watching. In fact, I may start it tonight! (especially because there will be 32 episodes & 8 are up already.)
If you're a K-Pop, J-Pop, or a pop fan in general, you should definitely check out this album!!

Bonus video:
The music video that caught my attention and made me love her. "不要不要 (Bu Yao Bu Yao)"

MUSIC REVIEW: "One of a Kind" by G-Dragon

G-DRAGON -- "ONE OF A KIND [ep]"
Rating:
Genre: K-Pop/R&B/Hip-Hop
Language: Korean

website | iTunes | eBay | YG Shop

Tracklist:
1. "One of a Kind"
2. "Crayon"
3. "결국 (Finally) [feat. ?? of YG New Girl Group]"
4. "그 XX (That XX)"
5. "Missing You [feat. Kim Yoonah]"
6. "Today [feat. Kim Jongwan]"
7. "Light it Up [feat.Tablo & Dok2]"

My thoughts:
G-Dragon isn't necessarily my bias in the group he's in called BIGBANG, but he's definitely a bias in all of K-Pop in general.
No matter what style he does he knows how to pull it off; and with flair. From his always changing hair styles to his crazy clothes to his music to his personality. There is just always something to love about him.

Though this isn't a full album, he's not new to going solo in his music and like his first album there is so much to love about this one. I honestly didn't think I'd like this one as much. I was right. I loved it more than his first one.
When he first released the music video for "One of A Kind"--even knowing he's bananas--I was still surprised by his look and sound. He completely transformed from BIGBANG's recent concept into his own, individual person. The sound had more of a hard hip-hop flair and the concept of the video was obviously about all of the struggles he'd been through the past few years as well as breaking out of his past solo album.

With "That XX" we get a softer side of G-Dragon about listening to the song and video, I feel that the song is about his battles with himself and not necessarily another guy. A pretty song with a guitar that chills you out while still feeling for Mr GD and how he wants to be the right guy for this girl.

Then he throws us into a song that is completely different than both... And no less amazing. A song about being crazy, listening to music and being colorful (both literally and just in life). "Crayon" has high notes of addictive beats, synthesizers and his bubbly yet hard-hitting voice. Though this isn't my favourite song on the album, it's definitely my favourite MV that he's released. I dare you to not smile or dance while watching!

The rest of the album was still a surprise to me, there is a song called "Finally*" which features one of the members from YG Entertainment's new girl group and this may very well be my favourite song. Though there seems to be a touch too much auto tune on G-Dragon's part and not enough of the mysterious female singer, I still love everything about it. Their voices just fit together and I love the desperate sounds in their voice as they sing about how they know that this is truly the end of them.

But above all, "Light it Up" featuring the rapping of Tablo and Dok2, is my favourite. It's perfect. There's not much else to say on it. GD's voice seems like a mix of the two rappers and for his verse to be the 2nd and not the 1st just fits that. I love how short and to the point the chorus is so we get more of these amazing rappers. Listening to this song with headphones {I prefer my Urbanears Plattans headphones} gives you the full effect on how amazing everything about this song is. Especially the pulse pounding beat and every little note and instrument.

The other two songs "Today*" and "Missing You*" feature singers that I had previously not known about but love their voices. In "Today" you get a "sing along" verse at the end that, in my opinion, features other members of YG Entertainment. Like Taeyang {with an unmistakable voice} who is also in BIGBANG. And with "Missing You" it's song that reminds me of spring in the 60's. Even though it's about missing someone, it still seems happy and light.

Over all this album surpassed my expectations and even a couple weeks after the release I'm constantly listening to this work of art. Fun, chill, emotional; it hits all the right notes! Listen to this and the rest of BIGBANG's work! :)

Video bonus:
My favourite music video he's released, "Crayon". Super fun and super colourful!!

*Some of these songs are pitched and you have to download the album to hear how they truly sound.