April Mini-Song Reviews (Hot Issue, Apink, Day6, Generations, Fantastics)
I have realized that it is near-impossible to review every song in a month that I want to. Thus, with a monthly mini-song review, I hope to review at least a few more.
Hot Issue - Gratata
The verses have a South Asian vibe, and it is easily one of the best elements in the song. Of course, the reason the song is gaining attention is "I'm gonna shoot shoot shoot, you're gonna boom boom boom, we're gonna bang-ah bang-ah bang-ah". Love and sniping don't go together, and the whole song is home to some cringe-worthy lyrics and Grammarly-killing moments. The main vocalist sounds good in the one moment she gets a chance to show a high note. Maybe if the song was a little less keen on following trends, it could be better. Also, functional lyrics would never kill anyone.
Rating: 3.5/10
Apink - Thank You
Apink have just crossed their 10th anniversary, pretty amazing for a K-Idol girl group. I personally enjoy a good fan song and Thank You is that. And now that Naeun has left PlayM and an Apink comeback may take quite some time, Thank You acts as a temporary farewell. The verses are a tad generic, but the tune of the chorus is classy and has a great melody. I particularly enjoy how it fades back for Eunji's vocal hook to grow.
Rating: 8.25/10
Day6 - You Make Me
Day6 are a classic case of corporate mismanagement. They should be topping charts Korean and global, but their success is limited by long hiatuses, with them now entering a military hiatus. It is now inevitable that the members will pull a Got7 sooner than later.
In an age of speedy, short, and quick hooks, You Make Me's dragged out and belted chorus truly feels unique. The electronic rock groove also keeps listeners on their feet. Stronger verses would certainly help, but the chorus is certainly one of the strongest Day6 moments in recent memory.
Rating: 8.75/10
Generations - Liberation
Exile Tribe is entering a new Battle of Tokyo series, and I am excited. Generations start it out with a classic LDH EDM banger. I can mention a million LDH songs sounding similar, and there is a reason it keeps happening, LDH have mastered it. And while it is not perfect, it is strong nonetheless.
Rating: 8/10
Fantastics - Stop For Nothing
Stop For Nothing's joyous post-chorus electronic riff is one of the best J-Pop moments of the month. The verses also have some thundering productions, which helps counter the high-pitched vocals. This all leads into the chorus, and its cascading instrumental, something like JO1's last comeback. In the end, there are all the elements of a standout here, especially with that golden electric guitar riff. A little bit better glue throughout the song, but it is great nonetheless.
[lights up a cigarette] Day6... The things we could've had... [throws away the cigarette because she has asthma]
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed You Make Me, even though the album is probably my least favourite of theirs for some reason. It really makes me mad that they've been just... semi-existing these past 2 years, both due to management and their own personal issues. The future is definitely not looking bright.
Oh gosh I flipped at the cigar joke...
DeleteSemi-Existing is a good way to describe Day6, I think they are in step 6 or 7 the JYPE chart from last time. Their hiatus' are really long. Initially it looked like this was due to JYPE trying to help JYPE, but I guess that it seems less and less like it.
The group may leave the agency after the military. I just hope they stay together like Got7.