I know absolutely nothing about Urban Zakapa, but they seem to be a mixed group (?). I literally gasped as 커피를 마시고 (Main Version) started playing; it's refreshing, warm, soothing, and comfortable. I'm in love. ♥ The Arpeggio Version is also stunning. None of the other songs captured my interest in the same manner, but it's an interesting mini album, and I admire their distinct, laid-back sound. Tracks one and five are highly recommended.
어반 자카파 (Urban Zakapa); 커피를 마시고
Release Date: July 2, 2009
Language: Korean
Genre(s): Pop, Acoustic, R&B, Easy Listening
Thanks To: Sing It Loud
Purchase: YesAsia
[ Download Mini Album » @4shared 256kbps ]
01. 커피를 마시고 (Keopireur Masigo; Cafe Latte) (Main Version)
02. Love is all around
03. Let me be the one
04. Inevitability
05. 커피를 마시고 (Keopireur Masigo; Cafe Latte) (Arpeggio Version)
I was expecting Lucky Boy!! to be a sugary bubblegum pop song, but it's in fact an easygoing acoustic / lounge song. It's a lovely, charming little song, and the corresponding instrumental track is surprisingly strong on its own, as well. Soyoon's soft, delicate voice suits this genre perfectly.
인소윤 (In So Yoon); Lucky Boy!!
Release Date: July 2, 2009
Language: Korean
Genre(s): Pop, Acoustic, Lounge
Purchase: YesAsia
[ Download Mini Album » @4shared 256kbps ]
01. Lucky Boy!!
02. 키 높이 신발 그녀석 (Ki Nopi Sinbar Geunyeoseok)
03. 오늘도 여느 다른 날과 같이 (Oneuldo Yeoneu Dareun Nalgwagati) (feat. 데니안)
04. Lucky Boy!! (Instrumental)
Girls' Generation; The Second Mini Album - Genie
Release Date: July 2, 2009
Language: Korean
Genre(s): Pop, Electronica, Bubblegum Pop, Ballad
Purchase: YesAsia
01. 소원을 말해봐 (Sowon eur malhaebwa; Tell Me Your Wish) (Genie)
02. Etude
03. 여자친구 (Yeojachingu) (Girlfriend)
04. 남자친구 (Namjachingu) (Boyfriend)
05. 동화 (Donghwa; Fairytale) (My Child)
06. 1년 後 (1nyeon) (One Year Later) / 제시카 (Jessica) with 온유 (Onew)
Girls' Generation makes an explosive comeback with their second mini album, Genie.
소원을 말해봐 (Tell Me Your Wish) (Genie) is a fun, addictive blend of feminine vocals, airy trance synths, and a dangerously suggestive bass. Even as a contemporary pop/dance song, it packs a powerful punch. Some fans have said that Genie lacks the "hook-style characteristics" of GG's smash hit, Gee, which consisted of repetitive lyrics and sweet vocals. While that may be true, Genie is by far their most sophisticated song to date, and thus, a strong step in the right direction. Genie is a bold exploration of blanketed harmonies and hypnotic rhythms, and as such, I absolutely love it. I find it even more enjoyable than Gee because it sounds less manufactured; Genie has more substance, attitude, and personality. (Also, as a side note - TaeYeon sound phenomenal!)
Etude sounds like something BoA would have released early on in her music career; it's sweet, cute, and innocent. Overall, Etude is a decent song, and the chorus demonstrates brief potential, but overall, the song is too safe. Too cookie-cutter. It's a disappointment after the audacious title track.
여자친구 (Girlfriend) opens with a fast rhythm and soon adopts 80's-esque synths, stylish vocals, and light electronica routes. It's essentially Etude done right. Girlfriend is a much stronger track with a sugary, efficacious chorus. It's light, pretty, and fun. I love it!
The fourth track on the mini album is 남자친구 (Boyfriend). While I admire the direction they've headed with this song, it has been executed awkwardly. I like the R&B/urban flavouring, and admire them for trying something different, but the song as a whole comes off as incredibly forced and unfitting. In the end - amateurish and forgettable. With a stronger melody and arrangement, it could be enjoyable.
Although these girls aren't known for their ballads, 동화 (Fairytale) (My Child) is beautiful. I like the way it quickly transforms from a piano ballad to a mid-tempo, uplifting, harmony-laced, string-heavy pop song. It has a certain enchanting, genuine quality to it, as though it would be right at home on a Disney film soundtrack. Extravagant and charming; their most appealing ballad to date.
The mini album finishes with 1년 後 (One Year Later), a duet between Jessica and SHINee's Onew. Jessica's simple, stunning vocals complement Onew's warm, creamy voice perfectly. However, the arrangement is generic. It's a step up from your usual ~depressing~ Korean ballad, but even so, it's generic. I feel like I've heard it before, specifically from either Dong Bang Shin Ki or Cheon Sang Ji Hee The Grace.
Ultimately, I've followed Girls' Generation since their debut, but I do not consider myself to be a fan. Their music sounds too "mass-produced" for my liking. Although I only like three of the songs on this six-song mini album, this is by far their strongest album to date. This is one huge step (more like a leap, really) in the right direction -- an exciting direction. The titular track, 소원을 말해봐 (Tell Me Your Wish) (Genie), is nothing short of a masterpiece. I hope these girls continue to take chances in the future and experiment more with electronica. If 소원을 말해봐 (Genie) is any indication of what is to come, I'm going to officially become a fan.
Stand out tracks include: 소원을 말해봐 (Tell Me Your Wish) (Genie), 동화 (Fairytale) (My Child), and 여자친구 (Girlfriend).
Overall Score: B+
i ♥ artist meme!
Instructions:
1) Respond to this post with the name of an Asian artist or band that you think deserves more love! :)
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3) Feel free to post up to seven different times to either showcase different songs from the same artist or different artists altogether. Each time you fill in the below code and post it, it counts as one time.
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東方神起 (Tohoshinki); Stand by U
Release Date: July 1, 2009
Language: Japanese
Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Ballad
Purchase: YesAsia
01. Stand by U
02. Tea for Two
03. Sky （Bonus Track）
04. Stand by U ～Luv Behind The MLD mix～
05. Stand by U (Less Vocal)
06. Tea for Two (Less Vocal)
Tohoshinki returns with a brand new 'upbeat-yet-sorrowful' love ballad / follow-up to last year's immensely popular single, どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう？ (Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?; Why Did I Fall In Love With You?). Initially, I thought that Stand by U surpassed どうして, but now, I'm not so sure. どうして is a strong staple in their music career, and Stand by U is certainly gorgeous, but is it in the same league?
Stand by U is lead by a simple piano melody that essentially repeats itself throughout, consisting of three or four set chords. It begins and ends with the isolated, melodious piano. JaeJoong gently opens the first verse at approximately twenty five seconds in, with his distinct, tender, creamy vocals that we all know and love. Next comes Yunho, followed by Changmin, and so on. They all sound amazing; crisp, clear, and genuinely romantic. Their voices emotionally yearn for romance, as they bittersweetly join in harmony; "Where are you now? Who are you with? / I still believe that we will see each other again. You are the only thing on my mind." Their expressive vocals coupled with the simple yet effective melody make this a fantastic ballad. Fresh, sweet, and sincere.
Tea for Two didn't overly impress me the first time I heard a low-quality preview of it, but now that I've had the opportunity to listen to it on the actual CD, it's actually quite a light, breezy, lovely little song. It's surprising how much substance it has, given that it poses as your average, run-of-the-mill, mid-tempo R&B ballad. But don't let its modesty outshine its potential. The one key thing that made me fall in love with this song was the first chorus. Junsu sounds particularly sweet and delicate as he wholeheartedly sings "Important... so important / You are the most important person in the world." Thematically, I suppose it's on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Stand by U, but it allows for amazing contrast. Very cute. It reminds me of something out of their T era (ie. SHINE / Rainbow).
And then... we have their 2006 summer song, Sky. I really couldn't tell you why they included this, especially considering it was already promoted as an a-side three years ago. Surprisingly, it doesn't sound that dated (...aside from the opening: "Whoo! Two-double-oh-six! I'm talking about this summer!"). It's still a solid pop song. It actually almost sounds like a poppier, faster, bouncier version of Stand by U due to the similar "Whoa-oh, whoa-oh!" hook that just happens to be in the exact same key register. :) Still a great song - random in this track list, sure, but surprisingly fresh sounding nonetheless.
The third track, Stand by U ~Luv Behind The MLD mix~, is a slightly jazzier, sensual remix of the a-side. They stripped the trademark piano from the original, and replaced it with suggestive, laid-back R&B synths. It gives the song a completely different atmosphere, and I love it. I love the original more, of course, but the vocals and harmonies sound fantastic in this new arrangement, too. The mellow, easygoing synths give the song a softer, almost cheerful facade. A breath of fresh air!
Overall, what can I say? This is an amazingly strong single. I'm incredibly impressed! It's a massive step up from their previous single, Share The World / ウィーアー！ (Ui aa!; We are!), and a beautiful continuation of what was musically and artistically demonstrated on The Secret Code. I do believe that Stand by U is more resilient than どうして, but in terms of which song is better, I can't say. Some days I think one is better than the other, and other days I think the opposite. But I do know: 东方神起、大好きです。私はStand by U！
Overall Score: A
Hey guys! ♥
Hope everyone is well! I'll be going on vacation from today until Tuesday, so I'll most likely not be able to update until I am back. I'm so excited. :D See you later, and take care!
