Apink has released the music video for their title track "Mr. Chu" from their upcoming album Pink Blossom. Known for their cute image, the album will convey how the girls are blossoming into a more mature image while still retaining their innocence. "Mr. Chu" tells the story of a first kiss and the feelings that come along with it. The mv also has a fresh feel to it, making the song perfect for a spring playlist.
I was a bit worried about the slow tempo the song started with, but it picks up around 0:30 and really shines during the chorus. The instrumentation is great, including a funky bass line, trumpet flares, synths, and strings in the background of some verses. There are even some R&B elements thrown in at the start. Combined, it makes for a very laid-back song. The girls' vocals are also delivered in a breezy way, adding to the feel-good nature of the track.
At only one listen, "Mr. Chu" is catchy but some might not warrant it a second listen. It grows on you, though, and stays true to Apink's iconic style. The production quality is excellent, and the vocals are good as always. If "Mr. Chu" is any indication of how the rest of the album will be, it's definitely something to look forward to. 3.5/5
4minute is back with "Whatcha Doin' Today (오늘 뭐해)", the title track from their new album 4minute World. The track has a completely different feel from their previous track "Is It Poppin'?", but that just shows how versatile 4minute's sound is.
"Whatcha Doin' Today" is really catchy, and shows off a different side of the girls. The song has a big band feel throughout, including trumpet and saxophone riffs, but still retains a dance pop feel to it. The vocals are great as usual, but the rap parts are showcased a lot more in this song. The instrumental during the dance break isn't as elaborate as a lot other songs being released recently, but it works for them and the overall theme of the song.
Due to the different style of "Whatcha Doin' Today", a lot of fan reviews have been mixed. Some hate the song because it doesn't showcase 4minute's "true colors," but others love it because it shows a side of the girls that hasn't been seen before. The song is definitely different for them, but it's catchy, fun, and is sure to be a hit. 4/5
Billion is a new girl group, and they've released an MV for their title track "Dancing Alone". It's reminiscent of 90s synth pop with modern dance track elements mixed in. They don't actually do any dancing in the video, but their stage presence makes up for it. Their style also reminds me of 2NE. You can tell, though, that they all have strong personalities and are very confident.
In terms of the song, it could have been better. Many parts seem discordant and come off as if some of the girls' vocals are much stronger than the rest of the group. This could just be due to the mixing and production of the song, though. There's a bit of light dubstep mixed in during the dance break, which I think is overused now, but the synths throughout the song a little catchy. After the first listen, though, the song is easily forgettable.
The name of the group is different and the girls seem unique enough, but the track could've used a bit more "umph". Maybe production or the girls were rushed, but "Dancing Alone" was not a good choice for a debut track. 2/5
Toheart is a duo comprised of SHINee's Key and Woohyun from Infinite. Although I suspect the ulterior motive is to more smoothly integrate Infinite into being part of the SM family, it's no secret that Key and Woohyun are best friends and this collaboration was bound to happen. Their voices match well together, not to mention the production quality of the whole album is excellent. This was a brave venture for SM, and the result is great.
The first track, "Intro," is a more jazzed up version of the album's title track without lyrics, so I won't comment on it much. But if you're into instrumentals, the instrumentation is fantastic. The title track of the album is "Delicious". The lyrics are a little wacky,
claiming that love is "nutritious," but listeners are introduced to the album's central funky sound while showcasing Toheart's confident vocals. The DJ scratches give this song a bit of a 90's feel, but the groovy guitar line makes it great for just jamming out on a summer day. Key's unique rapping over Woohyun's smooth crooning is best shown in this track, pleasing both SHINee and Infinite fans. The next track is "미로 (迷路) (Maze)" and really sounds like a combination of SHINee's and Infinite's respective sounds. It's another fun song, begging for listeners to get up and dance. The album takes a turn with "You're My Lady," a smooth R&B track given a jazz feel with trombone and guitar lines. The band instrumental really brings out Woohyun's vocals and Key's scatting is fun to listen to. The slow tempo is carried into "Tell Me Why," including a more Indie sound. I'm surprised SM decided to include this, but it will definitely stand out in mainstream K-Pop. The last song, "출발 (Departure)," ends the album on a calm note, riddled with the sad, yet uplifting, sounds of a harmonica and soothing flamenco riffs.
Toheart's 1st mini album is a daring venture with excellent production quality, but the songs could have used a bit more variety. The jazzy and groovy sound throughout the album is definitely not used often, but listening to the same central theme in every song can get a bit old. Overall, though, the album is great and I'm sure we can expect excellence from Toheart in the future. 4.2/5
1PS, pronounced one piece, has released their debut single earlier today titled "Because I'm Your Girl". I'm not usually a fan of girl groups, but I can definitely get behind this one. During a time in which most of the girl groups are attempting a sexy concept, 1PS's style is refreshing. They've struck a perfect balance between cute and sexy, essentially giving off an innocent vibe.
"Because I'm Your Girl" starts out with piano and gradually builds up to include strings and an addictive drum line, giving off a lighthearted feel that compliments the girls' vocals and concept. Concerning their vocals, all of the girls have strong voices with raspy undertones; quite different from the aegyo-filled voices that many new girl groups are trying to emulate. This will give 1PS an advantage in standing out from the over-saturated market of idol groups.
Although the style of "Because I'm Your Girl" has been done before countless of times, as it's reminiscent of a typical theme used throughout a drama, 1PS makes it work for them. Their vocals are strong, and it's a nice track to listen to during a light, spring day. This is a solid debut, and I'm looking forward to what else 1PS has to offer. 3/5
