Moodboard & Playlist: BTS L'ATELIER des SUBTILS

Hello, It's been a while! I've been absent from my blog partially because of a creative slump, but recently, I feel a little more motivated. BTS just released a collection of perfumes through their collaboration with VT Cosmetics and French fragrance designer, Frederic Burtin. The fragrance line consists of 7 perfumes that embody the personality of each member. I felt inspired to try something new and create a different kind of blog post. For each perfume I made a mood board and (using my imagination) chose the BTS songs that I think would match the aesthetic of each scent!

1. Eau D'Ocean - Jungkook

#Aqueous #Ocean #Breezy

The soft smell of the sea on a clear summer day.

Notes: Bergamot, Lily, Algae, Rose, Moss, Cedarwood

Songs: Euphoria (Jungkook Solo), Sea, Mikrokosmos

2. Eau De Musk - V

#Musk #Soft #Addictive

Profound and mysterious, but soft.
Notes: Blackcurrant bud, Bergamot, Raspberry, Cumin, Neroli, Musk & more

Songs: Singularity (V Solo), Blood Sweat & Tears, 134340

3. Eau De Poudre - Jimin

#Powder #Ambery #Mysterious

Warm and sweet like vanilla.

Notes: Clover, Bergamot, Geranium, Heliotrope, Clove, Patchouli, Vanilla, & More

Songs: Serendipity (Jimin Solo), Dimple, Boy With Luv

4. Eau De Coton - Jin

# Cotton #Soft #Delicate

A delicate fragrance that reminds you of innocent, first love.

Notes: Blackcurrant, Bergamot, Apple, Melon, Jasmine, Rose, Plum, Violet & more

Songs: Just One Day, 24/7 Heaven, Love Is Not Over

5. Eau De Vert - Suga

#Green #Cozy #Intense
Fresh and cool like the summer wind.
Notes: Orange, Vanilla, Jasmine, Rose, Plum, Violet, Sandalwood, White musk & more

Songs: Spring Day, So Far Away (Suga, Jin, JK ver), Butterfly

6. Eau De Citrus - J-Hope

#Citrus #Fresh #Energizing

The sweet scent of happiness and hope.

Notes: Lemon, Elemi, Bergamot, Parsley, Nutmeg, White Musk & More

Songs: Just Dance (J-Hope Solo), Home, Fire

7. Eau De Bois - RM

#Woody #Warm #Elegant
Luxurious and elegant wood.

Notes: Coriander, Juniper, Ambrette Seed, Lavender

Songs: 4 o'clock (RM and V), everythinggoes (RM solo), Autumn Leaves

I have not smelled any of the perfumes yet but I tried my best to match the given descriptions. Which songs would you choose for the members' fragrances? 

Sources:

Info: VT Cosmetics,1,2

Images: tumblr, google search, twitter

4th Quarter of 2018 in Music

Here's a compiled and abbreviated list of September, October, November, and December in Music.

September in Music

1. Nam Taehyun - Star

Korean

Released: September 4th

After leaving idol-group Winner in 2016, Nam Tae Hyun pursued another path by founding his own record company and forming an alternative-rock band "South Club." Stepping away from his band for a bit, Nam Tae Hyun made his official solo debut with a dreamy track "Star." It's refreshing, light synth-pop which is way different from what I'm used to hearing from him. The song confesses his preference of nighttime and darkness over daytime and the bright sun. The music video is quite basic but is still captivating with its carefully choreographed scenes of passing lights and shadows. 

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 4/5

2. Sunmi - Siren

Korean

Released: September 4th

Sunmi returns to number 1 on the charts with another great song from her new EP "Warning." The lead single "Siren" is an eerie dance-pop tune that holds a clever double meaning. "Siren" represents the bright lights that warn of danger and also symbolizes an alluring, murderous mermaid-creature. Through her lyrics, Sunmi does not hesitate to warn her lingering ex that she is a dangerous woman. "Just let go. You know that I’ll hurt you. The beautiful me of your fantasies doesn’t exist."  The music video takes the theme further, starting with blaring red sirens and mermaid imagery. A popular youtube channel, DKDKTV, dive further into the video's meaning with their own theory that Sunmi is warning her younger self of the dangers of the entertainment industry. 

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 4/5

3. Chanyeol X Sehun - We Young

Korean

Released: September 14th

Last July, Chanyeol and Sehun debuted the trap-influenced "We Young" at EXO's elyxion show in Seoul. Finally, the song was released officially through SM Station. I doubted that I would like it, mainly because the group's vocal line is absent from the song. However, the rap duo proved to me that they can carry a song, and own it! Instead of heavy hip-hop, "We Young" is funky and playful, opening brightly with a light piano riff. Chanyeol provides impressive vocals and the two encourage youth to be themselves.

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 4/5

4. Day6 - Beautiful Feeling

5. Got7 - Lullaby

6. PLT - IGOHOLIC

October in Music

1. IKON - Goodbye Road

Korean

Released: October 1st

To my surprise, Ikon made their third comeback of the year! "Goodbye Road" is the lead single from "New Kids: the Final" which completes Ikon's 2018 album trilogy. (Though, a repackage was released on January 7th, which can be considered the real conclusion.) Looking back through the series, Love Scenario talked about breaking up with no hard feelings, and "Killing Me" expressed feeling regret over the breakup while considering getting back together with their ex. Finally, in "Goodbye Road" Ikon walk down the path of acceptance and gain closure. The title is a nod to Bigbang's "Flower Road" and uses the metaphor of a road to represent the definite end of the relationship and a new beginning.
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 5/5

2. NCT 127 - Regular

English and Korean Versions

Released: October 8th

Lately, many new things have been happening to NCT 127. For instance, they came out with their first full-album and added a new member, Jungwoo. Their album features an English song, another "first," which they sang on Jimmy Kimmel Live as their American television debut. "Regular" follows the recent American trend of Latin-trap. The music video and English lyrics boast about the typical trap-related antics (spending money and invoking envy in others) so I can clearly tell this is aimed at an American audience. Though "Regular" was not a big breakout success in the U.S. like SM probably hoped, it easily became one of my favorite songs from the group!

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 3/5

3. Dua Lipa X Blackpink - Kiss & Make-Up

English, Korean

Released: October 18th

Blackpink's attendance of Dua Lipa's tour stop in Seoul birthed the group's first collaboration project. It's British-pop meets K-pop. Though I'm not a fan of Dua Lipa, I feel like the collab turned out pretty well. Both artists have somewhat similar images and they both work with electronic genres, so Blackpink jumping on Dua's track seemed natural. "Kiss and Make-up" is about wanting to patch up a relationship with an ex. Meanwhile, Blackpink has been confirmed to perform at Coachella 2019, so maybe they'll perform "Kiss and Make Up" with Dua Lipa for the first time?

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - N/A

4. IU - Bbi Bbi

5. EXO - Tempo

6. Nu'est W - Help Me

November in Music

1. Steve Aoki (Feat. BTS) - Waste It On Me

English 

Released: November 19th

BTS has included American DJ Steve Aoki in their projects before. First, with the remix of  "Mic Drop" and again with their stripped-down piano ballad "The Truth Untold." This time, however, it's BTS who are featured on a Steve Aoki song and, for the first time, they sing completely in English! "Waste It On Me" is sung and rapped nearly entirely by Jungkook and RM, but I can hear Jimin in the backing vocals. It has that quintessential EDM pop sound that currently rules American radio.

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 1/5

2. Jennie - SOLO

Korean

Released: November 12th

Many Blinks were half expecting Blackpink to have a full group comeback before the year ended, but YG threw us a curveball with Jennie's solo debut. Jennie debuted with a single "SOLO" and allegedly the other the members will all get solos too. "SOLO" declares a girl's newly established single status as she proudly lets go of a relationship and spreads her wings. Blackpink's forward attitude and core concept of beauty and talent are written all over this release. But at the same time, "SOLO" displays Jennie's own personal style. The song follows

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3.5/5

3. Key - One of These Nights (Feat. Crush)

Korean

Released: November 26th

After over 10 years in the industry, Key made his solo debut - he is the third Shinee member to do so. "One of These Nights," the second single from his album, is a chill R&B number with acoustic guitar. Soloist Crush worked with Key for this track, and his voice takes the song up another level.

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 3/5

3. Eric Nam - Miss You

4. EXO - Tempo

5.  Key - One of These Nights

December in Music

1. Day6 - Days Gone By

Korean
Released: December 10th

Listening to Day6's discography, you may notice that the band loves to travel through the decades! They've tried their hand at 60s fuzz rock with "What Can I Do" and melded some 80s and 90s sounds into "Colors." For their latest song, Day6 rewind yet again with the retro "Days Gone By" that combines 70s and 80s elements. It features an upbeat mix of keyboard synths and guitar This happy-go-lucky sounding song is actually a bittersweet walk down memory lane.

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 3.5/5

2. NCT Dream - Candle Light

Korean
Released: December 27th

Just before the year ended, NCT Dream surprised us with a sweet ballad! Released through SM Station, "Candle Light" shows the softer side of the boys with real contrast to their edgy hip-hop release from August. Moreover, instead of being dance focused, the song showcases NCT Dream's sweet vocal tones, including that of Mark who usually raps. I believe that this is the last release with Mark, since he will be graduating from the unit, but what a good way to end the era with him.

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3/5

3. EXO - Love Shot

Korean and Chinese Versions
Released: December 13th

With EXO's yearly album being later than it has ever been, I was wondering how they were going to squeeze in a repackage and winter album. Too bad we didn't get a winter special, but I'm happy that there was at least a repackage. "Love Shot" is an instant earworm and I liked it at first listen. It's not as impactful as some of EXO's other title tracks, like Monster or Lotto, but the member's rich vocals and catchy "na na na na" make it a bop.

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3/5

4. Yesung X Chungha - Whatcha Doin'
5. Gaho  - Preparation for A Journey
6. NCT 127 - Simon Says

August in Music

For the month of August.

1. IKON - Killing Me

Korean

Released: August 2nd

"Killing Me" is IKON's first official comeback after their massive hit "Love Scenario." This "New Kids: Continue" comeback had a lot of hype to live up to as "Love Scenario" earned the group their first Perfect All-Kill. Many enjoyed the light energy of "Love Scenario," but "Killing Me" takes a complete 180. It's a daunting break-up song that contemplates feeling regret after a breakup.  Since "Bling Bling," IKON hasn't returned to the swaggy hip-hop style that I so miss. But "Killing Me" still satisfies with its trap-dance genre and unusual, but pleasant tempo.
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 4.5/5

2. LOONA - FavOriTe

Korean

Released: August 7th

After over a year and a half of intense teasing, the girls of Loona finally show what they can do as a group act. Since Fall 2016, the Loona members periodically debuted as soloists and subunits, slowing gaining a following of fans. "FavOriTe" is Loona's pre-release single from their debut album that intends to show the group's signature style. From the beginning, "FavOriTe" captures you with its barrage of sounds which include brassy instruments and energetic adlibs. Judging from the solo works, I always felt that many of the members' voices sound too similar, but that proves to be a major advantage. The voices of Loona's many vocalists meld together cohesively, instead of overwhelming the song with many different vocal tones.

 Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

3. Pentagon - Shine (Japanese Ver.)

Japanese

Released: August 29th

In April, I failed to notice when Pentagon released "Shine." But after the song became their breakthrough hit, I wondered what everyone was raving about and gave it a listen. The song is pure joy! It's quirky, catchy, and playful with its concept of nerdy boys confessing to a pretty girl (that's presumably out of their league). The K-pop hit's success led Pentagon to send it over to Japan and the Japanese version keeps the original's essence. As usual, there are little differences that make me prefer one version over other.  Extra effort was put into the Japanese music video, but the Korean Shine is still a better listen. Both are enjoyable nonetheless!

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 5/5

4. BTS - IDOL

Korean

Released: August 25th

BTS's Love Yourself series is a well-constructed narrative that explores falling in love and realizing that the love is fake. In the final conclusion. BTS discover the answer to their fictional narrative, an answer that can also be applied to their real lives - to love yourself! IDOL is an unapologetic ode of self-love that makes references to the hate they've received. The members show confidence in things that the media, haters, and even fans have tried to change about them. This loud and proud message is delivered with a sound that is equally as striking. IDOL a traditionally Korean and South African dance-pop track with blaring brassy instruments and bumping bass.

Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 2/5

5. NCT Dream - We Go Up

Korean and Chinese versions

Released: August 30th

NCT Dream is the NCT unit with the group's maknaes. They follow a juvenile concept that has gradually gotten more mature as the boys get older. "We Go Up" is an energetic anthem-like track that has 90s hip-hop influences and electronic bass. The song begins abruptly and has sharp transitions that make it sound as if two different songs were melded into one. This is not uncommon for NCT, as "Go" and "Cherry Bomb" are alike in the way. After getting over the strange transition, I began to really enjoy "We Go Up." The members' voices are maturing and, as always, they put on an impeccable dance performance.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5

6. Baekyun X Loco - Young

Korean

Released: August 31st

SM launched the third season of SM Station titled "Station Young" which is "a cultural project for the younger generation." Like the prior seasons, Station Young showcases collaborations with artists from other labels. "Young" is the second track of Station Young and is performed by EXO's Baekhyun and AOMG rapper Loco. The message is motivational, as it encourages youth to go their own path instead of following the path written for them by others. I like the music video's artistic expression of the theme and the unexpected mix of electro-pop and R&B.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

Sources
Info: 6a,b

Image: 1,2,*,4,*,*

* are screencaps I made myself