Top K-pop Albums {Pink Tape by f(x)}

Released: July 2013

Tracklist: 1. Rum Pum Pum Pum 2. Shadow 3. Pretty Girl 4. Kick 5. Signal 6. Step 7. Goodbye Summer 8. Airplane 9. Toy 10. No More 11. Snapshot 12. Ending Page

F(x) are known to take big musical risks. So much so, that they've pulled away from 'typical' K-pop and developed their own style. Their discography has a wide range of genres and 'Pink Tape', the group's 2nd full album, is no different. 'Pink Tape' is like lollipops and high heels- in other words, it has a balance of frivolousness and maturity. Any listener of f(x)'s music should keep an open mind! Their strange sound makes them barely mainstream or radio-friendly. However, someway,somehow these girls pull it off. My five favorites of this album are:

1. Rum Pum Pum Pum

The title track 'Rum Pum Pum Pum' reflects the noise of a beating heart. It's chaotic - layered with many hand drums and synths, but surprisingly, it doesn't leave your head spinning. The song builds up tension and breaks nicely into vocal harmonies. Normally, the lyrics of a love song portray falling in love as a pleasant experience. But f(x), just being f(x), make falling in love (painful?) and sudden. 'Ouch! Your head will hurt, you won't be able to sleep, you won't forget me easily, your true first love has appeared.'

If the song isn't quirky enough, the music video surely is. The girls keep an asymmetrical concept: different colored eyes, items and ideas with no correlation (floating flowers?) and even Amber's mismatching eyebrows. Genius.

2. Ending Page

'Ending Page' is the final track, and rightfully so, because it closes the album wonderfully. Somehow it surpassed some of the crazy, fun songs and became my second favorite. It's mid-tempo soft rock/electronic and is a tame contrast to the majority of 'Pink Tape'. There's no gimmicks or crazy synths, so the member's vocals are what make it shine.  

3. Pretty Girl

I love how catchy 'Pretty Girl' is. But the highlight for me, is the meaning of the song. It takes a jab at beauty standards and also gives the perspective of "that jealous girl in the corner." The lyrics seem to express some resentment towards the pretty girl. She rely's on her face, and has no real character. F(x) point out that if she was plain-looking, then she wouldn't be so special.

4. Shadow

'Shadow' opens with notes from an xylophone that reminds me of a music box. The girls sing with a little more force that a whisper. At first, I wished that f(x)'s vocals were better in this, but the lacking vocals were probably intended. Anything too strong would overpower the delicate instrumental.

As sweet and lovely as it sounds, the lyrics are creepy. The title 'Shadow' refers to a person who closely follows another. Shadow's lyrics are from the point of view of a girl stalking a boy that she likes and she deludes herself into thinking that they are dating. The fact that the song is sung in such a calm and innocent way makes it even more creepy. Once again, f(x) give us an atypical love song.

5. Toy

'Toy' is a high-energy song with child-like verses. The musical path is unexpected and makes no sense, but it comes together! In the song, f(x) bust out of his 'toy-box' per say. They break up with a controlling boyfriend and show him that they can live their life by themselves.

Sources

Images: 1,2,3,4

Playlist 12. Girl Power Pt.1

Theme: Girl Power

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite

Respect the girl! This one is for the ladies, a collection of empowerment songs when women come out on top.

1. Girl's Generation - You Think

Korean ♥

'You think you're real cool - you're not!' This is Girls' Generation's most 'ssenunni' release since 'Run Devil Run'. It's confident, not coy, fierce not flirty, and had edge rather than aegyo. They tell an overconfident boy to leave them alone.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

2. Kittib - Doin Good
Korean ♥

This track, by underground-rapper Kittib, promotes women's self-reliance. It is about how a girl is successful after leaving her abusive boyfriend. The music video has some domestic violence so you can listen to the audio if you are uncomfortable.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

3. Lee Hi - 1,2,3,4

Korean ♥

Lee Hi is all sass and spunk. "1,2,3,4" is a Motown-esque song that expresses one message: "It's over!" The cute girly music video clashes with the attitude of the song. Lee Hi, only 15 years old here, seems like a young girl with attitude!

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

4. Ailee - Mind Your Business

Korean ♥

Ailee is a strong sister and speaks up against her ex-boyfriend. She is known for her girl-power anthems and "Mind Your Business" is no different. In the music video, this tough girl confronts her ex (rather aggressively) and even breaks out of jail! Like always, Ailee sings her story with a powerful voice.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 3/5

5. 4Minute - Cut it Out

Korean ♥

4minute was always edgy, but they really turned tough in this song (and on this album). "Stop at the first verse" in other words, they don't want to hear what haters have to say. In the lyrics, they come out on the top, even when a particular person didn't think that they could.

Review: Song - 3/5 

6. A.Kor Black - How We Do

Korean ♥

A.Kor Black is a sub-unit of A.Kor made up of rappers Minju and Kemy. They take it back to old-school hip-hop and girls spit fire at an ex-boyfriend. To be honest, the music video seems hip-hop-costumey but the effort is there.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

7. Miss A - I Don't Need A Man

Korean ♥

Part of Miss A's "Independent Woman Pt III", this track is just what the title implies. According to the lyrics, this girl can take care of herself and earn her own money. It's a perky, empowering pop song!

Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 4/5

8. Kara - Damaged Lady

Korean ♥

Feeling broken from a break-up, Kara get it together even though they still feel somewhat pathetic. My interpretation is this song tells us to "keep out head held high" even when we feel like a damaged lady.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5

9. 2NE1 - I Don't Care

Korean ♥

I can't have a girl power k-pop playlist without 2NE1! They are the "ssenunni" queens. An older one of their releases, it's about a problematic boyfriend whose antics have gone on for too long. So, she decides to break-up and not care anymore.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

Top K-pop Albums {Crush by 2NE1}

Released: February 2014
Tracklist: 1. Crush  2. Come Back Home 3. Gotta Be You 4. If I Were You  5. Good To You 6. MTBD (CL Solo) 7. Happy 8. Scream 9. Baby I Miss You 10. Come Back Home (Unplugged) 

 

'Crush' is 2NE1's 2nd full album. The group's eclectic sound of r&b, reggae, electronic pop and hip-hop is displayed throughout. 2NE1 distanced themselves from other girl groups (once again) by showing sides of fierce independence and vulnerability, without forcing a concept.  I love almost every single song on this, which makes it one of my favorite K-pop albums! Of course, this is all my personal opinion. My top five songs from the album are:

1. Come Back Home

First off, 2NE1 has two versions of 'Come Back Home' on the album; the original and the unplugged version, which is my favorite. They're the same song, so I put them both as number one!

Now about the song. The lyrics describe a girl missing her boyfriend or husband. He left her and hasn't come back. The original throws us a variety of sounds - reggae and hip-hop elements, bass drops, trap and electro-pop. Interestingly, the sporadic-ness and bounciness of the sounds downplays the sensitivity of the lyrics and makes it a great jam! 

One the other hand, the unplugged version embraces the tear-jerking lyrics, making it officially a sad love song. With acoustic guitar, the member's vocals, especially Minzy's, are really displayed. Also, 'Come Back Home (Unplugged)' has a rap from CL that isn't in the original (for some reason, though it is in the music video). 

2. MTBD /Mental Breakdown (CL Solo)

2NE1's leader and rapper CL is by herself for this song. "Mental Breakdown' has an exotic flair and countless bass drops. It's quite different from her first solo "The Baddest Female", and she spits fire!

3. If I Were You

This is a ballad with crushing sentiment and is about a relationship that failed because of a emotional disconnect. It's one of those ballads that, instead of reaching a climax, it has intensity throughout. If you are a 2NE1 fan, you may find it reminiscent of their 2010 release 'It Hurts'.

4. Happy

In a sense, 2NE1 hide their pain behind a smile. The beat is jumpy, vibrant and well, happy, but the lyrics are anything but. It describes wishing the best for your ex, but being miserable yourself. I love the playfulness of 'Happy', though a tiny bit of something is missing. It's almost as if the song is begging for some reggae sounds. Despite that, 'Happy' is definitely an upgrade to the average pop song. 

5. Scream 

'Scream' is the Korean version of a Japanese single that they released in 2012. Though, I like both, this version is way better and is not in a awkward translation as one may expect. It's about a girl who just wants to dance at a party and have fun - and it's no surprise that this buzzing track is dance-pop.

Sources
Images: 1,2,3,4,5

This or That? {4th Edition}

Ever hear a song that reminds you of another? This is a friendly comparison of videos and songs with similar genres, concepts and themes.

F(x) Chocolate Love v. SNSD Chocolate Love

These are actually the same song, just different versions. 'Chocolate Love' is a promotional track from 2009 for the LG Chocolate cellphone. Both groups did a CF in their own style. SNSD's version is more girly and sweet while f(x) are more trendy and edgy.

• F(x) - Chocolate Love, 2nd Version of MV
• SNSD - Chocolate Love, 2nd Version of MV

My Choice: I like the F(x) version of the song more!

Sources

Images: 1,2

Playlist 11. Love & Hate

Theme: Love & Hate

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

Hearts and X's. They're really opposites, but can there be a fine line between love and hate?

1. Miss A - Love Song

Korean ♥

'Love Song' is definitely stimulating as it takes unexpected turns. Like when the bass drops, instead of more bass, we are graced with violin synths! Not to say the song is completely disjointed, but it does take a roller-coaster-like musical path. And that makes it a good listen!

Review: Song - 3.5/5 

2. 2NE1 - Hate You
Korean ♥

'Hate You' is an in-your-face electronic pop song. CL dominates the repetitively looping chorus and Minzy, Dara and Bom sing the in-between verses. The music video is fully animated - 2NE1 become bounty hunters and catch a bad guy.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2/5

3. BY2 - Love You Love You 2020
Mandarin ♥

Singapore's twin duo act is cute and quirky in this video that seems to emphasize the number twenty. Perhaps they turned twenty-years-old? Either way, it exudes youthfulness and is fun to dance to!

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2/5

4. Lucky J - No Love

Korean ♥

After gaining popularity from Jessi's solo, Lucky J released their k-hip-hop sophomore single. It combines sounds from a folk string instrument with piano and melds it with r&b. This trio really compliments each other and they show themselves to be polished artists.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5

5. 4Minute - Hate
Korean ♥

Ironically, I have a love-hate relationship with this song. 'Hate' produced by Skrillex, is a seamless follow-up to their last release 'Crazy'. It starts with soothing vocals from Gayoon and Hyuna's rap leads to the turning point - the drop. Then it breaks into an explosion of angry trumpets and violent bass. I feel like the producer patched together a ballad with EDM. The music video visuals switch from dramatic to fierce along with the song.

Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 4/5

6. Big Bang - Love Song
Korean ♥

As mentioned in a previous post, 'Love Song' is raw Big Bang. There's no elaborate electronic synths or bass and that's fine! The song is simple and relaxed as well as the music video. The members wear black suits and express how much they 'hate this love song'.

Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 4/5

7. Ladies' Code - Hate You

Korean ♥

The song opens with the mellow sounds of an acoustic guitar then speeds up with pop elements. The lyrics portray a toxic relationship that they can't leave. Ladies' Code's efforts to completely hate him are futile. 'I really hate you, but I love you.'

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 2.5/5

8. Ailee - I Love You, I Hate You

Korean

This is also about a relationship gone sour, Ailee apologizes to him in this slightly up-tempo ballad. There are soft vocals, and as usual, Ailee uses her powerhouse vocals for emotional intensity.

Review: Song - 2.5/5 

9. 4Minute- No Love

Korean

This r&b track is about hating an ex and the feeling of not wanting to fall in love ever again. It is really a platform for vocalists Gayoon and Jihyun, but we do get some rap from Hyuna and interjections from Jiyoon.

Review: Song - 3/5 

10. 2NE1 - I Love You

Korean ♥

All love, no hate here! 'I Love You' has a crooning chorus and theme that is unlike 2NE1's usual ssenunni concept. At times it's sporadic, but the end result is a quality love song with an elegant music video to match.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5

Artist Profiles~Popu Lady

Popu Lady meaning, "Popular Lady" is a five member idol group from Taiwan with Hongshi, Da Yuan, Bao'er, Tingshuan and Yushan. They have maintained a girl-next-door image until their reality show "Get Out Of Popu Lady" and 2015 comeback.

Girl Group

Popu Lady

C-pop/Mandarin

1.Love Bomb

Popu Lady urge us to find our happiness in a cute anthem for falling in love. They take on a sailor concept and throw hearts in a youthful manner. And to make sure you remember their name, the girls repeat "Popu" over and over!

2.Keep Keep Loving

'Keep Keep Loving' is a Mandarin remake of M2M's 'Pretty Boy'. The relaxing instrumental and Popu Lady's child-like vocals make the song seem like a sort of lullaby. The music video, with delicate visuals,  give off an air innocence and purity,

3.Gossip Girls

Popu Lady dropped the cutesy style for something more serious. They show a sophisticated side of themselves with a darker concept and edgier fashion. 'Gossip Girls' which samples from "The Four Little Swans" from Swan Lake, has electronic-pop elements.

Other Songs:

4. Don't Say Goodbye ( 我不要)

5. Lady First

6. Popu OK繃

Sources
Profile,1,2,3