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

July in Music

Here are my picks for the month of July!

1. Yoon Mi-Rae - You And Me

Korean

Released: July 5th

Often hailed as the best female rapper in Korea, Yoon Mi-Rae (AKA Tasha) is actually a very versatile artist that can do more than just spit bars. Her latest song is a chill R&B number that showcases her pleasant vocals. "You And Me" describes having an ambiguous relationship in which romantic feelings develop, but he ends up getting friend-zoned. Yoon Mi-Rae's songs exude such an effortless vibe, which is probably because she is a senior in the music industry. I already knew that she sounded good in a group and features nicely on others' songs, but this reminded me how well Tasha shines is her solo work. "You And Me" features Tasha's labelmate Junoflo and the MV includes the rest of the "Feel Ghood Music" crew.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 2/5

2. Luhan - Catch Me When I Fall (R3hab Remix)

Mandarin

Released: July 10th

Luhan is back with his EP "Re:Play," which is a collection of his old songs that were remixed. The original "Catch Me When I Fall" was released almost two years ago and expresses Luhan's experiences and progress. To me, the lyrics mean that everyone faces obstacles, makes mistakes, or feels blue at times. As a celebrity, Luhan may be compelled to maintain a certain image but we are all imperfect. "They keep telling me that I'm the chosen one. So I have to act like the one. All the time, It's hard to confess all the weakness. When I start to tell, It's even more than I can take."  Dutch producer, R3hab added a dose of Trap and heavy EDM drop to the new version making it a club banger.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 1.5/5

3. Seventeen - Our Dawn is Hotter than Day

Korean

Released: July 16th

"Our Dawn is Hotter than Day" was released back in July along with the rest of Seventeen's comeback album "You Make My Day," but the dance video wasn't released until August. I much prefer this b-side over the album's title song because of its great beat. Filmed on a rooftop under the night sky, the choreo is perfectly synchronized (as expected of Seventeen!) The subtle movements are done so precisely and gracefully that it really enhances the emotion of the song. This is a good example of how a performance can still be powerful even without lots of fast jumping. 

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 5/5

4. Riri - Maybe One Day

Japanese

Released: July 27th

Last winter, Riri made her major label debut with an album and a single titled "That's My Baby," which I really enjoyed! It had a very Western feel due to being worked on by established American producers. Her newest song, "Maybe One Day" comes from the same vein of Pop-ish R&B and was likewise prepared in LA. According to her official website, "Maybe One Day" is summer anthem material that mixes "an emotional melody" with "dance music." The lyrics express the viewpoint of a girl who falls in love with her best friend, but he doesn't feel the same way. Unfortunately, the Youtube music video is not available worldwide, so here is a link to view it. However, both the Japanese and English version of this song can be found on Apple music!
Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5

5. Astro - Always You

Korean

Released: July 27th

Astro caught my attention with their cute performance of "Crazy, Sexy, Cool." However, then they went on hiatus and I became worried about their future at the news of their label's financial issues. Now Aroha's (their fandom) can rejoice because the boys have debuted a special album dedicated to them. "Always You" the title track, stands in stark contrast to Astro's former tunes. It's serious and mature, with an intensely captivating music video. I'll admit, I half-expected something sweet like "Crazy, Sexy, Cool" and was disappointed to find it completely different. But, it's nice to see Astro active on the scene again.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

6. Perfume - Let Me Know

Japanese

Released: July 30th

If you are familiar with Perfume, you'll know that their music is characterized by high-pitched vocals, game-changing bass drops, and fun electronic melodies. "Let Me Know" is pretty much that except it has a few additional characteristics -  the composition is noticeably Westernized and slower in tempo. This release also seems to have personal meaning to the members. Nocchi, A~Chan, and Kashiyuka take a ride on a bus and meet three girls who likely are intended to be younger versions of themselves. The bus ride may represent Perfume's career, and while on this journey, they have a message they'd like to convey to their past selves. Some of the lyrics go, "Don't tell anyone, because you're about to be somebody. Believe in yourself."

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

Sources
Info: 4.6

Image: *,*,*,4,5,*

* are screencaps I made myself

June in Music

It's a little late, but here are my picks from the month of June.

1. BTS - DD Ceremony (Ddaeng)

Korean

Released: June 10th

BTS had their FESTA which is an annual celebration of their debut anniversary. As part of their 5th-year celebration, they released a few free tracks on SoundCloud for fans! "Ddaeng" is a diss track aimed at haters and at those in the industry who ignored BTS before they were popular. The song includes clever wordplays surrounding the term "ddaeng," which has various meanings, and hip-hop beats with Oriental instruments. It's performed solely by the rap-line-up (Suga, RM, and J-Hope) and is very reminiscent of their cypher series! There is no official music video, but the members put on a fire performance and uploaded it on BANGTANTV.
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - N/A

2. Blackpink - Ddu Ddu Ddu

Korean

Released: June 15th

One year of absence has built a swelling of anticipation among fans for Blackpink's comeback. Finally, the girls returned with their first mini album that takes on a different sound while still keeping Blackpink's essential style. "Ddu Du Ddu Du" is a powerful hip-hop trap song that opens with whistle-y synths and later blends in the sounds of East-Indian percussion. The lyrics assert a strong personality and a "go-get-it" attitude of girl power. Jennie performs as a rapper this time and the music video serves a lot of sass and creativity. Was "Ddu Du Ddu Du" worth the wait of an entire year? Well, I can only think that in that span of time Blackpink could have had hit after hit, since they are capable of having content this high-quality.
Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 5/5

3. BtoB - Only One For Me

Korean

Released: June 18th

After their hit "Missing You" from last fall, BtoB switches things up for the summer season. Instead of a slow, sad ballad, the group treats fans to a happy love song that is more suitable for the warm weather. "Only One For Me" is a very easy listen - it has a breezy melody and some added tropical elements. Since its BtoB,  the song showcases the group's stellar vocals, which can make even a bland song sound pleasant. It's worth to mention that this may be BtoB's last project as a complete group for a while. This is because sometime after the album release, the main vocalist Eunkwang enlisted for his mandatory military service. In the meantime, I expect the other group members to perform without him or maybe promote as soloists?
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

4. Red Velvet - #Cookie Jar

Japanese

Released: June 21st

Red Velvet had their Japanese debut and (not surprisingly) its theme is food-related! They've had "Ice Cream Cake" and "Red Flavor," but this time the girls talk about another type of treat - cookies! Just like their Korean releases, "#Cookie Jar" includes the same cute, quirky charm that Red Velvet pulls off well. Though, at the same time, I find that the song feels very Girl's Generation-esque.  Its groovy beat and retro 60s feel remind me of SNSD's "Hoot," a favorite of mine! I'm happy to see Red Velvet back at their so-called "red" concept and I think this suits the Japanese market very much.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5

5. Nu'est W - Deja Vu

Korean

Released: June 25th

Nu'est W is a subunit of Nu'est that will promote while member Minkyun is active with the temporary boy group Wanna-One. In recent years, Nu'est has taken on an interesting musical direction - they focus on a mature sound and incorporate mysterious elements into their album concepts. "Deja Vu" is a mellow pop song with a Latin influence and acoustic guitar that makes for a tropical vibe.  It has an unexpected but pleasant tempo and a smooth chorus that captivated me at first listen. Interestingly, the light breeziness of "Deja Vu" contrasts with the dark aesthetic of the music video. 

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 3/5

6. Day6 - Shoot Me

Korean

Released: June 26th

"Vicious words hurt like bullets." This metaphor is the core theme of Day6's new single and is shown in the music video. "Shoot Me" expresses the feelings of a guy who is at the receiving end of his girlfriend's harsh remarks. He endures her verbal abuse and hot temper in hope that she will feel better by it. "Shoot Me" has a rich guitar and keyboard instrumental that brings back the exciting energy the band had in an older song, "How Can I Say." The abrupt drums and gunshot-like "bang bang" turn the energy up even higher and work as the most memorable part of the song. 

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3.5/5

Sources

Image: 1,2,3,4,5.*

* are screencaps I made myself

Artist Profiles~ BY2

BY2 are a Singaporean Mando-Pop duo based in Taiwan. The duo is composed of twin sisters, Yumi Bai and Miko Bai who debuted in 2008 at the young age of 16. BY2 is known and appreciated for their upbeat dance tracks as well as their sentimental ballads. With their sweet vocals, energetic dance, and stage charisma, these two young women possess the full package of talent.

Duo

1. Isn't it?

In 2011, BY2 released their fourth studio album "90 Now (90'鬧Now)." The album title is a reference to their being born in the 90s and it was one of the records they released in their coming of age period. "Isn't It? (有沒有)" is the lead single from the 2011 album and is an infectious electro-pop track. The music video has a quirky, retro feel and the lyrics seem to parody the fallacy of rumors and tabloid media coverage.

2. Peach Blossom Cheongsam

BY2 deviated from their normal dance-pop and ballad styles to take on a traditional aesthetic and sound. The twins are feminine and poetic as they dance in floral cheongsams with wax parasols. All the details make the music video artistic and intriguing. There is paintbrush imagery that alludes to ancient Chinese art, cherry blossoms and kaleidoscope effects. Though traditional, the "Peach Blossom Cheongsam (桃花旗袍)" still has modern elements with the inclusion of light pop synths. 

3. Cat & Mouse

BY2 bring out their inner feline and pounce on their love like a cat on a mouse hunt. "Cat & Mouse" is about the emotional game of "push and pull" in a relationship. The concept is brought to life as the girls wear cute kitty costumes and do what their choreographer calls a "cat dance." Before filming this music video, BY2 traveled to Los Angelos to get dance lessons, and their hard work really shows! Their fun energy pairs well with the upbeat electronic track easily making this one of my favorite BY2 songs.

Sources

Info: Wikipedia, 1,2,3a,b

Images: Profile,*,2,*

* are screencaps I made myself

May in Music

Here are my song picks from the month of May!

1. Shi Shi - Guilty

Mandarin

Released: May 7th

Shi Shi is an absolute ballad queen, she always has the most beautiful, emotion churning songs. "Guilty (內疚)" was co-composed by the Taiwanese-Korean songstress herself and incorporates musical trends from both Taiwan and Korea. It is a piano-ballad, a genre that is popular in the Chinese-speaking world but also has electronic dance music that is commonly used in Korea. According to the song's description on KKbox, "Guilty" is about feeling remorse after ending a burdensome relationship.

Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 2/5

2. Cherrsee - Piano

Japanese

Released: May 15th

Cherrsee is a J-pop girl group whose name is derived from the words "cherry seeds." This act was formed by Korean producer Brave Brothers and the members received guidance from K-pop girl-group AOA. For this reason, Cherrsee gives off a very K-pop idol feel. In fact, their latest song reminds me of a popular Korean song - Rough by Gfriend. Like the aforementioned, "Piano" has a rich string and piano-based instrumental. It is the lead single for their first mini-album which includes the Cherrsee's older songs. 

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

3. NCT 127 - Chain

Japanese

Released: May 16th

In November 2017, we got a taste of NCT 127's Japanese debut with a new version of "Limitless," and now they've finally debuted with their first Japanese mini-album. The album, "Chain" intends to reflect the chain connecting Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan. Its lead single of the same name takes the concept quite literally, incorporating a chain drill sound throughout the song and showing the members using power tools. Overall, NCT has developed a unique, niche style of music and "Chain" definitely follows suit. Though initially overwhelming, the song got better for me after a few listens.
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 4.5/5

4. BTS - FAKE LOVE

Korean

Released: May 18th

BTS confess that their love was all smoke and mirrors in "FAKE LOVE." Such a sharp contrast from the group's previous release "DNA," their latest album and single talks about the dark side of love. As I mentioned in my album review, BTS further show their flexibility as artists with the trap-style of "FAKE LOVE." I appreciate the combinations of grunge guitar, trap beat, and vocal layering, as well as the continuation of the "Love Yourself" storyline. It's a perfect song!

Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 4/5

5. Shinee - Good Evening

Korean

Released: May 23th

Shinee makes their emotion-heavy return as a four-membered act, though they will always be remembered and cherished as five. With "Good Evening," they stay true to their brand of a contemporary R&B group that they've developed over the years. The song, which is actually a remake of  112's 1996 single "Cupid,"  mixes R&B with electronic dance. The genres are blended smoothly and the track maintains a mellow, sentimental vibe. "Good Evening" and it's accompanying album was released to celebrate Shinee's 10th year anniversary. The EP "The Story of Light Pt.1" is the first part of three, so look forward to the rest!
Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 3/5

6. Pristin V - Get It

Korean

Released: May 28th

Pristin is a ten-membered rookie group with a bubbly and fun energy. However, they really switched things up with the debut of their first sub-unit. The five girls of Pristin V take on villainous personas to make the man of their affections fall in love with them. The music video is equally filled with dark and light aesthetics as the girls seem to revel in their schemes. "Get It" is an r&b pop song with trap elements and heavy synths. It has a well-constructed production, though it veers very close to being generic. Still, "Get It" was a nice way of showing Pristin's versatility as Kyulkyung, Rena, Nayoung, Eunwoo, and Roa, all own the villain attitude.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

Sources

Info:1a,b,2a,b,3,5a,b,6

Images: *,*,3,4,5,6

* are screencaps I made myself

Top K-pop Albums {Love Yourself : Tear by BTS}

Released: May 2018

1. Intro: Singularity 2. FAKE LOVE 3. The Truth Untold 4. 134340 (Pluto) 5. Paradise 6. Love Maze 7. Magic Shop 8. Airplane Pt. 2 9. Anpanman 10. So What 11. Outro: Tear

Last year, BTS started a new series called "Love Yourself." The series began with the mini-album "Love Yourself: Her" which describes "the stories of young people falling in love." The whole theme of the project is based on the smeraldo flower of "La Citta di Smeraldo" an Italian story of which a summary is included here. This album was rather bright and happy, featuring the excitable lead single "DNA." However, in the weeks leading towards the release of "Love Yourself: Tear," it was revealed that this work would be darker. Before even listening to the album, the name "tear" and the black album cover hints that the story BTS is narrating has taken a painful turn.

Interestingly, the painful plot twist of "Love Yourself: Tear" was foreshadowed in the prior release. For example, the smeraldo flower means "sincerity that cannot be delivered." A multicolored smeraldo is depicted on the album cover of Her but is reduced to chaotic squiggly lines on Tear. In this album, we'll see how BTS transitioned from the uncorrupted love of "Her" to a love that turned out to be smoke and mirrors.

1. Intro: Singularity

BTS have a tradition that they follow - they reveal a special comeback trailer ahead of their album release. Since the Dark & Wild era, these trailers have been performed as a solo by one of the members and are included as an album intro. "Singularity" is performed by V, and the whole package is quite a work of art.

To complement his voice, V takes on the neo-soul genre. He also performs a dramatic, interpretive choreography that shows his dance-savvy as well as the meaning of the concept. The term "singularity" indicates being by oneself, and appropriately, V is seen dancing by himself - with his own arm as if it were another person. This video has references to the Greek story of Narcissus and Echo. The lyrics mention hearing a voice (which would be Echo) and seeing one's face in a lake (which is how Narcissus fell in love with himself). On the contrary, this narcissistic love is indicated to be fake love as there are scenes with V wearing a mask. Is he putting on a fake persona so he can love himself? Or so someone else can love him? Likely both.

As a sequel to "Love Yourself: Her" the dark storyline of Tear may seem like such a shift, but it was foreshadowed in the former album's outro. Some lyrics read:

"But I’m lookin’ for love, I don’t care if it’s a fake me if you hold me" - RM (Outro: Her)

"I can never take off the mask. Because the me behind this mask is not the one you know. Make up to wake up today too and dress up to mask on. In order to become the me that you love. In order to become the one that you love" - Suga (Outro: Her)

2. FAKE LOVE

BTS's musical evolution is quite impressive - they started out as a hip-hop group but have confidently branched out to many other genres. And now, with "Fake Love," BTS has returned back to home-base, so to speak. As the lead single, "Fake Love" is an emo hip-hop track with trap elements. The blend of sounds (guitar, trap beat, vocal harmonies) gives the song a much-appreciated complexity and a high-quality production. This genre-layered sound is quite reminiscent of "Blood Sweat & Tears." Much of "Fake Love" is in English, presumably because the group has gotten much attention from a Western mainstream audience. 

Just as "Her" and "Tear" are in sequence, the lead singles are as well - "Fake Love" continues the story of "DNA." "DNA" talks about a fated love that is sure to last forever. The lyrics to the song emphasize the flawlessness of the love. "From the day of the universe’s creation and beyond. Through the infinite centuries and beyond ...We’re eternally together."  However, according to "Fake Love" that fated love turned out to be completely phony - and it's devasting. Looking between the two music videos - there is a stark contrast. And this contrast allows me to appreciate the storyline even more.

Saturated, bright colors (DNA), Faded colors (FAKE LOVE)

DNA is exploding with exuberant colors. The beginning scene opens brightly and there are murals of art with red, blue, and yellow. The members also wear clothing in these same colors. On the other hand, "Fake Love" starts with a dark scene that has little lighting. The members either have dark or muted clothes (that look as if they once belonged to DNA, but were faded). There is one large black and white mural - it depicts hands that are reaching for each other but cannot connect. I also noticed that the choreography for "DNA" ends with all the members standing in a face to face line, and "Fake Love" begins with all the members standing in a line...which further connects the two songs!  Essentially, BTS shined a bright, beautiful light that was "DNA," only to bring us into the dark with "Fake Love."

Multicolored mural (DNA), Monochrome mural (FAKE LOVE)

3. The Truth Untold

Last year, BTS teamed up with American producer Steve Aoki for a remix of one of their album b-sides "Mic Drop." He worked with the boys again - this time composing an original song for the vocal line-up (V, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook). I am not too familiar with Steve Aoki, from what I have passively observed about him, he typically does upbeat party music. In fact, his remix of Mic Drop sums up what I expected of him. However, "The Truth Untold" is quite the contrary - it has a very simple, bare instrumentation. The bare piano and synth-based production forces the focus on the members' vocals and makes the whole piece a captivating listen! 

The title, "The Truth Untold" may also be translated as "Sincerity that Cannot be Delivered." This directly ties into the entire "Love Yourself" theme because that is the meaning of the Smeraldo flower in flower language (as I mentioned above). Moreover, the meaning of "The Truth Untold" is carried over from the previous track "Fake Love," which was carried over from "Intro: Singularity." All three tracks include the ideas of a fake, insincere love and hiding behind a mask or being untrue to oneself and others.

4-6. 134340 (Pluto), Paradise, Love Maze

The next track on the album is a jazzy r&b number that reminds me of music from the 70s. The title "134340" refers to the nondescript name that scientists gave to Pluto after it was declassified as a planet. According to Suga, the lyrics work as a metaphor to describe "something being separated from something else." Pluto is now isolated from the planets in the galaxy and "134340" describes that loneliness.

"Paradise" is an R&B ballad that has BTS's classic sentiment. In Korea, where youth are pushed into a fierce competition to be the best, BTS are saying it's okay if you need to take a rest.  The song opens smoothly with Jungkook's vocals, invites a hip-hop beat, then slightly picks up in energy.

Many have interpreted "Love Maze" to be dedicated for fans, but I do not think that is the case. So far none of the songs that BTS have dedicated to ARMY have been romantic in nature. Fan songs are for all fans, and making a fan song romantic would exclude fans of certain demographics. With that said, "Love Maze" is a love song that mixes R&B and Future Bass. It describes navigating through obstacles in a relationship. The lyrics maintain a positive attitude, asserting that the couple will get through anything. "We ran and ran endlessly. But all the fake noise. Can’t tear us apart, it’s true baby."

7. Magic Shop

Ahead of the album release, RM told fans that "Magic Shop" was co-composed by one of the vocal-line members. As many have guessed, that member is Jungkook! RM, Suga, and J-hope are recurrent composers in BTS, but recently it has been hinted that the golden maknae would try his hand at writing and producing too. "Magic Shop" is a light, electronic song that Jungkook dedicated to fans. The concept of this track is based on a "psychodramatic technique [called magic shop] in which the participant trades in their fears for happiness" - as explained in the teaser for Fake Love. Essentially, BTS's message to ARMY is that they can listen to their music when they feel sad and exchange those negative emotions for happiness. How true that is because music can be healing and lighten your mood!

8. Airplane Pt.2

In March, J-Hope dropped his first mixtape which includes "Airplane," a hip-hop track which details the story of his successful career. As a singer, his life includes traveling to all parts of the world to tour with fellow members. "Airplane Pt.2" expands on the story and involves all of the BTS members' stories. Jungkook's part says, "An odd kid. He sang as if he was breathing. Wherever was fine. He only wanted to do music." This refers to Jungkook's young self and his dreams. Likewise, RM's rap refers to how the members work even in their hotel rooms (by practicing and editing their music). 

As they sing about traveling from Cali to Italy, "Airplane pt.2" is made even more international by its Latin-infused sound. It was co-produced by Ali Tamposi, the same man who created Camilla Cabello's hit "Havana."

9-10. Anpanman, So What

The ninth track on the album is a playful, bouncy hip-hop anthem with a very tasteful use of autotune. I find "Anpanman" to be classic BTS because of the hip-hop, positive attitude, and high energy. Moreover, the mention of their name "Bangtan" in the lyrics reminds me of some of their songs from their rookie days, like "The Rise of Bangtan." 

The "Anpanman" that BTS is singing about is a character from a Japanese anime of the same name. He is dubbed "the weakest hero" because he protects and helps people despite not having any special powers. In the same way, BTS are "weak" heroes because they are regular people just like us who touch listeners' hearts with their music. They've come a long way but they assure us that they are still the same Bangtan.

With "So What," BTS venture back into the electronic-dance genre. RM also pays homage to old school rap with his verse "I don’t wanna die right now. I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna fight right now." It refers to Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's 1998 hit '"It Takes Two" and plays nicely with the beat's rhythm. The main message of "So What" is to not focus too much on your worries. One line that really stood out to me was, "90% of your worries are an imaginary swamp that you created. Just go instead of worrying Don’t get scared, cheer up."

11. Outro: Tear

Lastly, the outro is performed by the rap line-up and sums up the emotions that are felt after one realizes a love was fake: animosity, anger, and sadness. Before the three even begin rapping, the dark, dramatic instrumental makes you feel the pain that the song will convey. This instrumental actually samples from the Love Yourself Highlight Reel - which also had a painful ending. RM, Suga, and J-hope all spit fire and in some verses, they incorporate the new trap-style rapping that is sung with autotune. "Outro: Tear" is a bitter end to the album, the final cry, and last emotional release.

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To summarize, "Love Yourself: Tear" is such a beautiful collection of songs that completely deserves it's number one spot on the Billboard Top 200! My top 5 songs would have to be: (1) Magic Shop (2) Fake Love (3) Paradise (4) Anpanman (5) The Truth Untold. I hope you enjoyed my first complete album review. Feel free to share your favorite tracks from Tear!

Sources

Info: Wikipedia, Amino,4,7,8,9,10

Images: a,b,c,d,e,f,g,

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