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

January 2017 In Music

In January, a few artists whom I was waiting for made a comeback. Including Jessi, whose last release was a single in March 2016 and 2NE1 whose were on hiatus since 2014. Here are my favorite songs that came out in  January.

1. Meng Jia - Who's That Girl

Released: January 3rd
Mandarin

Chinese singer and rapper, Meng Jia (孟佳), released her second single since her solo debut. You may know Jia as a former member of k-pop group Miss A, but now she is standing alone and establishing her personal music style. 'Who's That Girl (她是谁)' is a medium-tempo pop ballad that reflects a girl's identity crisis as she looks in the mirror. The song has a catchy chorus and relatable vibe.
Review Song - 5/5 MV - 4.5/5

2.  NCT 127 - Limitless

Released: January 6th

Korean

'Limitless' is the lead single from NCT 127's second mini-album of the same name. It has been described as "urban r&b" and features the rookie group's amazing vocal harmonies. There are two music videos: the rough version and the performance version, the former of which I found bizarre. However, the latter is impeccable and boasts NCT's razor-sharp dance moves!

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

4. BY2 - Peach Blossom Cheongsam

Released:  January 12th
Mandarin

BY2 ditched their trendy electro-pop style for a traditional aesthetic and sound. The twins are feminine and poetic as they dance in floral qipaos 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. The song, which utilizes traditional Chinese instruments and opera singing, still has a modern twist.

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

5. Seohyun - Don't Say No

Released: January 16th

Korean

The Girls' Generation maknae made her solo debut with a mini album and single. In 'Don't Say No' Seohyun is begging for her man to come back with a pop/r&b tune. The music video visuals are kind of odd: she wears artsy-glam outfits and cooks up some frightening recipes. But, Seohyun makes everything better by throwing glitter in the air!

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

5. 2NE1 - Goodbye

Released: January 20th

Korean

"Goodbye" is 2NE1's last single as a group. The members (excluding Minzy) released this farewell a few months after their disbandment. There are few ballads in 2NE1's discography, but each of them has stellar musicality. "Goodbye" is a few steps lower than the groups earlier ballads, but still a nice listen. It has an acoustic production and features mournful lyrics written by the group member, CL.

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

6. Jessi - Don't Make Me Cry

Released January 22nd

Korean

Jessi's soulful voice, combined with her ability to bring out strong emotions in music, makes any song she sings, amazing. "Don't make Me Cry" is a song about a potential break-up. The cracks in the couple's relationship are getting too big and the singer is heartbroken. "Don't make me cry. Don't do me wrong." But at the end of the video, the inevitable happens: they break-up.

Review: Song - 4.5/5 MV - 3/5

Sources:
Images:1,2,3,4,5,6
Info: 2, 4

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