April in Music

Here are my song picks from the month of April!

1. CLC - Distance

Korean

Released: April 3rd

A few months ago, CLC unveiled the dark and fierce "Black Dress". Now the ladies are back with the second single from their album but they're wearing white dresses. Quite different from the former single, "Distance" is soft and subdued, which brings me to again point out how flexible this group is concept-wise! I'd like to believe that "Distance" is a sort of epilogue because of some of the visuals (like the lace blindfolds) in the videos parallel. "Black Dress" illustrates a girl trying to get a man to fall for her. Fast forward in time and "Distance" describes the aftermath of the relationship - the man no longer loves her.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 4/5

2. Winner - Everyday

Korean

Released: April 4th

Winner returned with their second full album "Everyd4y" exactly a year after their charismatic hit song "Really Really". Really Really marked a new beginning for the group - it was their first release with the remaining four members and it favored a trendy genre over the group's usual alternative sound. Since then, Winner has continued using trendy genres for their singles, moving from tropical house to trap! "Everyday" is an autotune laced trap track with a summery vibe and serenading lyrics. Between the dances and music video scenes, it's quite far from what I expected the foursome to perform!

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 2/5

3. Ten - New Heroes

English

Released: April 6th

SM Station 2 reached a wonderful finale with a solo from NCT's Ten. "New Heroes" is his second station track overall and like the previous, it's completely in English. The lyrics were written by Western singer-songwriters and feature some meaningful and reflective phrases. "Fought off the wolves in sheep clothing/Stood up for what I believed/ Turn my mess into messages/ Learn from the lessons/ And keep on keep on keep on..." Overall, "New Heroes" is quite a trendy work - it has an EDM/Future Bass composition and a music video with an artistic flair.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 4/5

4. Super Junior - Lo Siento (Feat. Leslie Grace)

Korean, Spanish

Released: April 12th

A few years ago, Super Junior incorporated a Latin flavor into their song "Mamacita." The group embraces the culture once again in "Lo Siento", which is a collaboration with Latin-pop artist Leslie Grace! Leslie provides vocals for much of the chorus, and sings in Spanish, while the members of Super Junior sing and rap mostly in Korean. The stellar aspect of "Lo Siento" is the intricate, dance-inducing instrumental - it includes Spanish guitar and loud synths. Apparently, a lot of K-pop fans and Latin music fans alike enjoyed this as it debuted a number 13 on Billboards Latin Digital Songs Chart (making "SuJu" the first K-pop artist to do so)!

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3/5

5. NCT 2018 - Black on Black

Korean

Released: April 18th

You may recall NCT's December 2016 MAMA stage, in which the group first performed a part of "Black on Black". They brought such great energy to the stage and it was my first time seeing all the NCT members perform together. Now over a year later, a revised studio version was released featuring three of the group's rappers: Taeyong, Mark, and newly debuted Lucas. Despite the fact that only a fraction of NCT appears in the song, "Black on Black" is very performance-based and includes all 18 boys clad in black (of course!) The dances are sharp and perfectly synchronized- exactly what I would expect from them.

Review: Song - 2/5  MV - 5/5

6. Meng Jia - Free

Mandarin

Released: April 26th

In March,  Meng Jia dropped "Weapon" and it was announced that she is preparing to come back with a full album. A month later, Jia followed up with her second pre-release "Free". For this one, she brings out her airy, light vocals, which compliment the indie-influenced sound. The accompanying music video has breathtaking shots that were filmed in inner mainland China and I applaud the high-quality production of it all.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 5/5

Sources

Info: 3.4

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

* are screencaps I made myself

Playlist 16. Latin Influenced K-pop Songs

Theme: Latin Influence

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

K-pop songs that are inspired by Latin culture.

1. SF9 - O Sole Mio

Korean ♥

SF9 are warm under the sun in this blazing love song. The song starts off with the strumming of a Spanish guitar and then moves into a more electronic-pop sound. Interestingly, "O Sole Mio" includes lyrics in three Latin languages: Italian, Spanish and Latin. First, the title of the song "O Sole Mio" is Neopolitan Italian for "My Sunshine" or, "Oh My Sun". Perhaps it is a reference to the popular Neopolitan song of the same name. Next is "te quiero", which according to some sources translates as "I love you" or "I want you" from Spanish. Finally, there is the phrase "ego dormio" which is Latin for "I am sleeping". This is followed by a Korean verse, which together translates as "Even when I am sleeping, I am still filled with your warmth." I really like that SF9 used this concept - it was unexpected and unique!

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

2. IU - Havana

Korean

"Havana", named after the capital of Cuba, is a romantic song in which IU compares her love interest to the Caribbean city. The instrumental to "Havana" is very soft with the light strumming of a guitar and there is inspiration drawn from bossa nova (a genre of Brazilian music from the 1950's). It's one of many tracks on IU's third album "Modern Times" that ventured away from typical pop music and gave the singer a more mature image. 

Review: Song - 3/5 

3. Babylon - La La La (feat. Chungha)

Korean ♥

"La La La" is a fun-loving dance tune by solo artist Babylon. The song has a tropical house beat that includes the notes of a marimba (Latin American instrument). The phrase "La Vida Vi Loca", meaning "the crazy life" in Spanish, makes up much of the carefree chorus. Also, tucked in the lyrics is a reference to a classic Mexican folk song. Babylon says "Para Bailar La Bamba" which refers to the 1986 song by Ritchie Valens. To top off, soloist Kim Chungha lends her airy vocals to "La La La", making it even more of a fun listen.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2.5/5

4. Sonamoo - I Knew It

Korean

Sonamoo seems as if they are new ladies in "I Knew It". With this release, they take on a dark, elegant concept that is quite different from what I have seen them do before. "I Knew It" is a Latin-pop song that includes the Spanish guitar and brass instruments. The strong, but graceful choreography features posturing and hand claps that are typical of flamenco style dance.

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

5. K.A.R.D. - Rumor

Korean ♥

"Rumor" is KARD's third pre-debut project that followed "Oh Nana" and "Don't Recall". Like the two previous songs, the genre is Tropical house. However, "Rumor" especially gives off a Latino and Reggaeton vibe.

Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 2/5

6. Kim Jonghyun (Shinee) - Y Si Fuera Ella

Korean

Many fans of Shinee and K-pop, in general, are remembering the late Shinee member Jonghyun and celebrating him as an artist by listening to his music. While doing so myself, I recently discovered one of Jonghyun's solo tracks "Y Si Fuera Ella", which is a Korean cover of a 1997 song by Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz. Jonghyun sang the ballad with such intense emotion that perfectly matched the longingness of the lyrics - "Ella, How are you trying to leave me with those easy words, “goodbye”. Notably, "Y Si Fuera Ella" was the first solo track of Jonghyun's career and was very beautifully done.

Review: Song - 4/5

7. IU - Everybody Has Secrets (feat. Gain)

Korean

Also from IU's album "Modern Times", is "Everybody Has Secrets" - a collaboration between her and Brown Eyes Girl's Gain. It has a bossa nova influence and an upbeat rhythm that is great for dancing. Its composition is very rich with the sounds of various percussion and stringed instruments. Plus the way IU's and Gain's vocals overlap at parts make everything very dramatic and expressive. 

Review: Song - 3/5 

8. Super Junior - Mamacita

Korean

"Mamacita" is an uptempo pop track with a variety of sounds and genres mixed throughout. In the music video, Super Junior act as cowboys in the Mexican Wild-West who are going after a criminal. Along with the Spanish term "Mamacita", Super Junior take inspiration from Latin culture through their outfits and choreography.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2.5/5

9. Shinee - Señorita

Korean

Many are familiar with "Juliette", one of Shinee's hit songs from 2009. Those who like it may also enjoy "Señorita" - it is a b-side from the same album with a similar energy. Like "Juliette", "Señorita" is a confession of love aimed at the girl they are trying to charm and pursue. The song opens with a Spanish intro, moves into a slow, dramatic bridge and then breaks into a more powerful and uptempo chorus.

Review: Song - 2.5/5

10. K.A.R.D. - Hola Hola

Korean ♥

Even after releasing a few pre-debut singles (as mentioned earlier), KARD hasn't been able to gain popularity in Korea. However, they have garnered attention among international K-pop fans, especially from those in South America. Because of this, KARD included Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile on their World Tour and were very well received. After completing part 1 of their tour, KARD officially debuted with "Hola Hola", that seems like a warm greeting to their Spanish-speaking fans. The song is pretty much the same genre of every one of their prior releases, but it has a summery twist and is more cheerful.

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

Sources:

1a,b,3a,b,6a,b

K-pop Duets: Boy X Girl (Part I)

Duets are a perfect way to bring out the romantic meaning of a song. They are also ideal for harmonizing and adding depth to the sound. Spring seems to be the perfect season for duets. In fact, most of these love-budding songs were released in the months of spring!

1. Suzy X Baekyun - Dream

Suzy from Miss A and Baekhyun from EXO are two fan favorites. They are loved for their sweet images and charming personalities, both of which 'Dream' emphasizes perfectly. It’s a slow-tempo r&b song with a hint of jazz. In the music video, a live band plays mellow sounds from a piano, guitar and drum set. Center stage in the middle of the vintage-looking room are the two singers, dressed very classy, This makes the performance feel something like a cozy dinner date concert! As the cherry on top, the meaning of 'Dream' is even sweeter: a boy and girl are shy, but utterly in love as they exchange heartwarming confessions.

2. Eric Nam X Jeon Somi - You, Who?

This time last year, Eric Nam released a springtime duet with Red Velvet's Wendy. Perhaps he was inspired by that because this March he launched a collaboration project in which he plans to release a single each spring. True to the season, 'You, Who?' is calming like a March breeze, with an acoustic instrumental. Eric's singing partner is Jeon Somi, a former member of IOI. Her juvenile voice gives the song extra cuteness, though her vocals don't quite match with the mature voice of Eric. Despite that, 'You, Who?' and its retro-themed music video is still very charming!

3. Park Kyung X Park Boram - Ordinary Love

Park Kyung is a rapper in the group Block B, but he proved that he can stand alone as a musical artist. Ordinary Love is a self-written track from his solo mini-album that features soloist Park Boram. It's about not wanting a stagnant relationship and finally finding a girl who keeps his heart racing. There's a fun bounce in the sound and Park Kyung displays his animated rap style (complete with his catchphrase "aight"!) The best part, though, is how the music is a seamless meld of r&b, hip-hop, and pop while maintaining such a playful theme.

4. Yesung X Seulgi - Darling U

Written by and composed by Yesung himself, Darling U is a release from SM Entertainments's music platform SM Station. It's a mid-tempo tune with lyrics that invoke warm fuzzy feelings and is accompanied by a cute, pastel music video. Yesung, from Super Junior, has what has been described as an "artistic voice". This complements the sweet, soft register of Red Velvet's Seulgi. The pair romantically croon "Darling you baby" throughout, making it catchy and easy to sing along to.

5. Sunyoul X Yuju - Cherish

Gfriend is known for their ability to switch from a light voice to powerful high notes, and as their main vocalist, Yuju brings that style to cherish. Up10tion's Sunyoul also does his part well by harmonizing with his airy vocals. Overall, 'Cherish' was a nice platform for these two idols, because at the time of its release they were still rookies. It's paired with a simple music video, that's rather typical but matches the lightness of the song. The couple is captured singing in the studio and posing for a photoshoot wearing powdery colored outfits.

6. San E X Baek Yerin - Me You

Like any other rapper, San E has a serious persona. But he showed something other than just that by entering the pop genre. 'Me You' shows his cute, quirky side and enlisted 15&'s Baek Yerin to sing. The song, about experiencing first love has an addictive chorus! The most interesting part though is the unique music video. It was filmed like an Instagram post and even has imagery of the social media in it. The aesthetic is also really funny: San E is blown up like a balloon, which represents how being in love can lift your mood.

7. Henry X Soyou - Runnin'

Henry mainly sings pop music: his two previous solo projects have been pop and so has Super Junior M's releases. However listening to 'Runnin', I realize that the pop genre really doesn't do justice to his talent. This SM station track is simmering r&b and brings out the best Henry's vocals have to offer. What's more is, Soyou was the perfect duet partner for this song. Her whispered verses don't overpower and they keep the sound. Unfortunately, she doesn't make an appearance in the video, but we do get to see Henry and all his boyish charm!

8. Crush X Taeyeon - Don't Forget

Perhaps it's a stretch to call 'Don't Forget' a duet, as Taeyeon's part in the song is small, but I can't ignore this beautiful collab. Crush is an r&b sensation who continuously pumps out quality music. Likewise, Taeyeon is an established soloist who sweeps the charts and dabbles in many genres. Together, in this winter release, they sing to always remember their love even if they separate. Crush's buttery voice makes up the majority of the song, but Taeyeon's part, only a few verses, is a golden nugget. It adds dimension to an already great song. Don't Forget's music video is lonely as one can imagine. Crush wanders in the snow-covered city by himself and passes through a closed amusement park, all while singing the blues.

Sources

Info:1,2,3,4,5,  

Images:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Collage: a,b,c,d,e,f