Pink Hot Pink Hot (EXID Review)

HOT PINK - EXID Review

EXID joins the November comebacks and released their digital single, Hot Pink! As usual, EXID comes out with an interesting and different music video and song. Right when I listened to this song, it gave off a strong 90’s music feel. Especially during the parts where it says, “push push push work it out/ don’t stop hey work it out,” there is a similarity to the song “Push it” by Salt-n-Pepa. But its not entirely the same, for it has a different beat and different style. I also love the contrast between LE's rapping and the vocals from the other group members. 

There are many people already criticizing this song saying that its another “version” of Up and Down, but I disagree! Hot Pink is something different from their other music styles, but they still have that sexy image. I am surprised by the amount of English there is in this song, even though it might not really make sense. The “U I like the way you pink it” is a little confusing, what do you mean by “pink it”!? haha. But for some reason LE can pull it off and make it sound catchy. I also thought “pink hot” was pink oil, but it kind of makes sense right?! I am still a little confused why the song is called Hot Pink and reading the english translations do not make that much sense. So I’m thinking its one of those songs that will only make sense in Korean and translating it into English doesn’t capture the true meanings. Maybe its about how they make guys get that “embarrassed” feeling you know the rosy cheeks or red ears? Maybe thats what they mean when they mention the color pink? I just know from watching the music video, they are really good at catching a guy’s attention. 

I am very excited to see them perform on music shows because I am dying to see the rest of the choreography! The dance for the chorus is very cute even if its very simple. They also look like they are having fun like in the beginning scenes. I really love how the music video was filmed as well! But I don’t know why the gas station was a big part of it. I thought the part where they are all throwing the money was pretty cute, it was kind of something an American music video would do haha. I was reading articles prior to their comeback about this song and how LE made a big contribution to this song and I give her props for this song, she worked very hard and it paid off. Overall this song is one of my favorites from EXID and if you haven’t listened to them yet you should, you will not be disappointed. 

Don't forget to check out their newest song and like and/or comment on the music video*. Let us know your opinions on the song by commenting below! Do you agree with other fans that its just another "Up and Down" or is it something totally different? Don't forget to watch their performances on the various music shows as well and continue to show your support for them!

- Rhea

B.A.P Wants to Take the Next Step with You (Take You There - B.A.P)

Take You There - B.A.P

The time has come for B.A.P to finally comeback! It’s been so long! I feel like I haven’t heard their voices in a very long time. I also seemed to have forgotten that Jongup was a member of B.A.P. haha

They returned looking much more mature and manly. Zelo looks like he grew up, and Bang stole my heart once again. I might get the allusion they look more mature since all six of them have dark, raven hair. With their comeback title, “Young, Wild, & Free,” B.A.P presents its audience a very empowering anthem about breaking free from being trapped. Maybe it’s a type of expression of their victory over their lawsuit? I’m not sure. I haven’t read the English subtitles yet, but that what I get from my initial listen.

I usually just give a listen to the songs B.A.P promotes, but this time around, I gave the entire album a listen. “Young, Wild, & Free” is one of four songs released on their fourth mini album, MATRIX. The album actually has five tracks but I don’t really count the monologue as one. There was a mix of different styles in the album, which could please and lure a wide range of listeners. When I was looking for the album, I read a comment that said that this may be one of B.A.P’s best.

I know that B.A.P has produced happy and danceable tracks before, but it was new to me. “Take You There,” upon first listen, sounded like a love song. Here, the singer or writer of the song wants to take the next step in a relationship. I assume that the person and the love interest are good friends and are in that stage between friendship and dating. The person is willing to give his all in the relationship so the love interest doesn’t have to be hesitant. If they are together and decide to take the step, everything will be magical. They could have one of the best relationships.

When I read the English translation, I think my initial thoughts were right on track. However, it made me think, is this song really about two friends who secretly like each other? Could this be a proposal song? The person in the song promises to protect his love interest. They are perfect for each other and he is deeply in love with her. He won’t choose other girls; she just has to give him the okay to move forward.

I appreciate that this song shows that love is a two way street. There must be an understanding between the two parties. They must come to an agreement when they decided to initiate the next step or phase in their relationship.

My favorite part of the song is the trumpets blending with the electronic sounds in the background. The bass also entices me to dance which I really appreciate. Bang’s rap is on point in this song too. I wish he had more parts, but having more than Bang’s and Zelo’s raps could have messed up the flow of the song. Jongup’s voice is also very smooth int his song too. Himchan’s, Young Jae’s, and Daehyun’s voices fit the song really well. I enjoyed the harmonizing in the song very much.

Please check out the song and read the translation, then let us know your interpretation or what you thought of the song.

-Kristine

Chained Up - Vixx Album Review (An Ode to Video Games)

Chained Up - Vixx Album

There seems to be trend in the KPOP scene: sound like video game music. Both Shinee’s and F(x)’s latest albums sound like Japanese role playing games I played when I was younger. VIXX seemed to join in on the fun. 

With the latest comeback song with “Chained Up,” VIXX has also graced the music world with their second album of the same name. Like I mentioned earlier, I thought the album reminded of a video game. The one I had in mind was Final Fantasy VII. For some reason, I imagine Cloud and the rest of the gang sojourning their worlds while multitasking (I was doing homework and listening to the album). I guess it’s because of the concept for the “Chained Up” video. 

I have to say in addition to the video game-like songs, I am reminiscent of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. 

The album tricked me though. The intro track, “Mistress,” gives off a horror movie feel or another when you’re walking through a dark forest just before you face off with the final boss. I was expecting dark and heavy songs filled with somber feelings and regret. There would probably be a few enticing and seductive songs like “Hot Enough.” But then, there were cute and poppin songs like “Heaven” and “부시시.” There were some songs that made me feel like I was falling in love too, like “지금 우린.”  

Here are my thoughts for each song based on the timbre/feel of the song since I don’t understand Korean: 

• 사슬 (Chained Up) *Title
• Their title song sounds like a KPOP song to me. There might be some suggestive lyrics, but it could also be something else. It could be the guy is a slave to the girl’s love and he’s losing his freedom to her.
• MAZE
• I get this feeling that the guy in the song is running away. Maybe he’s running away from toxic relationship? 
• Stop It Girl
• The feeling of the song goes along with the guy falling in love. Since he is a bad guy, he doesn’t want to hurt the girl. He isn’t the best option for her, but he wants to move forward in their relationship. These lyrics would probably be the basic plot line for a Korean drama I would invest so much time and effort in. 
• Hot Enough
• This song gives me the vibes of an attractive guy who is bragging about how hot he is. 
• Spider
• This is probably a song about a toxic relationship too. 
• 부시시
• I feel like this is about a relationship that lasted for a while. The time spent with his lover must have been like heaven and he’s falling in love everyday.
• Heaven
• This song is probably telling a girl that she is beautiful no matter what. The girl is an angel and she doesn’t have to change how she is or how she looks like. 
• 지금 우린
• This song reminds me of a love song from the late 90’s and early 2000’s, like a Brian McKnight or Boyz II Men song. It gives me the idea of slowly falling in love and embracing every feeling along the way. 
• 기적 (Eternity)
• The lovers are stuck with each other. For some reason, I’m imagining spies partnering up and trusting each other. From that trust, they’ll find love too. 
• Error
• I haven’t looked up the lyrics of this song, but I could only imagine the music video of this song. haha I’m getting a mix of hurt and regret here though.
• Can’t Say
• The guy in the song can’t admit that he is in love and can’t form his love into words. I think the lyrics are probably the sweetest thing!

With my first listen through the album, my favorite song is “Stop It Girl.” I’m a sucker with songs, literature, and dramas about people who believe they are hopeless in love falling in love. They feel like they don’t deserve it, so they try their best to make their lover happy. 

Please give VIXX’s new album a listen and let us know what you think!

-Kristine

HIGH4 is Losing Control! (D.O.A)

Dead or Alive (D.O.A) - HIGH4

HIGH4 starts the November comebacks by releasing their newest song D.O.A (Dead or Alive). If you
have been following this group, their last song, "Baby Boy", totally had a different feel. "Baby Boy" had a cuter image as they try to catch the attention of a girl. Just as any other boy group, they put away those colorful clothes and went for a bad boy image. Just from the title of the song, I knew it was going to be a serious and possibly a scary MV. For their concept, I love how they all look. But what is up with the maknae's hair? He can't see! Haha but with his new hairstyle, it shows how much he has grown from their first song with IU. 

With this song, I absolutely love how the rappers opened the song, which was contrasted with Myunghan's vocals as he said "I'm losing control" (which is probably my favorite line in the whole song). I love the beat of the song, its very catchy and simple. There is a great balance as well with the lead vocals and the rappers, which is always a plus for me when it comes to comeback songs! Now on to the MV! There is no storyline, but rather scenes of each member as they sing and as well as the choreography to the song. One thing that I thought that seemed similar to another group was when they are dancing as a group. It kind of gave off a VIXX feel and especially with their outfits, I feel like I've seen an MV like this before. Although there is a similarity, HIGH4 does have their differences compared to other groups. They never disappoint when it comes to the songs they release, because with their first collaboration song with IU, their vocals caught my attention right from the start! I love how they are trying different concepts, which makes they a well-rounded group, which will be at their advantage when trying to reach out to different age groups and styles of music. This song at first may sound a little slow, but you have to give it a try and listen to it a couple of times and I am sure they will not disappoint!

Even though they did not dance as much in their MV, they did perform this song before they released the MV. The dance to this song is very big and precise, something that is very different from their previous songs as well. There are points in the dance that makes them show off their sexy side and their manly side. Overall, everything about this song I absolutely love! From the dance to the amazing vocals, HIGH4 has come a long way and they have proved to become a great K-pop group and I know they will be successful in the future. If you have not listened to them yet, watch their MV below and listen to their previous songs. My favorite is their collaboration song with Lim Kim - A Little Close). Let us know what you think about D.O.A or their older songs!

- Rhea