Album Review: CLC (Crystal Clear) "First Love"

In one of my previous blog post (The A-List: My Top 3 Most Awaited KPOP Group Debuts of 2015), I said that I am looking forward for Cube Entertainment's new girl group CLC, and now that they had already debuted and released their first mini album "First Love", there is no better way to show my support and love for them but to give my honest review on their EP. I know, its pretty late since it's almost a month since their debut. Truth is, I lost track of time because I was really busy at work especially during the Holy Week. Being a public safety officer during a week long holiday was hella tiring and busy, so I have to set aside my blogging in order for me to focus on my work. But none the less, since it was all over now, I can finally write and share my thoughts that I had kept since last week and to start with, here is my review on CLC's first mini album, First Love.

First track off the album is Cafe Mocha Please, a jazzy funk track with a touch of disco. The first thing I did noticed not only to this song but to the whole EP itself, is that CLC sounded mature yet cute at the same time, and this song proved my observation. First, the beat of a song sounded very jazzy and disco-ish, and based on most of the girl groups who debuted this year, its either you sound annoyingly cute or awkwardly sexy, but with this kind of beat, I think neither of the two will do good for this track, so I really am impressed on how CLC delivered this track. It has the perfect balance of being cute and sexy (more of mature actually), thus making it sound like you're watching a special musical performance rather than just a typical intro track for the album. This track really gave me a good impression and somehow raise my expectation of the whole EP itself. 

Next up, EP's title track Pepe. The song started out with a simple repetitive piano note and a lot of finger snapping or was it clapping? not sure, anywho it somehow reminded me of a little showgirl/dreamgirl/musical performance because of its jazzy feeling and their vocal tones. It then catches up to a more upbeat dancy tune with the additions of drums, trot and of course their cute "Hubiruae Pepe". As a title track, I'm giving this a thumbs up. Its incredibly catchy and they showcased something I haven't seen for a long time, which is the perfect mix of cute and sexy, coz I honestly am fed up of the cutesy girl groups popping out everywhere, and the disturbingly sexy groups are way worse. The song and CLC itself both have the right amount of acceptable cuteness and sexy teasing (the vocals have this some kind of sexiness and maturity, especially Seung Hee's), which i think is a good combo and they really showcased it with this song. I sometimes think they are the perfect hybrid of APink and 4Minute, which I think is good, its like having both your 2 most favorite ice cream flavors in one, and who doesn't want that right? The only thing that I didn't like with this song were the wardrobe choices in the music video, I am so not pleased with that "black cheer leader one piece dress and that awful pink varsity jacket," it really threw me off, but other than that I think everything was great, especially the maknae's rap part, coz I am really impressed with her, she even sounded better to other rappers who debuted way earlier than her. 

As I've said, they were like the perfect hybrid of both APink and 4Minute, and with this next song Sharala, their APink genes and feels really shines through. When I first heard of it, I really thought it was an APink song, but then I heard Seung Hee's beautiful voice. Oh dear, she is becoming my bias wrecker, I really like Sorn but her voice is just, ughh! I can't help but listen to it. Anywho, I consider this song as my favorite in the album so far, its light and magical, like the feeling of being in love, which I personally think of as a really magical feeling. Coz when you're in love, no matter how bad your day is, you still feel good and happy right? I also like how innocent and honest the lyrics were, though it talks about having her very first kiss, I know its not an innocent topic, but the way they tell the story its really sweet and innocent to hear. In summary, I just love this song, because it made me feel loved as well.

First Love. CLC strips it down a little more, with an acoustic guitar and some percussion instruments the girls serenades once again with their soft voices. Everytime I hear this song it takes me back to their pre-debut days, where they used perform in the streets of Hongdae. First love gives off that nostalgic feeling, where they would line up, each other holding their own instruments and sing their hearts out as people passed by or stop and sing with them. As I listen to the song, I feel warm and cozy inside just like their pre-debut days, where they sing softly in the streets of Hongdae even though its winter and yet people feel warm and cozy by just listening to them. 

Open the Window, the last track off the album. Amongst all the tracks off the album which were all about the goodness of love, this track took on a different path and talked about the bitterness of love, separation. By just listening to it even without looking to its english translation I already know and felt that it will be a sad song about love. Seung Hee and Seung Yoon sounded very emotional and lonely, and Yee Eun's rap also gives off that sad and bitter feeling of separation. I can see myself listening to this song during the rainy days where I just want to tuck myself in bed and listen to mellow songs all day.

In summary, I giving this EP a 7.5/10. It has some of the things that I expected them to be and they also showcased things that I was missing for a long time. In terms of their vocal skills and talent, there is no doubt Cube Entertainment did a pretty decent job in training them, they really did sound and look like pro's and even better among other established girl groups. The only thing that I think is lacking in them is their group identity, for some reason I think they haven't completely established the main concept of their group since I really see them as either APink or 4Minute. I know I have said that it's good to be compared and be seen as these 2 successful groups, but being seen as a copy of something will not guarantee a group's success in the future, or it can even torn them apart. I hope in the coming days, they can finally establish the group's real and final concept. I really think these girls are amazingly talented and I hope their talent will not go to waste. I also would like to see more of them in the future and I hope for them to continue honing their individual talents for them to shine even more and also have the attention and support they deserve. Fighting CLC!

A's recommendations: "Pepe" "Sharala" "First Love"

Album Review: EXO - K "The Second Album: Exodus"

This is purely based on my opinion and music preferences. No hating please. 

After successful solo debuts from Jonghyun, Amber, Donghae and Eunhyuk and Red Velvet's comeback, SM Entertainment continues to drop musical bombs making the Kpop scene a chaotic yet beautiful mess with its biggest comeback yet this year, EXO! Yes! EXO's back! After weeks of teasing and endless problem solving among EXO L's, both EXO K and EXO M officially made their comeback with their second album "Exodus".

Truth be told, I'm no EXO fan, but not a hater as well, I just randomly listen to some of their songs. Since their debut in 2012, there were only two occurrences where these boys caught my attention. One was during their "Growl" promotions where I was so hooked in their choreography. And secondly, with their recent comeback "Call Me Baby". I have to admit, when I first heard it, and automatically got stucked to my head and I am loving it. With that being said, how about I make a review on their album (Korean Version)? Maybe I get to appreciate them more right?

The album opens with its title track Call Me Baby. Earlier I mentioned that this track caught my attention and I am currently addicted to it, how about I share the reasons why? First, its causes good LSS and is not disturbingly repetitive, in fact whenever I listen to it, I'm always looking forward to the chorus part, especially the "Call me Baby" lines. Second, I really like the arrangement of the song, I kept me guessing on what to expect to hear next, whether I would hear Chen's airy and sexy voice or Chanyeol's manly rap. Third, I really love the concept of the video and I'm still digging that one shot frame, though others say its so overdone and has to stop. Fourth, Kai's part was pure eargasm, that "boom boom boom" sends shivers down my spine. I'm no EXO fan, in fact if I'm going to choose which member I am somehow attracted to I would prefer Xiumin than Kai, but gosh this guy really lives up to being EXO's Face/Visual, such a bias wrecker. Hahaha. All in all, I think it is a perfect title track for the album and fortunately this song makes sense, cuz honestly up to this day I still dont get what "Mama" and "Wolf" really means.

Transformer. If Call Me Baby was a joy, this track gave me pure confusion. Though I really like that military like drum or what not intro, I'm sorry but I'm really not into the monotone rapping that's happening and yes it somehow it turned me off. The only thing that made me to at least listen to this track while making this review was mainly because of the beat itself, nothing else.

Next up, What If, one of the album's saving grace track for me. If I was confused and somehow disappointed in Transformer, this track made me regain interest on this album. With its feel good RnB-ish tempo and of course the feels (this track radiates sexiness in a good and conservative way), it certainly washed away all my confusion from the previous track. I also love how smooth and relaxing the vocals were; good control, adlibs and transitions, thumbs up for EXO vocal line. And one more thing, I really love the fisrt part of the song, that whisper like singing really set the mood of the song, making me want to listen to it even more.

EXO continues to melt my heart with their sweet vocals in My Answer, another album's saving grace track. With soft piano keys accompanying their gentle voices, this track is definitely a keeper for my KPOP Mellow playlist. According to my sister who was once an EXO L, among the the now 10 membered group, only 3 from EXO K sang this song namely Suho, DO and Baekhyun and all I can say is that I really am impressed on how the song turned out. Their voices beautifully compliments one another without overpowering each other as well. And like "What If", it had good control and balance, the high notes were also on point and somehow addicting that I always find myself repeating the final chorus where DO belts his heart out. Another thing, amongst all the tracks on this album, I really am in love with the lyrics of this track, it was beautifully written that it really melts my heart everytime I hear the chorus part and I really am glad that they conveyed the song's message beautifully, so Kudos for DO, Suho and Baekhyun and I hope to hear more from these guys.

Next, EXO picks things up with a more mid-tempo track, Exodus. For some unknown reason, this song reminded me of SHINee's Jonghyun, like this track was somehow meant for him, I guess. I know I'm being a little bias here, but I think Jonghyun can make a beautiful version of this track as well. Anywho, I think this track is way better compared to Transformer, fortunately instead of monotone rapping, I think I'm hearing the rapper line singing not rapping, which I think fits the song appropriately. The song sure is catchy like "Call Me Baby" that it grows within you as you repeatedly listen to it.

El Dorado, a mystical track that I honestly despise when I first heard it, but then as I listen to it repeatedly while writing this review, I came to realize that "dang, this track is good." In fact, while listening to it, it gives off the feeling of "winning" or "accomplishing something". It may sound that I'm weird but that's what I really felt while repeatedly listening to it. Also based on my understanding of the lyrics,

"In this dangerous journey, obstacles kept coming

But we've become one and have overcome everything

The light is getting bigger

No pain no gain, this is a world of mystery

Add all ten fingers to the circle above, we are one"

I think this song was about them walking towards their obstacles and then finally overcoming them. With all the ruckus EXO had been in the past year, I guess this song is their response that they are definitely back and ready to once again conquer the KPOP scene.

Playboy, another song that reminded me of SHINee's Jonghyun but this time I know the reason why; because he wrote, composed and arranged it. Though this song most definitely suits Jonghyun's voice and singing style, I think EXO did manage to pull it off and make the song theirs. I also think the rap parts really helped a lot making this an EXO track, coz the vocal parts really sounded very Jonghyun only less sexy for me. And before I forgot, Gosh! There goes Kai's sexy voice again, why Kai? Why are you shaking my heart like this? Haha!

Hurt. When I first heard the song, I was creeped out by the creepy piano playing intro that I often hear in old movies and horror movies, then it changes into an upbeat club like tempo, which I really don't understand why and how it all happened like that. I don't know this track for me is in equal disappointment to Transformer. I know the beat is nice, but I'm really not into it, its just weird to my ears and nothing more.

Next up is Lady Luck. Hold up! Did I just heard a girl moaning in some parts of the song? EXO L's please enlighten me. The song started with what I think is beatboxing mixed with autotuned EDM like beats, then as the song progresses I heard several random moans which sounded really weird. I say I really like the beat and vocals here and that it radiates sexiness, but those moans were really not necessary for me. It just made the song dirty for me, and that dirtiness was not in any way appealing to me as well. If EXO was trying to appeal among EXO L's as sexy namjas who can sing sexually driven tracks, I guess they should just stop doing it and focus on only singing and dancing catchy tunes. This type of sexiness is a bit over the top for them I guess.

The album ends with Beautiful, a feel good low tempo track full of finger snapping and a weird mosquito/airplane like sound (sorry, I really can't find the right words to describe it). I say, the beat was really interesting though I think I've heard it somewhere before, but none the less, I once again thing they sang it beautifully, with the right curls, tone, and notes. It is indeed a good track to conclude the album. 

In summary, I giving this album an 8/10. I didn't really expect myself to like and listen to their songs, but I guess it can't be helped since I genuinely think some of the songs from this album were really worthy to be included to my playlist and compared to their previous albums, this is by far their best yet. I couldn't asked for a better album, since I, myself is already contented on what the album had to offer. It's not a perfect album, yet it's not trashy as well, which is good since it will open the opportunity for them to work better and improve more for their next EP/album right? I also think the good songs somehow compensates the bad and lacking ones. So all in all, there was no harm done to my eardrums while listening to it (which is good), and in fact they caught my attention even more. With that, I'm looking forward more of EXO in the future.

A's recommended tracks: "Call Me Baby", "What If". "My Answer" .