Rock music isn't a big deal in Korea, which relegates this group to being more of an "indie" presence than anything else. I've never heard anyone talk about Jace, but I've been quietly following their career since last year. I liked their 2014 single, My Serenade, but Radio Star is even better. It ups their anthemic tendencies with an explosive chorus with a melody that's memorable even after one listen. If I'm being picky, I wish that the production was just a tiny bit punchier in places, but that's a very minor complaint for a song that is otherwise impressive. Despite being more of an unknown, the band fits nicely alongside other recent rock releases by CNBlue and DAY6. Weirdly enough, the music video below features a shortened version of the song. If you want the full thing, be sure to seek out their new ep!
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When reviewing iKON's debut track, My Type, I predicted that it was a warm-up for something more elaborate and impactful. I was kind of wrong, since both of the title tracks released by the group as part of their "half album" are understated and, honestly, don't have much of an impact at all. It's not necessarily a bad thing. I've come around to the juvenile early-00's hip-hop sound of Rhythm Ta, and I loved Airplane from first listen. The problem is that, as good as Airplane is, it's basically a Winner song. For those of you who don't know Winner is the group that "competed" against iKON in a k-pop survival show. They're rivals and friends, both under the same agency. Whereas Winner was well-known for a more ballad-heavy. mature style, iKON is supposed to be the young, fresh hip-hop group. Funny then, that my favorite song on their admittedly strong EP is the mid-tempo, mature sounding Airplane. It's that insistent English hook that rears its head throughout the track. The song's a classic YG-style ballad -- subtle and almost forgettable at first, but layered with hidden hooks that keeps you coming back for more.
(If you decide to buy K-Pop physical album releases -- and my god you should, because they're awesomely presented -- try catchopcd for some of the best prices out there. Use this link to get 5% off your first order!)
Lovelyz have quickly become one of my favorite current k-pop girl groups. I recognize that their hyper-cutesy image may be too much for many, but I love that it's tempered with an incredibly quirky, dreamlike atmosphere for their music videos. The real reason that I love them, though, is that every single has been a joyful burst of bubblegum pop. Ah-Choo is easily their most instant release yet. It's so freaking catchy. That chorus is all sorts of silly, random fun. Bolstered by a heavy dose of bright, fuzzy synth, the song has a real momentum to it. I've also enjoyed their ballad pre-release, Shooting Star, more than I expected to. Some "lovely" understated synth touches there, too.
(If you decide to buy K-Pop physical album releases -- and my god you should, because they're awesomely presented -- try catchopcd for some of the best prices out there. Use this link to get 5% off your first order!)
God, I love Janet Jackson. And I am so happy that this new album turned out to be awesome. At this stage in her career, I wasn't sure what to expect. Even after seeing her in concert this August, and realizing that she's still got everything that made her so special in the first place, I just wasn't sure that she could pull off an album that stood up there with her 80's/90's classics. With Unbreakable, she's created something that's both incredibly nostalgic and totally forward-thinking. It's actually a pretty experimental Janet record, but it nods back to her past so wonderfully that it feels in keeping with the story that she's been telling since 1986's Control through 1997's Velvet Rope. I love every song, but Take Me Away was one of the instant standouts. It's just so damn joyous. The production veers close to the electro-rock genre, which is new for her, but the lush, soothing harmonized vocals are pure Janet. When that guitar kicks in toward the end, I'm in absolute nirvana. If you've ever loved Janet, do yourself a favor and listen to the new record as soon as you possibly can.
...Transmissions come in from outposts all over the universe... Unfamiliar melodies stream into our radios... Fronted by colorful aliens with big voices... The music begins to catch on ... It's in our heads and it refuses to leave... And we like it...
