It's a Hip Hop thang

Hi fellow readers, authors. This is E_magine with her first ever music review. To make things easier I decided that my first review would be of an album I know that I've listened to all the songs.

I admit that for the first album to review I would be facing a few challenges. Such as trying not to let the fangirl within explode from seeing my bias being in half the spot light (Yes I am a Hoya bias my profile is the best evidence as well as several blog posts) and others being that I don't listen to much hip hop normally as well as my limited knowledge on music critiquing since I didn't do well at music in school and can only play a little guitar. Figures. I'll do my best and try to be as honest as I can but in a very creative and critical manner.

On first look at the album cover the thing that strikes me the most is the font used for the letter H. In case no one gets where I'm going here's a visual clue:

Now L is the name of one of the main characters in a popular Manga series called Death Note and anyone who thinks of L will automatically think of L from Infinite.

Putting all that aside I noticed that the album in a way has a hip hop vibe without the blindingly obvious clues (e.g. the guy in a hoodie, next to a sweet ride). They're covered in paint in white suits, sitting in a way that gives the impression 'We got swag.' Their faces and postures are clear evidence of confidence and isn't that what most hip hop artists try to convey? They're confident in what they quickly rhyme and confidence in who they are and what they stand for.

The title song for the album is 'Special Girl' which features the solo artist Bumkey with him and Beenzino composing the lyrics and Producer Primary Composing and Arranging the song. Here's a bit of random trivia; Bumkey actually featured in a song for fellow Woolim artist Tablo's first solo album. If you go to Youtube and search up Tablo from the bottom you will find the song.

Now the song definetly has a Hip Hop feel with the Disk Jockey effects in the background so you can tell it won't be a heavy hip hop song which would be good for the ministry of Gender Equality and Family (if I got the name right) they may actually leave the song alone. It was a safe choice because from reading the lyrics the song appears to have no real references to any adult material. Bumkey's vocals bring a good balance to the song instead of being overly masculine with a low voice or somewhat too feminine if his voice was high it was a good middle range. The song doesn't sound the same all the way through it increases its beats at the chorus where other instruments come in.

The English is also quite good itself. It makes sense when reading the translation and is pronounced pretty clearly by both of the duo when sung or rapped. Dongwoo's English is probably his best in this song and is probably a subtle way he outshines Hoya (I'm sorry to say) who has a bit of an accent on the word 'Special'. But that doesn't change the fact I love the dorky dancing machine.

The song Victorious Way was composed  and arranged by Vida Loca with scratching by DJ Wegun. This song sounds more familar to the hip hop you hear in the states with the beats til the very end and the disk scratching. It's not very long being just over two minutes and a half but with this song it's enough to make one feel that you've entered their world of hip hop. Plus it's also the chance where you can hear these two rap without any other singers or artists featuring showcasing their talents alone.

The lyrics talk about the journey the two have been going on and their strong passion for music.

The road that he clenches his teeth on
It’s different from a textbook

This is a comparison between the life of a musician and that of a normal person who may have had to study to get into their career.
History only talks about the winners’ stories
So I decide I’ll be the chosen one

The music industry barely reminisces on the flops of the world. In kpop the competition is fierce, several groups all compete against each other for popularity, awards and recognition as artists and not idols. I did get a bit of a shock when listening to the song at first because my ears mistakenly believed that Dongwoo may have cursed. Looking up the lyrics I was shocked when I found it was true.
I do this s*** till
I got my own maybach

I tell you what. Dongwoo's really stripping himself from his cutesy adorable image to a more fierce mature personna. I thank the Lord that they didn't pick this song to be the title song otherwise the song may be banned and it would not compete well with the other pop due to the target audience that watches the shows. My only other complaints are that the song almost sounds too generic and the English for Victorious way almost sounds like:

I'm walking on Victoria's Way.

Without You features artist Zion T who contributed to the lyrics, composed and arranged along with Primary who produced the whole album and Gray. It is possibly the ballad track of the album talking about how a guy and how he copes not having his girl with him and how he thinks of her by looking at a photograph in his wallet or checking his phone in case she sent any new messages.

The chorus is pretty catchy and easy to sing along to just being composed of the phrase 'without you' in Korean and English. Aside from Special Girl it's probably my second favourite song on the album. Somehow this song reminds me of One Way's Rainy Days despite the different sounds and instruments used.

So far I haven't found much to dislike about the song except I was wanting more from the chorus that just that one phrase. Otherwise Zion T's vocals really add to the blues and the longingness of the track.

Despite the more bright tune compared to Without You the song actually features Minor chords if you want to play on Guitar. C, Gm, F, Fm a rule of thumb is if you want a sad or angst theme for a song then use a lot minor chords. My guitar skills actually came in handy. The use of the strings also brings an intense feel to the song while adding some unique flavor to it.

The build of the song appeals to me more as they rap or sing about the acts they did for their girlfriend half heartedly but at the same time they struggle to be honest to break it off.
 

I went a bit overboard, truthfully
It was burdening, I tied my throat for you

But the fluttering hearts soon stopped
You’re too comfortable
I can’t concentrate on your words
I’m even tired of them sometimes

I would probably suggest that if they had a ballad track it could be this one. Right now I can't decide between this one and 'Without You'.

Fly High features solo female artist Baby Soul who also appeared in one of their earlier collaborations in 'Crying.' Baby Soul has a gentle voice filled with emotions in Crying and here she manages to use this for Fly High. There were some sound effects I didn't recognise and it has a sunny tune which reminds one of summer.

Truth be told as much as I like Baby Soul's voice I feel that it wasn't powerful enough for the song but there is always the problem that if the musician has too strong vocals then it can over shadow the rappers so it might have been a safe decision for Woolim to use her. However Soyu from Sistar or Ailee could have worked too provided they didn't use their range to bring high notes at the wrong times.

This isn't my favourite song for the fact there was nothing to really grip me onto it. If I can be bold I think it was because the chorus and the verses did sound too similar to each other with Baby Souls vocals being the only indicator when the song moved to the chorus. I could be wrong so hey take that with a pinch of salt.

I did like the lyrics however; I really felt the support and the love that the boys are grateful for whether it's with their members, their fans or what they're doing right now and it gave for a happy mood without it being based on a romantic relationship.

Overall rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Well thanks for reading. You don't have to like or accept my opinion. I really did like the album, from these boys it's a good debut for them and I look forward to what else they can bring in the future. I also enjoy the fact I pre-ordered it so I will be able to get my hands on their pictures and other goodies.