Hi! I'm putting down my creative juices on my fanfic for a while and let me just do this review of Super Junior's 7th album. I'm pretty sure you've seen a lot of reviews but hopefully this one is also a worth read. So how was I able to get the whole album? I purchased the songs legally on itunes so please purchase legally okay? I won't be able to buy the physical album until November but after listening to the songs one word came up to my head: MATURITY.

 

I'm not going to expand on how long I've been an ELF but it has been long. Siwon still has that baby face and is definitely NOT sporting that Siwolandro mustache. And I'm not going to lie. Despite me being an ELF for so long I'm not really the kind who loves all the tracks in any one album of theirs. Sure, I bought copies of the physical album (I even bought ALL 10 versions of Mr. Simple ver. A and 3 versions of SF&S to name a few), but I only tend to skip the songs that are 'meh' for me and put on a playback the ones I like. That's why I even tend to listen to the concert DVDs/VCDs than the albums including the repackaged ones. But this 7jib is different. For the first time I honestly have no particular favorites; I honestly love ALL songs.

 

Maybe it is because I grew up with Super Junior. And being the same age as some of their members, I guess the change in musical tastes is somewhat I could relate to. So without further ado, let me give an honest review of the album. 

 

Track 1: MAMACITA - The opening tune nearly gave me that exasperated expression because I had initially thought of it as a repetition of 'SPY'. Let's be real, 'SPY' is terrible and for a moment I thought they'd get a repeat of that in the title track of all songs! But when it transitioned to that baseline which reminded me of these R&B great tracks from 'Blackstreet' or 'NEXT' (remember 'Too Close' guys?) and interestingly, from 'Public Announcement'. Why am I interested? Because 'Public Announcement' has that same track titled 'MAMACITA' (but they have a different thing going on in that song). Anyway, Super Junior seemed to understand that they're not really aiming to sound like boys anymore so decided to use their lower-keys to their advantage. The transition from the mid-tempo lyrics to an abrupt almost-rap parts is a genius touch because it didn't make the listener think that it's just a 90s re-hash but it still has that concept keeping with the younger crowd. And I particularly enjoy the line,

 

Doraseoseo dareun gillo gillo.
Dachin neoreul wihae wiro wiro.
Geu jarie matge allo allo
You aint got no chance. Nochijima hanbeon tteonamyeon jabeul su eobseo.

 

It's like a great denouement to the whole song which carries that laid-back feeling despite the message it carries. You'd almost think there isn't any angst in the story they just told.

Rating: 8/10 [-2 for that intro and fail English rap still... come on SJ... You're in the business for 10 YEARS! At least cut some Engrish and honestly do an English rap!]

 

2) Midnight Blues - I seriously might hate whoever the girl our men might be dedicating this song to. The song reminds me of their "Hate U, Love U" song but with a more mature and manly take on the song. It really gave me that vivid picture of one of the members (I prefer to use Heenim, Shindong or Kang In on this imagination) taking a late-night soju drinking spree because for the first time in their playboy-ish lives they got played around by a girl and yet they still are so damn hooked that they feel crappy and yet they can't seem to escape that crappy place they've placed themselves in. The seemingly hushed delivery makes that pain and frustration so apparent. My favorite line has got to be,

 

Yes or no
Kkeuchi eopdaneun geol aljiman nege tto doemureo
Uimireul al su eomneun pyojeonge
Amu maldo kkeonael suga eobseojyeo
I don’t know
Eotteoke meomchwoseoya haneunji algo sipji anha
Eorkhyeoinneun miro sogeseo gireul irheun chae nan jichyeo
Woo ah

 

Seriously, this track is subdued which makes the pain more raw. 

Rating: 9/10 because I could totally relate AND Shindong uses his nasal baritone effectively on this one.

 

3) Evanesce - This song reminds me of the male group, 'Boyz II Men' for some reason. Maybe it's the way they attacked the song, starting with an innocent take regarding loss and then it capitulates to the high note of a chorus which is so smooth. The theme of loss is not lost here. In fact the blending made the song so powerful because you hear men like them talking about disillusionment in such a basic sense. The pop tune is not entirely lost; the techno on the chorus gave some texture apart from the velvety high notes. Listening to it made me picture myself sitting in a desolated beach thinking of the what ifs and just feeling the loss all over. My favorite line?

 

Gyeolgugeun jamsi ppunil geol
Sarangeun jamsi ppunin geol
Seuchyeogal kkumil ppunin geol
Ajigeun kkaegi sirheun geol

 

I love you Kim Youngwoon for giving me my first kleenex... okay, his was the last line, but tell me if you didn't feel that?!

Rating: 9/10 because the song and the kleenex it deserves....

 

4) Raining Spell for Love - If 'Evanesce' is a 'Boyz II Men' kind, this remind me totally of 'Boyzone' and "Human Nature'. Okay, I should stop referring to 90s groups (because you might think I'm saying that they're old). The intro immediately took me to a rainforest while letting rain pour down my face. The melody is just so cool and calm and somewhat optimistic. The sudden transition from the sweet notes to Hyukjae's rap didn't lose the essence of the song. In fact, it gave the song that distinct sense of not wanting to give up. But nevertheless my favorite part is Donghae's part,

Eoreum gateun biga simjange bakhyeonna bwa
I kkeuchi eomneun raining spell
Naege doraoneun jumuni doendamyeon, doraondamyeon
On momi jeojeodo gyeondil su isseul tende

Enough said.

Rating: 10/10 Brilliant blending and brilliant transitions deserves the full-marks.

 

5) Shirt - Will you guys forgive me if despite me liking this song, I COMPLETELY misheard the chorus? I thought they were cussing instead of saying 'Su-gar, Su-gar, Honey Honey' and I was taken aback... (seriously, I thought I heard sh*t-ga... dang the break in between 'su' and 'gar'). Okay, the intro gave me some "Aguas del Marco' vibe and I was kind of anticipating that they'd give a touch of Bossa in this song. Well... they didn't BUT it's okay, the Latin feel of the base and sax is strong that they could be in a club (to which this song is based upon) or in a Carribean cruise and you'd still get the same feel: Super Junior knows how to get down and funky yet maintain being classy. The song IS fun (finally after getting a song about loss one after another), and the playful words could only come from Lee Donghae lol. Come on Lee Donghae, how could a girl ONLY like your Black or White shirt?! Sometimes you really are just clueless at how ELF would probably salivate over you. Fave verse:

One step two step deo gakkai wa
One step two step naege matgyeo bwa
Geunyeoneun nae syeocheuga kkeullindago
Danahan geomeunsaegi neomu mame deundago
She likes my shirt shirt shirt shirt shirt
Git seugo & kiss

Rating: 9/10 because I love it more when they performed it live than hearing it in my playlist. BUT I love that Heenim raps like a boss. Seriously songs about clubbing SJ style (hopefully other fans won't bash me) and being just 'swag' is totally Heenim.

 

6) This is Love - So they go a little back to their past, cheesier lyrics. Sure this is cheesy as it goes, but this has a mature take than a starstruck teenager. The 'Woooh~' part is just divine! All the songs honestly can be performed with a full band, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing this one being performed with the band because of the guitar and baseline which, if ever it happens, hopefully might get a solo. And I LOVE the rap of Hyukjae and Heechul, especially Heenim's 'Geulsse malhajamyeon urideurui sarangeun Andanteboda manhi ppareun haengbok?' It seriously cracked me up since I know Heenim's putting in some of their old songs' titles and it fricken' worked! Geez... anyway, the mid-tempo and smooth harmony still remained. Hahaha... I just couldn't get over Heenim being the diva he is even in the song-making process... 

Rating: 9/10 Yes I love the rap and the melody and the music, but being cheesy in love is still being cheesy... But kudos to Hyukjae for making Heenim do some work! LOL

 

7) Let's Dance - Please stop me from making some reference to a Pop Legend... But this song can be translated to English and have Earth, Wind and Fire sing it and it'll be a hit. Or maybe I'll get realistic... a little remix by Daft Punk and some English verses by Pharell and we'll get lucky (get the pun? Haha..) Anyway, this has a retro-ish feel which is loyal to the purpose of this song. Dance... Oh come on, don't tell me you didn't sway your booty for a bit in the duration of this song. When they did 'Rockstar' in 6jib, it was a little experimental that it did work only when fans saw them swaying their topless booties (especially Siwon's) on the Super Show stage; this song is an evolved version for me. The words and instruments gives a better groove that reminds me of some little Motown love. The purpose is there and I believe you got to be a wallflower during your school dance if you didn't get to dance in this one.

Rating: 8/10 I'm not a wallflower but the sudden burst on 'Everybody put your hands up...' verse is a little distracting; you know, the feeling of wanting to dance and then suddenly some guy shows off some popping and locking in front of you? Isn't that annoying?

 

8) Too Many Beautiful Girls - I actually laughed at the song before I even heard of the track. It's not because of the reference by some to a "One Direction" song, but it's more like these men must be so busy that they are soooo deprived to actually think of 'Girls Girls Girls'. Who's the in charge, I don't know, but this is a bikini and beach kind of song. Maybe if they ask us ELF we'll manage to rent an island for them to be in and with all the beautiful ELF around the world.... well, ajhussis can dream also. hahahaha!

Rating: 7.5/10 because the song is too short and maybe... if they inject a little more reggae in the feel it will get out of the teenager cliche which the songs prior to this has consistently done.

 

9) Mid-season - Of all the songs in this album, this song is probably one of the most interesting ones. While the other songs are meant to appeal to your emotions from the initial flow of the song, this one is pop with synth and all which is okay even for some R&B tracks, but the lyrics is probably one of the most depressing. It's almost like the song is meant to dance away the pain with some happy beats. I love how Jongwoon participated in it despite the fact that he's serving his military duties at the moment. It just shows how much SM knows of Yesung's value. I immediately recognized his voice and yes his voice has an effect here. I love the lyrics as a whole because I love the irony.

Rating: 8.5/10 because this is definitely an interesting take on pain but still a bit too short that it was over before you can even take the song's meaning into consideration.

 

10) Islands - Kleenex, kleenex and more kleenex.... Super Junior has in its belt some of the most meaningful ballads in their history as singers, but just when I thought that they couldn't dig any deeper; this song comes. I know when I heard the opening piano tunes that this will pull my heartstrings as ELF, but what it pulled was my heartstrings as a person. The depth that comes with this song couldn't be any more heartfelt. This song could actually connect all the songs of this album and make this the fitting for the entire album. In this song the joy and pain, love and suffering meld into this song to give a distinct feeling. No matter what place we're in there is a friend that will always reach out his hand. I know that there's always one song in every Super Junior album that speaks of their lasting friendship, but this one steals the cake. This song stripped them down to show the the world that they are still here despite the bruises and tears and problems because they have built bridges of love and loyalty among each other and to us ELF. No need to pick favorite lines, this one, musicality and all deserves high praises.

Rating: 10/10... 100/100... 

 

As I said, this album speaks of MATURITY. I had thought that maybe it was time for Super Junior to make a 'Greatest hits' compilation or something, but this album effectively showed that they still got LOTS of creative juices to make something like a jewel in this one. This is indeed a solid album as many observed, and I am not speaking as an ELF. This is a stripped-down version of Super Junior, baring more emotions and baring more vocal prowess than in any of their previous albums. This album has a story; and a story coming from their hearts.

 

I hope you guys liked this review despite the length~ please leave a comment in any case you might have some negative response. The lyrics are copied from sup3rjunior.com and I didn't post the English translations to save time... lol

 

Thank you for reading this one! *bows*