Album Review: “XOXO” by EXO

(Wow… It has been a while. – Izzy)

“XOXO” is the first studio album from the boy group EXO (EXO-K and EXO-M).

(image credit k2nblog.com)

TRACKLIST:

1. Wolf
2. Baby, Don’t Cry
3. Black Pearl
4. Don’t Go
5. Let Out The Beast
6. 3.6.5
7. Heart Attack
8. Peter Pan
9. Baby
10. My Lady

POINTS

• Hugs and kisses? Honestly, I’m hesitant to give either.
• The ENGRISH is to die for (or it makes you want to die… Either one).
• The choice of promoted single is in question, but it seems to be an SM trend.
• Despite it’s less than stellar reviews, there are gems in the album.
• For simplicity, I will review both Korean and Chinese versions together.

OPINIONATED REVIEW BELOW

Album Review: “Let Me Explode” by EvoL

“Let Me Explode” (폭파해줘) is the debut 1st mini album from the new highly anticipated girl group EvoL from Brandnew Stardom Entertainment.

(image credit fuckyeahevol tumblr)

Tracklist:

1.  폭파해줘 (Let Me Explode)
2. I’m sorry
3. Magnet
4. 우린 좀 달라 (We Are A Bit Different)
5. 1.2.3.4.5

POINTS

• Like Block B, BNS did it again with their debut music video. Teases the audience with fierce music, delivers pop. It makes the listeners go hunt down the rest of the tracks though!
• Well… None of the four songs on the mini album are technically “hip hop” (the closest being Magnet and Let Me Explode).
• A general trend in the composition of the album: repetition in the songs.
• There is A LOT more English in the songs than what you think, haha…
• The girls have pretty strong voices, particularly Jucy, Yull, and Hayana.
• How much part the did EvoL’s leader, Say, have in the composition of the music I wonder…
• The album is pretty catchy, definitely an interesting listen.

OPINIONATED REVIEW BELOW

Kpop Review: Only One by BoA

Only One is the title track from BoA’s 7^th album “Only One”.

POINTS

• Refreshing. I like this kind of comeback for the Queen of Kpop.
• Her voice is still strong after all this time…
• AMAZING choreography.
• The music video review is based on the dance version video, as it is the only video released so far besides the teaser.

OPINIONATED REVIEW BELOW

Kpop Quick Review: I Love You by 2NE1

Quick Review requested by Megan.

I Love You is from 2NE1’s upcoming Korean album.

(image credit tumblr)

POINTS

• Whoa, a sweet romantic song from 2NE1? If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought there was a revolution within YG Entertainment.
• I could imagine the producers forcing CL to reduce her usual fierceness in this song, haha.
• I love you, OOOOOH, ooooh…
• The music video is oddly sexy…(?)
• WARNING: Screencap alert below!

QUICK REVIEW BELOW

Kpop Review: Sexy Lady by Wooyoung (2PM)

Sexy Lady is lead single from Jang Woo Young (of 2PM’s) solo album “23, MALE, SINGLE”.

POINTS

• SEXEH LAAAAAAAYDEH.
• What is up with all this sexy in Kpop these days?
• Very catchy, club worthy.
• I loved the choreography.
• … The girls he was clubbing with were NO GOOD…

OPINIONATED REVIEW BELOW