Girl Band DIA Debut with the First Length Album Do It Amazing

DIA – Do It Amazing

MBK's new girl group DIA has dropped their first album. The LP has 11 brand new tracks for your listening pleasure, 3 of them being remixes of "Somehow." DIA consists ofChaeyeon, Eunice, Jenny, and Yebin, rappers Cathy and Eunjin, as well as their leader (and former F-ve Dolls member) Seunghee. The group's name comes from "diamond," and is pronounced "dye-uh" (or "dahy-uh," if you prefer) in the song "Lean on Me." 

The first track is "I Want to Listen to Music," a lively tune sung to an acoustic guitar. When the angelic voices come together in silky harmony, that's when the track really picks up. I also really enjoy the fierceness in the vocals.  The lyrics describe meeting and being with a boy while music plays. 

"Lean on Me" starts out with a pounding hip-hop beat, and then launches into a pretty, bubblegum pop refrain. Rapper Microdot (fresh from his comeback after a 9-year hiatus) also features on the track, and injects something different into it, as he shows up in the beginning. The bridges and verses at this point are both familiar to fans of girl groups, and fresh at the same time. The song is about how lovers should support each other. 

Coming in fierce and brilliant with sampled scratches and backbeats, "Somehow" is their title track. It's beautifully crafted, cheerful pop, but it has a sensibility that sets it apart. Thank you, Shinsadong Tiger! They manage to fuse several elements together here without falling into the trap of sounding like they did exactly that. The raps here are mercifully short, as they are too sing-song and add little to the tune. The song itself is all about spending time with a guy. 

"My Friend's Boyfriend" is a bratty, playful tune with a frenetic, bendy synth. It has a lot of repetitive, delectable hooks to sing along with and this sense of "whatever, I do what I want" that I love and laugh along with. Obviously, it's about stepping out, looking hot, and stealing a guy from someone else.

"One Star In My Heart," if you couldn't guess from the title, is a pretty ballad. Singing to piano accompaniment, the girls' voices are cotton-candy-sweet, and this song showcases their vocal strengths. The talent doesn't get drowned in overproduction, which is a good thing. It's very soothing and you can hear the emotion in their voices. The star is a metaphor for their emotions, and they're saying you have to be careful with those feelings. 

"Like Yesterday" is a sweetly sung acoustic guitar piece that almost emulates indie folk, except for a gusty chorus. These girls definitely have pipes and know how to use them. Like the previous track, it doesn't get bogged down and uses the girls' voices well. The song concerns a man who lied, and, even through the seasons, the resulting breakup seems "like yesterday" and is just as painful. 

The seventh track, "Same Place," starts from a 'different place' than the previous two tunes. While there is acoustic guitar, there are some other synth offerings, and autotuned effects at the beginning and ending. This song is where the raps seem to be better served up, as well. The tune evokes a place that reminds both the boy and girl of their breakup.

"Say Hello" shares some characteristics with ballads, but turns quickly into mid-tempo soft pop. There's an interesting string instrument that I can't quite place that clearly stands out at times during the track. It's got some sweet layering effects, and the girls' angelic voices really come through nicely here. The track has to do with spending time with a lover. 

Track Listing :

I Want to Listen to Music Click Here
Lean on Me (Feat. Microdot) Click Here
Somehow Click Here
My Friend's Boyfriend Click Here
One Star In My Heart Click Here
Like Yesterday Click Here
Same Place Click Here
Say Hello Click Here
Somehow (Chinese Ver.) Click Here
Somehow (Acoustic Ver.) Click Here
Somehow (Inst.) Click Here

source : http://www.allkpop.com/review/2015/09/album-mv-review-dia-do-it-amazing

Boy Band UP10TION Debut with the Mini Album Top Secret

UP10TION ~ Top Secret

Top Media, label for both Teen Top and 100%, have formed a new ten-member boy group,UP10TION! Consisting of Bit-to, Gyu Jin, Hwan Hee, Jin Hoo, Kuhn, Ko Gyeol, Sun Youl, Wei, Wooshin, and Xiao, the boys will be active in both Korea and China. 'Top Secret' is their debut album. The album released on 10 september 2015.

Wow … New boyband debut?

"Tension Up!" serves as the intro track, a 47-second non-committal track with rapid-fire beats. It's extremely stripped-down with muted, vague vocals. Not bad, but a bit hard to pass judgement on a track under a minute in length.

The title track is "So, Dangerous,"  and serves up the dance club swagger nicely. You've got frantically-sung parts, auto-tuned/down-pitched vocals, and rapid-fire beats that practically pull you onto the dance floor. Bit-to and Wooshin lay down the sick raps here. The lyrics are evocative, as well, equating the boys' romantic rivals to "the beasts gathered in swarms."   

"Come as you are" is a slower tune than the last, a laid-back R&B number. It's a song that showcases the boys' vocals better, however, and gives off a sensitive vibe. The lyrics talking about how waiting is hell, and that they don't care what she wears or how she looks, they just want her there. 

They turn it back up for "Never Ending," a tune that reminds me of nothing so much as disco, only with bigger beats. Not like that's a bad thing. Vocals smooth as midnight velvet, awesome raps, and an entirely danceable groove characterize this track. The song is about their love, how it is "never ending."

Synth wub-wubs start out "Phoenix," an upbeat dance track. Phoenix kind of splits the difference between smooth and hook-filled and provides us both. There are some great sustains that go well with the dance beats and distinguishes this track from the others. The lyrics are interesting, talking about rebirth and different worlds. 

"Come With Me," the final track on the album, settles comfortably into power-ballad mode, powered by synths and electric guitars. Those buttery-smooth harmonies and sick raps are with us again, and the tune has enough going on to keep your interest. The singer is asking her to walk with him now that everything is perfect.

An interesting collection of dance tracks, the boys get extra cool-cred for including two rappers like EXO. The songs are fun, though, and are varied enough for an EP-length album. I like the fact that all of them are dance tracks instead of meandering, syrupy ballads. In that way, they are different. A good listen from beginning to end, this album won't end up being a 'Top Secret' for long. 

Track Listing :

Tension Up! Click Here
So, Dangerous Click Here
Come as you are Click Here
Never Ending Click Here
Phoenix Click Here
Come with me Click Here

Source : http://www.allkpop.com/review/2015/09/album-mv-review-up10tion-top-secret

Rock Band CNBLUE Comeback with the Second Album 2gether

CNBLUE ~ 2GETHER

2gether is the second studio album by South Korean pop rock band CNBLUE. It was released on September 14, 2015, under FNC Entertainment. After ending domestic promotions for Can't Stop, the band concentrated on individual activities, most notably the release of vocalist Jung Yong-hwa's debut solo album One Fine Day. The remaining band members sought out opportunities in television, particularly in acting, variety show appearances, and MCing.

The LP starts out with the title track, "Cinderella," a pop-rock-disco offering. Composed and written by member Yonghwa, this tune is actually more than the fairy tale title might suggest, with layered effects and even-handed guitar work. The boys' voices work well here, and the hook is pretty awesome: "Somebody help me!" As the title indicates, the song is about the search for a perfect girl, and how they feel lost without her. 

"Hide and Seek" starts out with funky r&b horns and a jangly beat that gives way to piano during the main verses. The chorus is pretty pure pop. It's a fusion, and one that works extremely well. The guitars fair scream during the solo and the whole effect is an aural feast.
"Roller Coaster" begins as a bit of naughty, stripped-down funk, and transitions to a little more pop in the chorus, which makes for a great hook. The singer is saying that not only is he ready to ride the emotional roller coaster again but also that he's a glutton for punishment.

The third track, "Domino," is one of the more danceable songs on the album, having more in common with dance pop than anything else. It's repetitive, but I think that's part of its strength. The silky harmonies are used to great effect here. I can hear keyboards and electric guitars, and even a female soloist at the end. It's soothing and body-moving all at the same time. What's it about?

"My love is gone
You break me down
Just let it go
Like them dominos"

"Hero" is sung to a folksy guitar, which gives way to electric guitars once the chorus kicks in, and then transitions back to acoustic again. It's got a smooth bridge and a belted chorus. It's a pop rock tune that seems to pay homage to fathers, talking about "childhood hands" and other sentiments. I can totally buy the idea of a father as a hero.   

"Drunken Night" was totally not what I expected; I thought the lyrics might talk about a lost love and trying to dull the pain, but the lyrics are more playful than that, to a point. There's a tinge of regret in there with the lyric "time lost can't be won again." Other than that, it's all about party time from the melody to the verses, chorus, and lyrics.
"Catch Me" starts out as a fierce rock tune with a garage band sensibility. Blazing guitars, a relentless beat and belted vocals complete the song. The lyrics are about being a star, and no one can stop them. The line "catch me now" is pretty much saying "check out my show when I'm in town." 
"Hold My Hand" has got some jazz swing to it with a snappy beat and horns keeping time. There's even a hint of clarinet and bassoon. It's very different song from what we've heard so far on this LP. It's a head-nodding, toe-tapping tune with a nice sentiment as well.  

Track 9, "Control," amps it back up with sweeping guitars and a sense of urgency, almost like the singer's fighting for control. It's a definite rocker, energetic, and fierce. The lyrics tell us that they're trying to let go of all the things that are beyond their control. 
"Radio" keeps things in the same vein as "Control," but with even more passion.Yonghwa's voice is pretty pleasant, whether he's injected it with energy and anger or is singing in a more even tone. Here he really belts it out. The song is about hearing a song on the radio and remembering.  
"Footsteps" is a contemplative rocker, starting out soft and even, but builds to a fever pitch with the chorus, and then alternates back again. Each time the verses get a few more beats, a little harder. The song cleverly uses walking as a metaphor for living, how far you've gone, and what you've left behind. 

Track Listing :

Cinderella Click Here
Hide and Seek Click Here
Roller Coaster Click Here
Domino Click Here
Hero Click Here
Drunken Night Click Here
Catch Me Click Here
Hold My Hand Click Here
Control Click Here
Radio Click Here
Footsteps Click Here

Source : http://www.allkpop.com/review/2015/09/album-mv-review-cnblue-2gether

Boy Band Super Junior Comeback With the Ninth Album Devil

Super Junior ~ Devil

Devil is the overall eighth Korean-language studio album (ninth overall) by South Korean boy band Super Junior, released on July 16, 2015, by S.M. Entertainment. Released as a "special album", the album features 9 members, marking the return of Yesung after his mandatory military service. The album also marks the first album without Shindong     and Sungmin, due to mandatory military service.

9 Devils ?

It's Super Junior's 10th anniversary! To celebrate this, they've released a special album, 'Devil.' The album contains 10 new tracks not just by the full band but by their subunits as well. Not to mention they worked with some of the top names in the industry to bring this to us. And it's just in time for summer, too!

We start off with the pop-dance track "Devil." Guitar-driven, it takes dance-pop to the next level. With easy hooks ("hey hey hey hey") and a catchy chorus, we're off to a great start here. The boys are describing an encounter with a bad girl, a "devil," and how they'd like to get with her.

Next up is "Simply Beautiful," a mid-tempo R&B piece where the boys are telling the girl how hot she is, just the way she is, "simply beautiful." Smooth croons by SuJu drive this song more than any of the instruments. And hooks like "Simply, It's simply, Baby simply, You're simply beautiful," and "yay ay ee ayyy" really make this song pop.

"Stars Appear..." is the Epitone Project-penned soft rock song. It reminds me a bit of "Growing Pains," but I don't mind -- I love that song. The boys manage this song well, strong vocals and sincere emotion coming through clearly. The lyrics are about the last 10 years, where Super Junior has met many people, and this is dedicated to the ones who supported them.  

The next song is "Good Love," an R&B track where the boys channel their inner Prince, driving their voices (in their words) "higher and higher." It's a body-moving track, with playful raps and slightly naughty lyrics. They handle it well, though. The boys are telling their girl to relax and just think of them tonight. 

Super Junior K.R.Y. brings us a quiet, meditative track -- the ballad "We Can." Veteran producer-singer-songwriter Lee Seung Hwan wrote and composed this one. Emotional and poignant, the lyrics talk of the decade-long friendship between the band members, and the hopes they have going forward. Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung's skillful vocals milk your tear ducts here.  

They kick it up for the next track, Super Junior D&E's "Don't wake Me Up." Donghae got his writing team together from Team One Sound for this one. A great mid-tempo soft rock track driven by guitar, Donghae's smooth vocals and Eunhyuk's on-point raps make for a great jam. Most of what I hear out of D&E I love. D&E are telling the girl they don't want to wake up, to get out of bed and end these perfect moments with her. 

Next we have a trot offering from (who else?) Super Junior-T, "Love at First Sight." This is firmly in the trot realm (or "acid pop," if you prefer), a little bit retro and a little bit modern.Eunhyuk, Heechul, Kangin, leader Leeteuk, Shindong and Sungmin all kill it here, and combine to make a tune that happily bounces along. The lyrics themselves are humorous and sweet: "A guy who is prettier than a girl, that's me."

The next song is a piece of discofied Mandopop, courtesy of Super Junior-M. Sung in Chinese (naturally), "Forever With You" not only borrows from disco but also gets back to the funk roots of the style in places. Evocative lyrics by member Zhoumi set the tone: "Only you can understand the language of my heart/The music of sadness and joy." The song is written for the fans, who stayed with them all these years.  

"Rock 'n Shine" gets the band back together again, for this bluesy rocker. Blistering guitars blare over a powerful chorus. This is far and away my favorite track on the album. At times it reminds me of Styx, which is a good thing. This really showcases Super Junior's vocal talents.  The message of the song is courage: "Break down all the walls of the world that trap you/destroy it all / fly towards the dreams that you wanted." 

Donghae gets together with Team One Sound again and composes the song while he andEunhyuk contribute lyrics. "Alright" is a playful tune while the lyrics themselves are hilarious; one verse is a play on the member's names. While witty, this song is also written for the fans, about friendship and staying true to yourself. 

Track Listing :

Devil Click Here

Simply Beautiful Click Here

Stars Appear… Click Here
Good Love Click Here
We Can Click Here
Don't Wake Me Up Click Here
Love at First Sight Click Here
Forever with You Click Here
Rock'n Shine! Click Here
Alright Click Here

source : http://www.allkpop.com/review/2015/07/album-and-mv-review-super-junior-devil