I should probably specify that I’m going to be reviewing the Korean versions of all the songs, thus EXO-K. But I’m still going to refer to the group collectively as EXO, and how the significance of their debut opens a new chapter in SM Entertainment‘s history. More on that later.
I first wanted to write a review for EXO when they released their debut single “What Is Love” back in January. And so, I began working on an image:
I created this image on 30/01/2012... but didn't use it until now
I thought “Nah, I’ll just wait until they release their album”. Nearly three months(!) later, here I am, finally working on this review. SM has released more teasers for EXO in the last few months than the number of K-pop groups who have debuted since January. Which in K-pop these days implies a lot! The number of teaser videos were turning into a joke and I started to care less and less about EXO. But now, after the album finally released, all I can say is nobody – including me – can ignore EXO’s presence in K-pop! Continue reading “EXO – ‘MAMA’ album review: SM Entertainment enters a new era” »
So there’s another new boyband in the market. This time, it’s from Cube Entertainment, the company behind B2ST, 4Minute, G.Na and A-Pink. Since B2ST is a six-member boyband, Cube can’t put out another six-member group, right? Presenting seven-member boy group BtoB, which stands for ‘Born to Beat’ – not ‘business-to-business’ as is the usual parlance.
Not going to comment about their looks... because they look like what you would expect a k-pop boyband to look like
BtoB was officially announced and made their debut in the same time it took EXO to come out with five teasers. And the only reason I’m writing about a rookie group like BtoB is because, well, I quite liked their music.
The first ever single from BtoB to be accompanied by a music video is “Insane”:
The song won me over on first listen itself. It’s not a fantastically original song by any means, but I guess that’s why I liked it. At a time when labels like SM and the like are ever increasingly working with Western producers for a ‘new’ sound in a bid to crack the international market, a song like “Insane” is pure unadulterated K-pop. The music video stars A-Pink’s Chorong and the concept of the MV is, erm, her cheating on all seven of them? I don’t know, but the MV is nothing great. The choreography is serviceable and BtoB’s first live performance showcased they’re actually pretty damn good vocally. I’m rating “Insane” a 4/5.
The second single is the ballad “Imagine”:
… and this too won me over on first listen! Sure it reminded me of B2ST for a second, but judging the song on its own merits, I love the chorus, the beats and the persistent hook throughout the track. The only negative to point out is the English lines being murmured during the bridge. It’s clear the guy isn’t fluent in the language, but jeez, at least put some emotion in during the recording process. Other than that, “Imagine” is another finely crafted song (by k-pop standards). – 3.5/5
Both songs may sound fairly similar to what B2ST may sing, but that’s because both of BtoB’s debut tracks were produced by Seo Jae Woo, who has composed songs for other Cube artists such as 4minute and B2st. That’s expected of Cube, who would dig through material B2ST never ended up using and give it to BtoB. Even if the songs were hand-me-downs, BtoB has done a good enough job to make the songs theirs.
BtoB are the only rookies I’ve written about after AA (who also debuted with a two-song release), so you know I’ve added them to my k-pop radar. I just hope they don’t take misstep like B1A4 did this year and continue down the strong path they have made with their debut.
Seriously, this will probably be the shortest review I have ever written for a mini-album comprised of six tracks. Which is something I never anticipated, especially given how much I loved 2AM’s last album, Saint O’ Clock, my 2010 K-pop album of the year and still one of the best Korean pop albums I have in my collection.
That guy second from left is well-known for anything but standing still
Why so little to say about this album? Well, because the entire album sounds… a little boring. The songs aren’t bad, but unlike Saint O’ Clock, the tempo doesn’t sway any higher or lower throughout Way of Love. The first track “You Were Mine” is the slightly uptempo and a good start to the album, but it all goes down low from here on. Starting with track two, the lead single:
“I Wonder If You Hurt Like Me” is what you would expect from a 2AM single. But that’s just my problem with it. It doesn’t sound any better than their last two ballads – “You Wouldn’t Answer My Calls” or “Like Crazy” – and I still listen to those two. This being a 2AM music video, it’s quite melodramatic, with sad faces and of course – crying. They stand still, occasionally sit, all in line, dressed all dapper and sing a sad song. Heck, even the MV is what you’d expect from 2AM!
Again, “I Wonder If You Hurt Like Me” isn’t a bad song. I just don’t think it sounds any better for me to keep listening to it beyond this review. A 3/5 for 2AM’s new single, that’s all it gets from me.
Track no. 3, “Erase All Our Memories” is a smooth R&B jam, no. 4 “One More Second” is a slow ballad, “How To Break Up Well” is an even sadder ballad, with a formulaic beat. The sixth and final track on the mini-album, “I Love You, I Love You” finally wakes you up thanks to its slightly more uptempo, 70s-inspired R&B. It’s one of the better tracks on the album. The reason I’m not individually rating each track is because if I were to, they would only score within the 2 – 3 range, which on my rating scale means the songs are average to good at best. And that’s exactly how I would rate ‘Way of Love‘ as a whole.
Maybe it’s because of the timing of 2AM’s comeback. I’m still in BIGBANG mode, who made an impressive comeback that’s just fantastic baby! So when an album contains rather unoriginal, somber music, I just don’t seem to feel it. I know Saint O’ Clock made me pay attention to 2AM, but I guess the reason why I liked that album was because it was a good collection of ballads and uptempo tracks that still shine. 2AM are in fine form as one of the best vocal groups in K-pop and the member’s vocals are just as good on Way of Love as they have ever been. That said, despite how every song on the mini-album is listenable, I just don’t think I’ll come back to it. I still felt bored listening to this album, despite admitting the songs weren’t that bad.
Before you 2AM worshippers go: “What you know la*! Every song is good okay!”, understand that while the review may sound harsh, that’s just how I felt about ‘Way of Love‘. It sucks, trust me, especially after having waited nearly one-and-half years since 2AM’s last release. The songs are not bad, just not memorable. And after Saint O’ Clock, my expectations were quite high. I could have made some reference to ‘The Great Gatsby‘ author (F. Scott Fitzgerald) to make this review sound interesting – but I don’t read books. So I have nothing more to say really.
Sorry boys
*I’m not saying every hate comment I get will be from a Singaporean
