MBLAQ is BACK. And so am I Everyone ready for my oh-so-accurate review of these boys’ latest musical endeavor? Again, I apologize for the delay and hope to make it up to you with my review, though not overly long-winded I like to think I make up for it with my precise unbiased analysis.

Ok, so maybe not totally unbiased because truthfully they have become one of my favorite boy bands and I resent that they are generally disregarded (compared to other more manufactured pop acts) in the K-Pop world for their almost forceful refusal of mainstream sounds.

I honestly think Mona Lisa was the best mini-album by an idol group in 2011. Yep, I’m claiming that and nothing will ever make me take it back. Hopefully, in time I can do a review of that mini-album on this site? Let me know if you’re interested in my outdated opinions!!

So, I was expecting almost near perfection for 100% Ver. I know it’s wrong to think, but I couldn’t help the hope I felt well inside my chest for this new mini-album. Naturally, I was a little crestfallen, but I still enjoy and have much to say about the album.

Run – Run, the first song on the album undoubtedly sets the pace for the rest of the album and it works very well as an intro song: it’s fast-paced and strong, with a hook chorus meant to suck in the listener. Even though this is their first album since their debut single where they don’t have a minute long intro song to set the tone of the album, I feel that Run is very appropriate for the album, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed by the song itself. Though the hook chorus was designed to make the listeners get sucked into the song, I feel it was a little too grating with the auto-tune. So it was not done right. You know the ‘ohh ohh ohhh moves like Jagger’ lyrics from Maroon 5′s hit single Moves Like Jagger? That’s a hook chorus done right, its smooth and has just the right amount of nuances in vocals to not become grating or annoying to soon; however, MBLAQ’s Run is grating and just a tad annoying. Things done right? The eerie beginning and those electro-hip-pop beats accompanying Mir and Cheundung’s rap and the verses supplied by Seungho and Joon. I don’t know what they were thinking when they auto-tuned G.O.

3/5

전쟁이야/This Is War – This Is War is an enjoyable song, is it just me or was Mona Lisa simply better though? But luckily in my opinion it’s their second best lead single. It holds together two very different elements that Mona Lisa held though, dramatic yet upbeat. Because in some way I can see how This Is War could easily be transformed into a ballad if slowed down just a little and it would still work. And oh my gawd, that pinao throughout the song is just beautiful, and while the boys give some amazing vocals here I haven’t been able to fall in love with the song. I can appreciate the song for its technicalities and production but aside from that it just didn’t click. Did anyone else who’s a big fan of MBLAQ have this problem?

4/5

낙서/Scribble – And this is exactly the song where most criticism and comparisons end. Because beginning with Scribble, I’m in love with the rest of the mini-album (even though there are only two more songs left, but whatever I’ll take what I can get!). Ugh, Mir’s rap is absolutely perfect and Seugnho did super good as well! And that instrumental, no, I can’t even get into it. MBLAQ with string guitar and low-key beats in the background?? THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS BAND. Excuse me while I take a moment to spazz….They have such smooth voices and the perfect amount of emotion to make it work, because as many people know you need EMOTION to make songs like this work and these boys have that in spades. Special shout-out to Joon who’s falsetto reduces me to a pile of goo.

5/5

아찔한 그녀/Jittery Girl – AH this song. SO CUTE and so personable and likeable. It has a funky vibe to it that makes it a lot of fun to listen to. Mir let me love you please? He is absolutely adorable in this song, so are the rest of the boys actually. I can’t get over how good MBLAQ is doing at this genre, the only way I could describe it is old-school jitterbug, maybe that’s why the name of the song is Jittery Girl?? LE GASP EPIPHANY. Can I just take a moment to truly appreciate this from MBLAQ? They debuted on the scene with Oh Yeah a kinda fail attempt at Latin Hip-Pop (though there are days when I feel very justified and awesome where I just wanna belt out the chorus to that song…), followed by Y which in my opinion was just their producers conforming into the electro-pop auto-tune sound of the moment in K-Pop. But at least on that mini-album they were able to form an identity in their music (What U Want being a prime example). Then that step forward was shot in the face with the release of their very main-stream sounding album BLAQ Style, although they seemed to have figured out how to make very catchy electro-pop and hook chorus (which I really do love). And then Mona Lisa (oh my gawd please ignore my drool and if you want you can skip this part because all I will do is gush) and they found their perfect in-between, while not too mainstream they remained true to their instrumental low-production soul. Each and every song was near perfect because all though there were a variety of genre’s on that mini-album they did them all in a way that merged them all so cohesively. In a way only MBLAQ could because they had adopted a certain style and sound to them, and I can hear their sound on this song SO clearly, even though it is in no way like anything they’ve ever done before. And for that I congratulate MBLAQ for having discovered and fostered that sound and letting it develop naturally, something that certain idol bands who have been a lot longer have no managed to accomplish (cough cough).

5/5

Hello My EX – Is it wrong that I was extremely skeptical on this song simply because of the title? Because any song addressed to any ex in my eyes would simply go something along the lines of ‘WTF was I doing with you’ and then proceeding to promptly ignore his presence. So I imagined this song would be like F**k You a la Ceelo Green. But no, this song took me for a complete curve-ball. It’s smooth and sweet and very R&B. I’m kinda obsessed with it, when I looked up the lyrics I understood it was because in the song they’re trying to get their ex back! And here I give a big thumbs-up to Seungho and G.O. who are PERFECT for this song, and ugh again the string guitar, it kills me with happiness in the beginning and end of the song. I just love it.

5/5

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5

Agree or disagree? Tell me what you think I don’t bite, until next time!

I think I’ll begin with a review of MBLAQ’s new album and move on slowly but surely from there. Also I have a tumblr where I’ll begin to post updates on how the reviewing process is going, or what random thing in the k-pop or j-pop world I choose to focus on in the week, so follow me at hellothisisalejandra!

AHH YUNHO’S FIERCE ASS DANCE!! I died and went to heaven just a lil’ bit ;D

There is something to be said of a performance of such caliber, along the lines of them being seasoned performers. They’ve been at it for years and they’ve mastered the art of entertaining and impressing. That is all I will say. It’s always sad seeing them without their fellow TVXQ/DBSK members but c’est la vie~ (*goes off to cry in corner*)

But now its time for gifs that makes me happy!!

For all you haters!!!

So yeah do as they say!

And for all y’all waiting for the TVXQ/DBSK album review…yeah that’s gonna take a while. Priority demands I do my research paper first T-T I blame my Intro to World Religions teacher…

BUT OVERALL

I APPROVE THE ALBUM!!!

I’m so in love with this song! At first I was like ummm… but now I’m all…

As for the video however…WHY SO MUCH EYE MAKEUP?? SO DISTRACTING AND EMASCULATING.

Seungho is ashamed…

Anywho MBLAQ also released their tracklist for their album BLAQ List and I’m dying of excitement, I also cannot wait for their other title track!! And DBSK’s album also just came out so be expecting some reviews!!

BLAQ List Tracklist

01. Sad Memories (Intro)
02. STAY (**Title Track**)
03. Cry
04. Darling / 그대여
05. Throw Away / 버린다
06. Rust / 녹
07. Tonight
08. Wish You Hadn’t / 이러지 않았으면해
09. You’re my +
10. Rolling U
11. Oh Yeah(C-Luv & Blue Magic Remix)
12. Y (JR GROOVE Remix)
13. Different Beginning / 또 다른시작 (Outro)

WAHH!! Cannot wait!!

The song sounds kinda pretty, hope its not their title track though.

I can just feel y’all rolling your eyes at me at GD & TOP’s album name. But come on, really, does anyone else know the title of this album??! Haha, I’ve heard some people referring to it as High High but I think that was just the name of the digital single they released prior to the album. But would a rose called by any other name not smell as sweet?? (I think that’s how the quote goes haha haven’t read Shakespeare in a while, so forgive my social faux pas). What I’m trying to say is the album is still great despite what it might be called, so let’s begin with the reviewing process.

I’m not a HUGE BIGBANG fan. I got into K-Pop a little after they stopped promoting and moved onto Japan, but I liked some of their previous huge hits and most of their Japanese singles. I especially enjoyed Taeyang’s SOLAR album and G-Dragon’s Heartbreaker. So I had nothing but high hopes for GD&TOP’s album and luckily they didn’t disappoint.

INTRO - Ha, I love how blunt and to-the-point the title is. You know I gotta admit that this song didn’t have me hooked at all when I began listening to the album is was too hardcore rap for me. But listening to it more and more I do really enjoy it now, you have to listen to it a few times to truly catch all the nuances in the song that really make you like this song. Not only that but it does what intros are supposed to do, introduce by giving you a small preview of what’s to come. My favorite part is 1:43 on when G-Dragon goes Lalala~ that makes me so happy but then it ends D: Still a great intro now that I’ve listened to the album more than twice.

HIGH HIGH – AHH so much fun! Electro-hip-hop can life get any better? Also I love that little voice in the background going 1, 2, 3. So cute. Not my favorite on the album and not even on the digital single but it does well as a title track. It’s entertaining and shows facets of both G-Dragon and T.O.P’s rapping styles very well. I love when they perform this song as well.

4/5

OH YEAH (feat. Park Bom) – NKDSBFKBNKFN  KJBDFK THIS IS THE SONG! The song that gave me such high hopes for this album. SO GOOD. Bom OMG you are so perfect in this song I just wanna give you everything you could ever want. That falsetto when she sings “like this” UGH I DIE! G-Dragon why are you so goddamn catchy?? T.O.P why are you so much fun to listen to. Why is this song so much fun??? I wanna say oh yeah when I listen to this. If you could only listen to one song from this album make it this one.

5/5

집에 가지마/Don’t Go Home – G-Dragon…singing. WTF. Wow it’s not bad though! It’s actually just so rare and it’s SO good in this song! It’s very soft and smooth and that’s exactly what this song is supposed to be. Very sexy, and wow I just can’t get over the fact that GD’s singing! T.O.P compliments him perfectly. Very rough gruff voice against GD’s very sweet (yes I said sweet) and mellow singing. Haha I love when T.O.P says “Cinderella~” and then later on in the song GD comes back to start the whole rapping thing with T.O.P and it almost sounds conversational! I want the translation NOW. But I love this song, it’s definitely a far cry from INTRO and HIGH HIGH but still so full of positive energy.

5/5

BABY GOOD NIGHT – Ahh wow after the last song I’m so prepared for this one just as mellow and smooth, only more so. There’s interesting instrumentals here. Kinda like only one string on a guitar is being constantly strung beneath this mellow light beat that’s makes this very R&B. There’s some really interesting French inserted as well near the end. Is it CL? Hmm I love it though. Ugh I lost my USB cord and was thinking of this song in the mall when I passes this little French boutique and wanted to listen this so bad!

4.5/5

뻑이가요/Knocking Out - Very laid-back but you can feel that there’s been a shift in the album here. No more R&B but down to it hip-hop, it’s catchy but I feel like its lacking energy. Another reason for that may be the lack of beats or any music in the background relying solely on T.O.P’s and GD’s flow. Ugh I really want a translation for this. DOUBLE BUBBLE~ interesting haha

3.5/5

OH MOM – LOVE LOVE LOVE. SO GOOD. This is T.O.P’s solo and can I just say WOW and leave it at that? It was a huge surprise when I first heard it and I’d like this to be everyone’s surprise on this album, because it’s so different and unexpected (but AMAZINGLY unexpected). This is definitely my favorite of the solos.

5/5

악몽/Nightmare – It’s in the same ominous realm that T.O.P’s OH MOM originated from but you can just feel G-Dragon all over this one with all the production behind it. It has very interesting elements to it and truthfully I wasn’t completely feeling it until the 0:53 mark when GD truly begins singing/rapping. Somewhere in the in between area. This song is slightly tinged by rock elements but still manages to maintain it’s hip-hop origins. I really can’t explain this song, but it’s dark and makes for a very interesting listen. So do so, it’s one of the more engrossing songs on the album. Hehe I also love the counting in Spanish. Makes me feel special

5/5

오늘따라/Especially Today – Back to T.O.P, still kinda dark and ominous but a little lighter. But I can say he didn’t disappoint at all with these no solos of his. I really wasn’t feeling the beginning until the chorus. The chorus IS SO GOOD. It has a very melodious quality that I didn’t think T.O.P capable of. After the chorus even the rapping gets more power and flow to it. And again you can feel the rock influences throughout the end of this album.

5/5

어쩌란 말이냐?/What Do You Want Me to Do? – G-Dragon what do you want me to do???!!! REALLY THIS SONG. Why? Ugh I really don’t like it. It sounds very country hill-billy. I’m sure if you’re into that you’ll love this but I don’t. It does have the ability to sound catchy at parts though so the score won’t be that bad.

3/5

Turn It Up – Was never fan of this song for some reason but it’s not bad.

3/5

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5

It wasn’t solely starting college and moving away from home that stopped me from blogging, it was also because I lost interest in Japan and South Korea. They haven’t done anything to impress me in the past year. No HUGE hits like Abracadabra, Fire,or Again&Again, which were the reasons I got into blogging in the first place.

But alas here’s hoping to a new year and more posts from me! Also my hope has been reinvigorated by the release of GD&TOP’s album, which is quite fantastic, dare I say. So look forward to my review on that coming out in two days

Definitely without a doubt one of their best performances. So much fun to watch. Especially Minzy and Dara at the end LOL.

I wasn’t feeling the song that much up until recently now I can’t seem to get enough of it. And while their album isn’t the EPIC one I would want it to be, it’s still pretty damn good. So enjoy. I especially love CL’s rap <3

Sex in the ears is what this is…

This song is so HOT, like damn, this is a hit according to my ears. I’ve been a little lukewarm towards all Korean releases lately because nothing I loved has come out. Like last year I had 2NE1 (Fire), KARA (Mr.), 4minute (Muzik), SNSD’s epic summer releases (I maintain Genie is their best song EVER) but this summer nothing really stood out to me really. I was starting to think that the quality of my K-Pop was just on a downward spiral.

But O-IWI-O definitely lets me know that there’s still high quality work in the Korean music industry. It just dulled down during the summer =/ but I rest assured knowing that a new season is upon us and hopefully more comebacks with fresh music. For now this is gonna be on repeat for like HOURS.