The performances I chose are some of the most creative, most confident, and best-executed performances -- they're strong from top to bottom and side to side. These are the performances that bring out some of the best talent in K-Pop, and that really do a good job of showing it off.
There are albums that come with fireworks and explosions left and right, but at the same time have all the foundations laid out firmly. It's those kinds of albums that made the list this year, but first I had to find them, because believe me when I say that there weren't a lot.
The acts on this list fall into one of those two categories -- acts who I think did a phenomenal job this year and deserve to get even bigger, and acts who I think have the potential to do well next year. These are the rookies who proved themselves, whether it be in one area or all, and managed to stand out.
Infinite started out with material a cut above the rest of their fellow rookies and now that as permanent fixtures in K-Pop, they carry on with material that's a cut above everyone else. "The Chaser" is everything this list aims to put forward, and everything that I, as a critic, want from a song.
This is what happens when you give a good song to a good singer and do a good job delivering it. This is what happens when people in the industry pull themselves together and do a good job because they genuinely want to. This, my friends, is called magic.
Apart from strong vocals, which are a given, I was honestly expecting nothing from Jo Kwon’s solo album. I didn’t follow the teasers, I read the track list at a glance, and when two songs leaked it took me a few days before I listened to them -- I just wasn’t interested. But now that the whole thing is out I can’t stop listening to it from the beginning of the first track, all the way to the last.
If you’re only looking at the songs at a glance -- the melodies, the arrangements and the choice of orchestration -- “I’m Da One” as a whole will come off quite cheap, and it actually is very Swedish/German Eurotrash with a melody, but what makes this album different is, again, the execution. I always stress the value of execution for a good reason -- strong material will take you somewhere, but outstanding execution will drive your point home. Of course there are situations where even the best performers can’t save a song, but in most cases, execution will make or break the entire situation. And on “I’m Da One”, the material and execution work together. The result? A pop album that isn’t afraid of being a pop album. This is how you do pop.
And really, that’s all I ask. To be fearless when you make pop music -- because it’s something you should never be ashamed of.
The further in you get, the better it gets, and the more I realized that “I’m Da One” is so much more European than it thinks it is. It reminds me so much of a more current and technologically-advanced version of the good old Swedish pop music that was being put out back circa-2008/2009 (I cannot believe 2008 was four years ago, okay. I can’t). The album is reminiscent of the likes of Darin (who I worship, plain and simple), Kevin Borg (whose debut album was a masterpiece), and Ola (who made the best feel-good pop). The sweeping melodies on top of dominant synth lines, the epic orchestrations of beautiful chord progressions -- they’re all there, because Jo Kwon can pull them off. And the best part is, this sounds like it’s all in the subconscious, that it was done effortlessly just because it made sense.
Never judge an album based solely on it’s first track -- that is both true and false. “Awesome Girl” sounds cheap, like a handful of other songs by other people, but in hindsight it also introduces what’s to come. It’s the type of song you have to look at as a whole, and not in little bits and pieces. Once you see the significance of the German synths and cheap instrumentation, it’s actually a pretty good song. Gorgeous melodies, confident vocals, fun pop music -- that’s what this album is, and that’s what “Awesome Girl” shows off. I’d listen to this song again solely for the melody.
I don’t quite understand the purpose of putting the radio edit amidst the album, and the full version at the end. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Radio edits are usually treated like remixes, which bear little significance to the rest of the album apart from giving a new take on a track that’s supposed to flow with all the other songs.
But anyway. “Animal” is an okay song, and I actually thought this was the lead single when I first heard it a few days ago, but now I see why it isn’t -- because it’s not as Jo Kwon as the title track is. “Animal” builds upon “Awesome Girl”’s premise and here we see the beginning of a solidification of the Swedish direction this album is going in. It reminds me of a Darin lead single with more fierce. But what makes this slightly less Swedish is the shift of emphasis from the melody, which is very Swedish, and more to the hook, which is more of an American thing -- the melody of the verses doesn’t particularly stand out in comparison to the rest of the song, and the chorus is pretty much all hook.
The thing I like the most about Jo Kwon, as proven by “I’m Da One”, is that he can be as ridiculous and hilarious as he wants to, but he always, always, pairs it with grace and conviction. If someone else were to do something like this, complete with the absurd premise of the video and shamelessly cheap choreography, that person would either end up laughing like crazy, or would want to curl up into a ball of embarrassment. But not Jo Kwon. He has his foundation of actual vocal talent and a strong command of the stage, he pairs it with something he knows not a lot of people in K-Pop can pull off, and he just blows all the competition away. It’s brilliant, actually -- because it works.
On the musical side, “I’m Da One” is a cross between a performance-centric song and a genuinely strong pop song. It’s very current, with the very Western production evident, and while the song itself is proficient enough on it’s own, the video gives it another welcome dimension. But let’s backtrack a bit to the Western production. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about this part of the album, because I was afraid of Jo Kwon being stripped of what makes him. Thankfully, all my worries were thrown out the window because Jo Kwon’s presence is strong enough to not only inject, but cement his personality, and his being a K-Pop act, into the song.
“Lipstick” begins the transition from hook-centric songs and into songs where the entire melody matters. It’s a gorgeous song, with a very important role amongst all the other songs, which is another reason why I adore this album. It wasn’t just thrown together, it was built from the ground up, with a foundation, supports, and transitions which are all equally important in keeping the structure together. “Lipstick” is right between stunning and fun -- the stunning courtesy of the melody and chord progressions, and the fun courtesy of the hook and the arrangement, in particular the synths.
“Who’s Loving You Now” is the epitome of stunning -- this is where the album completely turns into a masterpiece. This, my friends, is how you pull off stunning. It’s a slow build-up, complete with probably the most stunning computerized drum rolls I’ve ever heard, and my beloved string section taking center stage during one of the most important transitions. The best part of the arrangement is that the build-ups don’t just shove everything in your face and expect you to die, they linger, and leave room for both your imagination, and what’s to come. Lace a sweeping melody with all these strong, long notes that Jo Kwon just churns out like they’re nothing, and you have one of the year’s most beautiful songs (a strong contender for #1, actually :D). It doesn’t need a elaborate word to describe it -- it’s simple in it’s beauty, but that’s what makes it even better. In a sea of such forceful songs, this is the breath of fresh air done right.
What is with K-Pop and Harry Potter spells lately? First Junsu, now Jo Kwon? (They’re both idols going solo too) “Wingardium Leviosa” is a welcome break from all the stunning that “Who’s Loving You” brought out, but that’s not to say that it’s a bad song. The production takes center stage on the song, keeping all the elements running around from clashing with each other. It’s an extravaganza of a song, but a neat one.
In case you haven’t already caught onto it, “Something ‘Bout You” is here to remind you that one, Jo Kwon can sing, and two, he has attitude. It’s a song where the melody and arrangement share the emphasis -- the melody is gritty and ever so funky, and the instruments, the tambourine, the electric guitar, and even the synths, add to the spunk of the song. Put everything together and it sounds like a slightly less classy U2 or Coldplay (but more U2 than Coldplay), or maybe even something The Wanted would do -- and they are, again, European.
If “Who’s Loving You Now” is simple in its beauty, “Heaven”, is beautifully intense. But it’s not the intense that will work your brain to shreds, it’s the intense that’s so effortless, you end up shredding your brain yourself because you have no idea how it turned out that way. The focus of the song is really on the melody and the vocals, but it’s not like the instruments just sit there and fade away -- they very gently carry the melody, almost like just guiding it. Miso’s voice is stunning, and something I cannot imagine the song without, really. It reminds me of a less whiny Belinda (the Spanish singer who was in The Cheetah Girls 2, and who released an earlier version of “Love Appeal”, my favorite Hello Venus track so far), with more depth. The grit in her voice is a perfect contrast to Jo Kwon’s very smooth vocals, reminiscent of the gorgeous Lena Park and Kim Bum Soo combination.
“Just A Kiss” was leaked a few days back, along with the radio edit of “Animal”, and honestly I was put off by the fact that it’s in English. But listening to it now along with all the other tracks -- it makes sense. The drum line gives the song attitude and is one of the main elements that sets it apart from distinctly Korean ballads, along with the minor chords, and actually even Jo Kwon’s voice. He’s not a deep-voiced belter like Junsu JYJ, he’s a pop voice. It’s a distinctly British pop ballad, complete with the music video shot along a beach at night with a sea of candles or something, and very far from the Korean ballad formula. It’s refreshing in it’s being a ballad, and not dead weight. Probably the best way to end an album, actually.
I miss this kind of music. I miss the kind of music that’s just so effortlessly beautiful that I can listen to this while waiting at a bank and not care that I’m smiling like a madwoman. I miss the kind of music that I can write about without being conscious of what I say, and how I say it. This is the pop that taught me to value pop as music, and I never thought I’d live to see K-Pop blow me away with it, in the most K-Pop way possible.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best album of the year so far, the closest thing to perfection K-pop has managed to put out. A warning to everyone else planning to make a comeback this year -- it will be very hard to top this. Yes, even my beloved HoMin and JYJ. Because let’s face it, SM can’t help it with his ballads, and JYJ production is pretty bad quality compared to this.
The Best: “Who’s Loving You Now” and “Heaven” The Better: “Awesome Girl”, “I’m Da One”, “Lipstick” The Worst: N/A The Rating: 5/5
Aside from the line-up being ridiculously packed, today's recap is extra, extra special because McRoth of McRoth's Residence and I plan to take over the world with it! Just joking. Partially. If you're sick and tired of only me doing the babbling during my music show recaps, then you're in for a treat, because yes, McRoth is joining us tonight! What's the occasion? Nothing, actually. But since when did I ever need an occasion to pull in blogger friends of mine?
I know that a lot of you guys who read Pop Reviews Now also read McRoth's Residence, for the simple reason that McRoth is amazing at what he does!
Nikki: After we're done I think you'll have enough time to go take a nap LOL. McRoth: lmao. I’m wide awake. Might eat breakfast. Nikki: ^_^ And I slept for half the afternoon so I'm wide awake. McRoth: this is gonna be a loooooooooooooong post :o Nikki: T_T McRoth: Readers' scroll bars will be in pain by the end of this. Nikki: I wonder if it's longer than the one I did with Mel. McRoth: what did you write about with her? I forgot. Nikki: ...DBSK. McRoth: OH. Nikki: We fangirled over a few songs. McRoth: No way is this longer. Anything DBSK will always trump everything else. Nikki: The one I did with Ree was pretty short. McRoth: It was, that's why I was able to read most of it lol. Nikki: the one I did with Mel was just a block of text. McRoth: o.o I think I remember that
None of the videos are ours, credit as tagged. Let the world domination begin!
A-Jax - "One 4 U" McRoth: Okay. IM HITTING PLAY. Nikki: ME TOO. McRoth: I don't know names, btw. Nikki: Me neither. McRoth: lol Nikki: Anyway. Mmkay. McRoth: glad to see we're in the same boat Nikki: I'm getting serious EXO vibes from them. And I don't like it. McRoth: I'm getting EXO vibes, visually, but generic everything else Nikki: Yeah, they sound like SS501 rejects. McRoth: that ballad was a snooze-fest. I can't even remember it, and I just listened to it Nikki: Me neither. I don't know how to feel about "One 4 U", honestly McRoth: I like that it's extremely thematic, like the orchestration is big, but everything else is so not amazing. Nikki: It reminds me of a worse "Love Ya". And they're lip-synching. McRoth: Ew Nikki: WHY IS EVERYONE LIP-SYNCHING. McRoth: ROOKIES ARE SCARED. Nikki: JJ PROJECT ARE ROOKIES! McRoth: I love them ._. But we'll get to them soon. Nikki: I do too. But back to A-Jax. McRoth: lol Nikki: Performance-wise they're pretty generic too. McRoth: Okay, about the orchestration, I take that back. This song is incredibly repetitive Nikki: As expected. McRoth: that I'm taking something back? are we bringing up my Junsu fail from 2011? Nikki: No no. That the song is repetitive LOL McRoth: lol. GOOD Nikki: But even if they're lip-synching, they don't make me want to watch them -- and that's the problem. McRoth: I'm kinda not even watching lol, I'm watching the backup dancers Nikki: LOL! McRoth: or is that the group?? Nikki: The backup dancers are in black? McRoth: This song felt like one giant pre-chorus. Nikki: DSP has truly lost it's touch. McRoth: And its heart. There was no soul in that -- at all Nikki: Yeah, even "Tri-Angle" had emotion McRoth: lmao Nikki: It's true! McRoth: It did, this had no feels Nikki: Can you not feel the emotion from Changmin's spiky hair? McRoth: I can almost feel him poking me Nikki: At least it's over. Phew. McRoth: yeah.
JJ Project - "Bounce" Nikki: I'm ready to fangirl. I have it loaded already :D McRoth: oh haha ok. Nikki: See? JJ Project loves me. McRoth: lmao Nikki: so I love them back ^_^ Play! McRoth: PRRRAY Nikki: They are SO fun, without compromising their vocals. McRoth: I love their energy. Nikki: I've sang and jumped at the same time before. It's not easy. McRoth: It saves this song, because honestly, Bounce isn't exactly amazing. composition wise, it's verging on bi polar. Nikki: LOL! Yes. They carry it so well. And it takes a lot to carry something as whacked out as this. McRoth: I think the song is no bueno, but I agree that they sell it like effing hot cakes. Totally. Nikki: And they've always sang live. Unlike SOME people. *ahem*EXO*AHEM* McRoth: Haha AND ALL THE ROOKIES WE JUST WATCHED. What I love about this is that the material is age appropriate, youthful, and plain ole fun to listen to. Nikki: It is! McRoth: The energy transcends the shittiness of the song :x Nikki: It's just the right amount of repetitiveness that it's not annoying. At least, I'm not annoyed. McRoth: I'm not either, which says a lot. this is kpop after all. Aw, it's over. I want to see “Hooked” live so bad. Nikki: I do too! It's a different kind of fun. McRoth: THAT IS MY JAM. Nikki: I'd like to see how they pull off "Before This Song Ends" though McRoth: ooh, me too Nikki: Because the recording is all over the place, but with their presence it can possibly be really good. McRoth: Yeah. Considering it's JYP though, they may not be getting proper vocal lessons. Just listen to Miss A. they sound terrible Nikki: They do they get all these gorgeous arrangements, like the SBS Gayo one, but their vocals can't carry it live. McRoth: They don’t know how to sing them. :o Nikki: Oh JYP.
Hello Venus - "Venus" Nikki: Hello Venus have gotten boring. I realize that maybe I only liked them because they were new. McRoth: I like Hello Venus, but this song has gotten stale. Nikki: Yeah and I hate that the choruses are practically lip-synched because of the backing track. McRoth: Yeah I hear that too. And by hear that, I mean I don't hear them at all, so yeah. McRoth: I think if they were singing this live adding ad libs and stuff, it would spice it up Nikki: Definitely. Nikki: I like that Lime can sing though -- she's not the useless rapper type. McRoth: I like Lime too. Nikki: But they've gotten comfortable on stage, which is always a good thing. McRoth: I think they showed edginess in their mini, but I don't see it here at all. Nikki: Yes! I genuinely enjoyed their EP McRoth: I hope we get to hear a bit more edge and sass later down the road, because they have what it takes to transition smoothly to it. Nikki: But Pledis almost always screws their A&R up. McRoth: lol. Oh lPedis. I'm frightened to see what they do with AS this year.
EXO-K - "MAMA" Nikki: I still don't like EXO-K. McRoth: I like them, I just don't like them on this song, or their live vocals. Nikki: They're not the world's most amazing singers to start with, and to top it all off they move with no grace. McRoth: DO is inconsistent, as is the rest of them. They still lack fluidity. Nikki: I don't expect them to do body waves or anything, but like, you're human, aren't you? McRoth: They're thinking too much about how they look. Nikki: That's exactly why I can't stand Joon, but even he has some fluidity. McRoth: LMAO Nikki: If I may say so McRoth: I don't know why they lip sync 3/4 of the song and the 1/4 they do sing live is that weird screamo bit. Nikki: LOL McRoth: They're not confident singers, and that worries me. Nikki: The problem I have with EXO is that SM set the bar too high for them. McRoth: Exactly. Nikki: If it had been lower, they'd be average. But they're supposed to be the "biggest thing since anything", when they can't even carry themselves on stage McRoth: It feels like they know that, too, so they're kind of scared of themselves. I have faith in them though, because there's talent in there. they just need to know how to execute it properly. Nikki: I... don't. McRoth: ;_; Nikki: Until they give me a promo cycle that's worthy of all the hype. McRoth: Yeah, true. I think M's sheer superiority proves that somewhere at SM someone is teaching them the right ways of doing things. K needs some of that. Nikki: Yes! I actually enjoyed M's performances more, because they were confident without being arrogant. McRoth: They're my fave of the two. :o
My Name - "Hello & Goodbye" Nikki: Sad Song? McRoth: Apparently. Nikki: That's what Seohyun said LOL. McRoth: LMAO. D: Nikki: It's an okay song. That guy looks strange. MJ strange. O.O McRoth: Nothing amazing about this so far. LMAO. PEDO ON THE LOOSE. HIDE YO OPPARS HIDE YO NOONARS. Nikki: HAHAH. How many of them are there? McRoth: I don’t know, like 10 thousand. so many people on stage. Nikki: 4? McRoth: five? Nikki: five. McRoth: three? Nikki: Dance Break? McRoth: they copied Suju's dance break for “Mr. Simple” LOL. Nikki: I haven't seen a dance break on a music show in ages, but LOL. McRoth: OMG I JUST SAW MJ! Itotally see what you're talking about Nikki: I TOLD YOU. Seriously. IT'S THE NOSE McRoth: This song is nothing special at all. Nikki: It's generic. McRoth: Rather boring, in my opinion. Nikki: And their stage presence is meh. McRoth: That dude needs to open his vocal chords. MJ, I mean. Nikki: From now on I'm calling him MJ. McRoth: Me too lmao. That nose is hella pedo MJ. Nikki: Most interesting part of the performance... McRoth: ... was his nose. I agree. Nikki: So creepy.
M.I.B. - "Only Hard For Me" Nikki: Is he singing? McRoth: I think so? Yes, yes he is. Nikki: Okay now he is. It’s an interesting voice -- stable. McRoth: It's an interesting voice. Nikki: His timbre sounds kind of Japanese. McRoth: I hear it too. Nikki: Right? Like Arashi or something. McRoth: Definitely. Slightly whiny, slightly nasally. I’m not feeling the rap sections. EW. Nikki: Me neither. McRoth: That rapper in black is awful on the ears. Nikki: Thiis song is painful. McRoth: The only saving grace is that dude's voice. Nikki: Yeah. McRoth: This is getting uglier. Nikki: Where did these guys come from? McRoth: iI's falling apart. I don’t know, the streets of Korea. Nikki: LOL McRoth: That was not pleasant. It fell apart half way through and never recovered Nikki: My ears, I don't know where they went.
B1A4 - "Baby Good Night" Nikki: I caught on to "Baby I'm Sorry" pretty late, but I hate this new song. Where's the singing? McRoth: I didn't like “Baby I'm Sorry”, but I dislike it LESS than this new song. Nikki: I hate the chorus -- it's cheap and annoying. McRoth: The entire thing is mediocre, at best. Nikki: What makes it worse is that it's trying to be subtle, so it gets even more annoying. McRoth: They should have left out Baro's rap. Nikki: Whoever he is, I agree. McRoth: it's already an unstable song, why make it even more so by adding rough rap? McRoth: Some of them aren't even singing. Nikki: Exactly! McRoth: As in they're not moving their lips -- AT ALL. This song is terrible. Nikki: I actually liked them when they debuted -- they were fun. McRoth: It's like eating a sour strawberry Nikki: But after "Beautiful Target" which was painful on all levels... McRoth: I HATED THAT SONG Nikki: I HATED THE CHOREOGRAPHY. WHAT THE HELL. WERE THEY DOING.
8:26 PM McRoth: I don’t know, B1A4 aren't really cutting it anymore. They need to take a good year off and think about their wrong doings. Nikki: LOL! We need to sit them down and knock some sense into them. McRoth: Or knock them across the head, literally. :x Nikki: I nominate myself for that. I need to release some anger. McRoth: The floor is all yours then haha.
Dalmatian - "E.R." Nikki: I see potential in the song, but they have to start singing! McRoth: I'm not even going to lie, I love this song. BUT it's not exactly the best on stage. it doesn't translate well, especially since it's so falsetto at the chorus. Nikki: Yeah. McRoth: They do need to sing louder. Nikki: Falsettos are only good in small doses, if they aren't sang amazingly well. McRoth: The chorus is good, though. This song sounds good on recording. Live, not so much. Nikki: I haven't heard their album yet. McRoth: O_O They sound really good. Nikki: I should listen to it after this. McRoth: Which is sad, because they're not showing that in these lives stages. Anyway. Yes. I'm still not convinced with them as as live performers. But it was better than last week. McRoth: So, overall, I think this stage was one of their better lives. But it's still very lacking. McRoth: Yeah, I agree. The fact that they're jumping like crazy monkeys doesn't help.
A Pink - "Hush" McRoth: I don't like them anymore, they've been fucked over so badly. Nikki: I loved “My My”. Nikki: But this is just... McRoth: This is disgraceful. Nikki: Cube is such a disappointment this year, I don't even know where to start. McRoth: TELL ME ABOUT IT. Nikki: But it better end with A Pink, because BEAST cannot be screwed up. McRoth: 4minute, A Pink, and BtoB. How many times can one company fuck over their artists?!?! Nikki: Ugh Cube, so much potential. McRoth: A Pink have completely lost their charm with this song. Nikki: Such crap material McRoth: They had something really unique going last year, and that all has been sent through the kpop shredder. Nikki: I know! “My My” was brilliant, and catchy, and so them. Now they're bad at being plain. McRoth: This is an insult to their artistic identity and to my ears. Nikki: ...they had one? McRoth: They were old-school, synth-pop. :o Nikki: Oh. That identity. Okay, fair enough. McRoth: Now they're generic nobodies. Nikki: Like everyone else. McRoth: this is like watered down coca cola. WATERED DOWWWWN Nikki: blegh McRoth: to the point that it tastes nothing like soda Nikki: So now you're using food analogies too? ;D McRoth: OMG I AM aren't I?! Can we just use food analogies from here on out? Nikki: I TOLD YOU. THEY WORK. McRoth: They do! Nikki: And everyone can relate to them McRoth: And they're so easy to understand too lol. Exactly!
G.NA - "2Hot" McRoth: I still don't know how I feel about this song. Nikki: I have the urge to throw things across my room whenever I hear it. McRoth: It's better than "Top Girl", but it still sucks. "Top Girl" was atrocious, this ... is less so. Nikki: They both suck. McRoth: This one is just boring. Nikki: It pains me so much, that I don't even want to know which one sucks more. McRoth: lmao Nikki: I LIKED G.NA. AND I WANTED TO KEEP LIKING HER. McRoth: ME TOO. She has the potential, but Cube continues to screw her over with crap music. I'm losing faith in her. Which is sad. Nikki: I've lost faith in Cube. Tt's not her fault -- I just keep telling myself that. McRoth: I think Cube has the means and brain to do great things, but that hasn't shown this year. Nikki: Honestly I think they only have the means to do one good release a year. Last year it was BEAST, and this year it’ll be BEAST too. IT BETTER BE. McRoth: because that's the one group that has seen the most success across the board. OK IM WATCHING THIS MESS NOW. Nikki: But if they don't give everyone else decent material, they're not going to get anywhere! McRoth: I agree, they can't be biased like that. Nikki: I hate how slutty they're making G.NA. McRoth: I hate the choreography to this. Nikki: And slutty in a cheap way. I'll admit, there's classy slutty, this this is sad. McRoth: She looks so uncomfortable. Nikki: G.NA sounds like a five year-old. McRoth: A five year old on crack. Nikki: LOL McRoth: A bratty five year old. Nikki: This is why she never wins anything. McRoth: A five year old who is trying on mom's clothes, and pretending she's a diva. Nikki: HAHA! McRoth: The heels don't fit, honey. She won’t win anything. There's no consistency in her work, and her work is really effing terrible. Nikki: Maybe that's the consistent part? McRoth: LMAO. That's just depressing. Nikki: Cube's trying to cut corners, so consistency is now in how horrible their material is. McRoth: I guess they're going back to battling out with CCM to see who can bust out the worst material. Nikki: Don't even get me started on CCM. Although “Cry Cry” was pretty good last year. McRoth: Both companies are failing so hard this year. It was decent on T-ara standards. Nikki: But that's it. PHEW. It’s over. McRoth: YES
Teen Top - "Baby U" + "To You" Nikki: I'm still really neutral towards Teen Top. Sometimes I hate them because Niel's voice annoys me. McRoth: Me too. Nikki: But I liked this song. McRoth: Niel's voice is ... an acquired taste Nikki: LOL! He looks like someone I know too, which freaks me out majority of the time. McRoth: hahaha Nikki: But yeah, their vocals on this one were pretty strong. McRoth: I love me some ricky, I just wish he had an actual voice worth listening to :x They don't sound bad. Nikki: I don't even know who Ricky is. And seeing that I like the song to start with, this wasn't half bad! McRoth: He's the one with the glasses! McRoth: I think they're starting to grow as unit -- chemistry is growing. Nikki: It better! They've been around for a few years now. And Infinite has slayed them. McRoth: What I really love about TT though, is how strong of dancers they are. They give it 100% :o Nikki: I hate how it reminds me so much of "Alone", because I hate "Alone". McRoth: It IS “Alone”, basically Nikki: Oh Brave Sound. McRoth: But that's Brave Bros. for you Nikki: One minute I love you for making "Because Of You", the next I hate you for everything else. McRoth: Recycling material is his hobby Nikki: It's his livelihood. Sad, really. Their vocals are surprisingly strong though. McRoth: This isn't that strong for me, but they don't sound bad. They're moving so much. O_O Nikki: It's not as painful as I was expecting it to be. McRoth: How do they have the air to sing? All this sexual frustration won't fair well with noonas. Nikki: LOL McRoth: They sound good, but they're starting to get outta breath. Which always happens with them since their choreo is crazy as hell. Nikki: At least it's not has bad as Miss A though, who are out of breath from the beginning. McRoth: Oh, don't get me started on them lol Nikki: Hahah! McRoth: This wasn't bad at all Nikki: I'm pleasantly surprised! McRoth: Me too. I've always liked Teen Top. They just need to diversify their material and stop letting Niel take all the lines. Nikki: ...I was on team Infinite. McRoth: I’m still on team infinite lol.
Infinite - "The Chaser" Nikki: On a musical level, I stan Infinite. They have identity. McRoth: I stan them on all levels. Nikki: They bore me to death on variety. D: But yeah. THIS is how to move with sophistication. McRoth: I never watch variety programs, so I can't say much about them there. They know how to perform, and how to perform well Nikki: That's my basis for stanning after music. They do! So classy, this entire package. McRoth: Definitely, I also like that their songs are NEVER OUT OF THEIR RANGE, meaning they can sing it all. Nikki: YES! McRoth: Perfectly. Nikki: Unlike idols who sing other people's songs better than their own. I'm looking at you, SNSD. McRoth: I know, right. They're incredibly consistent, and that's respectable. They're also incredibly good looking. :x Nikki: Oh McRoth :D McRoth: Whaaat, all of this bare chest action is teasing the hell out of me T_T And those arms. *fans self* Nikki: Trying goes a long way. That's why I like them and BEAST -- because majority of them are average, but they make up for it with good material and conviction. McRoth: Definitely!! I can't wait for BEAST T_T I need them back in my life.
SNSD (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun) - "Twinkle" + "OMG" McRoth: Alright. Sooyoung is in this one, apparently. Nikki: Yup, she dances at the beginning. McRoth: I'm watching that now. She's so skinny. Nikki: I know! I can see her bones, it's scary. McRoth: I can't see her at all in that black dress lol. I just see a head bobbing around Nikki: LOL. Taeyeon sounds glorious. McRoth: Alright, Taeyeon is clearly in her element. This is the kind of music that works for her, imo. Nikki: It is! Tiffany sounds less like a 3 year-old, but she could've done a lot better. McRoth: SEO EMPRESS RULING LIKE THE EMPRESS SHE IS. Nikki: I don't like her on this song. She's technically on-point but she only gets the intensity for like one second then BAM it's gone. McRoth: >:[ I have to agree, this genre isn't for her. at all, actually. Nikki: And when she's beside someone like Taeyeon. McRoth: She wasn't a good fit for this unit, especially with this song. Nikki: Ree was saying that Seohyun has the personality of a potato chip -- and I agree. McRoth: HOW DARE SHE. HOW DARE YOU TWO DEFY MY EMPRESS LIKE THAT >:[ Nikki: ^_^ She has a gorgeous voice though. McRoth: She sounds amazing, even if this song sucks. Nikki: It's just not for these kinds of songs. McRoth: This song was good for about a day, then I got over it. Nikki: I never liked it, so anticlimactic. McRoth: YES. It leads nowhere. I’m a big 'direction' guy, and this has one, but it leads no where. Nikki: And SM production weighed it down Like, Taeyeon has soul, but the rest of the song has absolutely none. McRoth: i call these kinds of songs circle songs, in that they drag you around in one big circle rather than leading you to a destination. I agree, Tae Tae is perfect on this song. Tiffers sounds ... Odd. Nikki: She sounds like a pre-schooler. McRoth: SEO EMPRESS ... needs to slay the person who added her to this unit, because she's not a good fit. Nikki: But none of the others are good enough. McRoth: Maybe Sunny? Nikki: ....no. Please. McRoth: LMAO Nikki: God no. McRoth: REE WOULD MEAN MUG YOU RIGHT NOW Nikki: SHE KNOWS HOW I FEEL. If they turned Tiffany into a toddler. McRoth: SHE'S MEAN MUGGING YOU RIGHT NOW Nikki: They'd turn Sunny into a newborn McRoth: LMAO
JYP - "You’re the One" Nikki: The first time I saw this live was during K-Pop Star. McRoth: :o Nikki: And he was lip-synching. McRoth: This is live. Nikki: Yeah. McRoth: And he's wearing weird leggings -- it's creeping me out. Nikki: O.O They're like the ones JJ Project had last week, only more distracting because he's in a suit and he’s old and can’t carry it. McRoth: LMAO ARE THEY SHARING WARDROBE?! Nikki: I think it's kind of bad that we're talking about the clothes more than his performance. McRoth: He has a great command of the stage, which comes naturally - OMG THE BACKUP DANCERS ARE WEARING THE SAME THING. Nikki: THEY ARE. McRoth: They distracted me lmao. Nikki: MY EYES. McRoth: I was about to say ... he's very natural on stage Nikki: I... don't see it. I'm sorry. McRoth: He's also very awkward .. this is getting awkward. Nikki: I never really followed JYP as a performer. Like, I watched all the classics like "Honey” but that’s it. McRoth: lol his voice cracked at the very end Nikki: OMG LOL it did. Oh JYP. McRoth: This wasn't a very memorable performance. I want JJ Project back, please.
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McRoth: that was such a terrible way of ending this recap T-T Nikki: Well technically this isn't the end of the recap, but JYP isn’t that glorious and end either. McRoth: Oh, haha. I agree. Nikki: Aaaand we're done! McRoth: AWESOME Nikki: YAY! McRoth: That was all over the place, but still fun. Nikki: That's where the fun is. ^_^ McRoth: lmao Nikki: We should do this more often. WE SHOULD RE-START THE KPOP PANEL. T_T McRoth: Yesss. Mel, if you're reading this - COME BACK TO US D: The panel does not exist without you. ;_; Nikki: It doesn't. We need youuuuuuuuu McRoth: alright, that's a wrap! Nikki: Whoot! McRoth: I'm gonna go eat something now, im starving
But wait! There's more! When McRoth and I sat down to do this, we also did a lot of random talking, and it would be a waste to not include some parts of them. I present to you, the outtakes!
Nikki: It better be epic. I bought "Fiction and Fact" without batting an eyelash McRoth: LMAO ME TOO. I have it right next to SHINee's "Lucifer" album. Yes, I bought it. >.Y Nikki: I had “Rising Sun” and “Lucifer” bought for me in Korea. McRoth: D: Nikki: I keep them in my shrine beside my TSC DVD LOL McRoth: LOL. SHRINE. Nikki: TSC IS THE SINGLE BEST LIVE DVD BY A KOREAN ACT OKAY. IT DESERVES MUCH MORE THAN A SHRINE. McRoth: HA :P It deserves a room to itself. OKAY.
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Nikki: It would be painful. I can imagine it already. Sunny needs to sing age-approriate things, like her duet with Miryo. McRoth: I think they would keep her at the same level of excruciating cuteness, though. Nikki: But SM doesn't get that. McRoth: Ohh that song was pretty. Nikki: IT WAS McRoth: She sounded so nice on that one. Nikki: IT WAS GLORIOUS. I loved it. McRoth: Probably my fave track on that entire mini next to revenger. The rest flew right over my head. Nikki: Really? I only liked the Sunny song and “Party Rock”. Guilty pleasure D: McRoth: That one was okay. I did NOT LIKE the lead single Nikki: Eh. Hated that.
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Nikki: No? Links? McRoth: O_O Let me check. Nikki: My Name and MIB. That's it! And we’re done. Then I have to do some massive editing. McRoth: LAMO. LMAO ok. We did not plan this out so well haha. Nikki: It's okay LOL. I edited horrible gramamr my entire senior year. McRoth: *grammar lmao Nikki: Yeah LOL. Sorry. McRoth: That was less of a typo and more of a scrambled word. Nikki: T_T McRoth: :P MIB or MN first? Nikki: You gave me My Name. That sounded strange.
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Nikki: But the line-up this week is really packed compared to some of the others. McRoth: I noticed. The more we talked, the more of a cluster fuck it became. So many rookies. Nikki: LOL! McRoth: @_@ Nikki: And I can't believe that Infinite is second to the last in terms of seniority. Oh wait. Third. We did JYP. McRoth: lol. That's just odd. They're a 2010 group. HOW ARE THEY SENIORS ALREADY? Nikki: T_T McRoth: I feel so old, too, with all of these babies running around. Nikki: Ugh tel me about it McRoth: Dalmatian has old members though, one of them is 30 O_O. Nikki: REALLY? O.O McRoth: Yeah o_O Nikki: Gahee's around that age too, right? McRoth: 31 I think. Inati of Dalmatian was born in 1981 O_O Nikki: O.O
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