This week, the K-pop scene saw an actor turning into a singer and the on the J-pop side, a superstar is making a comeback with a solo single. What could be more? Read on to find out!
J-pop
BENI: Zutto Futari De (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2rP_vX6MNA
BENI’s new single, “Zutto Futari De” is certainly a delightful one to listen. One, “Zutto Futari De” is a gorgeous R&B ballad that milks its way through one’s heart with so much ease that you wonder what could be more of the single. Second, the song after that, “Stardust” stood out on its own by being a strong electronica sans hip hop track that is clearly showing this songtress’ ability in belting out different genres. Third, “The Boy Is Mine”, which is a cover of a song of the same title by Brandy and Monica, is so fun to listen to that one can nearly forget the rest of the tracks in the single. These three reasons alone might be good enough of an urge to support BENI as she clearly shines in this single, vocally and personality-wise.
Morning Musume: Nanchatte Renai (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AELZlXg5vY4
Morning Musume releases their 40th single! Is that a feat or what? The single “Nanchatte Renai” is an enjoyable one from the girls, and despite the fact that they are not shying away from the dance pop category, they have a much more mature and thought-out sound to them this time around. As this their commemorative single, this release is looking to be a big hit, be it on the Oricon chart or in their fans’ heart everywhere in the world.
Gackt: The Next Decade (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNTUSCRg-ks
A dash of rock for hard-rockers out there. Gackt, the ever-popular all-rounder celebrity released a single in conjuction with his acting stint in the new Kamen Rider film, “Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Great Shocker”. The new single, aptly titled “The Next Decade” is a melodic rock number, and combined with Gackt’s powerful voice, this rockstar definitely lives up to his older days as the Jrocker everybody loves. Meanwhile, the second track, “T.N.D Orchestra Attack Ride” is an instrumental number backed up with soft acoustic in the beginning and broke out into a blend of rock and orchestra mash-up which is just quite right for this release. Gackt might be the Jack of all trades for now, but he is certainly the master of the music field.
STRAIGHTENER: CLONE / DONKEY BOOGIE DODO (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMCusSl90Jw
Fresh from their nationwide tour, STRAIGHTENER, one of Japan’s finest indie bands, returns to the scene with a new double-A side single, “CLONE / DONKEY BOOGIE DODO”. The titles of the songs might seem strange to some, but the songs are certainly not. “CLONE” is an enjoyable alternative rock number that showcases STRAIGHTENER at it’s best – it’s melodic but not sappy, just filled with the energy and power that can rose you up from your seat. That being said, “DONKEY BOOGIE DODO” on the other hand, is as fun as the name sounds – the guitar riffs underlying the song will get you bumping and thumping. STRAIGHTENER has definitely came a long way from being unrecognized into playing in the summer music festivals, and it is clear why they are favourites in the Japanese indie music scene, especially when they are surfacing with singles like this one.
NICO Touches the Walls: Hologram (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l230S74HmmM
NICO touches the Walls releases a new single, “Hologram”, which is also the second opening song for the popular anime “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”. The band, after debuting earlier last year, rose to stardom after their song “Broken Youth” was as the sixth ending song in the anime “Naruto Shippuden”. “Hologram” is, in all of its inch, a catchy rock song. It does not try hard, but in all of its simplicity, it packs a punch with its thoughtful lyrics and infectious hooks. All in all, this is a great single that says the band is certainly here to stay.
K-pop
SMTOWN: Seaside (Boom Boom) (digital single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa1YSGG38Fw
SMTOWN is a collaborative effort between SM Entertainment artistes that results in summer and winter albums, and after a year of absence, they are back albeit missing a few members. “Seaside (Boom Boom)” is the first digital single from this year’s summer album, and it consists of their three top male groups – Dong Bang Shin Ki, SHINee, and also Super Junior. This summery track opens up with an “Aloha” greeting, and like the greeting, the rest of the track really picks you up and asks you for to have fun and enjoy the beach. This is definitely an apt pop song for a day out in the summer, and this will keep us excited until August 14th when the whole album is released.
Lee Minki: NO KIDDING (mini album)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN9bu6Gcop8
Lee Minki the actor is now Lee Minki the singer. Having said that, fret not, because it seems like he made a wise career-turning choice. “NO KIDDING” might be Lee Minki’s first try into venturing the music world, but this album does not give out that aura. The first track, “Eternal Summer” is similar to the sounds of NELL and My Aunt Mary – the sound of indie rock that is certainly lacking in the Korean music field. Other notable tracks in “NO KIDDING” is “JOUJOU (let me see the love)”, which is a 60’s electronica / dance track that goes really well with Lee Minki’s sometimes-constrained voice. With this great debut album, one can only hope that Lee Minki will not shun away from the music industry after this.
Honeysh: Shall I Get Married (single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcfFDE1Lw3M
Honeysh is a new girl-pop duo who recently caused a stir between the netizens in Korea because of their video. That being said, the actual single of the song is not pretty bad itself as “Shall I Get Married” is a dance number with a catchy hook that will sure stick in your head after a few rounds of listening. It is interesting to see how these girls will attempt to break away from the netizens’ claims over them, but with infectious songs like “Shall I Get Married”, one can be sure that it will all blow away very soon.
Navi feat. HyunA from 4minute: Wasteful Tears (digital single)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0_wiRSF1Hs
HyunA from 4minute has really stroke gold when she redebuted earlier this year as she is now featured in a lot of other artistes’ songs and whatnots. Her latest collaboration is with popular female singer, Navi, who is known for her stunning strong vocals for her latest digital single “Wasteful Tears”. This tasteful dance / pop song is giving both of the female stars an advantage – Navi showcased her poweful voice very prominently, while HyunA puts the cherry on top of the cake with her fierce rapping. A good digital single, one might say, from an unassuming collaboration.
Baek Ji Young: EGO (mini album)
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWnxSxVSiSg
Baek Ji Young is back with a mini album entitled “EGO”, sporting a new, tomboy-ish look as a concept. What has not changed though is her lovely voice, and the primary song for this mini album “My Ear’s Candy” is doing justice to it. This dance pop song is a collaboration with Taekyeon from 2pm, and together his fierce rapping, this song brings back the old Baek Ji Young flavour. This mini album contains two other songs, and three remix songs, and while it lacks on the new songs department, it certainly did not lack in the quality as Baek Ji Young moves a step further in her career with this mini album.