A plethora of music being released this week, from the biggest entertainment company in Korea to one of most popular Japanese pop-rock bands, the music scenes from the East are never quiet. Here are some of the releases for this week, enjoy!
K-pop
f(x) – LA chA TA (digital single)
f(x) is the new girl group from SM Entertainment, home of some of the biggest acts in Korean music scene such as Dong Bang Shin Ki, Super Junior and also SNSD. Anticipation ran high when SM announced their debut a few weeks back, and finally, they released the first digital single for the group. The song itself is a classy dance pop song, but unlike those that has been fed to the audience recently, it excluded the electronica element, and focused on the girls’ vocals instead, which was impressive on its own. Their mini album will be released at the end of this month, so this single will keep the fans entertained while waiting for that.
J – Dream Catcher (digital single)
J teams up with Alex from Clazziquai to give us her new promotional song off her "Dream Catcher" digital single, "Say I Love You". J’s nearly-whispery voice and also Alex’s dreamy vocals gave a nice touch to this already-beautiful ballad. J might be a little bit underrated in the Korean music scene, overshadowed by sexier stars, but she is definitely in a league of her own, and this single defines her – that her vocals alone will win your heart and following alike.
T-Max – Love Parade (single)
Three-member outfit T-Max is back, and this time around, with a single entitled "Love Parade".
The three members teamed up again to give us the promotional song "Want", which is an adorable pop-laced song with hints of electronica that will simply put a smile on everyone’s faces. T-Max are one of those bands who does not really follow trends of the music scene, and that is a blessing in disguise, as they steer along the crowd, being different and totally recognizable with their music and image.
Goo Hye Sun – Sketchbook – Breathe (mini album)
After the successful series "Boys Over Flowers", actress Go Hye Sun decided to delve into another form of performing art – music! Her debut mini album saw eight tracks of her self-composed numbers, all being beautiful soft piano music that reminds us of sad, heartbreaking movies ("Down An Alley") or crying in the rain ("The Sound of Rain at Night"). That being said, this is just another one of her many talented sides – the actress had attempted writing a book, showcasing her paintings and also directing a movie. This album is an excellent release, it just shows that one can have beauty and also brains at the same time, and while many are not blessed with this ability, it is certainly great to see Go Hye Sun sharing it with the world.
Kim Jeong Hoon – First Mini Album (mini album)
Kim Jeong Hoon, famously known as "Prince Yul" from "Goong" series, has released his first mini album. Currently in the army doing his 2-years military service, his album contains heart-wrenching ballads that fits nicely with his gorgeous voice. The promotional song of the mini album, "In Your Eyes" is a lovely power ballad that does not try too hard, but yet shows the vocal abilities of Jeong Hoon, which are strong and packs a punch. This mini album will certainly satisfy his fans who are waiting for him anxiously to return back from the military service, and it will do just well considering how pleasing the album is.
J-pop
Base Ball Bear – (What is the) Love & Pop (album)
Japanese pop rock bank Base Ball Bear drops a full-length album after releasing a single last month. Entitled "(What is the) Love & Pop", this album contains ten tracks, comprises of their released singles, and also new songs. The album opens up with their most recent single, "Stairway Generation", and takes us on a journey filled with andrenaline-rushed, high-pumping songs such as "SOSOS", "BREEEEZE GIRL", and "LOVE MATHEMATICS". With that being said, the band breaks down the tempo with their acoustic rock number, "White Twilight" and surprises fans with Chipmunk-voiced opening of "LOVE LETTER FROM HEART BEAT". Another stellar release from the band who has been on a high ride since their major debut, Base Ball Bear continues to produce incredibly catchy songs to entertain fans and critics alike, and is showing no signs on ever stopping.
V6 – Guilty (single)
One of the biggest Japanese boybands, V6, returns to the music scene with a brand new single called "Guilty". Staying true to their blend of pop, "Guilty" is a pleasing J-pop number, armed with infectious hooks and incredibly sleek promotional video. This looks like to be another hit from the mega boyband, and with quality songs like this, it is not hard to see why they are still around after more than ten years.
The Gospellers – Uchuu e ?Reach for the sky? (single)
The lovely a cappella group, The Gospellers returns with another beautiful single called "Uchuu e ?Reach for the sky?". The single, as previously mentioned, is a beautiful ballad, and together with their gorgeous vocals, this is not a single to be missed. The Gospellers is known to have shield collaborations with famous acts in Japan, and while that gives them more recognition, this single alone reminds us while they are one of the reigning acts in the a cappella field in Japan.
Chihiro Onitsuka – Kagerou
Chihiro Onitsuka is back, bringing yet another excellent single. "Kagerou" is a lovely ballad that starts off with simple electric guitar plucking, and breaks out massively into this ballad rock number that enhances the already-powerful vocal of the famous songtress. Chihiro Onitsuka is certainly the reigning singer in her own league – she has a very distinctive voice, and keeps on releasing quality music, which is something lacking in the music scene nowadays.
LADY BiRD featuring Sarah – Kitto…Sayonara (single)
LADY BiRD is a DJ collaboration of two DJs, namely Kazuhisa Hirota and djTEN of Shibuya-based club, CLUB ATOM. This time around, they decided to go a little bit mellow and released an electronica-influenced mid-tempo track, and it sounds just as sweet as Sarah’s vocals in the song. This is recommended for fans of their previous work, "Sweet Song" featuring Soni, as this single shows another side of their music.