f(x)- NU ABO

Cover looks like it’s from a horror movie ._.

Okay, so I don’t review kpop a lot (actually this is my first time). Japanese music will always represent my soul, my passion. However, since I’ll also be studying Korean stuff as part of my major, I’ve been trying to familiarize myself with the sound of the Korean language (as if I don’t get enough of that from watching kdramas…) I’ve listened to Korean music for as long as I’ve listened to Japanese music, but currently my division of music is 90% jpop, 7% kpop, 3% cpop. Let’s go!

NU ABO, the title track, is an aggressive, hip-hop-based, high-energy track. With a strong beat, fierce vocals, and a crowd cheering during the verses, NU ABO is one of the sexiest songs I’ve heard in a while. This song would be great for dancing, and isn’t too far out of Koda Kumi’s style for those of you who want to try kpop. I don’t like hip-hop very much, but this track is great because of its electronic feel.

The next track is much more of a pop/electric track: Mr. Boogie. This song has a dark feel to it, and has some strong verses. I thought the chorus was a bit awkward/repetitive, but overall not too bad.

All the aggression takes a break to make way for a positive track, Ice Cream. What I like about this track is that it has elements of bubblegum pop, but isn’t too sweet. Overall very cute song.

ME+U is the most electronically charged track on the album. I haven’t learned which vocals correspond to each member yet, but whoever leads the verses has a bit of an annoying voice (but I still kind of like it xD). This song brings back that sass and attitude of the first couple of tracks.

Surprise Party is a cool R&B/pop track, which reminds me of a fusion between the kpop and jpop worlds. Although the song is about birthdays it’s still cute.

Lastly, we can’t have an album without a ballad. I’m still getting used to the fact that Korean songs are so much shorter than Japanese songs. This ballad isn’t even 4 minutes long! Now, Sorry (Dear. Daddy) is totally Korean in style. Basically, this song could fit into an kdrama; it actually reminds me of Byul’s stuff from the best drama EVAR Full House. This song shows off the girls’ strong vocals very well.

Overall: I can’t wait to listen to more f(x)!

Rating: 7/10

Track list:

1. NU ABO
2. Mr. Boogie
3. Ice Cream
4. ME+U
5. Surprise Party
6. Sorry (Dear. Daddy)

alan- 蘭色~Love Moon Light~

I have a feeling that dress is really cute, but whoever did the lighting for this shoot should be fired <_<

First song we have is 我的月光 (I have no idea what the pinyin tracks are for these songs, so if someone could help me out I’d appreciate it!). I’m really happy with this new direction that alan has taken with this Chinese mini-album. We are back to a much more folksy and natural sounding alan. This first track is a ballad, and has this very mysterious opening. The song is mostly occupied by piano, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. The chorus is epic. This is one of alan’s best ballads to date IMO (and we know she’s had a LOT of those).

炫影~Sharp Light~ begins with this graceful piano solo, preparing us for a ballad. This song has numerous Asian undertones in the melody. Although traditional instruments weren’t necessarily prevalent, the plucking of the harp and other string instruments brings us back to alan’s folk roots. The verses are the best parts of the song because they really carry a story.

有Me就好 is the obligatory (?) pop track on the album, and consequently my least favorite. It’s not a bad song, but not my style. It’s very poppy and up and positive and let’s-go-shopping-and-be-cute-lalala. Truth be told it’s pretty catchy, but most of you know by now how I feel about bubble gum pop. What I do like about this song are the jazz elements incorporated in the instrumentals.

落單的翅膀 is a mix of folk and modern pop-rock. We don’t get much guitar action in alan’s Japanese works, so the acoustic flavor of this song works really well. The melody combines folk elements with modern melodies, which is pretty cool. The choruses switch from acoustic guitar into electric, giving the song an edgier sound.

The next two tracks are the Chinese covers of to songs on her last Japanese album, My Life. Nobody knows but me was kind of the least favorite track for a lot of people, but it was my favorite track off the album ._. The instrumentals are the same this time (often they are altered in alan’s Chinese versions). The Chinese actually flows quite well in this song, and alan takes more vocal freedoms. There’s this one part where she sounds like she’s about to cry; it was so raw. Also, unlike many of alan’s Chinese versions, the mountain wails are still here!

Lastly is my other favorite track from the album, My Life. Personally I prefer the Japanese version because I feel like it flows better with the instrumentals. Anyway, this song is still as beautiful as the Japanese version.

Also, this album includes 炫影~Sharp Light~piano only version, which is a gorgeous listen as well.

Overall: I think the old alan is coming back =] No more ayu treatment, ‘kay?

Rating: 9/10

Track list:

1. 我的月光
2. 炫影~Sharp Light~
3. 有Me就好
4. 落單的翅膀
5. Nobody Knows But Me
6.My Life
7. 炫影~Sharp Light~piano only version