Flowsik x Jessi - Wet
Rappers Jessi and Flowsik team up for another collaboration, the first this year being “All I Need,” which showcased a softer side to the two normally mean mugging rappers. “Wet” is a complete 180 switch. The trap beat is dirrrrrty, with layered bass lines and a monotonous synth. The two alternate rapping, both in English and Korean, Jessi coming through with that attitude and confidence, while Flowsik’s growly, yet fluid voice matches the dark beat perfectly.
“All I Need” was a sweet duet, but “Wet” exemplifies this duo’s ability to throw down when they need to. Both have experience on competition rap shows (Jessi on Unpretty Rapstar, Flowsik on Show Me The Money 5) so when they need to boast, they go all in. As they say, when they’re good, they’re good. But when they’re bad, they’re better.
- Kerry
TWICE - What is Love?
Count on me to fawn over the ladies of Twice every time they drop a new song! The group is back, this time with a JYP original production asking, "What is Love?" While the song doesn't steer too off the path from what we've come to expect from our resident girl group, it also doesn't disappoint in surprising fans with a delightfully fun music video!
The girls play characters in scenes from movies, from the Princess Diaries to La La Land to Pulp Fiction. Seeing Jeongyeon as Di Caprio's Romeo and Tzuyu as Claire Danes' Juliet made me swoon with heart eyes. The biggest heart attack though, was Mina's gorgeous vocals in the chorus during her scene in the 1980s movie La Boum. "What is Love," you ask? It's making me ship all my Twice girls into all my favorite love stories.
- Julie
Doyong x Sejeong - 별빛이 피면 (Star Blossom)
We have to admit, we’ve reviewed almost all of the NCT releases so far, and we are STILL not over them. After “Yestoday” I became enamored with Doyoung and of course, had to seek out more of his beautiful singing. Cut to me stumbling upon this Station track that was released on October 13th, 2017. “Star Blossom” pairs up the heavenly voices of Doyoung, of aforementioned NCT fame, and Sejeong from gugudan.
Opening with a music box tinkle, it transitions to a piano instrumental as Sejeong begins singing. The two vocalists alternate the first two verses before blending their voices together to finish the song. They, of course, sing of love and the heightened senses that a new romance brings. I really enjoy their crisp voices, both unique in their sound, but melding together perfectly. Although released in October, the song matches perfectly with the spring that is just blooming now.
- Kerry
TEN - New Heroes
I’m pretty sure we’ve had NCT on our playlist every week in some form or another for the past month! It's not too obvious we're in full stan mode right? But can you blame us when the group releases a constant stream of content with quality sounds and aesthetically killer videos?
Last week, NCT’s TEN dropped 'New Heroes', his second solo track since his debut single one year ago. I'm quite surprised to see how much he's grown his fanbase despite only participating in a few of the group's comebacks. And yet, he's proven to stand out on his own as a soloist with such an experimental, enigmatic new release.
'New Heroes' is a simple EDM track with the interesting addition of some brassy synths. The star of the song is TEN's unexpected and gorgeous vocal arrangement - something we didn't get much of in 'Dream in a Dream'. Where 'Dream' showcased his insane fluidity in dance skills, 'New Heroes' shows off his vocals and brings a layer of musical poetry to his lyrics: "Turn my mess into messages...Learn from the lessons... and keep on, keep on, keep on..."
- Julie
Yaeji - Full Of It
After seeing Yaeji in concert this past week, I fell in love with this track. Hearing it performed live encouraged the revolutionary within me!
“Distant like Ignorance, Resistance Full of It.” Something about even just typing down those lyrics brings me a special thrill. It feels as if I am conspiring with Yaeji, huddled together and building our resilience, our armour, and our power against oppression. Not to be dramatic or anything, of course.
This song was part of a release party hosted by feminist techno DJ collective, Discwoman, following the Women's March in Washington DC in 2017. This track repeatedly affirms that we can no longer shy away from the resistance, from standing up for our beliefs. Instead, Yaeji implores and encourages us to realize we ARE the resistance and we are FULL of it.
- Shannon