BTS - Fake Love
As everyone and their mother already knows, BTS just released a new album, Love Yourself 轉 Tear, on May 18th. The title track of this album is “Fake Love.” RM, the leader, described this track as “emo hip-hop” which is a genre no one has ever really attempted (I've never heard of it before, to be honest). Written and produced by long-time BigHit producer, Pdogg, CEO of BigHit, ‘hitman’ bang, and RM, the track is unlike anything I’ve heard in Kpop.
V opens the song with his characteristically deep voice, backed by a synth keyboard and guitar. The song soon explodes into its chorus, with the instrumentals swelling in turn. Progressing further, the track alternates between simple instrumentals in the verses and a robust backing track in the chorus. “Fake Love” hits hard, with punchy choreography to match, and more than its fair share of angsty lyrics. The song address the concept of false love and what happens when we lie to ourselves and others. As BTS sings, “Love, it’s so mad, try to erase myself and make me your doll.”
BTS is soaring in their careers right now. As they continue with promotions and prepare for their upcoming world tour, I can only hope they can continue to fly in 2018.
- Kerry
Moon Byul - SELFISH (Feat. Seulgi of Red Velvet)
Yes. Yes. A million times yes to everything about this one. It has been the year of MAMAMOO, first with the group’s 6th mini album, Yellow Flower, released in March, and now all the individual solo projects of each member. With Solar holding her first ever solo concert, Blossom, Wheein releasing her first solo album EASY, and Hwasa achieving a Perfect All Kill with her collaboration single “Don’t” with Loco, I had no doubt that Moon Byul’s individual project would exceed expectations.
On May 23rd, Moon Byul dropped her solo debut album SELFISH featuring three tracks. Always having been known for her strong rapping, performance style, and songwriting, the title track lets Moon Byul flex her skills in the hip hop genre alongside the bright sound of Red Velvet’s Seulgi. The music video follows Moon Byul and Seulgi around having pure, adorable fun, all while serving killer visuals (seriously, how do you be a complete dork while, at the same time, look like a stud?) The message of the song is amazing, wanting to be selfish for once, not having to live up to the world’s standards, and just enjoying life freely on your own terms.
- Julie
Bang Yongguk - Drunkenness
Bang Yongguk, well known as the leader of B.A.P, dropped a music video for “Drunkenness,” a song he first released in 2016. The single, first uploaded on SoundCloud, is about the agony experienced post-break up. Yongguk sings about being so heartbroken that even pretending to be strong makes him feel sick.In the MV, we follow Yongguk as he moves aimlessly through his house, pouring himself drinks and downing them as he goes. All taken in one shot, Yongguk is the central character, but through his drunken steps and slow pans over his furniture, the most poignant of which being the two chairs nestled side by side, we can peer into his brain and feel the heartache as keenly as if it were our own.
Written, composed and produced by Yongguk, I’m curious as to why he decided to make a music video for “Drunkenness” now, nearly two years after its initial release. No complaints here though. I hope Yongguk continues to produce solo tracks for us!
- Kerry
UNI.T - No More
After being impressed by UNB’s debut a few weeks ago, I was excited to see what and how their female counterpart would do for theirs. Like UNB, The new girl group UNI.T is comprised of the top nine female contestants on KBS’s rebooting idol competition show The Unit, and is made up of solo artists and both former and current members of other girl groups.
UNI.T's title track "No More" has veteran producer Shinsadong Tiger's name on it, but surprisingly takes a detour from his typical addictive beats. "No More" lays back with its reggae-pop sound reminiscent of Wonder Girls' "Why So Lonely?" While the song veers a little safe and forgettable for a debut title track, it doesn't fail to remind us that this group is made up of nine equally powerful vocalists with impeccable harmonies.
To really understand the amount of talent the members of UNI.T have, you have to watch their rendition of MAMAMOO’s “You’re the Best” and Block B’s “Jackpot” on Yu Huiyeol’s Sketchbook.
- Julie
DAVII - Only Me feat. Heize
“Only Me,” written and produced by Davii and Heize, is perfectly described by its title. The lyrics of the song capture the feeling that everyone has thought at least once in their life - Am I the only one who feels like this? The two artists sing of a certain listlessness caused by the inability to shake their melancholy. Despite the depressing lyrics, the instrumentals of the track, a piano and a jazzy guitar, are light and bouncy, keeping the song fresh.
Heize features on this song and is also included in the MV, which is a bright, trippy journey through a slightly surrealistic world. In every scene, there’s usually something slightly off, such as Heize drifting through the sky in an armchair, or Davii playing a floating game of Jenga. Like they sing in the song, the music video portrays a disconnect with the real world.
I enjoyed this track more after I read the lyric translations, because while the sweet instrumentals trick the ear into thinking this song is all sunshine and roses, the lyrics actually speak about a darkness that all humans experience at some point or another. Thanks for the bait and switch, you caught my attention, Davii and Heize!
- Kerry