In the last few years, Dear Jane has released either meaningful, more pop ballads like 2013's "Never Be Alone" or simple and upbeat rock songs like 2012's "Yellow Fever." However, the band outdo themselves by finding a happy medium with "Caffeine Tears," which combines meaningful lyrics with the pop punk sound they are known for.
The takeaway of "Caffeine Tears" is simple, but resonates well: Live life with no regrets. Reality may be tough, but it is better to go after your dreams and live life to the fullest than to not have really lived at all.
Musically, the song is an epic one to listen to and you can tell a lot of blood, sweat, and tears were put into it from the band and the rest of their production team to make it sound so good. Howie has once again created an amazing and dynamic musical composition that at just under 5 minutes, plays like a mini movie. The song starts off upbeat with solid verses and a catchy chorus, slows down during the bridge and utilizes Howie's back up vocals with an echo and faded effect, gradually quickens, then erupts into an extended kick ass guitar solo, before ending with the chorus again. The bridge puts you into a pensive state and the guitar solo make you feel free.
A formula the band has recently found success with for creating great videos, the MV for "Caffeine Tears" possesses a simple story inter cut with shots of the band playing in an empty room, which illustrates the message of the song without taking attention away from it. The video opens with Tim waking up from a dream where he is about to die from a car accident after looking down at his watch, and is then given the same watch from his onscreen girlfriend. After having a jam-packed day going all over the streets of Hong Kong and proposing to his girlfriend, Tim meets the same fate as he did in his dream, before once again waking up. While most Hong Kong MVs these days look cheaply made or are not creative, Dear Jane's last few videos have been memorable and worth rewatching, and this is no different, tying with "Never Be Alone" for my favorite.
"Caffeine Tears" is well-polished and produced, yet edgy, upbeat, and incredibly full of energy, and has a hopeful message to share. In other words, it's Dear Jane utilizing everything it does well. They've yet to disappoint me, but have totally stepped up their game with "Caffeine Tears," making it their strongest single to date.
Dear Jane only released two singles in 2013, but closed the year off solid with "Never Be Alone", easily their best ballad yet.
The song showcases all that is great about Dear Jane: meaningful lyrics, strong vocals, and great composition and production. One of the things I love most about the band is the passion, honesty, and emotion they put into their music, and it shows more than ever here. "Never Be Alone" is a beautiful and uplifting song that tells people that though they may lose a loved one, they will never truly be alone in the world. Tim's vocal delivery is powerful and portrays so much emotion as always. The guitar solo that closes the song makes it feel even more empowering and inspiring and though the song may put you on an emotional ride, it will put a smile on your face by the end.
However, the song is made even better with the MV. It is hands down the most well done MV from Dear Jane yet as it tells a story and amplifies the strengths and emotions of the song without taking away from it. The storyline is simple but touching and makes the song come to life. I also love how the story starts from the present before showing flashbacks, and then finally returning to the present once again. From the waterfall back drop, to the black and white, and all the guys looking handsome and dressed up, the shots of the band were also perfect and added to the melancholic feel.
Dear Jane has outdone themselves with "Never Be Alone." It is an all around phenomenal, touching, and well done song coupled with a memorable music video, and the one that left the most impact on me in 2013.
The band took a break from their usual pop punk sound by releasing two ballads in 2013, so I'm looking forward to hearing their upcoming music, which is supposed to be a return to their punk roots. May 2014 be an even better year for Dear Jane!
Dear Jane makes their 2013 return with their new single "Unavoidable". Right off the bat, it is obvious that this talented band have once again given it their all into this song.
"Unavoidable" is a song that will probably only appeal to a smaller group of listeners. It possesses a softer rock sound, which fans of the band's former rougher and more punk influenced music may not be fond of. At the same time, it is not a song whose melody will immediately stick to you because it's not as catchy as their other material. However, it does not stop "Unavoidable" from being an overall great song.
This may sound strange, but in some ways this is one of Dear Jane's weaker songs, but in other ways their personal best. It's weakness consist of the reasons stated above. One must be more open minded and really appreciate music to realize this is actually one of Dear Jane's best yet. The song embodies what I love this band so much for: true passion and honesty. Howie's songwriting and composition is beautiful, personal and meaningful and Tim is able to showcase his voice and bring his lyrics to life. I'm pleased to see that Dear Jane, while conforming a bit to make it in the mainstream HK music industry, is also staying true to themselves and giving listeners the opportunity to hear something different and full of heart and substance.
Additional Notes: Against my initial expectations, "Unavoidable" is doing incredibly well! It went #1 on the iTune store as well as on HK music charts, and still high up as we speak. It is wonderful to see a song that doesn't conform to usual HK mainstream tastes garnering critical and commercial success. Congratulations Dear Jane!!!
Female K-Indie rapper Nam Soo Rim comes back after a year's hiatus with her new mini album "Drive Me to the Moon". For this comeback, Soo Rim trades her previous edgy style for a softer, more romantic one. The album's main focus is to tell the story of romance; each song provides a different perspective and situation. In her album-titled song "Drive Me to the Moon", Soo Rim takes us on a romantic and fantasy-like date. The Song:
"Drive Me to the Moon" is a mid-tempo rock infused hip-hop track. The song features Nam Soo Rim's powerful rapping and the vocals of Park Ji Yoon. The vocals and rapping blends nicely together and with the music to paint a story of love. Soo Rim keeps a strong and consistent beat with her rapping, which to me sounds like she's providing narration for the story and Ji Yoon's lovely vocals set the dream-like tone for the song.
I personally love this song, it's different, unique, and definitely not something you often come across in K-pop. Being a heavily rap focused song, I was surprised that Soo Rim was able to pull off a romantic style and sound using a genre that's generally more edgy.
The MV:
The music video uses stunning animations to depict the lyrics of the song. The video follows two girls as they go on a date through a fantasy-like amusement park. As it progresses reality starts to blend with fantasy as the girl's imaginations take over. The MV also raises a question about what the story is telling. It could be a story of two young lovers on a date, or it could be interpreted as two close friends hanging out. Personally, I think it's the former because of the romantic feel the tone of the song and the setting of the MV give off.
Overall, this is a phenomenal song that surpasses the usual boundaries of music. The song is sweet and romantic while still maintaining a funky and edgy sound. The quality of the animation used for the MV is stunning as well. Soo Rim did a fantastic job with experimentation in this new comeback. I will definitely look out for Nam Soo Rim's name in the future. This goes to prove that South Korea has much more to show than just its usual mainstream K-Pop.
Following the smash hit "Cold Joke", Fiona Sit releases her new single "Farewell", which is burning up the charts!
Over the last year, Fiona has made great strides in her musical career. Her vocals as well as musical style have sharpened and matured, showing she will be the star and diva of tomorrow. This latest plug joins the streak of great singles Fiona has been releasing.
"Farewell" is a beautiful and phenomenal ballad. Its musical composition is lovely and pleasing to the ears, with a sound that is slightly reminiscent of 90s Cantopop. The instruments and musical elements blend together beautifully. The lyrics, which talk of falling in love with someone you know you will have to say goodbye to, are emotionally sung and executed gracefully by Fiona. The pacing of the song is very nice, as it is neither too slow for a ballad nor too fast. "Farewell" also gives a more sophisticated musical direction and image to Fiona.
In addition, the music video is nicely executed with tasteful artistic direction, and as a result compliments the song very well. There is a melancholic feel to it, allowing the song to touch you more. Everything about the song comes together so effortlessly and beautifully.
Overall, "Farewell" is a heartfelt and stunning song, and one of the more memorable ballads I've heard. It continues to show how Fiona is improving and maturing, as well as on her way to becoming one of the brightest and biggest singers in Cantopop. This is definitely my new favorite song from Fiona (which I seem to say every time she releases a new single nowadays?), and I'm sure there is more great material to come.
Ella Koon is back with "So In Love", her first single under Warner Music HK! "So In Love" is written and composed by none other than her fellow Warner label mate, popular singer songwriter Khalil Fong.
Although "So In Love" possesses a relatively simple melody and lyrics, it is catchy, fun, and sweet. There's nothing extraordinary about "So In Love", but it is such a feel good song that easily makes you smile, especially if you are feeling "so in love" yourself. The sound is fresh and upbeat with its blend of synthetic pop beats and musical instruments, and makes you want to just get up and dance around your room.
The music video lets Ella's bubbly and sweet personality shine! The colorful backdrop, outfits Ella wears, and various props allows the video to be a little creative and fun. It looks like Ella herself was able to customize the set to her liking, which slightly resembles the inside of a doll house. Instead of looking too silly or random, the set and Ella playing around shows the happiness, good mood, and positive outlook of a girl sweetly in love.
Am I blown away by "So In Love"? No, but that doesn't stop me from loving this song. It's not impressive, but nevertheless a very fun and sweet song that shows Ella's lovely personality and warm vocals. It also possesses a fresh sound (most of Warner Music HK's music does) that is sure to be a hit with radio viewers and young HK people. I'm very happy to see Ella part of the Warner family now, and I'm sure this will only help her to finally win the popularity and recognition she deserves!
G.NA has made a comeback with her fourth mini album "Beautiful Kisses." This album has a total of five songs: "Oops!" (feat. Ilhoon of BTOB), "Hate it, Can't Stand it", "First Kiss", "Oh, Good!", and "Mind Sync" (feat. Hah Gak).
The Song:
Pinki: First off, this song has nothing to do with making mistakes. This song is about when a person likes another person...A LOT. This song starts from a guy's point of view, then the girl responds during the chorus. The guy happens to be younger than the girl because the first line of the song is "Nuna, you know you're the bestest right?" "Bestest" is not a word, while "Nuna" or "Noona" is a Korean term used to call an older girl you respect or admire, and it is also used by males when calling their older sister. The rap part of the song goes on about how the younger guy is "head over heels" for the older girl. The girl responds by saying she is a beautiful girl, what she likes, and to not tell her to do anything she doesn't like. For example, in the song G.NA says, "I'm a beautiful girl, I like to wear jeans, don't ask me to wear short skirts." This song is bubbly and upbeat, but with a sweet melody. There is also metaphors and similes used in the rap, which make me laugh. "Ha ha ^^~"
Niki: Elaborating on what Pinki has said, G.NA's new song is a portrayal of the "Noona-Dongsaeng" (older woman-younger guy) relationship that has been so popular in K-pop lately. It depicts the older girl to be clever and confident. She know that guys can pretend to gain her trust, but she's not easily swayed. Meanwhile, the guy is depicted as a more impulsive and naive character hopelessly enamored by the older lady, probably because of her confidence and mature aura. This is a portrayal that's commonly done and is a more stereotypical view of such a relationship.
The song's lyrics are split into two parts, Ilhoon's raps and G.NA's singing, and takes on two different perspectives. I really like how this is arranged because it sets up a dialogue between two people and creates a somewhat interactive song, making it more fun and different.
Regarding the title of the song, it does seem out of context and random, but my interpretation is that the noona is flirting with the younger guy. She is leading him on to get close to her, but then pulls away before he gets too close, thus the flirtatious sounding "oops oops".However, it is more likely that the "word" was put into the song as a simple hook.
The MV:
Pinki: The MV is cute in a way, but it mainly reveals a sexy side of G.NA. It starts out with a guy and his cat. Don't know the purpose of the cat though, as it was just there through out the whole video Then...BAM! Ilhoon comes out with his awesome rapping, and then G.NA gets out of bed and does the sub chorus After that, her dance kicks in. I am not very fond of the dance as there is just something I don't like about it. It's cute and sexy but not really to my liking. That's pretty much the whole video. It's her rolling around in bed, Ilhoon rapping, and more of the cat. Then, I got very confused at the ending. It shows the guy that is in the very beginning of the MV, and G.NA dances with him and suddenly disappears Then the guy look for her but doesn't find her, and when he enters what seems to be his house, he smiles. I don't know what the reason for that smile was. Was G.NA is his house? Then it shows the cat again and that's how the video ends.
Niki: The cat in the video intrigued me, because I was confused in the beginning as to why a cat was there. But it donned on me afterwards that the cat was an allusion and they were comparing the Noona-dongsaeng relationship to that of a cat and dog. G.NA is being referred to as a "cougar" (an older woman who prefers to date young guys) for going after the younger male character. Connecting back to the lyrics Ilhoon's rap had a line that said "Because of all the packs of wolves around you. I wanna be your jindo dog," which implies that younger guys are seen as loyal an innocent. In a Noona-Dongsaeng relationship instead of having guys chase after the girl (like dogs usually chase after cats) the older lady is teasing and attracting the guy's attention.
The MV also shows the different sides to a woman's personality. The cat in the beginning and end comes to the guy in a calm manner and is seemingly docile, however when the cat transform into human (which always happens in real life right?...your crush is really your cat...totally! It makes total sense....) she reveals a sexier and more seductive side.
With the plot aside, I personally don't like the crossover between cute and sexy that G.NA has been donning for her image. Those are two different if not opposite images and purposely mixing the two would only end up as an awkward image. It also doesn't fit G.NA's personality very much as a confident and strong young lady. I prefer the more natural image she had when promoting "Black and White" and "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better".
Overall:
Pinki: I like the sound of the song and the lyrics are very fun. The video however wasn't really my thing. It didn't really "blow me away". But, I still like G.NA and her music, and won't start hating her just because she released one single I did not like. G.NA FIGHTING!!!! ^^
Niki: I'm not very fond of the style or the message of the song and it's not really the type of music I prefer. However, I agree with Pinki that this is an overall fun song with a quirky MV that you can maybe bounce around to in your house. G.NA is still one of the K-pop artists I fairly like, I just wish that she would recover her initial image soon.
Although unable to release another album before the end of the year like he wanted, Kelvin Kwan goes out with a bang with his new single "孱弱/Frail", which is also the theme song for his short film"茶木邂逅"co-starring Shiga Lin.
When I started listening to the song for the first time, I thought "Oh no, another slow ballad". While I like ballads and Kelvin has a strong vocals fit for them, I was hoping for something more impressive and less generic from Kelvin, who is able to pull off more musical styles than the average Cantopop singer. However, "Frail" turned out to be much more.
"Frail" opens with a piano intro and softly sung verse full of sadness. At first, it doesn't sound too special. The song then develops into a slightly gritty, grunge influenced song full of angst. Having loved his earlier alternative rock oriented singles "Occupation" and "People of My Generation", I'm pleased Kelvin continued exploring this sound. "Frail" is not as heavy, but still rock influenced and the song has a very thematic feel making it addictive to listen to. The edgy electric guitar and music works well against Kelvin's husky and strong vocal performance. The song flows well from a slower to faster tempo and back without every feeling choppy or sloppily put together. I'm satisfied with the musical direction taken here and think it fits Kelvin very well.
Although the song is pleasantly edgy and gritty, the music video is a bit disturbing. While I like the cinematic feel with the dark lighting and sleek filming style and how it matches the thematic feel of the song, but the kidnapping plot seems far fetched and off topic (but it may be because of my lack of full understanding of the lyrics). The sight of Kelvin being locked in the truck of a car, getting yelled at by a presumed ex-girlfriend in Korean, before finally being (assumed to be) killed with a hammer by the girl is rather unsettling.
Overall, "Frail" is yet another great song released to be Kelvin this year and continues to show his potential and talent as a musical artist by exploring a more heavy sound. "Frail" has managed to become one of my favorite songs of the year just shortly before 2012 closes.
Pakho Chau impresses listeners while touching on their emotions and bringing their attention to an important social issue with his single "Death Row/斬立決".
"Death Row" is a commentary on one of today's most problematic social issues: bullying (more specifically, cyberbullying). The lyrics compares and makes a metaphor out of a victim of bullying and someone on death row. They're shunned from society, and not given the chance to "repent", even though they did nothing wrong. The chorus paints the picture of an execution, and how people gather to watch the victim die, without shame and without making a move to stop it. The lyrics paint heart breaking imagery and inform of the horrors of the effects of cyberbullying while the haunting melody leaves you feeling conflicted. Pakho's deep voice allows the song to be sung with power and raw emotion.
The music video illustrates the metaphor used in the song. Its concept is in a more artistic direction with simple expression. The video is shot in black and white with a bleak setting. Taking place in an empty room, Pakho is shown getting poisoned by an apple, and waking up to be on death row. He is then executed (off camera and through angle shots) and lies in the arms of a masked and tattooed woman as flower petals fall around him. There is a dominant use of unique and dark masks and other head pieces, which probably hint at more symbolism. Also, there is an additional scene after the song ends where Pakho is shown eating the same apple, but this time is not poisoned by it, showing he has received a second chance to live his life. The music video is executed very well. Though simplistic and a bit frightening, it carries a lot of meaning.
Pakho Chau's "Death Row" is a fantastic song for all the reasons above. Due to heavy content, it does also leave you feeling depressed and conflicted. Overall, it is one of the year's best, with well written lyrics, a melody that sticks with you, raising awareness of one of the problems of society, and leaving a lasting impact even after the song has stopped playing.
HyunA makes a hot comeback with her new mini album "Melting". The album consist of five songs and the title track "Ice Cream." This new hit song has reached 20 million views on YouTube in just 10 days. Although this song has reached popularity and broken a record by receiving the most views in the quickest amount of time by a K-pop artist, I honestly did not like it. The song:
The song is very upbeat, and I admit it is catchy, but it's was not the song that I would like to listen to. It has meaningless lyrics, not to mention the word "cream" is overused. Throughout the whole song is basically mostly a girl talking about how great she is, comparing herself to ice cream, and how she can "Melt you down like Ice cream". I don't mind that it has those type of lyrics, it's just the lack of verses. As I looked deeper into the lyrics, I realized that this song has a lot of repetition. I feel like she only says five sentences throughout the whole song.
The MV:
I am not going to lie, I think the MV really fits the song because like the lyrics it's meaningless. In other words it doesn't really make any sense. The first thing you see in the MV is "Gangnam Style"'s PSY walking up to a very big and colorful ice cream truck. He walks in, gets a vanilla ice cream, and starts to devour it. That's when you spot HyunA yelling at him for eating her ice cream.
There is some kind of protest going on. The people are holding up signs that says "Ha Ha Ha" and "Batman he is gone" during the protest, while she is driving her big ice cream truck she runs over a clown. Then they cheer and all the guys runs towards her.
Spraying people with liquid ice cream? I don't know what to say.
The bubble bath scene was not needed.
I don't even know what this scene has to do with the song. Nothing to do with ice cream.
The dance to this MV follows along the same line as her dance in "Bubble Pop." I don't mind the whole sexy dancing, but she could have thought of something else. This dance has that whole "get on the floor" and a lot of "body movements".
Overall:
This song is upbeat and any upbeat song to me is catchy. The first time I heard this song was going to be released, I thought of something cute, fun, and sweet like ice cream, but my guess was way off. Even though I was very very wrong the song and dance didn't surprise me at all. It was most likely expected.
After a year of focusing on acting, Eric Suen finally returns to the Cantopop scene with his upcoming album "A Second Thought", which will be released on October 19th. In contrast to the first single off the album "給我一秒說愛你/Give Me a Second to Say I Love You", "療Dry/Therapy Dry" is an upbeat track.
"Therapy Dry" is easily the most creative song in Cantopop this year. It's a ridiculously fun and catchy song with a funky and unique beat. The lyrics and message of the song are whimsical and clever. Acting like a social commentary of the working class, the song talks about the dryness of the everyday working life, something I'm sure everyone can relate to somehow. Eric wrote and produced the song, showing how his creativity and talent has only continued to blossom.
The MV makes the song an even more enjoyable listen. Eric looks adorable, youthful, and even a bit silly with his sunglasses, style, facial expressions and moves. I love how he seems aware of his silliness, but doesn't mind and isn't afraid to embrace it and loosen up. The animation of the MV illustrates and adds to the whimsical feel of the song and lyrics. Such a cute and fun MV!
From the lyrics, to the musical style, to the MV, in a realm of mostly "dry" mainstream Cantopop music, "Therapy Dry" is the most creative single of the year. It's refreshing, whimsical, and fun yet incorporates such an easy to relate to meaning. With great material like this, my respect and love for Eric as an artist continues to grow and he remains one of my favorites. I can't wait to see what his latest album has in store!
Kary Ng goes retro for her latest single "狠狠/Ferociously", making it her first dance oriented song in years! Known for her midtempo songs and love ballads, the young female songstress increases her versatility and well roundedness with her newest plug.
"Ferociously" details a love affair at its most intense with a retro electronic dance musical style, making it a unique, catchy, and addictive song. There are some attempts at Cantopop dance songs every now and then, most of which I don't thoroughly enjoy because they tend to feel like they're too Western influenced, not innovative, and often, overdosed with auto tune. "Ferociously" is my favorite Cantopop dance song now. It's not only upbeat, catchy, and something you could actually dance to, but also stylish, creative, refreshing, and different. I love the uniquely retro style of the song, which fits Kary very well. It's great that Kary and her musical team are trying new things, and I'm looking forward to hearing more dance songs from her!
The MV has Kary herself dancing for the first time in an MV since her solo debut days, which I think is great. She looks so much more mature and better now! The only thing is I wish they could release a full version of the dance sequence, as you only see bits and pieces of it. The "evil pig" masks were quite freaky and creepy, and were apparently part of an abstract theme which sought to say Kary could overcome evil like that. I don't think this theme was executed too well, but at least it was creative and amusing. The plot of the MV is questionable, but it's nice to see more effort being put into Cantopop music videos. The MV is fun, quirky, and well shot.
This has quickly become one of my new favorites from Kary. She is only getting better and better! "Ferociously" is definitely a song worth checking out, especially if you're looking for something fun and different.
Dear Jane tells listeners that goodbye is just a new beginning in their breathtaking new single "Goodbye".
The song opens with gently playing electric guitar strings and Tim's vocals, followed by the build up of Jackal on drums. Through out the song, it takes a gentle beat on the verses before playing in powerful unison in the choruses. Tim's vocals sound fantastic here. He may sing upbeat pop/punk rock songs most, but still has a lovely voice and I was pleasantly impressed with his ability to sing with such gentleness yet power when the song called for it. I also love how Howie provides back up vocals in the latter half.
"Goodbye" is a soft yet powerful pop rock ballad that captures such emotion, sentimentality, and passion. Words can not describe how much I'm in love with this song. It's phenomenal and moving. The melody is gorgeous.
The MV was filmed perfectly and compliments the song flawlessly. It is filmed with a vintage style with soft focus, calling for the video to be dominated by calming light blue's, white's, and gray's. The backdrop of the beach with its ocean, rocks, and breeze was beautiful, peaceful, and completely fitting. The band playing on the rocks with the waves and stunning background behind them made it simplistic yet powerful, moving, and full of beauty.
Dear Jane is proving to be such a versatile band with so much talent and promise. Over the last few months, I've been continuously growing to love them more and more. They've tried so many different styles and pull them all off so well. Their latest single is no exception. "Goodbye" is an absolutely beautiful song that carries so much feeling and power. It definitely goes on my list of highlights of the year. I have been replaying it over and over again.
Dear Jane's fourth album "Yellow Fever" will be released on September 4th! Support this amazing band!
As another single from Fiona's dance oriented EP "Filicious", "維多利亞女皇的非常秘密任務", which (very) roughly translates to "Victorian Secret Mission", is an electronic and dance styled song.
At first listen, the song seems weak. Like Dear Jane's single "Let's Just Do It", the auto tuned verses ruin an otherwise good song. The song improves itself by the pre chorus, which possesses a serene and space like feel. By the time it launches into the chorus, it becomes a full on catchy dance track. Fiona looks great in her unorthodox costume, and the style of the MV fits with the feel of the song.
Overall, "Victorian Secret Mission" may not be her best song (I personally think that's a toss up between "Better Me" and "Hangnail") from her new album, but still a notable one. In an industry dominated by love ballads which can get boring, this is a fun and catchy dance song that makes you want to get up and move. And how often is a Cantopop song all of those things?
Kary's latest single "告白", which translates to "Confessions", perfectly fits into the mainstream type of Cantopop. It joins the abundant amount of love ballads that have been released in HK for decades, but doesn't fail to impress nevertheless. It could have sounded generic, but stops itself from doing so as the beautiful and sad melody, as well as Kary's lovely and strong vocals are captivating.
The song opens with Kary singing ever so softly, uttering the words with such heart and emotion. The lyrics and her singing depict such sadness, pain, and emotion. The piano and guitar strings contribute to the song's sad yet beautiful composition. Having started with soft singing, Kary uses more power as she flows into the song's climax. Yet throughout the whole song, it feels likes she's still holding back, never fully letting her heart out, making the song even more heartbreaking.
Although already quite outstanding, the music video is wonderfully done and evokes even more emotion and beauty out of the song. If it's one major flaw of most Cantopop music videos, its the low budget and effort. Some are good, but most fail to be anything special, never mind make the song better than it already is. Kary's MV tells a story, makes use of different filming locations and shots, and creates such a powerful and emotional feel. The MV depicts the once happy and loving relationship that has turned sour (from a third party?), and how both are now struggling over themselves, with the emphasis put on the guy's disintegrating mentality and happiness. It has some beautiful shots, from Kary and her ex-boyfriend standing by the ocean, to their happy memories with each other with the balloons and pictures, and the shots of Kary singing in a deserted location with her dress blowing against the wind. Kary looks absolutely gorgeous in the video. This single, from the song itself to the video, shows how she's become such a talented, beautiful, and grown woman. Despite her age, she has unexpectedly become one of the most talented young female singers in Hong Kong today. This is a great follow up to her superb album "Myself", and I'm anticipating whatever is to come. As a loyal Kary fan, I'm so happy to see how far she's come and how much she's grown up. "Confessions" is such a saddening yet powerful and beautiful song, and definitely one of the most memorable love related ballads in a long time.
Fiona has released her third song of the year, "倒刺/Hangnail". She is on a roll this year! Consistently releasing some of the best material this year and her best yet, she once again has listeners (or at least me) wanting more.
"Hangnail", or "Inverted Thorn", opens with a strong piano intro that manages to hook in the listener within the first five seconds. The piano continues to play in the background and flows into a serene, mysterious, and trance like composition that makes the song mesmerizing and intriguing. Fiona's vocals, which have vastly improved over the years, sound fantastic and help create the trance like feel. She hits the high notes with ease. She sings the lyrics with emotion, seeming to express the pain she feels. The main vocals are also layered over with back up vocals done by herself and other singers, creating an even more intricate sound.
The song's refreshingly mesmerizing and mysterious sound, coupled with the showing off of Fiona's vocals, make this one of the most unique and intriguing songs of the year. I can't wait for her to release her self directed music video!
For those unaware, Fiona will be having her first concert at the prestigious venue, the HK Coliseum, on July 7th. Congratulations Fiona! You've come so far and deserve every bit of your success.
Things have only looked brighter for rock band Dear Jane since getting signed to Warner. The talented rockers started off the year strong with the commercially successful "Yellow Fever", and now continue their stride with "Let's Just Do It".
For the song's composition, I have many praises, but one major complaint. It would've sounded nice if they had used a small amount of autotune to build up to and transition from the chorus and create a cool effect, but overlaying lead singer Tim's vocals with autotune through out the whole verses was too much. However, the simple yet very catchy punk rock infused chorus is enough for me to overlook my criticisms of the verses. Making another welcome appearance is a dubstep breakdown similar to the one in "Yellow Fever", but still very distinctive with its video game like sound effects and heavy instruments. I love the dubstep breakdown they've used for the last two singles, but hoping it doesn't become a regular thing in their new music because it'll eventually get repetitive and tired out.
The music video is very simple yet stylish. The guys all look handsome in suits while performing in a room with smoke around them. The video goes with a consistent yet classy theme by having the video filmed in black and white, with occasional flashes of fuchsia in between cuts for an appropriate bursts of color. In general, the video manages to neither be too much or too little. I love the sleekness of the end product.
The song's meaning is simple: If you want to do something, just do it. Don't stand around contemplating the action, because by then it could be too late. "Let's Just Do It" has flaws, but makes the best of simplicity and style. Once again, great job!
Before Younha's 4th album "Supersonic" releases on June 28th (mark your calendars people!), people get to finally hear new material. Younha has pre-released her duet "Would You Have Changed" with John Park from the upcoming album, and it is a fantastic collaboration.
"Would You Have Changed" is stunning, and what I call quality music. The sound is so beautiful and moving, and the vocals are strong and powerful. I love how they chose to go with such an uplifting feel despite the bittersweet lyrics speaking of a missed old relationship as opposed to the typical ballad, as it makes the song even more special, memorable, and moving. John Park sounds soothing and sweet, but it is Younha who shines with her range and high/low notes. The two compliment each other very well. This song is just amazing. The best collaboration of the year!
There is no other singer right there who deserves this comeback more than Younha. This is just the start of a comeback that will have everyone fascinated and on the edge of their seats.
And Khalil Fong is FINALLY back with a new song and MV! His latest plug "BB88" was uploaded by himself this morning, and I'm taking a break from studying from my finals to review this song ASAP.
For "BB88", Khalil keeps things fresh and interesting by composing a song that retains his signature R&B style and soulful voice but is fun, upbeat, and catchy. As much as I love Khalil's mellow music, this funky tune is refreshing and contains great hooks. Parts of the song remind me of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" as both possess the slightly funky and upbeat yet soulful feel. This song has not got out of my head since I first listened to it this morning and has been on repeat.
Already a song that puts a smile on your face, the MV proves to be even more entertaining. The video finds Khalil running away from several violent and oddly costumed girls, presumably caricatures of his ex-girlfriends in an abandoned warehouse. The colorful clothes, from Khalil's baby blue suit to the girl's get ups create an eyecatching contrast to the video's setting. It ends with him meeting up with another girl (newcomer Diana Wong) in an old boxing ring, and the two engage in an amusing pillow fight. Fans of Khalil's "adorkable" charm will be pleased, as he is cuter than ever here with his action choreography and facial expressions. The MV is a bit odd, but extremely entertaining, vibrant and matches with the playful feel of the song.
It's great to have one of Asia's most talented musicians back! "BB88" is a fantastic song that makes you smile and want to move! Can't wait to hear more new material, Soul Boy!
A pink makes a comeback on May 9th with their new album "Une Annee." This album has a total of nine songs: "Une Anne," "Hush" (their title song), "Boy," "Bubibu," "Step," "I Got You," "Cat," "April 19," and "Up to the sky" (ft. Yong Jun Hyung.)
The Song: The title song "Hush" is a refreshing and energetic song with an upbeat melody. I really like the lyrics of it. This song is abouta person that dreams about being with someone they like, but they are too shy and afraid to confess their feelings. When I first heard the song it didn't really catch on to me. Don't get me wrong, I do like A Pink's music, but this song felt different to me. Then I listened to it again and this time however I liked it. The very day I heard this song it was stuck in my head.
The MV: The MV starts out with the seven girls in identical outfits and throughout the song they carry on their own solo parts with their cute and bubbly personalities. They make cute faces and a hush sign with their finger over their mouth, they also wink a lot (like every five seconds). I love their creative and flirty dance moves. This MV reminds me of SNSD's "Oh!"
Author's note:
I personally love this song. My favorite song from them is "My My" which is in their album "Snow pink" even though this isn't my favorite song from A pink it's still catchy. ^^
