I just started this blog and I already started to make review. I wonder where did I get the gut to make this review. But I feel like making the review since the album had just been released. No harm. This is not professional review. Oppa is save. For now.
The album is titled Sexy, Free & Single. Which I'm still figuring out the meaning and relation to Super Junior, E.L.F, album's concept and also songs in the album. As I'm writing this, I'm still listening to the album repeatedly to get the feel and of course enjoying it.
The album was released on July 1. For the whole last week of June, SM had been releasing teaser image of Super Junior member(s) by member(s). Lets look at them shall we,
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| (grabbed from AKP article) |
To be honest, I'm puzzled at first when I saw the teaser image. But I enjoyed it of course. If it is not weird, it is not Super Junior. Some brilliant fan(s) some how found out the inspiration for the unique concept
Original paintings that inspired Eunhyuk and Donghae's teaser pictures.
— Lee Donghae 이동해 (@DonghaeBiased) June 24, 2012
roman paintings according to some fan(s) on twitter and tumblr. But it was thousand of posts ago, so it would be pain in the ass to track back. But the point here is that, the concept is inspired by those paintings.
I'm not expert in roman painting or anything such. But the painting remind me of western mythical creature/god. Such as Elf, Faerie, Nymph, Pixie, and Mermaid(Merman?). Oh, of course I didn't put Elf for no reason. The concept is related to Super Junior and E.L.F in my fangirl delusional mind. No need to slam me, I know E.L.F stand for EverLasting Friend (thank you). I'm talking about the concept here, oppa as mytical creature, in order to be closer to fans (E.L.F or here we should stylize it as elf). Its a dedication to fans in most unique way. Yay, for such a great concept from SM. (LOL)
Enough about the concept, I should be doing album review instead of babbling about the concept. Its no business of mine to raking my brain on why oppa resembling roman paintings.
Here goes the review, track by track:
Track 1: Sexy, Free & Single
Fans has been speculating about the song's catch phrase as "Sexy, Free and Single I'm ready to Bingo" or "Sexy, Free and Single I'm ready to mingle". They got it wrong (blame it on oppa's Engrish), as it was clarified as "Sexy, Free and Single, and I'm ready too, Bingo" here. Not complaining, I'm gonna sing the song whatever the lyric is. Bring it on.
I'm going to be honest, at first, I have hard time to feel the song, then, after listening it for the third time, I fall in love with the song. It a song that I want to listening while sipping on frappucino or while shopping for new summer dress. I'm being serious here by the way. The song have the perfect vibe and ambiance for such place okay.
About the music, I can't even read music note properly, who am I kidding. But I'm glad that the song is not being overly autotuned. (Shit that YG bring to Kpop).
Track 2: 너로부터 (From U)
This song is dedicated to E.L.F. Okay, so this song is specially written for Super Junior fanclub (E.L.F). I feel the love oppa, I CAN FEEL IT.
Other that that, I can't think of anything else of this track. But, only listen to this track if you're Super Junior hardcore fan. Else, you can't feel it, at all.
Track 3: 걸리버 (Gulliver)
Gulliver, Gulliver, Gulliver... The beginning of this song almost sound like chant. It is spooky and kind of scary at some point. But, hey this is Super Junior, if it is not weird, it is not them.
This track also have some hip hop flavor. There is some weird camera click sound in the background. This song is perfect for any new E.L.F acceptance ceremony.
Track 4: 언젠가는 (Someday)
The soothing piano melodies at the beginning. That remind me of some forgotten love song. Their voice is raw which is pleasing. This track make me feel like crying and smiling in the same time.
The classic slow track in kpop album. It is not bad. But unfortunately, I have the feeling that this song gonna be another underrated song. But, this gonna be favorite song during concert. I almost see how they gonna perform this song on stage. The emotion and the love. Perfect song.
Track 5: NOW
A pop-rock track. Somehow there is some random rap. But this is a pop album. Genre fusion is normal. I love how this track show Super Junior versatility in pop genre.
Track 6: Rockstar
Unlike the title, this song is not a rock song. Its a noisy song. A fusion of techno-pop-trot-dance. A lot of engrish that is probably make you cringe. Example: Oh my god, I'm so hot.
But this song make me feel like dancing and unconsciously singing along to the Engrish lyrics. There is some robotic chanting I'm a rockstar through out the song, which probably gonna be sampled by some DJ in mashing up songs. (who know)
Track 7: 달콤씁쓸 (Bittersweet)
From a dance track, suddenly it is a ballad/slow track. Apart from weird scratching unnecessary sound effect, their voice is perfect.
Like the track title, I feel the bittersweet feeling that they're portraying. The beautiful, sad yet calming feel. Like sipping on coffee. Recommended track.
Track 8: 빠삐용 (Butterfly)
Acheapdance track. Skip. Not really worth your attention. Press that next button.
Track 9: 머문다 (Daydream)
Give me the piano sheet for this song. I want to play it on the piano. When you feel lonely at night, this song is perfect. Never mind it is titled Daydream. But this song feel right when you listen to it at night.
This song is probably about lost, broken love. I haven't checked the lyrics translation. But that is the feel that I get from the song. Overall, another recommended track.
Track 10: 헤어지는 날 (A 'Good' bye)
The mellow melody. A very sad and slow beginning. I wonder this song is a "goodbye" song before Super Junior hiatus. The sudden powerful part.
This song perfectly define the dramatic scene of A 'Good' bye. The uncertain feeling after the "goodbye". This is, another track for E.L.F I guess.
Overall, this album is better than the previous album. But I still miss the epicness of Super Junior previous songs like 'U', 'Miracle' and 'Marry U'. The slow song in this album gonna be underrated like always. But, I can see how songs in the album suited more for concert. The weekly korean music show won't do justice. Last word, this album doesn't really bringing out the best of Super Junior.
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