When people think that EXO fans already suffered enough for not getting the exact comeback timing (Thank God, they are coming back for real now!!!) after one year, well, actually, Hottests also feel that, they even feel worser than that. Believe it or not, it has been almost two years since they see Jun K., Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung comeback as six, as 2PM in K-Pop music scene. The last time these six beastly idol warming up K-Pop music scene is on 2011 with their Hands Up album comeback. After that, they have been busy conquering Japanese market while still doing their concert tours in various countries. Some member actually still active in South Korea with Jun brothers (Jun K. and Junho) participated in variety show, Romantic and Idol and Music & Lyrics, Wooyoung had his solo album last year, and Chansung took part in SBS drama, 7th Grade Civil Servant, this year. But, yeah, it's individual activities, not group.
Which explained why their comeback this year have been anticipated by Hottests along with many other people. Comeback with their third album, Grown, and two title track, Comeback When You Hear This Song and All Day I Think Of You, 2PM once again is ready to enliven K-Pop music scene. Curious with their latest efforts after two years absence? Just stay tune and read this post ;)
2PM opened this album with All Day I Think Of You, the main title track. Check out my review of this R&B mixed with electronic sound song along with its alluring music video here.
The second track, Comeback When You Hear This Song, is another title track from this album. Like what I have been mentioned on my previous post, this time 2PM tried something different by having double title track for this concept. The review of the music video of this song along with the song itself can be viewed here.
The third track, Back To Square One, has similar vibe with Comeback When You Hear This Song. Unlike Comeback When You Hear This Song which came flat at several point and seemed lack of something, Back To Square One surprisingly came as the solid track and became one of my most favorite track from this album. Basically, this song followed the basic flow of a song with verses, bridge, refrain with hook part, and rapping part. But, somehow, each part is suitable with one another and it makes the song sounds catchy and memorable. Big applause to Junho for making this beautiful song!!! The minus point from this song would be the rapping part, which sound awkward and sorry to say, crappy.
The next track, I'm Sorry, goes with a slower tempo from the previous tracks. I'm Sorry reminds me with a type of song that I often listen at cafe, lounge, and restaurant with its strong R&B sound. This song is sooo relaxing, that is why I like it. Don't forget to pay attention to Jun K.'s ad-libs toward the end of this song!!
The fifth track, Today Marks The First Day, brings a cheerful vibe from this album with its upbeat tempo. I am pretty sure you will have a smile on your face when listened to this song eventhough you don't know the meaning ;) It is kinda refreshing to listen to this song since people have been greeted with sad and gloomy type of songs from the previous tracks. Beside that, the strong piano and trumpet sounds also add the fun vibe for this song. As for the trumpet itself, it's interesting to hear it because 2PM rarely used trumpet sound on their previous songs.
2PM back with the medium tempo song through Dangerous, the sixth track. Opened with Nichkhun English narration that will surely melts every fan girl's heart, this song comes out as chilling and soothing song. I love the usage of the guitar sound in this song. I also love the "ummm" part during the refrain because it sounds so pleasant listening. As for the member vocal, Junho's vocal shines the most throughout this song.
From upbeat to medium and finally, the slow tempo type of song on the seventh track, Just For Today. Basically, this song is soooo 2PM, they often sing a song which is similar with Just For Today. Although its typical, this song is actually still sounds very nice. Thanks to Wooyoung and Jun K. vocal who brings the soul of this song.
The next track, Game Over, will bring back the strong and beastly side of 2PM just like what people found on their past songs such as Don't Stop Can't Stop. This song comes out as epic and dramatic with the violin sounds, strong vocals, and rapping part. Seriously, I cannot wait until they performed this song live because I thought it would be mindblowing!!!
Some people argued that this song should be their title track and I have to say that I must disagree with that. Despite coming out as the strongest song in this album, Game Over also became the only one song which does not matched with the whole concept of this album. That is why I think people will feel trolled when listening to the whole album if 2PM use this as their title track.
Anyway, I am quite surprised with the fact that Jun K. wrote this song. I mean I love how he always produced different type of sounds with his songs (compared Alive , Don't Go, and Game Over). Beside that, Game Over also continued Duble Sidekick great track record with their song composition (they created SISTAR massive hits last year, Loving U).
Surprise comes out with the ninth track of this album, Coming Down. Apparently, 2PM youngest member, Chansung, is the one who composed this song. Honestly, I am getting proud of Chansung day by day, thanks to his never ending spirit of continuing to improve himself in music area like vocals and even bravely composed a song. I mean wow...people used to say that he was tone deaf at the early days of 2PM debut, but look how much he can achieved now :)
Anyway, Coming Down is back to 2PM slow and R&B type of song again just like what the rest of this album mostly about. Unfortunately, this song could potentially makes people feel bored or sleepy because this music of this song sounds similar until the rest of this song just like how the song flows. But, still this song sounds sooo sexy just like how people often associated Chansung with :p
Another Junho song composition from this album, Go Back. The interesting part of this song is how 2PM played with the beat and sound of this song. This song opened with slow tempo accompanied by string sounds, but then, the beat gradually became fast and the string replaced by the electronic sound before the refrain part. Until finally, at the refrain part, the beat already became faster and electronic music dominated the refrain part sound.
The eleventh track, Love Song, which also Junho self-composed track is one of my favorite song in this album. It was relaxing and pleasant listening, but still sexy with its R&B vibe. i really love the refrain part because it is soooo eargasmic. Meanwhile, Nichkhun part sounds sooooo cute. Another thing would be Taecyeon part which comes out in the verse along with Nichkhun singing part that I found interesting. Why? It's because Taecyeon rapping part usually stands out alone, not being mixed with the singing part.
Finally, here comes the latest track from this album, Jun K. self-composed ballad track, Suddenly. If you feel familiar with this song, yes, 2PM had released this song before for their first Japanese album, Republic Of 2PM, with title Hanarete Itemo (Even If We Are Apart). Eventhough they released it in Japanese version first, Jun K. actually already composed the Korean version of this song since long time ago because he first revealed the Korean version of this song during HaHa Mong Show in 2010.
If you think that the Korean version will be exactly the same like the Japanese version, well you are wrong. 2PM created a little twist with the song arrangement where they have guitar sound as the main element of this song unlike the Japanese version which has piano as the main element. As a result, the arrangement sounds a lot more simple although they still used the string and violin sounds to make the song sounds more grand.
Suddenly also became one of the few songs that still sounds great regardless what language that have been used to sing this song. But still, there is one flaw from this song which is at the end of Wooyoung part because it somehow sounds weird and forceful. As for the rest, it flawless especially 2PM vocals (Chansung vocal OMG!!!) which just proved people that they are not only the best when doing acrobatic stuffs, but they can also carry a ballad song too.
With their third album, 2PM successfully showed people their mature side not only in terms of concept, but also in terms of music & vocal. It's really making me proud to hear how much their vocal have improved and how much they take part in producing this album. People can hear Junho, Jun K., and Chansung self-composed songs in this album. They can also hear Taecyeon's own composed rapping part since he did that for six of the song in this album. Moreover, it's really nice to see how they still carry out their sexy and manly image while try something different with R&B and mid tempo type of songs through this album. The minus point from this album would be how the title track is the weakest link among all the songs in this album (don't worry 2PM, SHINee also did that with Why So Serious? from their The Misconception Of Me album this year :")). Beside that, the similar sound from almost all the songs in this album could potentially make people board.
At the end, 2PM showed us their huge transformation through this album. From boys to men. From idol to.......ehmehmehm....soon to be the real artist :) Once again, what time is it? It's 2PM, baby!!!
My Favorite Tracks : Back To Square One, Today Marks The First Day, Game Over, Love Song,
Suddenly
Best to be Listen At : When you are chilling out at the cafe, restaurant, or lounge, when you are t
together with your boyfriend or girlfriend and when you are driving
Rate : 4/5
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