I never really pay attention to Red Velvet at the beginning. I feel like everything about them is
too rushed from their debut date, title tracks, and concept. Beside, quirky
concept is not really my style.
But when they released the teasers for their Ice Cream Cake album, it finally caught my attention. They
showcased two contrasting image on their teasers, bright and dark. This is the
part of their double concept where the fun and bright concept represented by
Red and the mature and dark image represented by Velvet.
Other than the teasers, the addition of their new member, Yeri, also made me curious. What is her
role? What kind of change that she could bring for the group?
Finally, all of my curiosity answered on March 17th,
2015. Red Velvet released their new album and here is my review………………………
The main title track of this album, Ice Cream Cake, continued the usual SM Entertainment’s title track sound for the past several years.
There is a strong electronic sound, fast-talking/rapping part, the non-sense
lyrics (I still cannot get the exact meaning of the song lyrics, are they
waiting the boy to give them ice cream?), and the sudden transition for certain
part. Most of the times it sounds messy, but fortunately, Ice Cream Cake proved the otherwise.
It still enjoyable to listen without making our head hurts. This
mostly because of the strong drum sound that keeps appearing throughout the
song; keeping the song together and reminding us that it still the same song.
Beside that, the drum along with guitar sound also effective in giving more
kick to the song. It definitely lifts up our spirit and bright up the song.
Moreover, the strong drum sound shows unique contrast with the
slow music box sound that often appears in the whole song. It’s interesting for
them to use music box sound since other groups rarely do this. The music box
melody along with the “la la la” part is very catchy too. You will constantly
sing to it along with the refrain part.
As for the vocals, all of them do a good job. Seulgi and Wendy are really good as always while Joy and Irene showcase a
nice tone for rap part. Unfortunately, we cannot really see Yeri because she
only gets a little part during this song.
For the music video, it’s definitely one of the best from SM
Entertainment. Finally, the music video outside the box! I love how they
maximize the various setting from desert, gas station, and café. It also
clearly showcases the foreign location, which in this case is United States.
The choreography is good too. It looks energetic.
I also love the girls’ styling! They rock those blonde hair and
the colorful wardrobes. But, I wish they change the pool shot for Yeri since
she’s too young, it quite uncomfortable to watch for me.
Still, the most important thing is the music video able to capture
the song’s fun atmosphere. Good job for the music video and the title track
itself!
If Ice Cream Cake leans
towards the Red side, the other title track, Automatic, shows their Velvet side. It sounds more mature and
smooth. The song begins with R&B beats then accompanied by bass,
synthesizer, and piano sound at the end of each verse. It’s pleasant listening
to listen at the first time.
However, the song then gets repetitive. There is no change or kick
throughout the song. The vocal is not really helpful because the girls sing the
same pattern on the whole song. It lacks of variation.
The saving grace of this song is the music video. Different from Ice Cream Cake, Automatic music video tone is more dark and gloomy. They also go
back in the box for this music video. But, it works for this music video
because it captures the song theme about longing for someone and deeply in love
with him. The small space and minimalist setting represents the lonely side.
I also like the maroon and yellowish brown color tone on the music
video. I feel like the maroon color represents the sultry and the longing vibe.
Meanwhile, the yellowish brown represents the warm vibe when the boy is beside
them. The color combination is gorgeous too.
Not only the color tone, but also the girls’ styling is gorgeous.
What I love the most about Red Velvet is how they fit these two completely
different concepts without looking unnatural.
Lastly, I think special credit should be given to the editing
cinematography team. The editing is sleek and the shots are beautiful,
especially the opening scene during the Seulgi part. I think these two factors
are really important in helping to apply the song’s theme to the music video.
The third track, Somethin’
Kinda Crazy, reminds me so much with Michael
Jackson’s song, The Way You Make Me
Feel. This could be because Teddy
Riley, who has worked for Michael Jackson in the past (although not for
this song), produced this song. There is heavy influenced of R&B and 80s
music with all those bass, synthesizer, and keyboard sound.
Somethin’ Kinda Crazy is lovely just like its lyrics, which are about how the girls meet
a boy and the boy fall in love with her. The harmonization is lovely too. I
think this is the plus point for Red Velvet since not many girl groups do
harmonization nowadays.
Unfortunately, it does happen to their individual part. Their
vocal seems lack of power, even Wendy and Seulgi toned down their vocal. As a
result, it covered by the strong beat at some parts. The vocal variation also
needed in this song to make it more
dynamic since the beat is similar throughout the song.
Stupid Cupid is my favorite track of this album. It’s fun to listen. The
refrain are very catchy, especially the “Stupid Cupid” part. Also, I love the
funny lyrics, which talked about how the girls mad at the Cupid who keeps
missing the girls’ target.
The music is unique to with the mix of strong guitar sound like
Western Cowboy movie, electronic sound, and drum sound. Although it sounds
disjointed at some parts, the drum sound able to maintain the song’s
continuity.
Beside, they finally get the vocal part right. Wendy and Seulgi
shine the most in this song, especially during the bridge part. Their powerful vocal
fits this kind of song. Meanwhile, Joy, Irene, and Yeri soft vocal gives the
playful vibe for this song. Finally, there is dynamic on their vocal, but
still, I think they should erase the talking part. It kind of disturbed the
song flow.
The girls are back with R&B sound on Take It Slow. Unlike their previous songs, the music for this song
is quite minimal with only keyboard, bass, and little bit of drum and guitar.
The minimalist sound is good for them to showcase their vocal and they don’t
disappoint us. Each voice fits well with the song. Beside, you can see that the
right vocal affects how the song flows. It’s enjoyable to listen and there’s
the dynamic on it.
But, my most favorite part is their harmonization. It sounds
really beautiful in this song, especially during the refrain part with the
addition of trumpet sound. My other favorite part is the lyrics, which referred
to noona romance. I think this is
unique since not many groups take this theme in the women perspective.
The last song, Candy, is
the sweet ballad to close this album. In terms of arrangement, the arrangement
is quite minimalist. There is only classic R&B beat along with little
fingertip and violin sound at several parts. But, this sound brings back the
nostalgic feels. It reminds me so much with old school girl group sound on the
late 1990s and early 2000s. It even reminds me of Wonder Girls!
Beside that, the lyrics, which is about how they want the boy to
stay by their side, are really sweet too. It makes you go back to the old times
where you meet your first love. The whole song definitely has a soft spot on
me.
Overall, this album is sweet and smooth like an ice cream cake.
Everything is so catchy and pleasant listening. I really like the musical
direction that they take with this album. It has R&B and electronic sound
influence, but they take the playful and light side. I think girl groups
nowadays rarely done this kind of approach (I can only think of Wonder Girls
and SISTAR), so this is a plus point
for Red Velvet.
For the future, their biggest homework is their vocals. Irene,
Joy, and Yeri need to work on more for their vocals because they have quite big
gap with Wendy and Seulgi. This affects the line distribution and vocal dynamic
in their songs. It clearly seen on this album, even I feel that Wendy and
Seulgi have to tone down their vocal in some songs. Also, the addition of Yeri
does not give significant improvement for the group on this album.
Another thing that they should pay attention is the double
concept. It was a unique innovation, but at the same time, it could make people
confused. Which one is the real identity of the girls? They need to find a way
to avoid this issue.
Overall, Ice Cream Cake is
a sweet surprise from Red Velvet. I become a fan now and definitely look
forward for their next releases!
My Favorite
Tracks : Stupid Cupid, Take It Slow,
Candy
Rating : 3.5/5
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