Hello everyone!
Time flies so fast and I can’t believe we already at the last month
of 2015. Many things happen this year. One of them is I finally graduated from
my university as a best student in my major. I am so happy and touched that’s
why I decide to share this news with all of you guys J But
at the same time, I feel sad to leave my school days behind and start to get
anxious about getting a job. Well, I think it’s a common thing that happens to
every graduated student. I will just let it flow while try to figure out what
I’m going to do next!
That’s a bit of my personal story. Now, we’re back with K-Pop
music industry. 2015 is such a diverse year of K-Pop. We see many rookies debut
and immediately catch people’s attention. Big names have their comeback after
scandal or before preparing for their military service. Also, it’s interesting
to see that the chart doesn’t only dominated by idols nowadays.
One of the highlights of 2015 would be Big Bang, who has a comeback after three-year hiatus. They released
their latest album, MADE that topped
various charts and won many awards. The release of their latest album was quite
unique. Starting from May, they released a single album with two tracks (all of
them are title tracks) for four consecutive months. It’s based on the album
letter, M, A, D, E, and all of the song will be compiled into full album, MADE.
Since the beginning of MADE series, I was planning to make a
review after the full album release. But it seems that the full album will be
released next year. I’m afraid that the hype of previous tracks will be down
that’s why I decide to write the review now. I know it’s kind of late, but hey,
I think this also a great reminder about what sum up K-Pop music scene in 2015!
So, here it is my review for MADE series………………………….
M
Loser
Loser is quite a surprise as the first track of MADE series. Most of us
are more familiar with electronic/hip hop song from Big Bang for these past
several years. With Loser, Big Bang
bring us back to Lies and Haru Haru era, the start of their rising
popularity. It’s a medium tempo type of song with strong old school hip-hop
beat and angst theme. This added by gorgeous piano melody and dramatic drum
sound. Although it sounds like their old releases, I love that they still give
a continuation to their newer sound through the beat that reminded me with Bad Boy.
Related with the angst theme, every member gets to shine through
music video storyline. I wish I could say the same with vocal distribution
since there is not enough Seungri on
this song. For the storyline, G-Dragon is
a wealthy man who actually lonely once he rest. Taeyang starts to lose his faith while TOP doesn’t know what he’s looking for in his relationship by
continuing one night stand cycle. Then, we have Seungri who gets jealous by his
ex-girlfriend and begins to destroy things. Daesung would be my favorite because it reminds me with his own story;
people hit him and he tries to be tough, but he actually couldn’t do that. Each
scene represents the song lyrics about how you feel like you’re a loser. It’s a
type of lyrics where many people can relate to it while at the same time, it
shows how more human side of Big Bang. The usage of common setting and outfit also
make the song seems more relatable to us. Meanwhile, the gloomy atmosphere and
dark tone emphasize the sadness and depression of Loser.
Loser is a classic Big Bang song that reminds us again why we fall in
love with them in the first place.
Rating:
4.5/5
Bae Bae
Bae Bae is plain bizarre from the song to the music video. It still has
Big Bang signature hip-hop sound, but there is a bit of Latin music influence
through guitar melody at the beginning of each verse. It’s quite unique and
rare for K-Pop group. One thing I love the most from this song is how each
member part stands out between each other. It’s really catchy and it’s hard for
you to forget each of their part from G-Dragon and TOP’s quirky rap, Taeyang
and Daesung melodious chorus, and Seungri delicate bridge. The differences
between each member’s part also gives an interesting dynamic to the song
although the transition is a bit disjointed at some parts.
The music video is also interesting. Despite the straightforward
lyrics, the music video is actually full of symbolism. Bae Bae is basically about men thoughts; how they love this woman
and wish their beautiful appearance will stay the same until forever. There are
many sexual references in the lyrics that showed by the music video through
symbols such as flower, water spray, and rice cake. Bae Bae music video also sticks to the quirky concept with the
usage of unique setting such as garden, beach, horse yard, even moon and neon
colors through their outfits. It feels like we are going inside their mind and
dream.
Rating: 4/5
A
Bang Bang
Bang
If you’re looking for Big Bang signature club banger, this is your
song. Bang Bang Bang begins with a
strong build up. It opens with synthesizer, clapping hands, and people’s chant
before followed by Taeyang verse, TOP rap, and Seungri’s bridge. The
synthesizer and bass that stay throughout the song help to lift up the song.
Everything is perfect…until the beat drop in the chorus. It couldn’t keep up
the song momentum because the song tempo gets slower in the chorus.
However, Bang Bang Bang is
such a grower. It gets better the more you listen to it, especially if you
watch the performance because this song is for performance. The “Bbangya
Bbangya” part is really catchy and already infected many people. Bang Bang Bang is well produced too where
the music and vocal could complement each other. As for the music video, it
gives similar vibe with Fantastic Baby through
the unique costumes, colorful hairstyles, and rebellion theme. I like the usage
of red tone to show bravery and confidence just like the lyrics, which is about
how Big Bang is coming and ready to destroy others.
Rating:
3.5/5
We Like 2
Party
We Like 2 Party shows us how Big Bang able to manage different kind of genre. This
is an old school pop rock song, which dominated by acoustic guitar. Just like
the title, this song is all about having fun and Big Bang does that the best.
It’s a feel good type of song that you will blast in your car and sing together
with your friends.
The music video is the gem of this MADE series. Forget about Big
Bang cool appearance because now we will see their daily life. The music video
was shot like a reality show where the boys went on a trip to Jeju Island. We
see them going to the airport by subway, driving around Jeju Island, swimming
together, and the best part of it, getting drunk. It’s hilarious and adorable
at the same time. It’s nice to see them take a break and have fun amidst their
busy schedule. It also shows us a different side of Big Bang.
Rating:
3.5/5
D
If You
If You is the only ballad and the only song that doesn’t have music video
in this MADE series. This song only has acoustic guitar sound as most of the
background. Because of this, they need to play out with their vocal to make
this song interesting. Unfortunately, they don’t play this well. G-Dragon and
Taeyang sing most of the parts, but their nasally voices is quite off putting
in this type of song. As for Daesung, he changed his technique and it doesn’t
sound pleasing to ear. Hopefully, his throat will get better soon. Still, we
have Seungri and TOP that sounds lovely. Their harmonization sounds beautiful between
TOP’s deep voice and Seungri’s soft voice.
Although there are problems with the vocal, Big Bang make it up
through their emotions. They conveyed the song message well about how they
couldn’t forget their ex-girlfriend and still miss them. We can feel their
sadness and pain when we hear them sing, especially G-Dragon.
Rating: 3/5
Sober
Sober represents Big Bang (and G-Dragon) recent releases such as Stupid Liar, Love Dust or Crooked.
It’s an electronic punk rock inspired song. It mixed synthesizer sound with
strong drum melody. Sober is a fun
and catchy song. The flow is nice because of the simple song structure
(verse-chorus-bridge), which is quite rare for an experimental group like Big
Bang. Daesung and G-Dragon has their time to shine in this song. Loving the differences
between their voices in the chorus. G-Dragon voice fit this type of song while
Daesung raspy voice adds unique element to Sober.
Daesung also gets another time to shine through his drum solo.
The music video gives off a hint of 70s aesthetic with their
hippie theme and patterned outfits. It gives off dreamy vibe with the fog
effects and pastel tone. It feels like you’re not sober when watching the music
video. The storyline implies that too with the boys start to act crazy and stay
in mental institution. This also explains the weird properties and setting such
as bed on the garden, goat in the garden, or glass box in a forest. It relates
with the song lyrics about how they need their lover to keep them stay sober. I
also feel like this song represents how they feel about entertainment world. How
hard it is to stay sane amidst the crazy schedule and they hope that they could
find someone to rely on.
Rating:
3.5/5
E
Let’s Not
Fall In Love
Just like Sober, Let’s Not Fall In Love also resembled
Big Bang recent releases with the domination of electronic music. However, it
has slower tempo and gives out chill vibe compared to others. This also could
be seen through their vocal where each of them sings in softer voice.
The music video is another surprise from Big Bang. Here, we see
them had a date with their girlfriend. They go out to see a movie, eat
together, go to supermarket, and even dance under the rain. Big Bang is one of
the few groups where each member doesn’t look awkward in front of the camera,
so it’s nice to see them have natural chemistry with the actress. The storyline
is actually cliché, but it’s rare for us to see Big Bang dress up casually and
act like an ordinary guy.
Despite the cute scenes, Let’s
Not Fall In Love is actually a sad song. It tells a story about the boy who
wishes the girl not to love them because she will get heartbroken at the end.
We see TOP starts to hesitate at the end of the music video while G-Dragon hugs
the girl really tight. It’s kind of bittersweet because it’s a contrast between
the light tone of the music video and the sad lyrics.
Rating: 3/5
Zutter
Zutter is special because we finally see the comeback of Big Bang sub
unit, G-Dragon and TOP. Zutter is closer to Knock Out than High High.
It’s an old school hip-hop song with strong beat that keeps playing throughout
the song. They also give a glimpse of Middle Eastern music through the bass and
synthesizer sound. Because of the simple music, it makes the rap able to stand
out. As expected, G-Dragon and TOP don’t disappoint. I always love how each of
their rap complement each other from G-Dragon witty pun and nasally voice to
TOP quirky lyrics and deep voice.
The music video looks like a movie with the cinematography and
storyline. It tells a story where both boys captured by a villain. Then, they
try to boast who are they with scenes that resemble the song lyrics such as
G-Dragon poops when he raps about pooping money. These two makes a fun pairing
with their questionable antics throughout the music video such as pee contest
hahaha. Oh…we also get to see TOP dancing in the music video too!
Rating: 3/5
So far, Big Bang release solid songs through their MADE series.
Each song is different from one another while still keep Big Bang signature
hip-hop sound. I also like how they use more band instrumental compared to
their previous albums. This is beneficial for them because they tour with a
live band.
My biggest concern of this album is their vocal technique and line
distribution. I wish we could hear more of Seungri because now, he is the best
vocalist in Big Bang. He keeps improving and his live is stable. Meanwhile,
Taeyang, G-Dragon, and Daesung need to work more on their vocal. This is also a
wake up call for YG Entertainment to
take vocal lessons seriously because most of their vocalists voice started to
get worse for these past several years.
Hopefully, the rest of the album will be released soon! But in the
mean time, let’s listen all of these songs again since MADE is one of the
highlights of 2015. And yes, what would be a perfect way to celebrate 2015
other than listening to Big Bang J
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