[MUSIC ALBUM REVIEW] SISTAR - Give It To Me (2013)

Hollaaaaaaaaaaaaaa everyoneeeeeeee!!!!

Today, I am going to write another super duper late review about SISTAR latest album titled Give It To Me. The album itself has already been released on June 11th, 2013, but since I am busy preparing final exam along with my student organization and work stuffs, I only had a chance to write about it now. I know it's really really late, but please bear with it :)

Anyway, short story about SISTAR itself before going on to review the album, this girl group was formed in 2010 with Hyorin, Bora, Soyu, and Dasom as the members. SISTAR has been known as one of the girl group that consistently pulled out a sexy concept and I have to say, it helped them a lot to gain their popularity. Beside that, the amazing voice of their leader, Hyorin, also helped them to be recognize by many people eventhough this also becomes a boomerang for them (we know the huge amount of lines that Hyorin gets compared to others and we know how she often considered overshadowing other members for other people).

SISTAR has already topped several music charts since their debut day, but we have to agree that their popularity really rocketed last year with the sexy, yet addictive, Alone, and summer hit, Loving U. Of course we still remember how they left us surprised last year by beating the super group, Super Junior, on KBS Music Bank. Their popularity kept continues this year when their sub-unit, SISTAR19, also achieved the number one spot in many music charts, even beating another SM Entertainment boy group beside Super Junior, SHINee (they continue beating SM boy groups trend by beating EXO with this comeback). 

Because of this, may people anticipated their latest comeback. With Give It To Me, can SISTAR still maintain their position on top? Or are they already lose their magic? Well you will able to know by reading this review ;)

The first track, Miss SISTAR, showed us how an intro should sounds like. It's shocking, gorgeous, and enough to tease us by wanting to hear more of this album. Beside that, it also creates continuity with the second song, meaning that both of them have the same vibes. Although Miss SISTAR actually did not really sounds like what the rest of the album would sounds (sadly, there is no retro sounds beside the first two tracks) and Hyorin is the only one singing in this song (we only hear a little from others), I still have to say that this song is one of my favorite intro among all K-Pop albums.

Miss SISTAR followed by Give It To Me, which is also the title track for this album. By only hearing the strong piano sound accompanied by Hyorin's voice, I already sold with this song. The verses and the music are strong, dramatic, and I love how it slowly builds up the song. I kinda like the way they singing the verses with breathy sounds that represents the song lyrics (the urgency of wanting their boyfriend to be back at them). And at this song, sorry to say Hyorin, but Soyu definitely steals the show.

But, Give It To Me did not come as a perfect song because unfortunately, the amazing verses and music did not being followed by the strong refrain part. The refrain part comes out as mediocre and will makes us said, "Why the refrain part is only like this?". Ah...it's too bad, girls because if the refrain part is strong, there is a high tendency that it will become my favorite SISTAR song :(

As for the music video itself, it looks great. The setting is great, especially the part where there are many chairs, and the girls look fabulous with this sexy and glamour concept (though I still hope Hyorin really cuts her hair short, it suits her). The minus point would be the costumes that look cheap and the way the camera shoot them and edit them, which make the sexiness become too much and I hate this.

The third track, The Way You Make Me Melt, comes out as a breath of the fresh air with an acoustic sound after the dramatic and bombastic Miss SISTAR and Give It To Me. I must say that I love everything about this song from the sweet lyrics to the chilling vibe that the music gives. I also love the way how Hyorin, Soyu, and Dasom sing this song that sounds like they are replying what Geeks are saying. And lastly, am I the only one who like how Hyorin pronounce "seksihae"?

The fourth track, Bad Boy, is soooooooooo SISTAR, in terms of music and the song model. It's ear catchy and make us want to sing along with this song, especially the "bappa bappa, nappa nappa" part. The electronic music along with the auto tune reminds us so much about SISTAR past hits like So Cool and How Dare You although Bad Boy comes out with slower tempo than those two songs. It's nice to hear how this song gives different vibes from the previous songs.

With Summer Time, SISTAR is back with another summer hit after last year's Loving U. Well, the title described it all because this song is really fit the whole summer time with its upbeat electronic music and lyrics that asked us to join them in summer holiday. Listening to this song, surely will makes you want to go to the beach and play with your friends while laugh and dance together. 

The minus point of this song would be Bora rap part since its bringing down the tempo of the song. Beside that, her awkward rap did not help either, in fact, it did not really match with the song. But fortunately, Summer Time still proved everyone that SISTAR is capable in making a good summer song that is still fun and catchy. One of my favorites in this album!

The sixth track, A Week, somehow reminds me with one of their last year's song, Lead Me. This is quite understandable since the creator of this song is the same person, Duble Sidekick. A Week is sweet, fun, pleasant listening, and once again, this song is sooo SISTAR. The surprise thing about this song would be how Bora rap goes well with the whole song. Well I think Bora rap is more suitable to a cheerful and sweet type of song, such as Lead Me, Loving U, and this song, instead of sad or fierce type of song like Alone and Give It To Me.

As the only slow song in this album, Crying did not come out as a disappointment. In fact, it becomes one of the best tracks in this album. This time, SISTAR tries a strong beat R&B sounds (kinda reminds me with Beyonce's songs) and I must say, I like it. Crying also proves that all girls of SISTAR surprisingly has solid vocals in this song (hey, who says Hyorin is the only one who can sing in SISTAR????). Bora also comes out as a surprise with her rap part that matched the song. My favorite part in this song would be Dasom's part after the second refrain. And lastly, good job Hyorin for the lyrics though it was soooo sad :")

After having a melancholic vibe with Crying, Hey You pumped out our spirit again with its upbeat music, which emphasizes strong beat on the drum, along with the "chanting like" verse. Hey You is very catchy and fun song. Between the verses, the bridge, and the refrain part flows nicely, despite the differences on the way they sing these parts. It's really nice to hear Hyorin able to pull off the "chanting like" first verse. Beside that, I also love the fact that Soyu takes most of the refrain part here, it's refreshing to hear that. 

The ninth track, If U Want, makes us go back to 90s with its strong drum beat accompanied by strings, keyboard, and guitar, which I really love. If U Want is another pleasant listening song from SISTAR that flows nicely. My favorite part from this song would be Dasom's part in the opening of the second verse. Ah...it's nice to hear Dasom improving in her vocal talents, she actually has a nice voice :)

The tenth track, Up and Down, is another "summery feels" type of song. It's a fun and catchy song. What I love the most from this song is the fact that Bora has many parts on this (I love her, "Oh you make me wanna say" part!!!! It's cute). Meanwhile, what I dislike from this song would be how this song is not able to stand out with other songs. Since there are too many songs that sounds similar with this song, there would be a chance that Up and Down becomes sorry to say, forgettable.

Overall, SISTAR has done a great job with this album. It's a catchy and pleasant listening album although the first two tracks somehow "tricked" us with how we think the whole album would sounds. By this album, SISTAR also established what kind of direction that they want to have on their music. 

Give It To Me album also proved that three of them (Hyorin, Soyu, and Dasom) has solid vocals although Bora really really really needs to practice more on her rapping skills. The amount of line distribution in this album is actually quite fair, but since those three girls has similar type of voices and Hyorin is the only one who stands out, many people tends to think that Hyorin dominate the whole songs.

Lastly, with this album, SISTAR rise into one of my favorite girl group. I really recommend everyone to listen to this album because you will know how SISTAR is not just about sexy dance, hook songs, sexy and tight clothes, and Hyorin's voice that overshadowed others. They are more than that.

My Favorite Tracks                          : Miss SISTAR, Give It To Me, The Way You Make Me Melt, Hey You, Summer Time, Crying

Best to be Listen at                          : When you are on our way to summer holiday with your friends, during summer holiday, when you are chilling in your own bedroom

Rating                                                       : 4/5 

Categories: Album, Bora, Dasom, Give It To Me, Hyorin, Kpop, SISTAR, Soyu