[MUSIC REVIEW] 2PM - Going Crazy (2014)

Six men of 2PM are back! On September 10^th, they released music video for their newest single called Going Crazy. However, the album itself will be released on September 14^th. With this single, 2PM made the second attempt on making party anthem after Hands Up in 2011.

Going Crazy will be the first 2PM title track with Jun K as its composer. Jun K has known to often compose songs for 2PM, his solo track, and other JYPE label mates. He has solid track record, so it is a bit unexpected that he only able to compose the title track after six years debuted with 2PM.

So, are you ready to go crazy with 2PM? Check out their music video below!

Going Crazy will get your attention since the first listen. It is a super catchy song with addictive chorus and enjoyable beat.

This song opened with a beat that sounded like 80s disco music. There is synthesizer, bass, and guitar sound on it that emphasizes the funky vibe. Then, it followed by Wooyoung, Chansung, and Junho’s vocal part. The song flows really nicely between the verses. It is enjoyable to listen.

But, my favorite part would be the chorus part. Going Crazy shows how to make a good chorus for K-Pop song. It has simple words with addictive hook without sounds repetitive. The formula is effective and I am sure that you will not get the chorus out of your head after listening to this song. I have to give applause to Jun K for this because it is not easy to make a song that will instantly get your attention since the first listen.

Moving on to the members’ vocal, their vocals also suit the song. Even Taecyeon’s rap sounded good on it. I give another applause for Jun K that able to showcase each member’s strength.

As for the music video, it is really suit the lyrics, which is about going crazy at the party. When I first watched it, I was like, “What the hell is this???? Hahahaha”. It is a really weird music video, yet hilarious at the same time. I think the whole music video it’s like 2PM hangover dream after the party.

There are various settings that being usage on the music video such as garage and living room, which are quite simple. There is also a studio scene with bright blue lights for their dance scene. But, the most memorable part would be the fake moon setting. It is really surprising, but this able to capture the crazy element of the whole song theme.

Then for the styling, Junho, Taecyeon, and Chansung look really good with their laid back style. But at the same time, they need to change Nichkhun and Jun K’s hair. For Wooyoung, well he really defines the crazy concept through his style hahaha.

As for the dance, it also fits the crazy theme. It still highlights 2PM signature acrobatic dance, but this time, they seem to make a spoof version of it. The highlight part would be the motorcycle dance on the chorus, which is hilarious and unique.

With Going Crazy, 2PM is really going crazy. It is a catchy song with addictive beat and hook along with fun music video that suit the whole theme. It also proves how 2PM able to make another party anthem after Hands Up.

But, the most important thing is I love how they decide to leave out their beastly image and go carefree on this comeback. It really affects the viewers too. After all, you will not care about how weird the music video, choreography, and the styling is. You just laugh, sing, and dance along with them. You too are going crazy with 2PM ;)

Rating: 4/5

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Sexy Summer Showdown : Girl's Day VS SISTAR

Summer time is here! Are you excited for it? I am excited about it because summer means more new releases from K-Pop.

Summer time is one of the times where you get more comebacks from K-Pop idols. This means that the competition will be tighter then usual. This also happens this year. So far, Beast, F(X), Infinite, B1A4, K.Will, Hyuna, Girl’s Day, SISTAR, and JYJ already geared up for summer comeback.

People have anticipated all of their releases. But, there are two names that sparked lot of interests, which are Girl’s Day and SISTAR.

Girl’s Day and SISTAR have lot of similarities. Both groups come from small agency, debuted in 2010, and have four members (Girl’s Day used to have five, but one member left). Their popularity rises to top after having sexy concept. SISTAR with Alone and their summer anthem, Loving U, in 2012 followed by Give It To Me in 2013 while one year later, Girl’s Day attracts attention with Expectation and Female President followed by Something in early 2014. Because of these, both of them often considered as “rival”.

On this summer, both groups are having a comeback with sexy and bright summer concept. Girl’s Day released Darling on July 14^th, 2014. They worked with Duble Sidekick, who apparently produced SISTAR summer hit’s Loving U. As for SISTAR, they worked with Rado and Choi Kyu Sung and released Touch My Body on July 21^st, 2014.

Then, which group nailed their summer comeback the most? Just read my review for both on the next paragraphs…

Girl’s Day – Darling

One thing that I love the most from summer concept is its fun aspect. With Darling, Girls’ Day is able to convey that from their song, music video, and the whole concept itself.

Darling tells a story about a girl who felt shy around a boy since she fell in love with him. It is a catchy song with addictive chorus. You will constantly sing a long with its “call me your darling, darling, darling” line.

But what makes Darling stands out for me is its retro music vibe. Retro itself is quite a new thing for Girl’s Day since they have been known with their modern electronic music style. That is why it is nice to see them expanding into another branch of music instead of playing safe.

The retro vibe can be seen on its musical instruments such as bass, brass, trumpet, and piano. I personally love the piano line that appears throughout the song. It is gorgeous.

Beside that, each part of the song flows smoothly too. As for the vocal, the girls sing within their range. That is why their voice sounds pleasant to ear for each part.

Meanwhile for the music video, I like it! I really love the coloring, which dominated by yellow color. It shows the cheerful and fun vibe of summer. Also, I love the girls’ styling too. Their make up, hairstyle, and wardrobe are on point. Minah, Sojin, Yura, and Hyeri look beautiful on the music video. Lastly, I like how they make us of various settings from bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, to pool although if you look closely to it, all of them are not really represent summer.

But, I still find the exploitation of their sexiness as unnecessary such as the close up shoot of the girls’ body or the revealing costumes. But for costumes, they get a pass this time since it is summer. I also think that their “shaking bottom” dance for the chorus is a bit forced since it does not really go well with the song melody.

Overall, I like their Darling comeback; addictive song, fun music video, and lovely concept.

SISTAR - Touch My Body

Just like Darling, Touch My Body is able to capture the bright and fun aspect of summer.

Touch My Body tells a story about a girl who falls in love with a boy and grows closer to him. It is an upbeat catchy song that will automatically lift up your spirit. The  “Touch my body” line is addictive too. You will constantly repeating it.

This song still showcases heavy R&B beat, which is SISTAR signature style. But this time, it accompanied by classic saxophone sound, which is not a new thing for SISTAR.

They have saxophone for their sub-unit song, SISTAR19 with Gone Not AroundAny Longer. But instead gave a sultry vibe like on Gone Not Around Any Longer, the saxophone on Touch My Body played to give a funky vibe throughout the song. Personally, I love it! It is unique and able to bring out the fun aspect of the song.

The flow of the song also sounds smooth. But if you listen closely to it, you will hear that the song is actually disjointed between the verses, chorus, and rap part. Thankfully, it does not really visible when you listen to it in general.

As for the vocal, I am glad that Hyorin does not carry the whole song alone again. It is now divided with Soyu, who keeps improving. Dasom is decent, but it is a pity that she keeps getting short line. Meanwhile, Bora unfortunately is a weak link on this song. Her rap part falls flat.

However, there are several issues that I find on this song. The first one would be too much “Touch my body” words. Yes, this part is addictive, but at the same time, it prevents you to remember the rest of the song since you will only focus on this word. The second issue would be how the song ended quite abruptly. I think it would be better if they sing the chorus once again at the end.

Moving on to the music video, it is really pleasing to eyes and brings up the summer theme with its bright and colorful tone. If Darling is dominated by yellow color, Touch My Body is dominated by pink and blue color. Blue represents the ocean color while pink gives a feminine touch.

Blue and pink color also appeared on the girls styling. From hair, soft lens, make up, and wardrobe, all of them represents this color. The styling is on point too, which makes the girl looks gorgeous.

I also like the usage of various settings. However, I hope they shows the outside studio setting more although it seems that they avoid it to make it too similar to Loving U.

As for the dance, it is a bit weird though haha. But, I have a feeling that the dance will become a hit just like their previous dance ;)

But the most important thing is Touch My Body shows how SISTAR becomes more comfortable doing the sexy concept. Actually, most of their wardrobes on this music video are too revealing. But, the girls, especially Hyorin, wears it with confidence, so you do not really mind with that.

Touch My Body once again shows that SISTAR is capable in making another summer jam. From the song, music video, and the whole concept itself, it screams fun summer party.

Overall, I love both Girl’s Day and SISTAR summer comeback. Both of them are able to capture the fun and bright element of summer time. Both have catchy song, fun concept, and great music video.

But if I really have to choose, I go with Girl’s Day this time. What makes them slightly better in this concept is because of the song itself. Darling is catchier than Touch My Body. You only need to listen it once to like it. As for Touch My Body, it took several times to make you like it.

Also, it is a bit harder for SISTAR since they already had Loving U, which is one of the best K-Pop summer anthems. People expect a lot from them. Touch My Body is a good song, but unfortunately, it cannot top Loving U.

Still, it is a great comeback for both of them! 

Girl’s Day – Darling

Rating                         : 4/5

SISTAR – Touch My Body

Rating                         : 3/5

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