[REVIEW] RED VELVET - PSYCHO (2019)

Red Velvet musical direction left me unsatisfied in 2019 despite having a big ambition throughout the year. The girls release a series of album under The Reve Festival title; however, each title track has a diasporic production. The first album has Zimzalabim with its messy arrangement whereas its follow-up Umpah Umpah falls into a generic territory. These missteps affect my perception to Red Velvet, which is why I actually do not quite excited for The Reve Festival Finale, the last album for the series.

The Reve Festival Finale released on Monday, December 23, 2019 and has a title track called Psycho. Based on its spooky teasers, Red Velvet approach their Velvet side that promised a more mature side of them. I still do not have a lot of expectations of Psycho until I watched the music video after the song released. It surprises me because finally, Red Velvet does something right this year!

What is so special about Psycho that differentiate it from Zimzalabim and Umpah Umpah? Check out my review of Red Velvet newest title track below…………………

Psycho shows how it belongs to a Velvet track since the beginning. It opens with a unique guitar and bass sound then continues with Wendy and Seulgi high notes. The verses dominated by a strong R&B beat and an addition of electronic sound. All of these flow in a medium tempo, which reminds me of the best tracks from Red Velvet’s Velvet side, BadBoy.

A similarity to Bad Boy means a good start for Psycho overall. However, Red Velvet does not want to follow the whole formula of their previous Velvet hit. They put a twist on Psycho chorus by adding a bit of Red side, which is brighter and more uplifting. The chorus is full of catchy hook from “Psycho psycho”, “Babo babo”, to “Jakku Jakku”. It appears towards the end of their singing, which the girls show their capabilities to do vocal harmonization. It sounds gorgeous and emphasizes Red Velvet strength as a group, which easily shows how Psycho stands out from Zimzalabim and Umpah Umpah.

Not only the song that sounds beautiful, but also the music video. Psycho shows Red Velvet elegance as a lady, which is a 180 degree turn from the bright and youthful Zimzalabim and Umpah Umpah. Sequin dress, smoky eyes makeup, and statement accessories rule their styling while a classic ballroom becomes the main setting for their dance scene. The cinematography itself is also interesting because it shows the group signature quirky theme. It plays with a dark lighting on various scenes; creating a shadow on Red Velvet figure. It’s mysterious yet alluring at the same time.

Red Velvet reminds us to not give up on them through Psycho. It’s a solid medium tempo track that shows a great balance between their Red and Velvet side. The catchy chorus with vocal harmonization represents a Red side while its R&B beat attributes to the girls’ Velvet side. Psycho also has a mesmerizing music video, whether from Red Velvet elegant styling or quirky scenes.

What a way from Red Velvet to end 2019! Hopefully, they continue this musical direction next year because it emphasizes on the girls’ strength while also approach the commercial aspect of a K-Pop song.

Rating:                        4.75/5

Read More

[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] Red Velvet - Power Up (2018)

Red Velvet is ready to rock in summer again! On Monday August 6^th 2018, the girls released their new album Summer Magic with Power Up as its title track. Public anticipation increases towards Power Up.

Anticipation rises because Red Velvet successfully creates four consecutive hits since last year. They also manage to produce Red Flavor, which becomes one of summer anthem in 2017. People are curious to see whether Power Up could maintain Red Velvet achievements.

So, how is the result? Does Power Up could fulfill people’s expectation? Check out my review of Red Velvet newest single below………….

Red Velvet decides not to change the winning formula in Power Up. Similar with Russian Roulette, this is an uplifting dance track that dominated by 8-bit sound. It has simple melody and catchy hook. The banana part will easily stuck in your head.

Although it is catchy, Power Up considers too safe for Red Velvet standard. There is not much going on in terms of song dynamic or vocal arrangement. It lacks of punch aside from its unique bridge. This is such a pity since Red Velvet is actually capable in delivering groundbreaking track.

Fortunately, the music video adds interesting aspect to Power Up. It looks visually pleasing with bright color tone such as blue, yellow, and pink. However, it does not appear too bold because of its camerawork. It gives softer touch to all those colors.

Red Velvet styling also fits the whole Power Up theme. The girls look gorgeous when wearing summer dresses and blouses. Their cheerful expressions are on point. In fact, the girls portray lively Red concept better than sultry Velvet.

The whole aesthetic manages to cover Power Up repetitive music video storyline. It still talks about the excitement when remembering summer. It even brings back Red Velvet and fruit bizarre interaction from Red Flavor music video.

Power Up is a nice attempt from Red Velvet to gear up summer again. It sounds easy listening, which people could sing and dance along to it. The music video is also quite captivating because of its bright colors.

Still, Power Up is not the strongest summer track from Red Velvet. It does not offer something new if you compare to their previous hits such as Red Flavor or Russian Roulette. Hopefully, this will not be an alarming issue for Red Velvet. The girls should explore more and not stick into one note of their Red concept.

Rating:                        3.5/5

Read More

[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] Red Velvet - Bad Boy (2018)

Red Velvet has great streaks in 2017. They produced hit after hit, topped various music charts, and achieved several awards. All of these achievements made people anticipate what they are going to do next.

Red Velvet answers people’s anticipation right away. They come back on January 29^th 2018 with repackage album called The Perfect Red Velvet and Bad Boy as title track. Since this is a repackage for Velvet side, Bad Boy offers something more mature in terms of music and concept compare to their Red singles.

Through Bad Boy, will Red Velvet able to continue last year’s success? What is exactly the kind of image that Red Velvet presenting this time? Check out my review here………

Red Velvet attempts to do hip-hop and R&B genre with Bad Boy. This song dominated by strong beat along with unique yet alluring melody. However, the tempo is slower than last year’s releases to emphasize their Velvet side.

Bad Boy does not have a punch. The song keeps going on constant beat. This could made Bad Boy becomes boring. In order to avoid that issue, Red Velvet decides to play out with their vocal. There are various harmonization and vocal layering, which elevated the song dynamic.

Red Velvet also shines as individual. Each member’s vocal stands out in Bad Boy. We could enjoy Yeri’s lower register, Irene’s cute way of singing, Joy’s sweet vocal, plus Seulgi and Wendy’s vocal riff. All of those vocal arrangement complements the catchy refrain part. It makes Bad Boy more pleasant listening.

As for lyrics, Bad Boy represents the mature Velvet side. Red Velvet likes a bad boy and tries to flirt with him. But, they do not want it become obvious. It is a push and pulls game for the girls.

The mature theme continued in Bad Boy music video. Red Velvet describes mature with combination of sexy and rebel styling. We see the girls wear dress and crop top then added fishnets. They also applied smoky eye makeup and red lipstick. Each Red Velvet member looks gorgeous.

However, the girls need to work their presence more. Some of them still look awkward to portray sexy and rebel. They fall behind in dancing too. Only Seulgi and Joy who embodies confident throughout Bad Boy music video.

Similar problem happens with the whole Bad Boy concept. Red Velvet actually had great set up. The music video is full of various unique setting from bedroom, mannequin room to ice cliffs. It also has beautiful cinematography.

The styling, setting, and cinematography allow people to maximize wild creativity in Bad Boy music video. Unfortunately, it does not being developed. There is no concrete storyline there. This issue reminds me with EXO’s Monster music video. It has big concept, but there is not more than just pretty montage.

Bad Boy showcases different side of mature in Red Velvet. It shows sexiness through music and vocal arrangement. Then it adds rebellion if we see the music video. This is a fresh approach from Red Velvet although there are various issues that need to be fixed.

Red Velvet already on their comfortable state of career. Last year’s hit makes them becomes one of third generation top girl groups. The release of Bad Boy will make Red Velvet name become more know in general public. At the same time, it shows that Red Velvet could present different type of image.

Rating:                        3.5/5

Read More

[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] Red Velvet - Peek A Boo (2017)

Following TWICE and Seventeen, Red Velvet also conducted another comeback in 2017. Red Velvet released their newest album called Perfect Velvet with Peek-A-Boo as title track on Friday, November 17^th 2017.

This is the third comeback for Red Velvet in 2017. The girls are currently enjoying consecutive success after releasing Rookie and Red Flavor. Because of this, people anticipation for Peek-A-Boo rose.

With Peek-A-Boo, will Red Velvet manage to create another hit and fulfill public expectation? Find the answer through my review below……………………….

Red Velvet took on tropical house genre with Peek-A-Boo. This was quite unexpected since the joyful tone of that genre usually appeared during summer. However, Peek-A-Boo did not sound out of place in fall season. It has whistle tune, which gave dark and mysterious feeling just like the current gloomy season.

Red Velvet combined between tropical house genre and their signature music style. Peek-A-Boo verses represented Red Velvet characteristic through the usage of loud percussion and bass sound. This successfully built the song dynamic, which was why verses became the strongest part of Peek-A-Boo.

Unfortunately, Peek-A-Boo chorus part did not follow through. It fell flat due to the domination of one repetitive phrase and tropical house beat. They should put after chorus as the main base because it has more interesting melody and vocal. Speaking of vocal, I felt Wendy and Seulgi’s capability did not maximize in Peek-A-Boo. There were barely challenging part for them.

As for its lyrics, Peek-A-Boo talked about playing game of love. The music video managed to represent while twist it in creepy way at the same time. Red Velvet acted as group of mysterious girls who lived under same house. They often ordered pizza and invited the deliveryman to stay in their house. The deliveryman happily accepted their offer. But, little he knew that the girls actually prepared something crazy for him.

The creepy storyline of Peek-A-Boo kind of reminded me with Russian Roulette music video. However, it has darker tone in terms of color and setting. Red as well as brown color dominated the architecture of Red Velvet classy house. Moreover, the mysterious aspect also emphasized with fast editing and unique cinematography.

Red Velvet themselves managed to capture people attention with their presence in Peek-A-Boo music video. Each girl has great styling and looked gorgeous on her own way. At the same time, the styling seemed coordinate with overall music video theme. Look at how red became the main color of Red Velvet dresses and its shades showcased through their makeup.

Peek-A-Boo proved how Red Velvet became more comfortable with their color. It has a mix of quirkiness and catchiness in terms of music and music video. This would easily make Peek-A-Boo got good reception in public. However, Red Velvet should not easily become satisfied. The girls still have many potential that did not showcased fully in this single. Way to go, Red Velvet!

Rating:                        3.5/5

Read More

[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] Red Velvet - Red Flavor (2017)

Red Velvet added into the list of girl groups who have a comeback this summer. Red Velvet released their newest album called The Red Summer on Sunday, July 9^th 2017. This album has Red Flavor as the title track.

Red Velvet growth in K-Pop music scene is quite promising. Their title tracks got better reception on each release although they have not produced the ‘it’ song yet. Their quirky style also fitted the current trend of girl group concept.

Through Red Flavor, will Red Velvet finally gain their momentum? Check out my review below……………

Red Velvet tries something simple with Red Flavor. They leave the fast talking verses and decide to sing throughout the song. There is no sudden transition too, which makes Red Flavor flows nicely and easy to listen since the first time.

Although it has simple style, Red Flavor does not instantly become boring and uninteresting. Red Velvet manages to keep their signature energetic music. This song combines percussion sound with funky bass and synthesizer. It very unique!

All of these combinations could make Red Flavor as a perfect summer theme song. It is infectious where you will automatically sing and dance. Moreover the lyrics able to portray summer season well. It tells a story about how Red Velvet falls in love with a guy and wants to go with him. However, Red Flavor also has its own flaw.

Red Flavor music and vocal does not able to complement each other at some parts. It sounds empty since the instrumental quite simple while Red Velvet vocal tone tends to be sweet. I wish there is more vocal layering to spice up the song just like in second chorus.

As for the music video, Red Velvet once again shows their quirky concept. The girls act as different type of fruit this time. Irene becomes watermelon, Seulgi acts as pineapple, Wendy turns into orange, Joy becomes kiwi, and Yeri changes into grape.  The music video shows how the girls interview those fruits and represents them. It’s bizarre yet successfully capture people attention.

The representation of fruit continues Red Flavor summer theme. This accompanied by the usage of bright colors in most scenes. Colors like red, yellow, and blue constantly come out through setting and properties.

Another summer theme also appears in terms of activities. It showcases how Red Velvet party and dance in outdoor arena. Moreover the girls styling is on point too. They look pretty and bubbly with their summer attire such as dress, shorts, and vibrant-pattern blouse.

Still, there are some points that missed on Red Flavor music video. The editing seems abrupt and computer effect looks messy at some parts. This could make people dizzy and confuse about the music video. Beside that, the setting is quite limited. It is such a pity since there are many things that could be explored in summer theme.

Red Flavor is a nice summer anthem from Red Velvet. It is such a fun song accompanied with bright music video. The girls manage to deliver much solid track compared to other girl groups who try similar attempt this summer. Yes, Red Flavor still has its own flaws, but overall Red Velvet does a good job. I am sure they manage to gain their momentum with Red Flavor!

Rating:                        4/5

Read More