This week’s rotation has no real theme, it’s just random songs that came up when I put my iTunes on shuffle. Sorry, I promise the next rotation will be better - I’m thinking of either an artist feature, since I haven’t done one in a while, or a summer theme. Please remember to comment or leave a rating. =)
1. Monochrome - kannivalism
Japanese | Rock
I love this band, and I’m really sad that they seem to have disbanded. Monochrome is a mid-tempo track with clear, refreshing vocals and a great guitar accompaniment. I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favourites by them, but a pleasing listen none-the-less.
2. Free Music - PDIS ft. Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Hip-Pop
PDIS is a collaboration between Cho PD and Yoon Il Sang. They released a album a while back that I just recently discovered on my computer. Most of the songs are energetic and upbeat, so it’s perfect for the summer. I hesitate to call them pure hip-hop since most of their songs have at least one other genre incorporated. Free Music, for example, alternates between hopeful, gospel-style verses with rich harmonies and poppy rap verses sprinkled with melodic lines from the Brown Eyed Girls. Personally, I think the hook (“It’s free, free music”) could have been incorporated more - there’s a rather long portion where it’s just rapping that gets quite tedious, especially with the repetitive backdrop.
3. Pride - PDIS ft. Tiger JK and May Doni
Korean | Hip-Pop
Pride is a rock-influenced number, aggressive and gritty. It definitely fits its title. May Doni’s powerful, slightly rough voice suits the song perfectly.
4. Hanttae (Acoustic version) - Ye In ft. Noblesse
Korean | Acoustic Pop
A lovely acoustic guitar song, laid-back and breezy. It’s a relaxing but heartfelt track. Ye In’s airy, feminine voice compliments Noblesse’s rapping well.
5. Flea - Clazziquai Project
Korean/English | Electronica
I love this song. It’s a bit strange, what with all the synths and soft, minimal vocals, but overall it’s an extremely atmospheric and unique song. I love the bass and rhythm. I love the hook - “This flea is you and I, it’s a bad thing, but a little thing, but a little thing. A parasite that coexist, it’s a bad thing, but a little thing, but a little thing.” It’s extremely catchy.
6. 내 여자친구에게 (To my Girlfriend) - I the Tri top’s
Korean | Pop Ballad
This song samples Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, which is a gorgeous song but so overplayed and overused, especially in K-pop. This sampling turned me off at first, but then I realized it’s only used sparsely - in the intro, in a short instrumental bridge, and in the background of just one of other verses near the end of the song leading into the outro. “To my Girlfriend” is a poppy, mid-tempo ballad with warm, sweet vocals and a general feel-good atmosphere. It’s not particularly unique, but it’s worth a listen.
7. Good Times - Crystal Kay
Japanese | Pop
I quite like Crystal Kay, especially her upbeat songs. An energetic track with a great beat that Crystal Kay’s pure, strong voice playfully leads. It’s a fun, poppy, light-hearted, summery song.
8. Rain Song - Furukawa Miki
Japanese | Ballad
I’m always for supporting indie artists, but I have to say I’m not a huge fan of Furukawa Miki. Rain Song is a slightly strange guitar and string-based ballad that definitely has a unique flavour. Miki’s voice sounds slightly muffled and at times faraway. But a lot of people really like her, so I guess it’s a personal opinion.
9. Marry Me Today - Jolin Tsai & David Tao
Mandarin | Pop
This song is hugely popular, but I’ve never liked it. The intro sounds outdated and the strings a little too screechy. The opening verses are all right- sweet and poppy, although I don’t really feel any connection between the two singers. The “rap” verse is also kind of ridiculous. They just go back and forth saying “D.T. in the house/Jo-lin in the house”, finishing with “Our love in the house”. It’s also quite repetitive.
10.말을 못하죠 - Rick
Korean | R&B
A smooth, poppy R&B track. It’s relaxing, down tempo and fairly generic - a pleasant listen, but nothing special.
11. Brokenhearted -Yi
Mandarin | Electronica/Pop
A synthy dark pop song. I absolutely love the bass, and the soft, delicate vocals suit the atmosphere of the song perfectly.
12. Insomnia - Wheesung
Korean | R&B
This is a cover of a Craig David song by the same name. I love it - slick, addictive melodies, meltingly smooth vocals. It stays quite close to the original, so I can’t decide which version I like more.
13. Shine - TVXQ
Japanese | Pop
I’m pretty sure everyone already has it (and the quality isn’t too great either, I think this was a rip from when the single just came out), but anyways - a cute, poppy song from Tohoshinki. It’s just pure, sugary boyband pop, but of course, extremely well-executed, with lovely harmonies and a great accompaniment that’s consistent without being repetitive.
14. Hot Ddeu Guh - 1TYM
Korean | Hip Hop
An aggressive, American-influenced song from 1TYM. I’m not much for the rapped verses, but the hook is addictive. Its repetitiveness is really what works for it.
Labels: 1TYM, Clazziquai, Crystal Kay, David Tao, Furukawa Miki, I the Tri top's, Jolin Tsai, kannivalism, Noblesse, PDIS, Rick, Tohoshinki, Wheesung, Ye In, Yi
In the last poll, it seemed like people liked the idea of having one full single/mini-album in a post and then some individual songs, so that’s what I’ve decided to do this week. The "top ten" theme will continue next rotation (in 2 weeks) with top 10 rock songs.
Please remember to comment/leave a rating.
Noblesse - Sadness
Korean | Pop/Hip-Hop/Ballad
1. 이별의 전주곡 (Ibyeoreh jeonjoogok)
2. 이별통보 (Feat. 서진영/Seo Jin Young) (Ibyeul tongbo)
3. 심장이 하나라서 (Shimjangi hanaraseo)
4. 내 삶은 너였다고 (Feat. 오윤혜/Oh Yoon Hye)
5. 사랑 (Sarang)
6. 이별통보 (Inst.)
7. 심장이 하나라서 (Inst.)
이별의 전주곡 is a gorgeous piano intro, clocking in at a fairly short 1 minute 42 seconds. It's lyrical and filled with warmth. It has a lot of depth and density, yet at the same time is melodic and pretty. It leads perfectly into the next track, 이별통보 where the piano backs away a little to make room for a slightly bittersweet acoustic guitar line and a lovely balance of Noblesse's deep, accented rapping against Seo Jin Young's breezy yet powerful voice. Noblesse sings a couple lines here and there, but the melody is mostly led by Seo Jin Young. Her voice is sweet, but not sugary or poppy in the least. Out of the more recent releases I've been listening to, this is probably one of the best ballads. 심장이 하나라서 shows Noblesse's singing ability. Although I think he's primarily a rapper, his singing voice is quite good as well. It's not quite as powerful as I would normally like in ballads, but it's emotional and smooth. Not really a stand-out track to me, though. 내 삶은 너였다고 features Oh Yoon Hye, who I have never heard of but has a great voice - very strong and rich, yet wit that same airy quality. This song features a similar theme as 이별통보, with Noblesse mostly rapping and a female vocalist taking the melody, but it's more aggressive and a little darker. It's heavier on percussion, keeps the acoustic guitar but uses the piano more sparingly, and has a heavier bass sound. 사랑 is mostly conversationally rapped verses, almost more like he's just speaking, set against a piano arrangement. It builds a little as percussion is encorporated, but other than that doesn't really go anywhere. Okay, so most of Noblesse's songs sound quite similar. His collabs with female singers are great, but tend to blend into each other if you listen to them all in a row. However, his style is unique, recognizable, and consistent. Sadness has some impressive songs, and is definitely worth a listen, whether you've heard of him before or not.
DO THE PANIC - Phantom Planet
English | Alt Rock
I originally heard this song from the Nano-Mugen Compilation, then realized it was on the Gossip Girls soundtrack. The compilation is to advertise AKFG’s Nano-Mugen festival and features one song from each of the sixteen performing groups. Japanese, American, and UK bands all perform at the festival. This band is from California, as reflected in this feel-good, guitar-driven track.
Sour Cherry - The Kills
English | Soundtrack
This song is also from the Gossip Girls soundtrack. Ironically, I have never watched the show and don’t think I’d like it, but always here these songs in commercials for it. Which led me to download the soundtrack, which actually has some pretty good songs. Sour Cherry has such a driven, addictive beat, coupled with laid-back, assured vocals. I absolutely love the aggressive percussion in this song.
看袂落去 - Hsiao Hung Jen
Mandarin/Taiwanese | Pop/Rock
A strongly piano-based track that mixes Mandarin and Taiwanese. Feel-good guitar chords, an overall upbeat feel. The vocal work is lovely - beautifully layered harmonies and echoing, as well as Hsiao Hung Jen’s smooth, confident voice.
Lucky - Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat
English | Alt. Rock
This song has a strong acoustic feel, relying mostly on minimal guitar chords and a simple percussion line. Splashes of tone and colour are added to the accompaniment by piano and, later on in the song, strings. Their voices compliment each other perfectly - both smooth, warm, and light. The melody is beautiful. The lyrics, although a little corny, are sweet and heartwarming. One of my favourite songs right now.
Canvas -Piano Version- - Ken Hirai
Japanese | Pop/Ballad
i’ve never actually heard the original version of this song, but I really love this piano version. Ken Hirai’s expressive, chocolaty voice is so unique, leaning towards the higher ranges. As expected, the sole accompaniment is a rich, full piano sound that takes care not to outshine Hirai’s strong yet tender voice. It gives the song a pure, genuine sound.
Bitter Sweet - Mao Denda
Japanese | R&B/Pop
A new artist I recently discovered. A mid-tempo R&B ballad. Mao Denda’s voice is perfect for R&B - smooth, creamy, and full. Although composition-wise I found it to be fairly average, her vocals really push it forward. An enjoyable listen.
Ji Mo Bao Xiang - Judy Zhou
Mandarin | Pop
Judging by the name I thought this would be a girl, but ... I was wrong. An uptempo track with strong hip-hop influences. Judy Zhou’s voice is surprisingly sweet and smooth against the grittier beat. Synths here and there, classical Chinese strings, a great hook that features some pretty hard to hit intervals that Judy gets right on. Definitely worth a listen.
Labels: Hsiao Hung Jen, Jason Mraz, Judy Zhou, Ken Hirai, Mao Denda, Noblesse, Phantom Planet
