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Weekly K-pop Faves: Jan. 16-22

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A week of farewells had K-pop saying “Goodbye” to girl groups 2NE1 and I.O.I, while CLC revamped their image. This very estrogen-filled week’s playlist is rounded out by Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, who released her first solo album.

”Goodbye” by 2NE1 (Released January 21st)

And that’s all, folks. 2NE1’s “Goodbye” hit me hard — I still can’t stop listening to it and feeling the same emotions I felt on the first listen. This group’s untimely end is chock full of rumors, scandals, possible discord, and more. But this song, with its soulful vocals and acoustic instrumentation, gives us the ability to look back on what really matters — the revolutionary career of a legendary girl group. As one of YG’s only immediately English-subbed music videos, “Goodbye” communicates the members’ feelings about disbandment to both domestic and international fans through honest lyrics “Don’t trust the broken stories,” “Even if things get rough, it will be okay,” “Come find me when you need someone to lean on,” and the song’s main refrain, “Goodbye until the day we meet again” hit close to home for millions of Blackjacks around the globe. The song is my pick for this week simply because it is so simple yet so evocative, and it embodies the iconic 2NE1 sound so well. It’s sad to think that I’ll never have a chance to write a Weekly Playlist about them again, but as CL says in the first verse, “Not everything lasts forever.” So, to Blackjacks everywhere, I hope your grieving period isn’t too hard. We will miss having all four girls together forever, but at least we have this song as a final reminder of the beautiful songs — both pop and ballad — that they’ve released since their debut in 2009. Goodbye, 2NE1. You won’t be forgotten.

–Kushal

”Love & Affection” by Seohyun (Released Jan. 17)

Of all the songs on her sultry Don’t Say No album, the showstopper is Seohyun’s “Love & Affection.” It’s the shortest track, but also the one with the most distinct sound: building rock instrumentals mesh with playful synths and electronic beats collide to create a playful cacophony of sounds. The track is dominated by Seohyun’s strong vocals as she express “I hate your love, love & affection!” before adding in a few vocal trills and whistled “oooh ooohs.” Even though it hasn’t received as warm of a welcome as some other songs on the album (like the jazzy, but slightly boring, “Bad Love”), “Love & Affection” isn’t just by chance a great electropop song: along with lyrics written by Seohyun, it was co-written by Fredrik Häggstam, who co-wrote the Chainsmokers’ recent hit “Paris,” Red Velvet’s addicting “Ice Cream Cake,” and TVXQ’s “Blink.” While it may not be to everyone’s taste, there are few flaws in “Love & Affection,” other than the obvious matter that it is far too short.

— Tamar

Also on KultScene: A Teenage Fangirl’s Farewell to 2NE1

”Meow Meow” by CLC (Released Jan. 17)

“Close your eyes, So that I can breathe, And pretend we have something”

Much has been said about CLC’s recent transformation into the new 4minute and it is sad to see them completely copy their sister group but more 4minute is never a bad thing. Their album “Crystyle” is a strong tight mini and I’ve been really enjoying their live promotions for lead single “Hobgoblin.” “Meow Meow” is the best of the lot though, a trop house cut about the arrogant young girls’ frustration with hesitant boys. It’s not a frustrated song though: the synths replicate relaxed steel drums. They’re prominent but remain languid and laid back. Elkie’s shrill pronouncement of being Harley Quinn and Yeeun’s continued Hyuna impersonation (she even goes as far as making a “Roll Deep” reference) add some great dynamics to the vocals. Even when becoming another group, CLC are still great.

–Joe

Also on KultScene: From ‘Nation’s Producers’ to Actual Producers: The Many Futures of I.O.I’s 11 Members

”Downpour” by I.O.I (Released Jan. 18)

In this tragic week of final releases, popular girl group I.O.I released their last song together along with a heartbreaking music video showing the formation of the group and their various experiences over the past year. Written by Seventeen’s Woozi, this emotional ballad was a perfect sendoff for this temporary group since it gave them the chance to show off their vocals as well as express their earnest feelings for the unfortunate disbandment. With the use of the simple and effective metaphor of rain to represent both difficulties and tears, “Downpour” is a sad but an extremely encouraging song, with lyrics such as “It’s alright, this shower is going to pass quickly” and “We shall smile again and be together,” promising fans that this won’t be the last they would see of these girls. Indeed it wouldn’t, since many of the members are already in new girl groups or are debuting solo in the near future. All good things really do come to an end but fortunately for fans, I.O.I provided a wonderful platform for the members to start their individual careers and they have bright futures ahead of them.

–Anna

Which song was your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

CLC’s “Nu.Clear” Album Review

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CLC
That is one great title. Nuclear by itself would be good enough but combining “new” and their name (a shortened version of “crystal clear”), CLC have created another classic K-pop portmanteau, ”Nu.Clear.” This release is a new start for CLC because it’s their first since adding former “Produce 101” contestant Kwon Eunbin to their lineup. It also represents a good shot at them making it big as the “Produce 101” craze has not entirely died down. But Cube Entertainment groups have been in decline recently, and CLC never did garner much of a fanbase to add to by now. Whether or not they break out this year, we can be sure they deserve it.

“Nu.Clear” explodes (get it?) into life right from the opening with ‘90s hip-hop beats, record scratches, and bombastic horns. Written and produced by frequent Cube collaborators Son Youngjin and Jo Sungho (4minute’s “Cold Rain,” BtoB’s “It’s Okay), “What Planet Are You From?” doesn’t stray too far from retro pastiche and is energized by the girls’ fantastic vocals. One of the things CLC do better than a lot of other girl groups is their group singing. I don’t know if it’s just good production or they were always planned to be like this but in nearly all of their choruses you can hear a number of distinct voices rather than one being layered. It works especially well on a ‘90s throwback like this. I also love the high-pitched synth that the girls harmonize with in the verses; it transitions the song effortlessly.

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CLC continue with the horns and bubblegum pop on lead single “No Oh Oh” but with a more modern twist than the album opener. It bears the hallmarks of producer Shinsadong Tiger’s work (most recently popularized by EXID), horns, male voices in the background, big vocal choruses, and a healthy disdain for men. “No Oh Oh” is about a girl who knows she’s too young for men’s creepy approaches to them but has to continually say no to the stranger danger. This repetition is mirrored nicely in the refrain of “ani ani aniya” (“no, no, no” in Korean) and in the weird delays that come halfway through the verses. These are the highlights as they suggest a chorus or pre-chorus is about to begin but the song continues on with the verse, shutting down any possible change of heart from the girls. Again, I love how parts of the music harmonize with their voices and this time it’s the electric guitar, which adds a more youthful touch than synths in the previous song. While not as structurally interesting as EXID songs, all of these elements work just as well for CLC to create something more coherent and immediately satisfying.

“1, 2, 3” is CLC’s effort to jump on the GFriend innocent bandwagon. The use of theremin, the 808s, and delay in the chorus all recall GFriend’s own aping of Girls’ Generation. Here though it is dialled up a notch with a lot more elements making GFriend seem like tired old ladies. It begins by slowing the album down with some harp, apparently bringing us (sadly) to the ballad portion of the album already. But it was not to be. The song crashes back into life only seconds later with its chorus of rolling synths and pop beats. Written and produced by singer Lee Sang Chul, Seo EBum, and BPM, “1, 2, 3” does not rest from there and is a great example of fitting someone else’s style into your own. The song is so busy but moves at such a fast pace you don’t have time to be confused. Synths, pianos, and drums jump off each other creating the kinetic energy that keeps the song at this speed. The buoyant vocals shine alongside it, highlighting a key point of this album, vocals and music working in great harmony.

Unfortunately, Nu.Clear does move onto the ballad portion, or just slowed down portion, with “Day by Day.” Again Son Youngjin is on production duties this time with the help of more Cube regulars Ferdy and Big Sancho. More of an acoustic slow jam than a ballad, “Day by Day” isn’t the worst of its kind but comes unwanted in this otherwise bright album. I’m not of the belief that mini-albums like this need to be paced in the same way as full length albums. Give me all the bubblegum pop I can take. That chorus would fit right into any Disney musical so will be likeable to a lot of listeners. Like on all of the tracks, I really like Yeeun’s rap. Her childish and cheeky delivery is always fun and brings CLC’s music to life.

Also on KultScene: Fiestar’s ‘A Delicate Sense’ Album Review

The more sentimental, subdued tracks continue with “Dear My Friend.” I didn’t find any translated lyrics for it but I bet it’s one of those sappy songs about how much CLC love their fans or each other or something cheesy like that. At least this one is musically a bit more interesting than “Day by Day.” Jo Sungho and Ferdy return for the production to give the verses some edge with plodding synths. The chorus is weak though and reminds me of a charity song from the 80s, which reminds me of songs I never want to listen to twice.

Were CLC trying to give us every variation of the boring album track on this album. Nu.Clear started so brightly but slowly faded into disappointment. Ferdy (I’m starting to dislike this person) produces solo this time on “Before,” the most ballady out of the last three songs. I think the thing I hate most about ballads like this is the guitar that strums the same three chords over and over in the chorus. It does make me like the two previous songs a little more though, and I am thankful again for the raps.

Nu.Clear weaves together a number of great sounds that perfectly complement a rookie girl group. Like Oh My Girl, CLC exude the youthful exuberance of teenage girls and never try to go beyond their means. The first half reflects this with three blistering tracks of pure joy while the second slows things down for a mellower time. The first half is considerably better in my mind but the slower tracks don’t ruin the experience totally. It is their best release by far since their debut with “Pepe” so hopefully will spell a time of good fortune for them.

What do you think about CLC’s Nu.Clear? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Tumblrto keep up with all of our posts.