Happy October! Today’s installment of music notes features a spin through the 1970s and a lush dreamworld where queens reign.
I want to kick things off with Talk & Talk by Fromis9. It’s part of the grand tradition of “this is what kpop should sound like.” A song with the elasticity and sweetness of bubblegum. Rotary phones will never go out of style!
Yukika’s Loving You is bright and the music video is very pretty. She cannot release a bad song.
Zombie by Purple Kiss also rules.
Daddy’s Home - St. Vincent
I finally got a chance to sit with this one without any distractions. It was released in May. I love Annie Clark, she’s so unabashedly weird. Would love her and Kimbra to combine their oddity and theatrics on a song one day. This record proudly wears its ‘70s influence on each track and the psychedelic videos. Lots of surreality. There’s something very sleek about the album, but it’s not overly refined. Most of St. Vincent’s albums are so clinical, but there’s more warmth on Daddy’s Home. And her voice is so rich and opulent, with sly lyrics. My faves: Down And Out Downtown, Live In The Dream, The Melting Of The Sun, Down, …At The Holiday Party, and Candy Darling.
Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies - Snoh Aalegra
Initially I listened to this album for the two Tyler the Creator features, but I ended up loving all the tracks. It’s so vibey. It’s got melancholy and a little cynicism about love and relationships. Her soulful, mellow voice is like being enveloped in a warm embrace. When you’re sitting by a window and sunlight spills over you, that’s how her voice and these songs feel. My favorites: In Your Eyes, Tangerine Dream, and Violet Skies.
Queendom - Red Velvet
I didn’t realize how much I missed these girls. Like EXO’s EP in June, this mini is understated but not lacking energy or sparkle. The title is breezy and catchy, a signature summer tune that’s bound to leave you smiling and feeling empowered. It gets better with each new listen.
Pose might be my favorite right now - it sounds like a twist on classic RV and an ITZY song at the same time, somehow. Knock on Wood is an innocent jaunt through lovey dovey feelings and transitions to the much edgier Better Be. I don’t know what to say about Pushin’ N Pulling’ except that it’s good. Hello, Sunset is nostalgic. It makes me feel like I’m sitting at the beach while the sky changes color; or like I’m watching that scene in a honey tinted movie. Matter of fact, this song sounds like honey. A really soothing interlude. The girls also sound amazing on each track, no surprise there. The nation and indeed the world’s #1 it girl Yeri got a decent amount of lines too.
I’m still IN LOVE with their styling this comeback. The teenage girl bedroom aesthetic - magazine cut outs, Care Bears, and VHS tapes - had a level of detail and authenticity that I found charming. I was also thrilled that Irene made a triumphant return after her bullying controversy. (Sidebar: a handful of idols & actors were plagued with bullying allegations after hers. She’s such a trendsetter).
Division - Jenevieve
A young girl with perfect curls and vision.
Such an effervescent album. I think the last R&B album I really enjoyed was Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle. And this has the added benefit of soul. It’s lo-fi, songs for driving on empty roads at dusk. Jenevieve also sings with so much verve, making the simple production shimmer. I really liked Baby Powder when I heard it at the end of 2020, a great intro to her. You’ve got the playfulness of No Sympathy, the mesmerizing Mellow Eyes, and the jubilant Midnight Charm. (I made a TikTok, something I was never planning to do, just so I could request a Kimbra cover of this song). Division is another favorite. Then Crybaby, reminiscent of the ‘80s with its dreamy and ethereal instrumental. So, so, so good. It reminds me of the music video for Boyish by Japanese Breakfast. This album is timeless, like it could’ve been released in the ‘90s or early 2000s, and it’ll still be good years from now. I’m very excited to hear what she does next!
And now we’ve come to the main event! ITZY’s first full album Crazy in Love was released on September 24th. There’s nine songs along with six instrumentals of their title tracks. It’s cool hearing the tracks like this. They really are tailored to the girls’ unique energy.
I think the lead single LOCO is an improvement from In the morning which I actually like. From the beat to the hook to the dance break to each girl’s vocals. My favorite part of the song is Yeji’s kitty line. Ryujin said that was the most impressive part to her and I have to agree. Love that Yeji’s in a cat tree (!) in one of the video sets.
In an interview with Buzzfeed, the girls pointed out that this song doesn’t carry the aggressive confidence of their other singles. Love has made them delirious. Yuna’s in a jail cell, imprisoned by these feelings: “I feel like I was born to love ya.”
LOCO has ITZY’s signature nerve. It’s incredibly alive. While I would prefer Lia to sing more than just the chorus, I have no complaints about it whatsoever. It’s a song that further establishes them as an audacious 4th gen group. To think they debuted two years ago. Yuna was only 15!
The choreography is less about precision this time and is a lot looser. ITZY have perfected making the most elaborate moves look simple. But it’s a different story when I attempt it. And Lia! She keeps improving and is a lot more confident. My eyes were always drawn to her in the live performances of ITM. The intensity of her gaze, *Van Johnson voice* she has presence. She reminds me of Chen, who started off as one of EXO’s weakest dancers and has since transformed into a skilled one. Chen said that it was really difficult for him in the beginning, because EXO’s choreography is so complex, and he had to hit high notes while dancing. I think that’s been Lia’s challenge as well, which she overcomes in every comeback.
SWIPE: The girlboss anthem. This song is so fun and the music video might be my favorite of theirs. I love the chorus (I’m in the minority there) and the attitude. So many classic lyrics: Sorry but next; Please don’t kill my vibe; Please give up babe; Get out of my phone baby; Baby sit down. Where Talk & Talk exudes classic charm, this song and music video opt for a trendier vibe. ITZY are trendy without gimmicks.
Sooo Lucky: My favorite, LOCO’s giddy little sister, innocent young love. Obsessed with Lia’s “Is it real?” There’s nothing she can’t do.
#Twenty is just so great. It would be so at home on their Wannabe album. Yuna whispering “I am twenty” at the start, Ryujin’s “I got this number.” I love how their voices blend together, the layering of playful beats over staccato, the reverberations, Chaeryeong’s angelic tone. I think this song is really her and Ryujin’s anthem because they’re both actually twenty. But it’s almost like…a spiritual age. So much possibility and promise when you’re 20. No longer a teen but not yet a mature adult. The song would just not be complete without Yuna’s verse. She has so much flow and style + the speed of the rap is the best I’ve heard. Male idol rappers should feel threatened by her.
The opening of B[OO]M-BOXX sounds so much like DALLA DALLA. I’m obsessed with Ryujin’s “Ah!” in the background. It’s just a funky little tune that leaves me in a good mood.
Gas Me Up: I wasn’t expecting to like this one. It’s never a good thing when these idols attempt AAVE slang. But I was surprised by how non-cringe it is. Yeji raps in this very sultry low register which alone justifies the song. This is also one of my favorite phrases to say.
LOVE is shares DNA with Be in love from their Not Shy mini album: wistful and strong. Chillin’ Chillin’ is sugar coated and catchy, simple but also vibrant.
Mirror closes the album. It’s sentimental, a quieter interlude that shows off their vulnerable side. This slows things down after the dizzying energy of the preceding songs. And like, the girls can sing. Even the main rappers Yuna and Ryujin; the latter especially sounds so lovely. I think people underestimate ITZY or aren’t aware of their vocal skill, but this album dispels all doubts about their ability.
The highest praise I can give ITZY is that they are the 4th gen’s EXO. Their songs are often so extravagant with challenging, intense dance routines.
A Pitchfork reviewer gave their April EP Guess Who an unflattering review, claiming that their “kitchen sink approach” is a necessity. I agree! Minimalism is not ITZY’s goal. They are capable of more stripped back songs, but the kitchen sink approach also expresses their youth. They write bold statements in large neon letters. Our culture’s obsession with youth exploits people’s anxiety about getting older, but ITZY just want to revel in being young & carefree for as long as they can.
Crazy in Love is a five star album with experimental tracks and something new for the group.
From the ‘80s vault -
Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.
Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
Obsessed with this backhanded compliment someone left in the comments: “The 80s….. when you didn’t have to be good looking to be a pop star, you just needed talent.”