I wasn’t thinking of reviewing this, but due to the fact that I really like the lead single, I decided to get the album and review it.
Disclaimer. Just my review and opinion. Please do not get offended if I give some negative thoughts.
Cover Design - The font throws me off. However, I like the retro colours he is going for. It’s not as intricate as “Tarantellegra", but hey it’s more colourful. So it fits with the summer aspect.
01. No Reason - The beginning of this is a nice wakeup call. It’s ambient and contains a western pop influence. It’s a catchy song for a mellow-beat track. Good job to Kim Taewon for the composition. The vocals are soft and has almost that DBSK-esque in it… maybe it’s because Junsu once was a part of DBSK, lol. Nice intro track for the album. ^^ 5/5
02. Rainy Eyes - Ah, the title reminds me of his other single “Rainy Night". And it is a soulful ballad. I love the usage of his vocals in this track. He’s a great vocalist - knowing when to use his vibrattos and belting those notes correctly. The runs are really nice too. It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to these kinds of ballads. But then… this album is heavily influenced by western music. A good job on the instrumental arrangement, sir. 3/5
03. 미안 (Sorry) - The beginning sort of reminds me of Kyuhyun’s “Hope is a Sleepless Dream" until that abruptness. So we went from western influence back to a typical KPop ballad. Idunno if this song was in an OST for a KDrama, but it sounds like one. You can definitely feel the pain in his vocals, but I just find it awkward how he’s whisper-singing this. I remember my vocal coach saying that it is not recommended to sing like that since it can damage one’s vocals. But whatever… it’s just a weird transition between the verse and chorus for me. 3/5
04. Chocolate Girl - Oh damn, Junsu. I know you like dem foreign girls - LOL! And I definitely know you’re influenced by western music, but whoa! I’m just kidding, guys. Another soulful song, but I can see some of that KPop element in it (not because it is sung in Korean - it’s probably from the usage of pentatonic scale at the chorus). It’s a nice, cute song describing your sweet girl. Haha… So are you telling us your girlfriend is black? Ah! Is it…. that one backup dancer from wayback in Ayyy Girl tour days? XP 4/5
05. Incredible (feat. Quincy Combs) - Definitely a great track for the summer. It’s very catchy and fun. Something I can definitely hear in the club and dance to. I really love the hook of the “Oh-oh-oh!" part. It’s so nice. When I was listening to this prior to watching the video, I put my arms up, waving it. When I saw that in the video, I was like “AH! It’s universal!" Haha! We need more creative songs like this, tbh. The only reason why this song is going to receive a 4/5 because of the rap. I think Junsu was trying to get P. Diddy in this track but things didn’t work out? Nevertheless, a fun dance track for the summer. 4/5
06. 나 지금 고백한다 (feat. Gilmi) (I’m Confessing Now) - I would expect this to be another typical K-Ballad. However, this is a cute song about someone falling in love and wanting to confess his love to her, but his anxiety comes to him. I really love the fact that he featured Gilmi in the rap - her rap was so cute and nice! The soft vocals against the instrumental and Gilmi’s soft rap complements well with another. I really love the inclusion of the phone message. Good job on the composition, Junsu! 5/5
07. 가지마 (Don’t Go) - Ah! The intro and ending - influenced by traditional Korean music (no, it’s because of the flute-that’s all LMAO)! Hehe… So another K-Ballad, but this time Junsu’s twin Juno was a part of the composition. Nice job, Juno! But honestly, nothing beats Brown Eyes’s "가지마 가지마", LMAO. JK. This was a good ballad. 4/5
08. Turn It Up (feat Dok2) - I feel like when artists collaborate with Dok2, they must have that grunge hip-hop, gangster influence or something. Haha… Idunno… The beat is actually addicting, but it sounds like something the producers bought and told the brothers to write a lyrics to. I wasn’t really interested in this song (sorry Dok2). It was a bit bland despite having a catchy beat. 2/5
09. Fantasy - The beginning already felt like a fantasy to me. Again, a western-influence with some KPop element. But please tell me, Junsu, do you like dem boyz too? I don’t need the repetition of “girls, girls, girls" and to clarify us that you “like dem girls". Honestly, I did not know there were other English lyrics in here until I actually had to look up the lyrics… Uhhh… I like the instrumental break with the sax solo though. It was nice. The bass was generic, but it was nice to hear it clearly, lol. It’s a cute song. 3/5
10. 이 노래 웃기지 (This Song Is Funny, Right?) - LMAO! What are you doing, Junsu? The fact that you have Boom narrating this… Oh gosh… I was literally laughing so hard when the song began. I’m sorry… Haha, yes, the song is funny, Junsu. But I had a feeling that the song had more deep meaning, perhaps his struggle of people laughing at him when he went solo. So I checked the lyrics, and yep, I was correct. However, the rap was weird, and I guess he was trying to go for that funny, raspy voice for the rap. It’s satirical. But I would easily get annoyed from the hook. Let us hear this performed live. 3/5
11. 사랑하나 봐 (Seems Like Love) - Junsu… Please tell me you’re in love. Cuz these songs are different from your Tarantellegra album. They’re brighter, haha… Another mellow-beat happy song for the album. 3/5
12. 11시 그 적당함 (11AM) - I remembered some fangirls asked me to review the music video, which I didn’t bother. I’m sorry… I usually sleep through ballads. It’s kind of weird how we’re ending this album with a sad song. Usually artists keep a positive ballad or upbeat song for the outro. However, this does end the album in a peaceful note… though it kind of makes me wanna bawl my eyes out because he’s practically displaying so much emotions in this song. WE NEED MORE SINGERS LIKE THIS! The piano instrumental (Francis, you did an amazing job at this composition!) and the fact that there’s just a solo without back-up vocals (harmonies, adlibs, etc) displays how simplistic this song is, which gives it a great ending. Incredible. 5/5
Overall - I enjoyed the album. Junsu didn’t disappoint me, and he shouldn’t. He did such an amazing job at Tarantellegra, I would be disappointed if he fucked up this album. So it’s a nice album and displays how versatile Junsu is as an artist. He has grown so much in the music industry, and it’s great for him trying to reach to the western audience. I heard he’s doing a good job on the Billboard’s Top 100 chart - am I wrong? Please let me know! 8/10
Favourite Song? “No Reason"
edit// So I was talking to a friend while I was reviewing each track. After I told him my favourite song, he looked up the lyrics and asked me if I was horny. I totes did not check out the lyrics… LMAO! Yo, this is why we should probably learn the language before we like songs. But I realized that I love sexual songs when I’m probably one of the most innocent virgins in my group of friends.