JYJ fans, especially Junsu fans, have been
waiting for this album for a long time. Ever since his debut with DBSK, he has
been praised for his great talent in singing as well as dancing.
Therefore it comes as no surprise that
Junsu, also fondly known as Xia, chose to have a mixture of dance as well as
ballads in his first solo album.
This album is a great success for an artist
who did not have a chance to promote his album as others did through
advertisements as well as appearances on music shows. The album reached 100,000
pre-orders on the first day and the tickets to the concert tour have been
snapped up quickly upon release.
The
first track, Sunset, is an intro track that has a dark and mysterious vibe to
it. It is featured in the opening strains of the music video for Tarantallegra.
Tarantallegra, the title track of the album,
is fresh and different from many K-pop hits that flock into the market. It has
a dark sound that somehow draws you in. Other than the repetitiveness of the
catchy opener by Aziatix’s Flowsik ‘What music do you listen to?’ and the
chorus ‘Tarantallegra’, the song has the Xia and Juno stamp all over it.
The Tarantallegra music video is one of the
most mind-blowing videos for a K-pop song that I have watched so far. It’s sexy
and gothic, and coupled with the dancing skills of Junsu, it left me wanting to
hit the rewind button over and over again. The amount of flesh-baring shows
that Junsu has put much thought over the fact that the music video would not be
aired on Korean television, and might as well be used to target the international
audience. Below is the music video for Tarantallegra, and for those yet to
watch it, be prepared to be blown off your feet by Junsu!
Set Me Free is another dance track that
just screams back at JYJ’s former company... so SM, please set them free!
No Gain is a very unique song, written by
Jaejoong for Junsu. It has a melancholic tone, similar to that of In Heaven,
just not that moving as the latter.
The fifth track, I Dislike Love, is the OST
for Yoochun’s Rooftop Prince drama, and it was reported that while recording
for this song, Junsu was so moved that he cried after singing the first verse.
It’s a song about heartbreak, and Junsu’s vocals and interpretation makes it all
the more beautiful and touching.
Turning Around and Around is another track
on the album that fits to be an OST song.
It’s an optimistic song that’s really uplifting. One of my favourites on
the album for sure!
The next song is Intoxication, one track
that had previously been released in Japanese. Although the lyrics scream sexy
and sensual, Junsu’s dancing made it an even sexier song. For the Korean
remake, sounds of guitar strumming has been added in. Somehow, I felt the
Japanese original is more livelier and upbeat, but hey, that’s just me.
Breath is another dance track, and rumoured
to be the sequel to Mission. I was taken aback at the opening by Double K, and
somehow the beat did not really get to me. Maybe I will have to watch Junsu
dancing away to this one to appreciate it more!
Another ballad, Obviously Know, is another
song on heartbreak, in the similar veins of DBSK’s former ballads. I really do
wish to hear this sung by five of the greatest idols in K-pop (for me that is,
and Cassies all over the world)!
Lullaby showcases Junsu’s soft vocals,
showing the mellow side of him that is so different from the ‘dancing machine’ image
that he shows during up-tempo songs. A great song to unwind after a long day.
Fever is a dance track that slows and picks
up speed, and has a great beat. It doesn’t really stick on me though, and the
cheesy English gets to me sometimes. ‘I make you Fever...’ Ah, Junsu... your
Engrish is so funny... Tee hee!
The last track of the album, The Dew-Laden
Tree, is definitely my most favourite track off the album. Although this ballad
has a simple melody, there’s something to this song that just draws you in, and
never letting you go. Many reviewers, and also Jaejoong as well, loved this
particular track very much. The lyrics are also very touching, a person’s
confession of love to a lover. Junsu’s vocal in this song is just perfect, soft
and melodious. No one could have done a better job!
Junsu’s personality and hard work can be
seen etched over this album. I hope that he continues to sing for many years to
come, as a solo artist, as well as with his brothers as JYJ!
PS: For the English translation of the lyrics to all songs on the album, please click on JYJ3.net's link.
The author is a huge fan of JYJ. Junsu’s
latest release has turned her into a Xia fan, as she usually only focuses her
attention on her bias!
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