f(x) Returns with ‘Electric Shock’

The girls of f(x) is back with their latest album Electric Shock this summer!

The album features the title track Electric Shock, a fun, catchy and upbeat song, and the girls are dressed in neon colours in the music video. Check out the music video to Electric Shock below!

Other dance songs on the album include Jet, Zig Zag, and Love Hate. Meanwhile, Beautiful Stranger, a track by Amber, Luna and Krystal, is arguably the group’s best song so far in this album.

Beautiful Stranger infuses some R&B vibe into the dance pop track, and the beats in the background coupled with Amber’s great rap and the harmonization from Luna and Krystal makes this a great listen.

Let’s Try, the last track on the album, is a mid-tempo track that winds down the high energy to end the album on a subtle note. While not as outstanding, I find this track more easy-listening than the rest of the over-synthesized dance songs.

SM should stop giving f(x) the unwanted songs and give them ‘real’ songs for a change. It sometimes hurts to see talents like Amber and Luna get overlooked just because their songs are not as popular as other idols.

Hopefully their next comeback would be greater!

The author loves f(x) nonsensical yet addictive tracks such as NU ABO, La-Cha-Ta, and Pinocchio!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Juniel stuns with 'My First June'

Newcomer Juniel has everyone comparing her as the next 'nation's little sister'. Her soft and angelic vocals in fact, very closely resembles IU's, but she gives off more of the rocker cum singer-songwriter vibe.

Nevertheless, her first album, titled My First June, showcases the different genres that she can take on.

Illa Illa, the first track, is complete with guitar riffs in the background, but yet manages to have that indie / folk rock sound that all singer-songwriters channel.

The music video for Illa Illa is about the memory of a long-lost love. Check out the video below!

The second track, Ready Go! is a previously released track when Juniel debuted in Japan. This song shows the girly side of her, as the song is done in a cutesy bubblegum pop style.

Everlasting Sunset is a mellow ballad that shows her vocal ranges. In this song, her voice is more mature, she sounds different from her take on Ready Go! which she delivered in a higher pitch. Everlasting Sunset is one of my favourites off the album, as Juniel really did well on this one.

Mask is another song which is on the rockier side, but there are some great moments in the mellow opening strains where Juniel makes you anticipate what is coming next. Somehow I did not really favour the electronica sounds in the background that comes after that, but overall the song isn't too bad.

The last song, Fool, is a duet with CNBLUE's Yonghwa who co-wrote song. This song has managed to help her gain attention in the K-pop scene which is overcrowded with so many idols. Besides riding on her labelmate's fame, Juniel also shows that she can also sing. This song reminds me so much of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat who both collaborated in the international hit Lucky. (Okay, I admit I am a fan of duets!)

The music video for the happy-go-lucky song, Fool, is simply charming as we Juniel and Yonghwa both strum their guitars while singing to each other. Here's for those who have yet to watch the video, as well as Yonghwa fans who will absolutely love his new look!

The author loves singer-songwriters. Don't know why, but they seem to have this particular vibe and sound that is so great to listen to!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

JJ Project 'Bounce's into K-pop Scene

JYP Entertainment latest addition to its stable of artists is JJ Project, which comprises of Im Jae Bum, known as JB, and Park Jin Young , known as Jr. Both rookies appeared recently in the drama Dream High 2 on KBS World, as students of Kirin Art High School.

Their debut album Bounce is more edgy and rock and roll compared to other JYP artists.

The title track Bounce is a fun track that is guaranteed to make you bounce along with the beat. Check out the music video for Bounce below!

Hooked starts with a guitar riff and the song’s vibe reminds me a lot of songs from the likes of bands such as Simple Plan.

The last song is Before This Song Ends, a dance track that features Miss A’s Suzy. Although it’s a bit too much auto-tuned for my liking, this song’s beat definitely makes it a great dancing and working out track.

With more than 2 million views on YouTube and a fierce debut on Music Bank, JJ Project is set to be a new force to be reckoned with in the K-pop scene.

Looking for their next project already!

The author is of the opinion that JYP trainees and artists have truly undergone great training under the tutelage of master JYP. What do you think?

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest news!