Alex’s Solo Album Leaked

Review of My Vintage Romance Coming SOON!! (Aka after I get back from work -_- ) I’m Here with my review!

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• The first track is Suddenly or in the original Korean 어느새. I I really enjoyed the acoustic and raw feel to this song. It was pretty and simple and Alex’s voice was allowed to shine throughout.  
• The next track If You (그대라면) is just made for one of those drama scenes in which all the characters are walking around reflecting on the romance in their day. 
• The third song on the album,  언제나 or You Always, is really guitar focused, really chill and very folk rock. Thomas Cooke of Lucid Fall (or is he Lucid Fall?) is featured on this song and I’m guessing wrote and composed it.
• Oh my god the fourth song, I’m Sorry to Keep You Waiting (기다리게 해서 미안해) started with some Disney-esqu, early-Mariah Carey chime shit and I freaked out. This song is so nineties it’s ridiculous but also so lovable. I am now convinced that Alex’s voice can help anything but this song’s melody is really uninteresting…the nineties ended the way it did for a reason. (This should go back in time and play at someone’s prom)
• Next was the sappy poppy love song that might accompany Jo In Sung crying ferociously in a drama. But it was nice because Alex’s voice is so nice and smooth and the melody works well. However, it’s not a strike out hit, especially because it has the ripping guitar solo at the end. Bah. Humbug.
• The next song started and I knew I would love it. It’s called Feel Like Making Sunshine and it’s sort of like funk crossed with early Stevie Wonder…except with string instruments where the piano would be (Yes, I’m aware that the piano is a string instrument but you know what I mean.) I like this one a lot.
• Oh My, another funk-y song but this time with a bit of R&B and an slight motown feel (confused yet?). By the time I got to this track (깍지껴요) The song starts with another singer (I think this song is partially sampled) and there’s a rap from Gaeko from Dynamic Duo. The chorus is partially “Come with me, my darling/Come with me, please baby” I love it, it’s catchy and it may be one of my faves.
• The next song starts off as if it could be on the soundtrack for Amelie but then moves into a slow, well-paced Waltz song, which is why it’s called Waltz Lesson. It features Whale (though her contribution is kind of unnecessary) and is really a great song to space out to. 
연인 or Lovers, starts off so annoying with a harmony of people singing “eh”. It get past this and starts with a light tempo: just light drums and a few guitar plucks. Still this song is pretty boring and I don’t like the harmonies or angsty violin that come up in chorus. 
I Love You (사랑하오) starts with good violin, in a way that reminds me of Bitter Sweet Symphony (but this song is no Bitter Sweet Symphony). The song is folk-rocky once again, I feel like the song wants to be more interesting but just didn’t achieve it. 
Wonderful Day (기분 좋은 날) This song is so happy, (it WAS a wonderful day!) Once again, this song is alright, could be more interesting but Alex’s voice can not be foiled by an average melody. Guitar, the triangle and the occasional whistle and chime. 
Daydreaming  starts with just jazzy piano and Alex singing in English. Such a sweet simple song. The jazz elements stay throughout and it’s such a nice smooth song. I Like this song a lot but this song seems to come out of nowhere. 
• Miss. Understand (feat. Simon Dominic) ”Stay up all night/to see my, to know how…” Might be one of my favorite songs, Alex’s voice mixes so well with the soft rock/Jazz funk fusion that is this song. So nice, it’s too short in my opinion.
Daisy (데이지) boring ballad, to be frank.
Flowerpot (화분) (Bonus Track) Alex’s rendition of Loveholic’s song of the same name. I actually find my self liking this better than the original because of Alex’s voice. Well, I like the verses better with Ji Sun’s voice but the hook and  chorus is more enjoyable for me with Alex’s voice. I LOVE this song anyway so this should count in my overall review of the album. 

 

This album has so much variety on it and I wish it was mixed better and that there was some more continuity. Despite that you can hear that Alex has a sophisticated sound which is something that Korean pop music REALLY needs right now. Because some of this stuff isn’t working. I both like and dislike that Alex has various genres on this album. I like it because it shows how versatile his voice is. I don’t like it because the album seems to be all over the place.
Alex worked with a lo of great people on this album and you can see him experimenting a lot with acoustic sets and instrumental music. (Very non Clazziquai). I think it’s funny that both of the Clazziquai singers went solo with the exact opposite of what DJ Clazzi spins.

Overall, I’m a tad disappointed in this album, I wanted it to be great but it’s just good. I think Alex’s second album (I hope there’s a second one next year) will be great once he figures out what his own sound is. My favorites off of this album are, Feel Like Making Sunshine, Kkyakjikyeoyo (깍지껴요), Waltz Lesson, Miss. Understand, and, of course, Flowerpot.
Album overall: 7/10  

 

One Response to “Alex’s Solo Album Leaked”

  1. kusaba Says:

    that was a very thorough review. you’re so awesome!

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