[Album & MV Review] A Pink - 'Pink Revolution'

AKP STAFF

A PINK � PINK REVOLUTION

Track List:

1. Only One
2. Oh Yes
3. Boom Pow Love
4. Fairy
5. Drummer Boy
6. To. Us
7. Ding Dong
8. Catch Me
9. The Wave

After focusing on Japanese activities, A Pink is back in Korea to turn things up with 'Pink Revolution.' The follow-up to 2015's 'Pink Memory' has 8 brand new tracks to sink your teeth into, as well as their summer single "The Wave."

The disc starts with the title track "Only One." There are a couple elements that remind me of "LUV," but the bulk of it is its own tune. I like the layering effects and the build-up to the main melody. The song is paradoxically exciting and soothing at the same time. The vocals are particularly well done, Eunji in particular, busting out some flourishes that really add to the emotional punch. Definitely worth repeated listens.

"Boom Pow Love" certainly has that punch in the beginning. It just as quickly turns smooth, with a decidedly delicious R&B groove running through it. Eunji puts her vocals to the test in the chorus, belting fiercely, with pyrotechnics that would make most vocal powerhouses jealous. I love the contrast here between the chorus and main verses. I also love Bomi's parts, which give some softness to the whole thing.

"Ding Dong" is a soft pop piece. It recalls what they're best at: relaxing, laid-back sweetness. Each of the girls has great parts, and it's one one of those tunes that sounds familiar, like the voice of an old friend. But as near as I can tell it's entirely original. Very soothing.

"Catch Me" caught me. :)� It comes right after the slower "Ding Dong," and cranks up the the tempo to deliver a solid pop tune. It could have been the title track with insanely catchy chorus and hooks, not to mention the fantastic, frenetic energy. There is a sort of f(x)/Girls' Generation vibe running through this feel-good tune.

"The Wave" is a great track to finish with. It's a sort of power ballad. The girls are definitely up to the task here and perfectly on point. It's well-crafted - polished, slick, with perfectly timed pauses and a lush chorus. There's an epic feel to this song that really grabbed me.

I can truthfully say I enjoyed this album more than some of their others. It seemed like they were dialing in their performance on a few cuts on the last one, and the only tune that I found truly lackluster was "Fairy" on this one. While I'm still wistful for hits like "My My" and "No No No," this disc seems to be the cure.

MV REVIEW

Okay, this originally ranked up there as the best A Pink MV since "LUV." In the beginning, the visuals are just striking. I love the gothic cathedrals, the lighting, the sort of epic feel to the whole affair.

So why, then, did they quickly film the girls into a downward spiral? The quality immediately dropped and then hit a holding pattern. The interplay of light and shadow is nicely done, and the smiles are utterly charming. Where they're dancing is actually a really nice structure. It looks like it could be used for a wedding. Plants on either side and the whole nine yards. Beautiful!

For the most part, the girls are doing, well, normal things. Eating a birthday breakfast, writing in a journal, playing with a kitty, etc. If it were less expertly filmed (sans soft light filters, for example), then it would be a bts (behind the scenes) MV. But it's not.

Despite the ordinary activities, they still filmed it well. The dancing sequences are on point, and everything is eminently watchable, demonstrating the girls' unique charms. This is one MV I think I can comfortably rate thumbs up.