HYUNA - 'A+'
Tracklist:
1. Run & Run (Intro)
2. Because I'm The Best (Feat. Ilhoon)
3. Ice Ice (Feat. Yook Ji Dam)
4. Get Out of My House (Feat. Kwon Jung Yeol)
5. Peace
Fresh from promotions with 4minute, idol rapper HyunA has dropped her newest album, 'A+.' Consisting of five tracks (and three collaborators), she co-wrote the lyrics to more than half the album herself. Her name is on three of the songs, "Run & Run," "Ice Ice," and "Peace." When asked about why she decided on 'A+' as the title, she replied, "I want it to get an A+ from the public."
The intro track, "Run & Run," is actually more melodic than the rest of the album. The main verse is rapped, but the intro and chorus/hook are sung. I really like the get-lost-loser flow here, and the singing takes the edge off and makes the song better for it. This track seems like she wrote it for the fans, promising that she's looking back with no regrets, and won't stop.
Next up is the title track, "Because I'm The Best." Featuring Ilhoon from labelmates BTOB, this song has a different vibe than most K-pop songs and most hip-hop as well. It has some elements in common with trap and house, but it isn't purely either of those. It's got some sweet bass, and a powerful chorus. The rapping by Ilhoon is adequate, but kinda pales in comparison to HyunA's delivery, blunt, and general badassery. There's some of that wordplay I love so much with some knowing winks at previous singles mixed in. The lyrics are directly addressed to her haters, telling them to go ahead because she is the best.
"Ice Ice" is a naughty number, pure hip-hop, with "Unpretty Rapstar" rapper Yook Ji Dam. At the beginning and at the end it sounds as if HyunA's saying "so f*** you." And that's pretty much the attitude of this song. The conceit is that they're "street poets," but yet so hot and rich. A foray into the worst excesses of Western hip-hop, the song fails to impress.
They dial back the hip hop in "Get Out of My House." There are some half-sung, half-rapped lyrics, but the chorus is fully sung. The vocalist for 10cm, Kwon Jung Yeol, joins her in a duet here while a synth bleeps steady in the background, and it's a pretty song. The net effect is a slick, soft pop number, and in my opinion one of the better tracks.
The last song, "Peace," is a ballad. It's a charming tune, a simple, emotive piece with a thrumming bass line. It keeps it from being just another ballad, and gives it a definite kick. She sounds delicate here, almost stripped down (this time, figuratively), while she sings about spending the night with a lover.
Creatively, this album is pretty far removed from "Melting," "Bubble Pop," and even "Red." It's part hip-hop, part pop, part EDM, not wholly one or the other, but a good fusion of all three. In some ways, it's more mature than her previous works with much more of the edginess that seemed to be missing from her previous release. The prevalence of hip hop makes the actual singing parts stand out more, and really make this thing pop. Full of catchy hooks, head nodding beats, and witty lyrics, this EP should give HyunA fans more to smile about. The album might be titled 'A+' but my verdict is more like an 'A-'.
MV REVIEW - "Because I'm The Best"
Largely performance-based, HyunA does what she does best, and that is singing, dancing provocatively, and looking absolutely stunning. She seemingly does this effortlessly as she moves from one neon scene to another. Sometimes basic CGI is evident, slicing the frame into pieces and such, but for the most part it's dance sequences and look-at-me-I'm-sexy shots.
Nothing says "I'm the Queen" like your subjects on leashes.
Never shying away from the outlandish, Cube has outfitted her in various outfits baring various portions of flesh. A swimsuit with a dollar bill print, fishnets, and a bra with hotpants to name a few.
HyunA's back to blonde, too. Thankfully, not that hideous mop she sported for Troublemaker's "Now," but flowing, blonde locks (sometimes dyed blue). It suits her well, and they style the heck out of it here.
The dancing is okay, but not up to her usual standards. She's a pretty good dancer, but the choreography she's been given here doesn't showcase her skills as much as I'd like. Here it's mostly provocative shots, and occasional twerking, which defeats the purpose as it annoys more than entices.
At least the MV itself is fun to watch. It's colorful and never lingers too long in one locale. And she transitions from one set to the next, lit in various shades of neon. If you like the song then the visuals of the MV helps a lot. Of course, if you're a guy, the draw here is obvious, and never subtle.
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