[Album & MV Review] Eunji - 'Dream'

AKP STAFF

EUNJI - 'DREAM'

Track List:

1. Dream
2. Love is Like the Wind
3. It's OK
4. Home
5. Love Is
6. Dream (Piano Ver.)

The main vocalist of A Pink, Eunji, has released her first ever solo album. A Pink's "Promise U" established Eunji as a singer/songwriter, so now she officially debuts. She teamed with such luminaries as� Duble Sidekick, E.One and Kim Eana to bring you her new mini-album 'Dream.'

"Dream"
Eunji wrote this folk pop tune featuring singer-songwriter Hareem. It's got a nice tempo, not too slow and very soothing, moving at a pleasant pace. There's a harmonica in here, too, to give the song an original touch. This song gave our solo singer an all-kill, so you've likely heard it by now. While it's not a showcase for her vocals, it's a solid tune, very pretty and full of life. It's about happy times at home.

"Love is Like the Wind"
Structured much like every other ballad, the standout thing here is the vocal work. Yes, it has the piano, the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar, the orchestra, etc., but Eunji sheds her cute, high vox and goes for expansive and mature on this track. Which made me stand up and take note, since I didn't know she had that kind of range. Yes, love is like the wind, scattering memories of what was.

"It's OK"
Acoustic guitar and piano highlight this pleasant mid-tempo pop tune along with Eunji's pretty standout vocal work. She has a voice that glides through this tune. It's light and catchy, and doesn't sound unlike an A Pink song. She's with a great guy, and she's okay because of him.

"Home"
This is probably one of the more dynamic tunes on the disc, high sounding and powerful in part. It's very much a pop tune, with the backing synths and all that. While not strictly a ballad, the vocals are very balladic regardless, which give it some seriousness. Home is where the heart is, and her heart is with him.

"Love Is"
She slows things way down, singing to an acoustic guitar, eventually joined by a piano and strings, and finally, like usual, the cacophonous ending with her belting at the top of her lungs. I wish I could say it sounds different from "Love Is Like the Wind," but near the end it doesn't. She's describing a breakup and a guy she can't forget.

"Dream" (piano ver)
This is not a remix, but a full-on different version of the title track. They even re-do the vocals for this one. It's sweetly sung with soft vocals and missing its jaunty melody. If you want to hear "Dream" as a ballad, this it.

This is a really strong debut for a gal whose talent is already established. Far from being an A Pink album, this disc is not slavish to its roots, nor is it so far from the mark to be unrecognizable. Eunji has a very pretty voice, and she uses it well on this album. Eunji has the makings of a gifted singer/songwriter, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

MV REVIEW

Eunji, walking among cherry blossom trees, meets up with a little girl, and they paint the town red, er, pink. They run along the beach, blow bubbles, paint, and balance on railroad tracks together. There are echoes of a father and his daughter, too, which is largely the point of the song.

This is a video with quite a bit packed into its 4:10 running time. There are quite a few scenes with Eunji and the little girl, giving it a nice, mature charm. I've never seen the A Pink singer look lovelier, and her agency wisely decided to stay away from the sexy concept here. It was fun watching a kid just be a kid, even if it was all staged.

Eunji looked like she was having fun too, whether she was courting serious injury or not. Which is another theme I like, the carefree moments of youth, not believing anything can hurt you and throwing caution to the wind.

Definitely a fun video to watch, even if you start it over right after it's done. If the song doesn't give you warm feels, the MV should.

Score

MV Relevance..........9
MV Production.........9
MV Concept.............9
Album Production...9
Album Concept........8
Tracklisting..............9