[Album & MV Review] Taeyeon - 'Why'

AKP STAFF

Posted by eric_r_wirsing Tuesday, July 12, 2016

TAEYEON -- 'WHY'

Track List:

1. Why
2. Starlight (Feat. DEAN)
3. Fashion
4. Hands on Me
5. Up & Down (Feat. Hyoyeon)
6. Good Thing
7. Night

Less than a year after the chart-topping 'I', Taeyeon has released her new mini-album 'Why.' The Girls' Generation singer explores new territory on this album, embracing new musical styles. The seven-track EP features collaborations with DEAN�and bandmate Hyoyeon.

With "Why" it appears she's gone an entirely different direction from her previous mini-album. This has a lot more EDM influence to it with some R&B thrown in for good measure. Her voice is as amazing as ever, though, able to reach those emotion-tugging registers. I got chills every time she hit the chorus.

The pre-release "Starlight" is their slow tune. Smooth and easy, like DEAN's�vocals, this tune is hands-down an evening song - when the day is done and you're unwinding.� It's a very soothing song, and DEAN's�emotional falsetto adds punch to the song. Taeyeon's dulcet tones help this tune slide over you and lift your mood.

"Up & Down" doesn't work as well as I was hoping. It starts out promising, but it all too quickly degenerates. Nothing against Hyoyeon, but she shouldn't rap. The melody doesn't hang together that well. The chorus is great, but getting there is the problem. They had a pretty solid 60's jazz thing to work with, but it wasn't that impressive.

The rest of the album is pretty good. It keeps the tempo up and showcases Taeyeon's impressive vocals. She knows how to make a song sound great, I'll give her that. Ultimately I think I like this disc better than her last. The songs are more accessible and not as experimental. The tunes here fit Taeyeon like a glove. Fantastic.

MV REVIEW

Check out Taeyeon as she frolics in the summer sun. Here she rides a skateboard (definitely not a skater), summons an excess of suds in a hot tub, plays with fireworks, including smoke-sticks and sparklers. All the while the beach and waterfront loom in the background.

Most of the events proceed without rhyme or reason, but that's no call to hate on this MV. She's simply walking around, taking in all that California has to offer. The beach and water scenes are gorgeous, the sky a brilliant shade of blue, and, in one shot, the clouds reflect the apricot shades of evening beautifully.

This is a magnificent MV. While not as mesmerizing as "I", it does the job fairly well. While a lot of it was staged, it was still fun to watch.

Score

MV Relevance..........8
MV Production.........9
MV Concept.............9
Album Production...10
Album Concept........9
Tracklisting..............9