[MV & Album Review] Uni.T � 'Line'

AKP STAFF

UNI.T � LINE

Track List:

1. No More
2. A Memory Clock
3. Star
4. You&I
5. TING
6. No More (Inst.)
7. A Memory Clock (Inst.)

Straight out of the KBS idol reboot program 'The Unit,' the nine top female contestants have made their re-debut with their first EP 'line.' Each of these girls are former and current members of different girl groups or straight solo artists. The group consists of SONAMOO's Euijin, DIA's Yebin, NC.A, Yoonjo, Lee Hyun Joo, Yang Jiwon, Dal Shabet's Woohee, LABOUM's ZN, and Lee Suji. Their new mini-album has 7 tracks on it (really 5 tracks plus two instrumentals).

The title track "No More" is a reggaeton tune with definite modern sensibilities. The chorus is a little weak, unfortunately, despite them doing their best. The main verses are full of promise, but the chorus is a letdown. NC.A on those sharps almost saves it. "Memory Clock" is soft R&B which is refreshing, soothing, and definitely easy on the ears. The girls put in a technically flawless performance, which makes this tune even better. "Star" starts out tender and ends up billowy and emotional by the end. They don't quite fall into the same as every other ballad trap, but they come close. It's only impeccable vocals and a slight difference in how the end is presented that stops them from teetering off that edge.

"You&I" is better than the title track, even if it's straightforward pop. They do a great job here, and the chorus is more enthusiastic and separate from the song, that is, it has an actual distinct chorus. The main verses are overall more catchy as well. Far more playful than the other tracks, "TING" resembles some of the title tracks we've heard recently, with easy hooks and a cute aesthetic. It's different enough from the other tunes on here to be noteworthy, but it feels a bit like filler.� �

It's well-crafted, but it takes more than good production to make a great album. And what gets me is that none of the tunes are really that memorable. The girls are not B-listers -- each of the songs has their own personality and are distinct from each other -- but the tunes lack punch. I'm grateful they went for a decidedly non-cute concept, but my expectations for this band (from many artists I enjoy), were higher.

MV REVIEW

I'm not sure what image they were going for, but it looks like they didn't want to spend a lot of money. The backgrounds have a very familiar look to them, with the chain link and the large bricked walls, to the lockers and such. It resembles a prison more than a school, and I found myself distracted by the cheapness and some of the grime more than anything else.

The choreo is not bad in parts. In particular the moves at 1:10-12, and 1:14-20. There are some shots I take issue with, but mostly what I have an issue with is the lack of all 9 girls being able to take part in the choreo. I'm not sure what was up with that � they'd have 3 or four girls in the center, and the rest were on the sidelines, doing nothing. They're all idols, they've all been trained, they were finalists, so what the heck?

What I liked was seeing some of these idols back in action again. I'm a fan of the girl groups that these women were drawn from. If not a fan, then I like some of the songs. So I got much of the same feels as watching Girls Next Door � idols together, familiar sounds and sights. They get a couple extra points for that alone.

Score

MV Relevance...........7
MV Production..........8
MV Concept..............8
MV SCORE: 7.6

Album Production.....8
Album Concept.........7
Tracklisting...............7
ALBUM SCORE: 7.3