N.FLYING – 'SPRING MEMORIES'

Track List:

1. Spring Memories

2. Leave It

3. Flowerwork

4. Preview

5. Rooftop

6. Like a Flower

N.Flying has dropped their third entry in their year-long 'Fly High Project,' a seasonal release titled 'Spring Memories.' The title track was composed by Seunghyub, and it's about a springtime love both pleasant and painful. Besides the title track, this EP has 3 brand new tracks, and includes previously released singles "Rooftop" and "Like a Flower."

"Spring Memories" is a power ballad. It starts as a soft pop song, with some folk accents, sung to an acoustic guitar. There's a lot of falsetto here, at least until it reaches the 1-minute mark. That's when it gets heavier -- and then the chorus ends and it goes back to whistling and acoustic guitar during the main verses. It's a little different than I was expecting, but not bad. The rocker "Leave It" is a little more like what I'd come to expect from N.Flying based on my first exposure, "Awesome." This one is based on a more refined sound, with a few more melodic hooks. It's no less energetic than their debut song, and I like this one a lot.

"Flowerwork" hearkens back to their rap-rock roots, containing both in generous amounts. We get to hear a husky-voiced singer, awesome raps, and sick guitar licks. If you're not enjoying this one, you need to check your pulse. "Preview" starts with a piano and jangly guitar. The falsetto finds its way onto this track too. What's interesting, is the way this is put together. It reminds me a lot of a Dean song, which is hardly the worst sound they could adopt. "Rooftop" and "Like a Flower" are their previously released title tracks. No surprises here.

In my last review, I ripped them for trying to sound just like everyone else. I did that because I started listening to these guys precisely because they did sound different. Well, they've redeemed themselves, at least in my ears, and released a pretty solid collection here. And it has some of the rap-rock that I enjoy. If you're looking for something to kickstart your heart while the flowers bloom, look no further than this EP.

MV REVIEW

A group of friends go out and enjoy the cherry blossoms. Or at least, that's about what I can get. They also arrange to meet up, but they don't do that much of that. And it's not Kwak Dong Yeon who gets the girl, but another handsome devil. Of course, in the end...well, I won't spoil it for you.

This is probably one of the more romantic MVs you'll find this year. Hwesung's vocals, a hunky guy, cherry blossoms, and a pretty girl all combine to warm the heart and soften your soul. I can't think of much to top all that.

They pretty much let the scenery do all the talking here, despite texting back and forth. It's the locations that do a lot for this MV, and the beautiful cherry blossom trees, not to mention the soft light they film it in. And, yeah, it definitely sucked me in.

There's not that much to say about, it has to be seen and experienced to do it justice, so I'll let the play button do my work for me. What a pretty video!

Score

MV Relevance............9

MV Production..........8

MV Concept...............8

MV SCORE: 8.3

Album Production.....9

Album Concept..........8

Tracklisting................8

ALBUM SCORE: 8.3

OVERALL.................8.3