[Digital Single] HyunA; Change

With over three years of experience, it comes to no surprise that HyunA had what it took to hit solo. Although still a member of 4minute, she took the opportunity to react on her popularity and release a song. Change is the debut digital single by Change and features Yong Jun Hyung from BEAST. I remember that the song was really popular in Taiwan during the summer.

Released: January 4, 2010
1. Change (feat. Yong Jun Hyung from BEAST)

Change (feat. Yong Jun Hyung from BEAST) gives us a powerful dance/pop tune with hip-hop undertones. Right when the song it opens, it already brings attention with its sexier atmosphere. While it does utilize the ever popular repetition of the title, it does so in a way that allows it to avoid the redundancy found in many of today’s current K-idol tracks. It’s strong beats, with the overall dark atmosphere gives the song an extra edge and works with HyunA’s sexier image. While the song does have a lack of singing, this  rap-singing actually gives the song a boost and brings a more aggressive side to it. Junhyung rap break also works very well here unlike other songs where the rapping often breaks the singing in an awkward way.

Overall: For the first digital single, HyunA sure knew how to bring it. It makes me wonder what she will bring next as it will definitely be difficult to top this song. It’s aggressive, catchy and sexy.

A+

[Mini-Album] 4minute; For Muzik

For Muzik is the first mini-album released by girl group 4minute. The first single was Hot Issue, which was released two months prior, while the second and third singles were MUZIK and What a Girl Wants.

Released: August 31, 2009
1. For Muzik
2. MUZIK
3. Hot Issue
4. What a Girl Wants
5. Funny (웃겨)
6. Won’t Give You (안줄래)
7. Hot Issue (Shinsadong Tiger Remix) (Hot Issue (신사동호랭이 Remix))

The mini-album opens with the powerful intro For Muzik. This is probably one of my favourite intros ever and part of me wishes it was actually made into a full song. The electronic style with the powerful vocal display. Really attention grabbing. Right after we get launched into the main track, MUZIK. It’s a funky electronic/dance tune that is very catchy and quite well put together. My favourite part would definitely be when HyunA adds because she brings a lot of attitude to the song. There is also a stronger presence of Gayoon in the song as opposed to Hot Issue. Speaking of Hot Issue, it is the next song on the mini and was released as a digital single two months prior. It’s powerful, catchy and rather messy. I think the difference between this and MUZIK is that the latter was much more polished in its delivery. Still a good song. What a Girl Wants was the third single off the album and is a nice R&B/pop tune. It doesn’t stand out as strong as the last two songs, but it’s ok despite the excessive amount of unnecessary autotune. The chorus is quite catchy. Funny is a powerful dance/pop tune, but is just not my cup of tea. The song just seems to be missing something and is too repetitive in a bad way. It ‘s pretty messy and sounds like something that T-ara decided to scrap. Won’t Give You is like What a Girl Wants Part 2, although not as positive. This R&B/pop hybrid is a nice song, but just isn’t as catchy some of the other stronger songs. To end the mini-album we have Hot Issue (Shinsadong Tiger Remix), which is the original with an extra powerful dance beat. I think the beat really works with the chorus, but I feel it overpowers the melody in the verses and the random dance break is so awkward. Not bad, but not a favourite.

Overall: For the first physical release, this is definitely a strong offering. I felt it started out quite strong and really worked with 4minute’s strengths. In the second half, it fell a little bit flat and the songs just sounded like cheaper replicas of songs from the first half. My huge problem was the excessive use of autotune, which seemed really unnecessary in some songs.

B+

[Digital Single] 4minute – Hot Issue

4minute was one of the prime girl groups of the new “girlgroup era” that debuted in the first half of 2009. At first, many cited that they were a copycat of 2NE1, but since then they have pretty much been able to differentiate themselves. Hot Issue is the debut digital single by 4minute.

Released: June 15, 2009
1. Hot Issue

I can’t particularly say what is so intriguing about this song, but I guess it’s just the attitude of it. The song itself is pretty messy and all over the place, but there’s something about it that just works. I definitely find the intro as well as the rap the most intriguing parts of the song as HyunA just seems to work it there, but the majority of the song really lacks a lot of “singing” is mainly just a bunch of talking. It’s still quite catchy and as a dance/pop song, the strong beats and funky synths really makes it. Hot Issue is a hot mess, but fun.

Overall: A strong debut from the group, the song has the attitude and the personality that gives it an extra punch. My only gripe is that the vocal arrangement is pretty messy and it barely shows any of the groups talents except for HyunA’s rapping skills.

B+