I LOVE Shinhwa. Love is somewhat of an understatement. By just a smidge. I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this! I loved “Venus,” and have been looking forward to this comeback for weeks! I don’t know what it is with the number 10 lately, but that’s the number of tracks this album contains. Shinhwa returns, as legendary and classy as ever with their smooth sound, bringing in the new and combining it with the old. Shinhwa, you never disappoint me!
Shinhwa has returned with their 11th album, “The Classic” which combines their “classic” sound, with new elements. It’s a mixture of dance tracks and ballads, with several songs written by the group’s very own, Lee Min Woo.
By the way, it was just released on iTunes a day ago. Don’t let iTunes fool you with the reviews that say they were written the day the album was actually released, they’re lies! But now that I am able to listen to the album, it’s fantastic!
“그래 (Geurae)” or “Sure” is a rock ballad. The smooth guitar and soft drums kick in to high gear in the chorus as the men belt out their hearts. Not ‘making-me-cry-‘ sort of belt, but still beautiful. How does this song make me feel? Like those scenes in the movies where the guy is chasing after the girl, but he can’t quite catch up to her. Will he make it? Will she turn around? Who knows!
“아는 남자 (A Guy You Know)” is a beautiful ballad. The beat started out, and at first and I was like, “Is Shinhwa trying Hip-Hop now?” but then the melody came in and I was like, “Oh, I see what you did there.” Winning combo. The men are in harmony, the rapping is okay. I liked it, but it wasn’t necessary for the song. And that, “Eh, eh, eh-oh~” is just hauntingly beautiful. I really don’t have a scenario to explain the feels I’m feeling when I listen to this song. When they came to the bridge, I gotta be honest, I cried. This song is inexplicably great.
“This Love” is their single off the album. It’s an upbeat dance track with an addictive hook. Their voices are very smooth heading into the dub-step chorus. I can’t say this is my favorite song off the album, but it doesn’t suck, if that makes sense. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. It’s just okay for me. I love listening to it, it’s catchy, I’d listen to it all day, but I can’t say that it’s the best song off the album. It made for a bombastic comeback, though. I do like how instead of ending it abruptly or drawing it out endlessly, they softly faded out, but not so much that i was waiting there forever for the next song to start.
When I think of “Scarface,” Shinhwa wouldn’t usually be the first thing that comes to mind. Al Pacino, then Al Capone, the “Scarface.” But Shinhwa’s song has no gangster vibes at all. In fact, it has that 1980’s dance track sort of vibe to it. The rap actually fits the song. I don’t mind the auto-tune either. It seems like a lot of K-Pop groups lately are drowning in auto-tune which is completely unnecessary, especially for debut songs. If I wanted that much auto-tune, I’d listen to a Vocaloid. But I digress. The song is great! I love it!
“New Me” was written by member Lee Min Woo. It’s a moving ballad with a great beat. It reminds me of old 90’s R&B. I just want to close my eyes and bob my head to it. It’s not a heavy ballad either, you know the kind. The kind you want to bawl your eyes out to. No, it’s one of those light, romantic ballads. The rap kind of disrupted it though. Not every song needs rap, and this song is one of those songs that didn’t need it.
“웃다가…(While Laughing…)” This however, is a tear jerking ballad. The rapping didn’t seem so disjointed in this one, but it still didn’t need it. I liked it, but it wasn’t necessary. The bridge, TEARS! Yet, the rap at the end…no. I love you guys, but this song did not need rap. There was no real use for it. I was fine with it at first, but then…what could have made me weep, made me question the song instead. I love you Shinhwa, but this song seemed a bit awkward with the rapping. I don’t hate it, I don’t not like it, but it’s just okay.
“마네킹 (Mannequin)” is a very smooth dance track. Much better. The rap fits! Hallelujah! I love the horns! The horns, the rapping, the overall sound of the song is perfect! They harmonize very well. That jazzy rap breakdown wasn’t half bad either. I liked it. I was actually bobbing my head to this song. It’s just a great song.
“Hurricane,” was also written by Lee Min Woo. It’s another electronic dance track. I love the melody of the song more than I love the background instrumentals. The rap fits. See, this is where rap fits. Dance songs. Or, the right ballad. But definitely this song. Overall, it’s a great song.
“I Gave You” is yet another song by Lee Min Woo. It’s an acoustic song. I love it. You can hear their natural voices so clearly, I really love that about the song. I just wanna cuddle under a blanket on my porch and watch the sunset or sunrise to this song. It’s so sweet and romantic. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The guitar, the drums, the piano, even the rap fits together, like a stew. A stew that has all the ingredients.
“사랑 노래 (Love Song)” is the last track on the album. So sad, does it have to end so soon? Any who, it’s a light, upbeat song. The perfect kind for summer! I love the rap in this song. I don’t know if it’s because I expected it, or because it actually sounded good though. I don’t know what it is, perhaps it’s the season, or I’m weird, but this seems like great music to listen to on a walk, or a bike ride. I couldn’t imagine a better ending to this album.
Article by: KareBare
Edited by: Alona
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