Regarding all my previous posts, keeping it Latest, Recent and New were the subjects I deemed necessary whilst choosing my next review. However, as weeks go by with new songs popping into charts every now and then, I often find myself falling back into the depths of songs I use to obsess and repeat over again and again.
Jung Joon Young's Spotless Mind is no exception. Released onto YouTube in late 2013, it was as fresh as my life's third chapter (the beginning of tertiary studies, in an educational sense.) Recalling my 2nd month in the UK, I imagined myself as the protagonist of a musical. Part of the imagination required me to play loud background music, hoping for the best that my neighbours can't hear it. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure, not only could they hear it (100%, if not 98%), they were involuntarily listening to Spotless Mind on repeat, every morning after one wakes up, and every night before one sleeps. The husky-voiced rock singer first attracted my attention in Superstar K4, a televised serious singing competition for non-professionals. One of his performances that I highly recommend listening to is Becoming Dust, a duet by Jung Joon Young and Roy Kim. Having real skill and an unpredictable personality, he won the hearts of many in music charts and variety shows. After receiving a contract with CJ E&M in May 2013, he officially debuted with his single Spotless Mind. Alright, will stop with K-pop history now. My favourite elements in the song include the soft electric strums, climactic modulations, the epic visuals, single colour dominations, heart throbbing percussive pulses ...right, anymore you ask? Well of course you can't forget, the impressive, Jung Joon Young rock and roll voice.
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Sweet Sorrow's out with another music video! This post was due ages ago, then I realised...better late than never! I'm sure you will love the creativity in this one.
To be honest I'm more into the visual side of it all than the music. So they've brought in an artist drawing live art while the music plays. If you're able to read music notes, it's really fascinating! Because the artist has got it all right! Also never have I seen a score so brilliantly drawn - I love the green grass on the bottom stave, the tall building rising through E to F, and five lines becoming the sky and earth for rainbows, clouds and fireworks. Lovely!!! My favourite part in the entire music video is the middle (~2.36) where the artist draws a romantic silhouette of lovebirds and writes down the English lyrics "I love you, I need you, I wanna hold you." Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea. Music wise, it's your typical Sweet Sorrow set up: vocals, guitar, drum set, piano. Give it a go! Caffeine, vibrant pastels, infographics, birds eye view, and Seo In Guk. The theme of the song harmonises perfectly with my books and vitamin C drink. What a refreshing way to start the first day of post-exams freedom!
The introduction kicks off with the essentials - coffee and milk, icecream and espresso, caffe latte, coffee and cookies...and so on. I love the placement of each object in the rectangular screen shots. Each mug is destined to be placed above a checked mat with utensils aligned horizontally and diagonally beside it. When Seo In Guk appears by the 5th changed shot, don't expect a steady camera hold. The slightest wobbly movement lifts the atmosphere out of the spacious room - from what could possibly be a heavy ballade to poppy fairy floss. The following seconds of creative displays also grabbed my attention. You're given a ridiculously high chair that reaches up to a 4 storey-shelf (filled, of course, with coffee cups); a countdown to sleepless nights vs. caffeine; and sudden cuts between emotional changes in one scene. The varying usages of camera angles and focus, I believe, also play a part to the mv's successful cute, uplifting theme. Music wise, not the most kawaii of K-Pop songs out there, but I would still place it pretty high up. (Sorry, must admit, Reply 1997 bias here.) At least it's got all the basics sorted. A well-known voice, steady soft percussion in the backdrop, guitar strums, occasional explosions of electronic brass sounds, few chord choices, and modern electronic keyboards. Then again, although nothing's new, it's always nice to go back to the familiar sounds of lovey-dovey, playful imaginations of youth! Now give this song a go. You might find yourself addicted to a new type of caffeine! |