Song Minho (WINNER) - XX (2018) Songs and Album Review
Song Minho (a.k.a MINO) from kpop boy band WINNER, released his first solo album "XX" on 26th November 2018. MINO contributed in designing the album art, besides composing all 12 tracks in this album.
Upon release, this album topped several countries' iTunes charts, cementing MINO's position as one of YG Entertainment's promising talents. I personally think YG is trying to push MINO to be the next G-Dragon. However, MINO has his own unique flavour in musical taste, as evidently presented in all 12 tracks.
Note that I couldn't understand the lyrics as I could not speak Korean. Hence, this review will be solely focused on the melody, instrumental beats, and music video. For those who understand Korean language and the South Korean culture, the lyrics are sophisticated, and that's an understatement. MINO is known to use smart wordplays. Hence, it is recommended to read in between the lines of the lyrics to get the essence of this whole album. Google translate will not do this album justice.
The tracklist are presented as below:
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Trigger" (시발점; sibaljeom) | Mino | Mino, Kang Uk Jin | Kang Uk Jin | 2:57 |
| 2. | "Fiancé" (아낙네; anagne) | Mino | Mino, Future Bounce, Texu | Future Bounce, Texu | 3:27 |
| 3. | "Hope" (소원이지; sowon-iji) (feat. Yoo Byung-jae) | Mino, 1105 | Mino, 1105 | 1105 | 4:18 |
| 4. | "ㅇ2" (02) | Mino, Millennium | Mino, Millennium | Millennium | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Rocket" (로켓; lokes) | Mino | Mino, Choice37 | Choice37 | 3:11 |
| 6. | "Um..." (흠; heum) (feat. Blue.D) | Mino | Mino, Kang Uk Jin, Diggy | Kang Uk Jin, Diggy | 3:58 |
| 7. | "Lonely" (위로 해줄래; wilo haejullae) | Mino | Mino, AiRPLAY | AiRPLAY | 3:10 |
| 8. | "Aurora" (오로라; olola) | Mino, Millennium | Mino, Millennium | Millennium | 2:37 |
| 9. | "Her" (어울려요; eoullyeoyo) | Mino | Mino, Kang Uk Jin, Diggy | Kang Uk Jin, Diggy | 4:04 |
| 10. | "Agree" (암; am) | Mino | Mino, Future Bounce | Future Bounce | 3:31 |
| 11. | "Bow-Wow" (불구경; bulgugyeong) (feat. YDG) | Mino, YDG | Mino, Kang Uk Jin | Kang Uk Jin | 3:12 |
| 12. | "Alarm" (알람; allam) | Mino | Mino, Choice37, Hae | Choice37, Hae | 3:17 |
After listening through all the songs in the album on the repeat, here are my overall thoughts:
1. Trigger
A hardcore instrumental beat with a smooth rap delivery, this song serves as a good first song of the album, signifying what's installed in the rest of the album.
2. Fiance
This is the title track of the album, as music video is released together with the album. This song is fresh, that's the best way to describe this song. This song blends modern hip hop and traditional Korean elements pretty well. The music video is well-shot, showing the best parts of MINO's choreography, and rap delivery. It was a very good idea to put MINO in traditional Korean clothings, to reflect the traditional korean elements in the music. It is evident that MINO has thought through the arrangement of this song very meticulously. It is very fresh, as creative as it can be for this genre. The chord progression is unique, not found in many typical k-pop songs nowadays. A good song choice for title track.
3. Hope
Yoo Byung Jae is not a singer, he's a comedian. His voice in this song fits the mood very well. This song can be described as a slow rapped, and elements of lazy draggy rap delivery. This song would fit a scene in a VIP bar in which a guy try to approach a girl after heavy drinking. The piano suited this song very well.
4. O2
If you love cheesy songs, you would love this song. The arranger of this song is Choi Raesung (a.k.a Millennium), a 18-year old producer. Hence, this song can appeal very well to young pre-teen girls. The synthesizer is a very signature feature of Millennium's instrumental arrangement. This song's arrangement is typical at best, and it is not fresh during the second listen. I personally think this song is skippable, if you are expecting more of a hardcore hip hop MINO.
5. Rocket
Choice is the producer, hence one can expect hardcore hip hop rap instrumentals. And, he delivered exactly what is expected. Hardcore rap beat lined with MINO savage rap delivery. The song is suitable to be danced and choreographed to the latest hip hop dance crew. The chorus is dope, and one can already imagine MINO effortless rapping in a club in his own swagness.
6. Um
This song is the hidden gem of the album. Not a typical in-you-face rap song. In fact, it's a RnB song, with melancholic melody. Blue D's voice fitted the song's tone very well, as her voice is ethereal. One can't help but to feel a sense of tingling longing for a missed opportunity in love life. The melody is well composed. Blue D's pre-chorus high notes are the highlight of this song, bringing out the emotion seeping through the song. This song shows that MINO can pull off RnB genre, besides predominately hip hop rap.
7. Lonely
When the verse started, it presents nothing special. But as the song builds on to the pre-chorus, it really reminds me of Taeyang's RnB songs. The instrumental during the chorus is dope, as the synthesizer brings out the lively element of the song. I can see people easily dancing to this song. But I would say this song can be forgettable.
8. Aurora
This song is another collaboration between MINO and millennium. So yes, it would appeal very well to young pre-teen girls. Very positive vibe song. Very suitable for elementary school goers. But forgettable.
9. Her
At first when I heard this song, I thought it is nothing special. But I found that MINO can really sing well. No rap is heard in this song. MINO's falsetto is nicely delivered. Credits should be given to the melody composition. This song can easily be an OST for a Korean drama. As some INNERCIRCLE stated, this song would probably fit Kim Jinwoo better (another WINNER member)
10. Agree
This song gave me ear orgasm. Hardcore rap instrumentals, with savage rap lyrics, and well executed melody. This song is a in-your-face rap song, very well written and rapped. I can see people jamming to this song in hip hop clubs. MINO has outdone himself in the rap game.
11. Bow Wow
Another in-your-face rap song, with hardcore rap instrumentals. This is what people expect from the rapper MINO. I can see why MINO has many male fans, and this song is one of the reasons. The pre-chorus is very creative, using breathing as part of the melody. One can easily sing/rap along with the chorus. The instrumental beat is very suitable for hip-hop dance cover. This song is played best with bass-boosted speakers.
12. Alarm
A very good ending song for the album. Again, it reminds me of Taeyang's RnB songs. The chorus is very well executed. It is again, a hidden gem of the album, as the melody is quite memorable.
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A guide to how/when to listen to the songs in this album:
When you wanted hardcore rap songs: Trigger, Rocket, Agree, Bow Wow
When you're feeling sentimental: Um, Alarm
When you wanted some freshness: Fiance
When you're drunk: Hope
When you wanted to please a 11 year old girls: O2, Aurora
When you missed Taeyang: Lonely, Her
Overall, this album is definitely worth the money. If you're a fan of Korean Hip-Hop, this album would be a huge gift to the Korean music scene.
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