SNSD: Make You Feel The Heat

From the J-Pop culture, I am now familiarizing myself with K-Pop. I decided to listen first to the songs SM Entertainment. These are the songs of SNSD, TVXQ, f(x) and SHiNee to name a few. Then, here I was already fond of a single group: SNSD.


Photo courtesy of Google


So Nyuh Shi Dae, best known as Girls' Generation, are composed of nine pretty and model-like girls who are talented in dancing and singing. They are YooNa, YuRi, Seo Hyun, Soo Young, TaeYeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Jessica and Hyoyeon. They popularized the songs Genie, Oh! and Mr. Taxi that was later became a hit not only in Korea but here in the Philippines as well.

I saw the SNSD fans from the first KPop Convention I attended. I can say that they are really certified SONES (hardcore SNSD fans). They dress and dance like them. Dance covers are the most common maybe because it is easier to do than sing their Korean songs which for us is pretty hard to pronounce.

Speaking of songs, SNSD has different versions of their music. Since their popularity reached Japan, they created a Japanese version of their songs. Also, they have an English version of their song The Boys.

Recently, they released the music video of their new song Paparazzi, which also has a dance version. Watch it below:

[PV] TVXQ - B.U.T.

First of all, thanks to my friend Sienna for introducing me to TVXQ. This is one of my favorite songs and finally I was able to see its music video! She asked me to write a full review of TVXQ's TONE album. Here is the link to my review.

From the album TONE of TVXQ comes B.U.T. (Beauty). Contradicting from the slow introduction comes an upbeat and sexy song. The beat reflects how adventurous the message of the song is on chasing the girl who caught his eye. It says how much he was attracted to the girl and how much he wishes to be with her. What you will feel in hearing this song is the determination and appreciation of the guy to this certain person who made his world turn around. The video may not necessarily reflect the lyrics of the song but its rhythm really does capture the intensity of what the PV portrayed.

Review: TVXQ - Tone

I am usually fond of listening songs from the anime series. But since Arashi and Supercell, I've been listening to other J-Pop bands too. A friend of mine introduced me to TVXQ and she asked me to review their album TONE.


The album has 13 tracks including a DVD for the PVs. My listening started with a soothing introduction as the first track. I believe that it set the mood of what I'm about to hear. The next song B.U.T immediately gave me the headstart I expected of this album. To be followed by the next tracks, it gave me the groove to dance with the beat. Even the songs with a lighter mood like Duet and Telephone still owned the dance beat but relayed a different meaning to its listeners. These songs gave the sentimental feel as well as the need to groove with the rhythm. But what caught my ears was the second to the last song, which I believe is a ballad. It gave
me the chills and a very heartwarming feel that soothes me. Also cheers to Thank You My Girl which adopted Canon as its base music. Going back to history is a good option, and this is a plus for those who like modern RNB as well as classical music.

I noticed however, that the arrangement of the songs kicked off with the club beats, went down a little for the in love party people in the mid, returned to the groove and lied low to a ballad as the nearing end of the tracklist. The last song, Easy Mind gave an unexpected ending to a whole listening experience. It left the listener a goodbye that somehow, in my opinion, told me that "Thank you for listening, I hope you had fun". The arrangement isn't bad. I believe that it played with the mood of the listener. It focused more on the upbeat feel yet set aside a part for those with soft sides.

Here are the reviews for each song in the album:

1. INTRO

The first song of the album is very mellow and relaxing. It is a perfect and surprising start to what is in store for the whole playlist. The lyrics of the song is somewhat sentimental which will lead you to wondering what will happen later. It started with a moment of tranquility and questions.

2. BUT

Contradicting from the slow introduction comes an upbeat and sexy song. The beat reflects how adventurous the message of the song is on chasing the girl who caught his eye. It says how much he was attracted to the girl and how much he wishes to be with her. What you will feel in hearing this song is the determination and appreciation of the guy to this certain person who made his world turn around.

3. I Think U Know

Another upbeat song to follow BUT, with somewhat the same goal. This song is about a guy who thinks that the apple of his eye, knows how he can't take his eyes away from her. The sound describes how he expresses his idea to this girl and dares her to take a step with him. The situation of these characters in the song is the exact reason why the piece is arranged this way, to have a hot and exciting feel to whatever circumstances they may encounter next.

4. Duet

To follow the first two dance songs in the tracklist, was a RNB love song dedicated to the most special girl in the world. Duet says of how much he will give everything to the love of his life and is decided to stay with her forever through thick and thin. It is established in a not-so-mellow way so that it shall leave the pressure between the love statements behind. The message is expressed in a way that the listener will know what is in store for the both of them in a casual manner and something to look forward to. The title Duet implies to the message of the song a duet cannot be done alone, same as the guy can't live without this girl.

5. Thank You My Girl

The most "classical dance song" in the album. Thank You My Girl adapted the very famous Pachebel's Canon in this song as their base tone. Although Canon has always been a classic, the approach to this song is very modern. So for those who want a classic and modern feel in one, listen to this. Also, if you are a romantic who already has someone special in their life, you can dedicate this song to her as a sign of gratitude, as what this song implies. The singer thanks this certain girl who showed him life's meaning by staying by his side whatever it takes.

6. Telephone

After songs of rockin' love, is a slower version of everything. Telephone tells of a guy who hasn't seen his loved one for quite some time yet tells her over the phone how much he loves her. He asks her to trust in her despite their distance as soon he'll be seeing her again. I personally like this song, as it is already a somewhat-ballad to me even with some beats in the background. The message of the song is relayed intensely, as I can feel the singer's desire for them to meet again. The feel is so complete and heartwarming as it assures positivity between them.

7. Back to Tomorrow

This is a song that has a very deep meaning. It is about a guy assuring the girl he loves that he will take care of her and let her see the beauty of tomorrow again. This is so because this girl had her heart broken and isn't sure of what is in store for her. The song is composed with an upbeat approach that promotes the singer's strong desire to patch this girl's heart and never let her smile leave her face again.

8. Why?

A stronger upbeat song compared to the rest of the dance songs in the playlist. This songs present a more intense hiphop beat to describe how much the singer despises the girl who left him not giving him a chance to correct the things he had done. Despite it's strong musical arrangement, is a set of words of defense from a sorrowful experience.

9. Maximum

Maximum followed Why's intensity when it came to sound arrangement. But as for the message behind the song, it doesn't refer to anyone but the singer himself. He is proud to tell the world that he is now beyond his limits and as suggested by the title, at his maximum. He is proud of what he is now and screams through this song's music how much he desires to share this glory.

10. I Don't Know

This is an ironic song about someone who is crazy for a girl who pushes him around and is already to a point of obsession. The song arrangement is again in an upbeat manner to hide the singer's dizzy thoughts about this girl; on why he wishes to stick around despite their situation.

11. Superstar

Since superstars are in demand these days, this song is about a guy who wishes to be a girl's Superstar. He wishes the girl to be all about him as he is all about her. The music gave sense to the singer's desire of being this girl's eye candy. The beats represented his want to be wanted.

12. Shiawaseiro No Hana

My favorite song in the album! I love it because it is a ballad and I can relate with the lyrics of the song. It's message says of a wonderful feeling of having somebody in your life who treasures you wholeheartedly. Despite of whatever will happen in the future, he will always be there assuring his love will never fade.

13. Easy Mind

And here we are at the end of the list. The last song Easy Mind, gives as a good outro as it promotes positivity not only in the sound arrangement but as well as the lyrics. It is a reminder for each and everyone of us to relax and live our life fully despite unwanted situations.

To sum it all up, I loved listening to TONE. It is a must hear for those who are fond of having a pretty adventurous life yet has a sentimental part in their personality. It reflects the twists of life through.. tone. :)

Under Cover

After one week of this daily routine of singing and singing and singing, I finally uploaded my version of Sobakasu by Judy and Mary. The motivation to cover this came from the evening when we were going home from Las Piñas. Kuya Fesh, my officemate, asked me to sing Yuzurenai Negai, the theme song of Magic Knight Rayearth. I was not in the mood that time so I let it pass. After two days, I decided to record the song he requested and posted it in his Facebook wall. I was happy with the outcome, so I decided to do another cover from another anime; which was Rurouni Kenshin.

I've been singing the opening or ending themes of my favorite anime series when I was still a kid even without that good-enough talent to belt it out. Thanks to compliments and appreciation, I gained confidence in pursuing this hobby of covering songs.

I call myself the one who sings in secret.