Sunshine Review

  There's certain music that you can only fully appreciate when you understand the lyrics, and The Winning by South Korean soloist IU certainly falls into this category. Hear me out: as someone who doesn’t speak Korean, I did enjoy the mini album on my first listen. The music had a calming effect, IU’s angelic vocals paired with smooth instrumentals. It wasn't until I read the lyrical translations on Genius.com, however, that tears came to my eyes from the sheer beauty of the album. Through the lyrics and sounds in The Winning, IU weaves a story of life and success, and all that lies in between. The Winning begins with “Shopper”–a song that probably brings out the stereotypical teenage girl in all of us and the desire to “shop all day.” The chorus sounds distinctly airy and light, almost dreamy. While the soloist could simply be singing about a particularly large shopping spree, the lyrics also contain a metaphor. The lines “Time is short/ Make ‘em all yours,” from the ch

  On March 3, 2019, Tomorrow X Together made their debut with the title track, “Crown” off of their first EP, The Dream Chapter: Star. The second boy group under BigHit Entertainment, the debut was met with excitement, though the five members were largely viewed as BTS’s younger brothers. There were advantages and disadvantages to the title, but one thing was clear; TXT had some high expectations to live up to. Five years later, the group has just wrapped up anniversary celebrations with their loyal fanbase, Moa. The release of their tenth album, Minisode 3: Tomorrow, is just over the horizon. Tomorrow X Together has officially made a name for themselves, changing millions of lives for the better. The group’s current discography comprises nine albums. The Dream Chapter: Star, featuring Blue Orangeade, Crown, Our Summer, Cat & Dog, and Nap of a Star, begins the group’s story, with themes of embracing differences and finding people who make you feel safe. The Dream Chapter: Magic, th

 Last week JYP and Republic Records’ American k-pop group from the survival show A2K finally debuted with the single, “Girls of the Year.” The single is accompanied by a second track, “Xo, Call Me.” So, what has VICHA brought to the table with this debut?  “Girls of the Year” is a high energy, fun and bouncy song. Similar to the group's pre-debut releases, this single is about chasing dreams without any fear. Though the song would put anyone in a good mood with its happy beat, I also found it to be a bit cheesy. While I don't have anything against chasing dreams and singing about it, especially when it's clear that the girls have worked so hard for this dream, I can't help but feel that the song is somewhat generic. It seems as if VCHA is only singing about their motivation for the future, and not necessarily the reason for it. Personally, I would love to see the group diving further below the surface level of the emotions their songs express. This is especially true in

 Fans were shocked by the release of the music video for South Korean singer IU’s latest single, “Love Wins All”. The video features V of BTS and has piqued the interest of both artists’ respective fanbases, Uaena and Army. Though the title might suggest a soft, sweet music video, what was actually released is not what you'd expect. Yes, there are sweet moments, but there's so much more to it than just that. Many fans have said the video could easily be extended into a movie, and it does indeed have a cinematic quality. The video opens not with music, but with the sound of IU and V running and breathing heavily. The sound is sharp and foreboding against the otherwise quiet background. Right from the start, every tiny detail in “Love Wins All” serves to create a specific feeling. In this scene, it's urgency, tension, and fear. Both characters are in casual clothes which are tattered and dirty, their faces equally dirt-streaked and beat up. V’s right eye is clouded, implying

  Don't we all love a good motivational song about running towards your dreams? I know I do, and NMIXX’s latest album, Fe304: BREAK, offers just that. This album is the first in a new chapter of NMIXX's discography, named after the chemical formula for black iron oxide (Fe3O4). Interestingly, this compound is often used to resist corrosion, which seems to be in contrast to the album’s title: BREAK. It becomes clear throughout the album, however, that NMIXX’s goal is to break down the walls holding them back without becoming corroded themselves.  The first song on the album as well as the title track, “Dash” sounds funky and sassy, as one would expect from NMIXX. The pop song is a bit repetitive throughout the chorus and might be an acquired taste for some, but it's certainly a fun and unique listening experience. This song is about running forward no matter what, ignoring “red lights” and anything else in the way. Difficulties are acknowledged within the lyrics, “Quivering

  Nearly everyone alive has inevitably at some point had something rude or mean spirited said to or about them, directly or indirectly. It's the same for celebrities. Yes, the amount of people saying good things about them is much higher than what ordinary people hear, but with the increased attention comes increased criticism from others. Confidence can be hard for anyone–celebrities or not–especially when everyone else has so much to say. It may be difficult, but not impossible. With their latest album, “Born to Be”, Itzy declares their choice to ignore anything said against them and to continue to be who they are, whether others like it or not. The ten-track album is itself an anthem of self-confidence. The album's first track, “Born to Be”, starts out with intense beats, leading through beautiful high notes into the electronic chorus. The group declares that, no matter what anybody else says, they are, “Born to be wild and free.”  The album's title, “Untouchable”, h