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Hey guys! JP here, today we have another first listen slash review; this one is
for Infinite . . . sorry the name just escaped me TOP SEED. Infinite TOP SEED. Um, it's
still been a while since I have really really listened to Infinite and I am
still sad that Hoya is gone, but one thing I noticed with their music video
for "Tell Me", with Hoya gone - granted yes everyone in Infinite could sing even
Hoya and Dongwoo - everyone in Infinite could sing, but with Hoya being such
a big rapper of the group this leaves a lot of vocals. A lot, a lot of vocals, so
I'm really really curious to see how this album is going to sound and it is a
long one. They have - I believe it's 12 songs - 12 full songs. So, this is a
full-length album for Infinite and I think it's been a while, I'm not too sure it has been a
while for me since I have even listened to them. So I'm really curious especially
because, I liked "Tell Me" so much it was a really really good song and I
still listen to it it's still on my playlist. So I'm really curious to hear
what the rest of this is going to be like.
So the first song we have is called
"Begin" which you know, fitting for an intro song. Ajust the volume so I don't
blast out my eardrums with these songs, that would be bad.
So the first song on the album is called "Begin".
Okay, I like this.
I like the strings.
Oh that's cool.
I'm assuming this is
going to be all instrumental.
Infinite, they seem to be going for a more
electronic classic kind of mix.
Okay now yeah, that's what I was talking, about that's
an electronic classical mix, I like that a lot. That was - I heard the riser so I was
expecting something but I was not expecting that.
This really sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Oh yes, there's the "Tell Me Love" line.
Oh wow, I love this.
God it has, it's been a while since I've listened to an album that has an intro
song like that. It has been a long long while that was refreshing for me. I can't
think off the top of my head of another album currently that has that intro
instrumental short song in the beginning. That, I loved that because, it always sets
the tone for the album. It's a very very good starting point and now the second
song off the album is "Tell Me" which I really liked "Tell Me" because it was very
different for Infinite. It was something slightly more unique, but the thing about
it was - and I'm not gonna listen to this one simply because I have been listening
to it actually quite a lot recently - but the thing about "Tell Me" that I really
really liked was that it reminded me of a lot of early Infinite songs. Some of
the very first stuff they did: "Come Back Again" . . . um . . . god all their early songs are
escaping me except for their debut song, but it reminds me a lot of that and it's
also more mature, even. It's not more just childish early k-pop group, it's a more
mature version of that and the fact that they're using a lot of what feels like,
classic styles to it. It makes it sound more interesting and it's very
electronic and classical and like I said with Hoya gone everything is much more
vocal based, even Donwoo's rapping sounds more leading towards vocal style than
anything and Sanggyun's - not Sanggyn - Sunggyu seems to be picking up
the rapping portions that Hoya kind of - that Hoya's not there to do anymore.
Which, is also really interesting. It's a different dynamic and "Tell Me" is . . . I like
the fact that it's um . . . I like the fact that "Tell Me" was there uh comeback song
because it kind of - that and then the intro really set up the rest of the
album and I have really high hopes for this album. So, the third song on the
album is called "Synchronize". Right? Wow. I do not like the way use spell synchronize.
Uh, I've never actually looked at the way we spell synchronize; I don't like that.
My dyslexia does not like that kind of spelling.
Okay
this sounds like
early two-thousands soft rock pop song
those vocals
Oh
That's not where I expected it to go.
There's the chorus.
So they got like a suspension bar or two there
before they jump into the chorus, which is really cool.
Ah, Sunggyu's voice I've always really liked.
It has the same electronics feel as "Tell Me" but it is so different from
"Tell Me" because, it's more . . . "Tell Me" reminded me of like classical and
electronic; this reminds me of like electronic and early two-thousands
pop-rock, which is actually really cool.
I'm loving the little guitar motif they're using in the background.
And the use of the higher vocal range registers is also a very nice touch.
I love the suspension bar here.
I like how now the guitar motif is an electronic motif.
That was a nice extension.
See and this, this song especially really reminds me of early early Infinite.
I hear riser in the back, that's cool.
Maybe that wasn't - okay it wasn't a
riser, but it's like an electronic something, but I really really like that.
See and that song - like I said - in particular gives me very very early
Infinite vibes and I really really like the way Infinite sounded in the
beginning. And I didn't - that's not to say I don't like the way they sound now, but
I really really like the way they sounded in the beginning and then they
kind of went off and tried a lot of different areas and it's kind of nice to
see that after all with what they've tried, granted everything they tried
sounded amazing and they did a great job with it but, it's kind of nice to see
them now more mature coming back to their original sound and doing it again.
It's kind of cool to see.
The next one is song number 4 off the album this is
called "No More".
Okay we got some piano.
I like the like electronic Morse code like sound they have.
It's like in the very back behind the piano.
I like that part.
The piano melody though, is just beautiful.
That was a good, that was a good switch into the chorus.
Ah, the harmonies.
The little electronic sounds that they're using
to switch sections they're
so subtle but very very powerful.
I like how when they do have Dongwoo come in and rap they do to change up the
song. Give it like a slightly more of a beat to it so you can rap to the beat.
That's a nice touch.
And there's that electronic sound again.
Oh that was - was that an extra bar to get into the chorus? That was nice.
I like how the bridge kind of stays on par with the chorus.
Infinite's vocals.
Oh, they bring it back down at the end. I was expecting it to go up.
So it went it was low in the versus, higher in the chorus, and then it went
stayed on par for the bridge and the ending chorus, and then for the outro it
went back all the way down to the low point in the first and kind of redid
that part. That's nice touch I really really like
the way they did that. I do enjoy the fact that the bridge and the chorus were
kind of on the same level. That ending part, instead of going back down it
stayed up. I was surprised because I did expect
it to go higher, but it going back to the beginning kind of made it full circle
and made it sound better.
So next song in this album is "TGIF".
Okay, "TGIF" which is Dongwoo's solo.
I like that chime sound
It's got a
weird electronicy haunting feel.
Ooh those cords coming in like that.
Wow. It kinda reminds me - kinda makes me feel like a
Jazz. It feels more like a jazz club song.
That arpeggiation the background.
I really really like this.
See, like I said with Dongwoo's rapping, something - and this even goes for when Hoya
was rapping - they all have, like they're all really good at staying what feels
like in key and keeping it - still rap but it has a vocal aspect to
to make it flow better
and that works really well for the choruses he does.
I like how he's using the chords of the piano to like do the ***, to hit hit the
piano and then transition the next section.
Suspension bar I like that. I think that was suspension bar.
Are we gonna fade out here or are we going back to the chorus?
Okay we're going to a different chorus.
Okay that was different.
Surprisingly different but, it still
really fit with the rest of the song so far off this album but it was different.
But it was done with solo so rapper solos are always kind of - in kpop they're
expected if a rapper has a solo it's expected to be slightly different
than every other song off the album because they're a rapper. But I really
really like that I don't think I've ever heard Dongwoo solo. Off the top of my head I
don't think I have, but I really really liked that that was very very very very
Dongwoo to say it. It's like Dongwoo mixed with the rest of
the album and so it fits in there well and I like the jazzy feel the piano
melody and the piano chords really gave to it.
So the next song off the album is
called "Pray".
Back to the violins; continuing with the piano.
Oh, I love that guitar.
Well that is not we're expected it to go.
That's okay; that's good; I like this.
I like that you still have the guitar in the background too.
The sharpness of the strings.
I love that solo.
I'm getting like
and not completely but it reminds me a little bit of "Last Romeo".
This would also
be perfect for like a really really dramatic drama preview.
Dongwoo coming in like that with the string still going, that was beautiful.
The quiet vocals the have still in the back. That's a nice touch.
Ah, the tremel of the strings.
That was such a beautiful transition bar.
And now, everything is like in a much more intense state for this chorus.
Oh I love that ending too.
If infinite were to do another song off this album
for a music video I would have to say that would be the perfect one. Like I
said it's the - it's got - with the combination of everything that's very
much orchestral plus the electric guitar and the electric bass I was hearing in
there, that is something that can make a very very dramatic music video or a
perfect OST for drama. Honestly, that is; I have no idea what the lyrics are but, I
probably will actually look up those lyrics because I - and especially with how
much recently I've been listening to orchestral music for my classes and
everything. Cause we've been studying Orchestra pieces and scores so hearing it in a
kpop song and done so well like that I am very very impressed. This, this album
definitely has a more, it's more tailored towards a classical style mixed with
electronic for sure and I really greatly appreciate that. Infinite has the they
have the look and the style that's perfect for it to work for them.
Not every k-pop group could get away with that and have it work, but infinite
there's something about them they make it work.
So the next song on this album
is called "Why Me" and it's five minutes long. I'm really curious.
Keeping with the pianos.
Going with a higher register on the piano.
This is giving me chills.
Now, this is the kind of slow song I like, other than rock songs, because
this has the strings, the piano, the acoustic guitar.
God this is so soothing.
Oh, the guitar. That is very well placed.
I'm loving how the strings are hitting all those really really high sharp notes.
And back down versus.
See while this reminds me of early infinite it is
definitely Infinite is branching out to something new once again. Infinite has
always tested different boundaries and like - this is much more electronic
than when they first started so this is them now branching out into trying
traditional classical style style which they're doing amazing this is honestly
beautiful.
Now since this is a five-minute song I'm curious because, I think we're at the
bridge now.
Okay, no, we're getting to the bridge but I'm really curious if it's gonna be
vocal or instrumental.
Ah yes, here's the bridge.
Dropping everything out and having mostly the vocals and some of the more acoustic
and lighter playing instruments.
And we're going back up.
Yes we're going back up.
Back up, with vocal adlibs in the background I love that.
Hi LoLo.
Back to the sharp piano. I love this.
I mean, I know like I've said before, I don't usually have much to comment on when it
comes to more classical-style music videos or songs but, I really really do
like the way Infinite has done this and "Why Me" is very much the type of slow
song I would want to see from from groups because, I prefer slow songs less
when they're more electronic based more when they're rock based, but I really
don't mind listening to slow songs when they're classical style because I love
the sound strings and throughout this entire album so far they have been using
strings wonderfully well. Whoever is their producer on this if it's one of
them or somebody else they really know how to use strings to the fullest extent
and they do an amazing job of it with this. I really am appreciating this album.
So the next song on this album is called "Wind". Which were getting close to the end
here, this is song number 8.
I'm loving the guitar and the whistling, oh and the claps. This feels like something I
woulda listened to like five years ago. I like this.
Oh, this is more rock style. Yes.
I love that motif they're using.
This again reminds me of early Infinite it's
this sound they keep coming back to that reminds me of them.
And the strings they're still using the strings.
This is like - and I love Infinite's last album - but this is so much better.
That motif is back again.
We got an instrumental bar or two here okay.
I like the little ticking clock noise they're using during the quiet parts.
The strings, they're so subtle but they're there and it does so much for the
filling the background noise.
I am loving, this sound that Infinite's going for.
And back to the guitar. I love that motif.
They make you think you're going to a chorus and then throw you into a bridge.
That's kind of cool
Those strings they were using the background to lead you up to this, that
was a nice touch.
So you're slowly fadeing gout back to the beginning, okay.
Oh, I like how we end with the ticking on that that was a very nice touch. That
really really that one really really reminded me of early early Infinite and
the I like how pretty much every song and this has had strings or piano and
even still with that song feeling like some sort of a rock poppy song from like
early 2000s it still had the strings in it which is what makes it different from
that style of music the strings are - the strings are what set it apart and that
does a very good job of making that sound unique and it just it reminds me
of Infinite. These songs feel like Infinite and I think that's what I'm
loving about this album.
So the next song is called "I Hate".
Oh, I'm loving that electric guitar.
Oh, the electronics.
Now this is the kind of style of music I like.
I love this. If we hadn't have had "Wind" right before this this would have been out of
place but with "Wind" this is a great segue.
I don't think I've heard a kpop group do a song rock style like this and do it so well.
Oh there's the piano, and that ties back to the rest the album.
Oh, that electronic
arpeggiation there that gives it a really different feel.
God I would love to see them to this live.
I'm not used to hearing - especially Infinite cause I'm so used to electronic and
classical - hearing a rock style from them is very different for me. And while some
groups have done rock styles outliering would be BAP who does everything rock
style this is very good for group for group who's never done it before.
And Dongwoo, Dongwoo's vocals tie great to this song.
That, that was unexpected but well well-loved and I think like I said
because "Wind" was right before it if wind hadn't have come before that that would
have felt really out of place and their occasional use of the piano also made it
very still in ties with the rest of the album. It does a very good job of keeping
it in the mix of the album with these small little things but like I said a
BAP does a lot of rock style songs pretty much most everything they've done
has been rock style so BAP is a complete outlier group so excluding them
most other kpop groups do not tread into the rock category. Dreamcatcher is
still new and upcoming and they've kind of done it that is their main thing but,
no other groups have done it like Infinite has with just like a one song
that kind of did it. Some people would say BTS kind of did but, if you're a rock
fan you would say no. So it's really cool for me to see a kpop group actually
have a more rock style song and it kind of reminds me more of heavy metal style
because, it still feels - it feels in like it ties in with classical music and some
people will tell you heavy metal and that kind of stuff does have a lot of
classical ties to it. So that's why I really really appreciate this. They do a
good job making it still feel like it has that classical tie to keep it in
line with the rest of the album. If they hadn't've done like I said the piano
and "Wind" and they hadn't have kept it in that classical realm if they had just
straight-up done a rock pop song then it really honestly would not have fit with
the album, but the way they did it makes it fit so perfectly well and I am very
very impressed right now.
So the next time we have on this album is Myungsoo's
solo song or L's solo song, I know him as Myungsoo simply because I watched him
do a lot of acting stuff. So his solo song which is called "reminisce".
Interesting thing, it's lower case I am kind of curious why his solo song is
lower case and not capitalized at the beginning it's a rather interesting
choice for the song title.
Now we're back to the pianos.
It really jumped right into it. That was an interesting technique and I like that
they're bringing in the strings.
It's such a slow down compared the last one on the album.
I love the strings.
For Myungsoo's vocals this song works really really well.
So, the strings fade out more.
Okay we're getting a little more rhythm from the strings.
There's a slight built that is going on in this verse and I like that it's so
slight most people wouldn't notice it.
Back to the melody.
Got a little arpeggiation going on the piano, I like it.
Oh his vocals that was very good.
We're going down.
back to the melody going back up
yeah we're going back up
go into a new part okay
now that is very big shift there it works but it's just a big shift
now see that one is whoa I love the stream there. that one is much more of a
traditional slow song which I don't mind it works wonderfully for Myungsoo's
vocals his vocals are tailored for that and it does a very good job of it it's a
contrast when listening to "I Hate" and then coming up to that song next but
it's actually not a bad contrast it kind of brings the album back down it really
kind of just like the album hits a peak and "I Hate" with its intensity and then
"reminisce" kind of brings you back down which is for album progression that's a
very nice job now this song I have been rather excited to listen to excited and
nervous because I really really like Songjong's voice I love his vocals and I
love the way they sound and I'm so happy he got a solo song but I'm a little
nervous to see exactly what this is going to be like nervous and excited so
this is called "Love Song"
whoo piano and a nice little plucked acoustic I like that
whoo that slide
it has the stylistics of a love song very stylistics that a lot of
love songs use
Oh horns oh that's a nice touch
I haven't heard horns on this album yet that's a very nice touch I don't usually
I don't usually like la la la sections but his voice and the guitar make that section really nice
I really do like the horns that they're using though that's a very nice cut touch.
His voice is very soft-spoken
and it's perfect for this kind of song
the horns have to be the nicest surprise off this album I really really love the
addition of the horns
and that guitar
oh the chime and then the cymbole ending that's a very nice touch I did not know
what to expect for Sungjong's solo but I really really liked that that was it was
very traditional of a song called "Love Song" that's meant to be something
romantic it is something you've probably heard a lot
that can be said for that song it's very traditional for that kind of stuff so
it's not anything really like surprising the biggest shocker for me was we hadn't
really heard horns on this album yet so hearing the horns in the chorus that was
such a perfect added touch I'm assuming that was probably an arranger that
helped add that in and that is that definitely made that song better by far
so we are now onto the final song on the album which is called begin again
bringing us back probably to the intro track so I really like the way they did
the intro piece so now I'm curious what this last song is going to be like
Bringing us back to that same feel we had at the beginning
I like the snaps the way they echo out that's cool
Oh like that everything kind of like dropped out for the most part oh those
Those harmonies
The way they like extend the chorus throughout vocals every time you thought it would
end it doesn't and then it kind of fades up the verse with the vocals is very nice touch on the vocals
I like the piano they have in the back too
It keeps going
okay this time they made the chorus keep going and it just kind of like turns into the bridge
I like this
slowly building everything back up okayI like this I like this
I like that
and then it just ends on the nehe part I kind of wish I liked it but I kind of
wish the last chorus had gone up even higher it kind of ended I mean it feels
like there should be more which I guess is the point cuz the song is called "Begin
Again" but it still it feels unfinished and I'm not sure if could that's because
they didn't end on tonic or not but it just it feels unfinished it's not bad
it's just I'm not a big fan of the way they end it it doesn't feel finished not
how I want it to at least
overall I have to say I am quite impressed with this
album I was not expecting Infinite to come out and do something of this style
I mean "Tell Me" had a very different sound to it and I wasn't sure where that
would go sometimes with groups you get to a thing
where you have a comeback song that is very different for the rest of the album
and I'm never sure what with Infinite especially with them always trying new
things but this is them trying something old with a new take on it and they did
an amazing job with it I am actually fairly impressed and I kind of want I
wish I knew more about being able to hear chords and stuff and notes when
violins and everything play them I wish I could be able to identify things like
most like most classical musicians can because I want to know if there is
anything else that's special in that aspect about it but from my standpoint
this is actually very well done I again I don't like recommending buying albums
because I know not everyone wants to buy spend all that kind of money but if you
like Infinite if you're a fan I would recommend this one this is one that I
would even want to own it's got it's such a unique sound for Infinite and I
really feel like Infinite not being the most popular groups makes it difficult
for them so it feels like they finally found a very good niche for them and
this is it and they had this kind of style a couple of different times but
each time it just wasn't right I feel like they finally found the style it fits them
and even from a story standpoint from beginning to end even though I don't
like the very very and last ending of the song I do feel like it's unfinished
it's still good it tells a very good story from beginning to end and it all
all of it stays within the same style and the strings and the piano are what
bring it together those two instruments keep everything sounding like it belongs
together even with the rock song "I Hate" the violins and the or not the strings
but the piano they bring in their and the classical styles they're using it
makes everything tie in together it makes it feel whole so overall I am
quite and impressed with this album I would recommend buying it if not buying it
them at least listening to it because it's definitely really good
I am surprised because while I did like their last comeback I wasn't thoroughly
impressed and it had some of the kind of same stylings as this album but this
album feels like the next step up and like a evolution of the last one and like
it's gotten so much better this feels whole and like I said it
feels like Infinite I think they finally found their niche is what I'm trying to
say so my recommendation is to buy this or at the very least listen to it which
you can listen to it on Spotify and iTunes so that does it for this first
listen slash review the next one hopefully will be Seventeen's and Ravi's if
not just Ravi's I Seventeen still well at time of recording this they still have not
released it on Spotify yet so there that that keeps getting delayed a little bit
but that is it for Infinite and I will see you guys next time