Just when I cleared my calendar of my boys' schedules, they decided to keep themselves in again this month.
Not that I'm complaining. ;)
The boys decided that they'd release their repackaged album this month, along with a brand new track for promo, A-Cha.
Don't ask about the title. Yes, it brings to mind everything else other than K-pop. Haha.
Super Junior - A-Cha
(Don't mind the audio quality - the management has taken effort to take down any uploads. GRR. *hates bad quality audio max*)
But let's get down to business.
A-Cha comes right on the heels of Mr. Simple - even before we're tired looping Mr. Simple. While most artists let their title track stay on the promo rounds for around two months or more, the K-pop industry continues to move at breakneck speed. We've all got short attention spans - who knows when the next cutesy girl group or irritating dance beat is going to break the charts.
So, barely two weeks since Super Junior officially stopped promotions for Mr. Simple, they are back with the follow-up.
A-Cha was produced by the same dude who brought us 太完美 (Perfection). Before its release, the track was described as a fusion of rock and electro.
To be honest, I was skeptical. Rock and electro? What sound would that turn out to be?
A pretty damn good sound, it turned out to be! The sound is fresh, though I wouldn't call it fusion. The track gathers inspiration from the rock genre, but it is very much signature SJ Funky style.
I can hear clearly the similarities of this song to 太完美 - the producer is influenced by the electric guitar riff. He manages to make rock sound good with electro beats. The entire song sounds stylish, and the masculine hook works to show a more mature side of the boys.
There is also the dark veil that is signature of this producer - it blankets the track, and there is this mysterious quality that lends the track edge and a touch of sultry that I like.
Plus, I have a thing for producers/songwriters who distinguish themselves with their own musical identity. Bonus points.
My favourite feature of A-Cha is how the singing parts have been fit to each of the members perfectly. Ten boys on one track in three and a half minutes is quite the feat, but the boys sound like heaven on this one. Everyone sings/raps a part absolutely suited for their vocal character. The treatment to their voices is also excellent - the voices flow with the melodies with so much ease.
I have a slight issue with the lyrics, though. I searched the English translation and the song is about how one person is investing in a relationship more than the other. The meaning itself from the translation is not impressive - Don't mock love etc. with a touch of angst - and they kinda get repetitive.
But the words in Korean, is quite the opposite. For once, I am not distracted by the meaning of the lyrics and I am listening to how the words sound in the song. The rhyming and repetitive sounds work well to contribute to the edgy character of the track, and yet does not fight for attention with the melody itself. Well-written, I must say. Extra bonus points.
Overall, this track has all the elements of a strong title track, just like Mr. Simple, only upgraded. Everything has been tied up neatly and tightly, and A-Cha sounds full and whole, just like a strong track should.
I am delighted that the boys got to explore a style that is different from Yoo Young Jin's smooth and suave treatment and yet still keep their identity with the SJ Funky sound.
Not as if you don't know already, A-Cha is on semi-permanent loop on my player.
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