Review: CNBLUE - WAVE (Japanese album)

[Myth]

CNBLUE just dropped their Japanese album WAVE, their third major-label studio album under Warner Music Japan (fifth overall) with arguably the shittiest album covers of 2014. As the representative and only CNBLUE fan on this forum—and possibly in existence—is it my duty to report how and why CNBLUE's continues to shit on your faves' discographies.

As I did with their Can't Stop mini earlier this year, I will review the album track-by-track.

First, an overview. This album is, in essence, split into two: the first half of the album contains a combination of heavier, more electronic-influenced tracks, as well at the 1970s/1980s rock style that they first displayed with "

" last year. The second half continues the sound that they established in What turns you on?; a stripped down, more organic rock sound, with little to no pop influence.

Now, let's start.

01 "Intro"
This is an intro. How do I even review this.

02 "Radio"

The digital single that preceded the album and the main song to promote it, "Radio" infuses rock and electro-dance to create a catchy, infectious track, accompanied by the easily singable "whoa ohh oh oh oh". The dance beat picks up speed after the second chorus and leads in to Jonghyun's signature guitar solo, which he blazes through before returning to the chorus. This sound very well out of the realm of what CNBLUE has done in the past, but contrary to make comments I've seen, this is not the first time they've switched up their sound—Code Name Blue (a godly tier album) is very indicative of that.

03 "Go your way"

The second and final physically released single from the album, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed when i first heard the song and was worried of where they would be going with this album. I initially appreciated the verses far more than the chorus—the same held true for "Truth", which I will discuss below—but it did grown on me over time. Still, it's one of the more generic and bottom of the barrel songs on the album. I don't blame people for skipping past this.

04 "Truth"

The first single released after the release of their album What turns you on?, this was well along the lines of the single they released beforehand, "Lady". It seemed that CNBLUE was going to continue their retro rock sound, and I felt the same way about this like I did with "Go your way"—I liked the verses far more than the chorus, but was underwhelmed overall. This song grew on me faster and stronger than GYW, and I think that largely has to do with Yonghwa's vocals in this song: they're seductive, and his higher notes in the chorus turned out to make the song fun.

05 "Foxy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NgU3LvPIb4

The first entirely new and unheard of song prior to the album's release, "Foxy" blends sexy lyrics like the ones found in "Lady" with the smooth, jazzy/R&B feel of "These Days" from Code Name Blue, and instantly become one of my favorites. Accompanied by horns and the soft clanging of the <THE NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT IS SLIPPING MY HOLD, DON'T JUDGE ME, JUST INSERT IT HERE OKAY>, "Foxy" is a laid back, smooth song that gives off a hint of sophistication that will make you want to move to the rhythm.

06 "lonely night"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSPgv6jsz4U

LAWD JESUS.





This is the masterpiece I was anticipating! CNBLUE gets back on track with their electronic feel by combining a hard rock edge with elements of dubstep. The verses giving off an ominous vibe and you don't know what to expect until the chorus sneaks up on you and blasts through your eardrums, picking up on the guitar and Yonghwa's elevated vocals before leveling back down to the second verse, and the song continues in this fashion. "lonely night" is so much perfection, I was literally shaking the first couple of times I heard it, and mind you, I listened to it on separate days. This is automatically my favorite song for the second half of 2014 and it could possibly give "Cold Love" a run for its money for song of the year.

07 "Still"

 

The final track with an electronic edge, "Still" was included on the "Truth" single and got a PV for whatever reason. I'm glad it did because this song slayed my entire life (but not as much as "lonely night" did), and was the first hint of CNBLUE making more songs within this vein. This is the direction I want them to go in. Starting with a melodious piano, other instruments get added as the first verse progresses, like the guitar, bass, and drums, with the clicking of a metronome heard in the background. The chorus picks up to a steady, heavier rhythm. After the second chorus, we are met with Jonghyun's guitar accompanied by random and rigid electronic ingredients before slowing down to the bridge, picking back up to the established chorus.

08 "Paradise"

"Paradise" sets the aforementioned tone of CNBLUE stripping down their sound and skipping on any sort of special effects as the songs start to rely heavier on the basic band sound. A somewhat soft song, it is led by a piano with Jonghyun on the chorus as he croons about being your paradise, a statement I'm sure many people have already established by themselves with his face.

09 "Angel"

"Angel" is Yonghwa's cute, sweet ode to Park Shinhye. Largely dependent on the acoustic guitar, Yonghwa's lyrics ooze liquid sugar that can lead to cavities. Clearly inspired by me dedication to CNBLUE, Yonghwa sings "You're my only angel / You're my only angel / Ms sweetie be my Mrs / I will make you mine. Girl be easy / You know you are driving me freaking crazy / I'm your number-one fan". #myimpact

10 "Control"

"Control" was a B-side on the "Go your way" single, and it happened to be my favorite song on the single. I actually really love the lyrics to this song because I was getting "

" vibes, but unlike that song, this song wasn't shading FNC. The lyrics are simply expressing not conforming to the expectations of others you should be your own person. I feel like the arrangement fit perfectly with this song, and Yonghwa created a solid song with a solid message here.

11 "How awesome"

The final track on the album, "How awesome" is sung entirely by Jonghyun. This is on par with what CNBLUE has a history of doing: dedicating a song for the fans, on par with "

" and "Don't Care". Jonghyun sings about his love for music and fans, sweetly singing "I promise. I’ll be with all of you / Even when a huge wave* falls on us / I promise. I’ll be all of you / Even when the darkness falls on us"; it's a through-thick-and-thin statement. Sentimental, and as I am writing this review, I'm starting to theorize this is the song where the title of the album was taken from, as I indicated with the asterisk (*).

In a nutshell: On a whole, WAVE is less cohesive and well-rounded in comparison to its predecessor What turns you on?. However, CNBLUE did with this album what they did with their Can't Stop mini in that the predecessor was better overall (so, Re:Blue > Can't Stop as is What turns you on? > WAVE), but contains an album track that soars over individual tracks ("Cold Love" > Re:Blue; "lonely night" > What turns you on?). It further proves to me that CNBLUE is pretty much above any other Korean act, and their music has so much more to offer in the future.

[DocumentaLy]

I hope whatever label they're on snatches all these illegal uploads.

[thot]

wow, that only took 24 hours.

 

[Cloud09]

OH MY GOOOOOOOOODDDDDD

 

I don't listen to japanese songs, I hardly touch SJ's ones...... But I just listened to all these videos AND I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS ALBUM

[ã…—peachesã…—]

I hope whatever label they're on snatches all these illegal uploads.

[twinky]

i haven't finish listening to the whole album but i'm liking the ones that i've listened so far

i like your review

 

'A somewhat soft song, it is led by a piano with Jonghyun on the chorus as he croons about being your paradise, a statement I'm sure many people have already established by themselves with his face.'

 

"Angel" is Yonghwa's cute, sweet ode to Park Shinhye."

 

[Tee]

 

I hope whatever label they're on snatches all these illegal uploads.