YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. My boys are officially back! Romeo is here, lmao! Stirring up the market with their charm, be it style or music!
I'm really satisfied this time, again they do not disappoint me *smiles* I was really anxious today, since it's the day their 2nd mini album would be released. I got a lot to do at work, but still kept an eye on SOOMPI & the journals, and I was like "Agfhejfjkfhqwa~!" when I saw the new post. Holy cow it is there already! Really couldn't express my feeling at that time, I just knew that I was very tired due to work at that moment, but SHINee appeared, and, like a charm, blew my fatigue away, uhm. My energy was like, fully recharged, even I was like "huh wth" to myself xD
I guess that's the power of noona's love.
Anyway, whatever it is, let's come back to the album and my quick review. I am really happie with what I am listening to *points to her ITunes playing the "ROMEO" playlist over and over for like 12736529080 times until now*
SHINee (샤이니) ★ The Second Mini Album ROMEOReleased Date: 2009.05.25
Language: Korean
Genre: Pop
Record Label: SM Entertainment
Overall rating:
Listen to "ROMEO"01. 니가 맘에 들어 (Talk To You)
02. 줄리엣 (Juliette)
03. 차라리 때려 (Hit Me)
04. 세노리따 (Senorita)
05. 잠꼬대 (Please, Don't Go)
06. 소년, 소녀를 만나다 (Romeo+Juliette)
(Just one thing about the cover. The boys look good (when do they not?), just ... sometimes I think they look like Peter Pans, sometimes ancient Greek sprites, sometimes Power Rangers... so yeah xD lol )
Review: 01. 니가 맘에 들어 (Talk To You)Rap?! Wow. I didn't expect something like this, and the lyric is quite ... grown-up? What's with
"talk to my body", Onew O__o;;; ? Anyway, Minho's rap is, as usual, so good here. All the members have their parts in this song, which is ♥ . The beat is heavily urban-influenced and yeah very Westernized. Slow, but audacious and inviting. I expect a very sexy-looking choreography xD and a lot of pelvic thrusts, lmao! Very aligned with the lyric, huh? My boys are grown-up, oh. A good, quite promising intro for the album.
8/10.02. 줄리엣 (Juliette)The title track, erm? After some time trying to digest it, I started to like the song. To be fair it's not a bad song, but again to be honest, "Juliette" is
okay. I like the song, but still feel something is missed here and there, just can't place my finger on it. Overall it's plunky and has a vibe of 70s or 80s music. The ending, the new choreography and colorful MV have scored some really good marks, uhm. The ending is really like "Love Like Oxygen", why the choreo is like the child of "Replay" & "LLO" choreos. I think I understand why they pick Juliette as the main single, as it's more conventional and fits more with the current trend. The implication is the higher chance of topping the charts, yeah.
9/10.03. 차라리 때려 (Hit Me)R'n'B!!! Slow-paced, but very sensual, this is one of my most favorite songs in this mini album. The slower rhythm sounds really nice after the previous upbeat track. I like how the five's voices intertwine altogether especially in the chorus. Harmonious and beautiful. Imagine if they perform this live (if they really can, uhm)? Oh my!!! The song is simple yet slickly executed, and the listeners are left with a tender and blithe feeling lingering around.
Bling sounds amazing in this song, his versatility shines the most in this song, imo. And I'd like to give my favorite OnHyun some credits, since they sound freaking wonderful together.
10/10. Yes, it deserves 10.
04. 세노리따 (Senõrita)At first, uhm, I had expected something "Spanish-like", lol, but as you all know it turns out to a total different composition. For about 20 seconds of my first listen, I didn't think this would be my favorite at all, even with my favorite OnHyun's first verse guiding me to the chorus. But I was wrong. Totally wrong. The pace is fast, strong and steady at the beginning, then explodes into impressive vivacity when reaching the chorus's peak. Onew's vocal is really outstanding in this song, imo, and it surprises me a lot since this genre isn't really his forte. Once again, I'd like to highlight OnHyun here since they sound so darn good together especially in the chorus.
10/10.05. 잠꼬대 (Please, Don't Go)Utterly sad, emotional (and I guess the lyric is full of cheese, oh) and beautiful. I was so darn excited when I knew it was gonna be an OnHyun duet. OnHyun OnHyun OnHyun!!! A typical Korean heart-wrenching ballad, and even though I do not find something particular beautiful or special about the melody, OnHyun's duet is strong enough to draw the song's beauty. Man, are they made for each other? Overall this is a great song, but you have to wait until the 2nd verse, which is accompanied by a orchestral background, to fully comprehend the beauty of this song.
Bling is getting better and better at his falsetto and his high notes, I think this is pretty obvious through song #3, #4 and this one, #5. His ad-libs are also better. For Onew, he has better control of his vocal, deeper and stronger, yet still embodying its forever softness. Tender but firm, that's what I like about you, dear ^^ If just Bling or Onew sings this song, I dunno if the effect can be this strong, honestly. I love you boys =333
10/10. This is pure bliss. Period.
06. 소년, 소녀를 만나다 (Romeo+Juliette)Another nice surprise. Taemin's voice at the beginning is so cute. I didn't expect something like this. Not at all. This is a nice concoction, with pleasant, lighthearted electronica effects. Nothing complicated in terms of execution, everything is modest but each piece just falls exactly into its place. A nice ending to complete the album. A strong track, I admit.
10/10. Just listen and judge. You'll love it, I bet.
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Conclusion: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!I am VERY HAPPY with this mini album. They have shown that they ARE really contemporary.
- The songs are definitely worth listening, I should thank SME for choosing such songs for the boys. This isn't something popular floating around at the moment, this is quite Westernized, uhm to be exact Americanized. I dunno if this concept works for Korean fans, but surely it works effectively in my case, and I bet, SHINee's International fans. This album is very solid, and comprises of a variety of styles. I don't know if they're experimenting around, but this piece is SO good for God's sake. I am so damn proud of them *wipes tears*
- Their vocals are getting A LOT better. Especially Bling and Onew. Bling has a lot of parts here, and what I've listened to so far is breath-taking. Maybe Onew should be given a solo to showcase his voice soon xD his talent can't be wasted!
- Their English / Spanish (?!) are getting better. I don't laugh at their Engrish anymore, hem. Hahaha. Well-done, boys! As you know, the 3rd generation boyband should be more capable and talented, and this includes being fluently, uhm or at least understandable in another language xDDD
- Last but not least I am happie to hear more of Taemin and Minho in this album, time for the maknaes to play on the ground, right? They still have time to practice and improve themselves. Minho's rap is really good, and I know he won't stop there. Go sporty boy! My sonnie's voice, Taeminnie, is really getting more mature. Still it's sweet and lovely, haha.
Oh well what more do I ask for? I'm gonna REPLAY "Romeo" now~
