(MV Review) - After School's First Love

credits: http://yellowslugreviews.wordpress.com

And they are baaaack! My 8 lovely ladies. And we have... pole dancing.

So AS has opted for a sensual, R&B sound this time. The music has all the qualities typical of Brave Sound - the hypnotic, lilting beats that are you hate to love [but love it anyway], and the murmurings of the producers. In contrast to the funky, dance pop that was Flashback, the members croon softly, almost sighing along with the music at some times, the most intense parts being Lizzy's refrain in the 2nd verse and of course, Raina's high note . This ties in very nicely with the lyrics, which speaks of the unfulfilled potential of one's first love.



Musically, I found it very pleasing to my ear. I also found it to suit the members very well - most of them have rather thin pitches, tending to the nasal (Uee + Nana) or husky (Jungah + Jooyeon) side, and such soft crooning is perfect. The others - Raina, Lizzy in particular - add fullness at the climax, while new maknaes E-young and Kaeun are very stable vocally on the whole.



Visuals wise - the pole-dancing was amazing. Their acrobatics upon the poles are something that even haters have to admit: lots, lots, lots and lots of effort. 6 months worth of injuries, callouses and bruises, even a torn ligament for Lizzy and injured wrist for Raina.  


Nana and E-young

This is probably the best part of AS: they never deliver a half-assed performance. Every new concept and dance has been thought through, practiced countlessly before it hits the stage. Special shout out to E-young for being so utterly, heartbreakingly beautiful on the pole! Nana and Kaeun were pretty awesome as well.


Kaeun working it.



E-young looking spectacular

It is no wonder why AS is considered one of the best [if not THE BEST] female dance group in Kpop. Tbh I thought when Kahi left, their performances and dance quality might take a dip for the worse, but they have just kept impressing with each new comeback. No member is lacking - there are only the better dancers (Nana, Uee, Jungah,  E-young) and  the rest who can move perfectly fine. And that's another thing - I like how the MV gave equal chance for the maknaes to shine - Kaeun and E-young finally got some well-deserved screen time + more lines, and they delivered well. It's sad that Lizzy got so little time due to her injury though :(



After School is known for their sex appeal and sexy concepts, and they could have easily gone the trashy sexy way - hip thrusting and booty rolls typical of the more sexual pole-dancing. But they didn't, and somehow the choreographers managed to strike it just right - sensual that oozes sex appeal, but not over-the-top. It was TASTEFUL. The only part that was probably the most sexual was the hip-swaying bit. Also, kudos to the props people - the backdrops of oriental blue and orange/ lilac jungle gym balanced out the sexiness of the choreography and clothes.


Jooyeon's styling was my favorite!

However, I (and the rest of AS fandom) worry about the song's marketability. Granted, it is soothing, and a refreshing change from the mass outpouring of electropop tunes in the Kpop scene, but it is summertime. People want upbeat, funky songs to suit the cheerful, sunny mood - something that First Love fails to deliver. Some fans may also be disappointed by the lack of vocal variety and ranges in the song as well. Also, the fact that First Love sounds uncannily like Sistar's other hits - Alone and Gone Not Around Any Longer, produced by Brave Brothers too - this might cause negative comparisons.
 

my bias, as always :)



I will admit that it took several listens before I started loving the song though - it is not the most catchy tune. Nevertheless, the calm, soothing vocals of AS hooked me in the end. I daresay that this song may be on my playlist for a very long time. I probably won't put it on repeat, but it will be one of those songs that, if my iPod plays it on shuffle, I won't ever skip it.


AS Hwaiting!!!
And Lizzzy I miss you ~ :'(



Rating: 3.9/5

gif credits: http://k-ahi.tumblr.com, http://konjae.tumblr.com, http://notbrandinator.tumblr.com

Review: Flashback [MV] by After School

[Yes yes I do know that this was released EONS ago and this review is seriously behind the times, but I'm gonna do it anyway.]

So, Flashback by After School. 3 and a half minutes of pure sex and some random scenes of killing a guy (who presumably cheated on one of them perhaps?). Stripper heels, corsets, legs spread, suggestive finger crooks, fishnets... pretty much trashy-sexy concept [not meant to be negatively interpreted]

I'll say it right here: I was disappointed after the first time I watched it. My mind just went like "WTF omg they wasted ANOTHER good comeback". Why? 

1. The song wasn't catchy at all, neither was it musically astounding. Average, at best. This is a dance track, and to be brutally honest, DJs are NOT gonna play this song in clubs. Not with Big Bang/2NE1 songs lying around.

2. "B-b-b-boy I miss you, baby oh-oh-ohhh~" was cringe-worthy.

3. I know they were using dark, smoky lighting to create this sexy, musky atmosphere but they've overdone it. The setting [car garage scene, them sitting in an art studio, the dubstep section] screams "BUDGET MV"


credits: allkpop.com

So yeah to put it succinctly: I disliked it. Alot. Seriously, that Pledis has once again just ruined After School's comeback by setting such a low, sub-standard song. Their vocals were HORRIBLY auto-tuned beyond recognition. Even Raina's build up and high note near the end wasn't note-worthy; it sounded like it was just thrown in to fulfill the "climax" requirement of a typical hook song. The only saving grace was probably Nana's talk-rap. Her thin, rather breathy voice suited the concept [SEX VOICE] and well, it's sure to arouse male audiences, apart from her other-worldly gorgeousness.

Visuals wise, even though the setting still screams cheap mv job, I liked the make-up and clothes that they wore. Jooyeon's crystal-studded eye make-up/ Nana's back-revealing corset/ Jungah's high low dress/ Uee's entire face make-up are especially gorgeous. 

[credit: afterschooldivas.tumblr.com]

[credit: http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/after-school-s-nana-gives-a-glimpse-of-044039030.html]

As for the rest, Raina: she looked terrible with center-parted bangs; it made her cheeks look oddly distorted. E-young: fishnets are kinda too... sexual for her. Maybe for Uee instead? Lizzy: the push-up corset was kinda pushing limits too far [hahahha lame pun] and wtf why did Pledis give you the same hair as Nana. Gaeun: stylists PLEASE DON'T EVER LET HER WEAR THIS HAIR AGAIN. It totally exposes and amplifies her weak facial features! :( Gaeun is seriously gorgeous as well but no one's gonna pay her much attention if you give her urgh-worthy styles. 

[credit: ka-eun.tumblr.com]

If I had to pick a member that suited Flashback the best it would be... Nana. Not just saying this because she's my ultimate bias in After School, but really... that girl can sell sex. And aeygo. And then goddess. But yes, sex. Why else was she so hyped during After School Red promotions last year? She was even favoured over Jungah and Uee, probably on par with Kahi.

Anyway. I have to admit that Flashback is a song that gradually grows on you - as much as you hate to admit it. It is a good song to listen to when you want to drown out surrounding sounds and just listen to some funky beat droning in your head. The underlying beat in the song, plus the dubstep (however weird and out of place) is awesome for choreography and freestyle if you wanna groove at home. Nevertheless, it is forgettable. It is nowhere near fabulous lyrics-wise and the vocals are just ... meh. The song is mostly banking on SEX SELLS and visuals to ensure marketability.


credits: as-gifs.tumblr.com

I still love After School though. And as a loyal Playgirlz, I reallly REALLY wish that Pledis Entertainment does something good for AS for their next comeback. Seriously, the group is way too talented. Still, rumors are going around that AS is collaborating with Brave Brothers (master behind "Because of You" + 5000000 hit songs that gave SISTAR it's popularity today) so I hope they shine again!

Rating: URFGHH so hardddd I love AS but... 2/5. So buck up girlssss and make me proud.

Ending this post with a gorgeous gif of NANA!


credits: visualkpop.tumblr.com