[Juke Box] AKMU’s teenage-sentiment-filled “PLAY” heals adults
[엑스포츠뉴스=정희서 기자] The sibling duo AKDONG MUSICIAN (AKMU) unveiled their debut album. The two indeed satisfied the expectations of the fans with their very own songs that are filled with unique ideas and sentiments of teenagers.
The duo revealed all the songs from their debut album “PLAY” on April 7 using different music websites.
The album that is filled with songs written and composed by LEE CHAN HYUK includes the two title songs “200%” and “MELTED,” and other unique songs like “HAIR PART” and “ARTIFICIAL GRASS,” “GIVE LOVE,” “LITTLE STAR,” “IDEA,” “ANYWAY” and “GALAXY,” which are some songs that were already unveiled on K-Pop Star Season 2.
The 3rd track “MELTED” compares the coldness of adults to ice, giving a sentimental and dreamlike ambience. It has a color that AKMU had not yet unveiled, and it is a uniquely charming slow song that puts less weight on the popularity aspect.
The piano at the beginning seemed to be talking on behalf of nervous teenagers. “The white sky where rain and wind travelled now fills with grey” adds to this sentiment. “When the ice melts, there will be more warm songs” portrays their expectations for adults in a metaphoric way.
Meanwhile, the 2nd track “200%” adds brass sounds to the vivacious beat, creating an upbeat ambience unique to AKMU.
AKMU describes the teenage sentiment through the lyrics, “It’s true I like you. My red-ripen face tells you.” The repetitive verse “Look at me look at me look at me” almost sounds like a chant when LEE CHAN HYUK sings this part.
The music video of “200%” unveiled at midnight of the same day features LEE SOO HYUN as the main character who falls in love with NAM JOO HYUK, a model who acts the counterpart. LEE SOO HYUN unleashes her teenage charm when she follows NAM wherever he goes but shies away when their eyes meet.
The two siblings express the excitement of love with their whole bodies in a school gym. Props like paper crane and cute items add to this sentiment.
“GIVE LOVE” also has unique lyrics like “The love is insufficient / The love that grows everyday.” It is more entertaining as the song was inspired by the love hearts exchanged on smart phones for playing a game.
“ON THE SUBWAY” analyzes people they see on the subway in their own way: “Subway’s a miniscule version of the world / It rattles and shakes.” The analysis comes from their observation of the actual subway and the world.
“HAIR PART” is about an unobtrusive woman who suddenly becomes attractive by just changing the way she parts her hair, while the rhyming lyrics in “GALAXY” makes the song highly addictive.
“ARTIFICIAL GRASS” compares living life as one desires to grass. “LITTLE STAR” embraces AKMU’s wish to shine all the time. ”DON’T HATE ME” is a lonely song of a slow guitar and jazz drums that is based on the topic of bullying.
“ANYWAY” is about making eye contacts with passersby, and AKMU’s unique point of view on the world is blended in every single song in the album.
At a sneak preview held at Seoul Forest on April 5, LEE CHAN HYUK commented, “We put a lot of thoughts into it for half a year. That’s why we didn’t release any albums until now.”
Meanwhile, AKMU are to pick the most popular song on music charts in their album as their 3rd title song. The music video of “MELTED” will be unveiled on April 14.
2014. 4. 8.
