AKMU’s 1st album: Work of naivety + originality
[스타뉴스 이지현 기자] Consisting of LEE CHAN HYUK and LEE SOO HYUN, the sibling duo AKDONG MUSICIAN (AKMU) finally unveiled their debut album.
All the songs from their 1st full album “PLAY” were revealed at 12 pm on April 7. LEE CHAN HYUK wrote, composed and produced every single one of them. The title “PLAY” signifies playing music of AKMU, who plays and communicates through music.
The songs indeed carried AKMU’s original colors. AKMU looks at the complex and disarrayed world through pure eyes, analyzing the surroundings in a unique point of view.
Apart from “200%” and “MELTED” that were unveiled on K-Pop Star 3 on April 6, other songs like “GIVE LOVE,” “ON THE SUBWAY,” “HAIR PART,” “ARTIFICIAL GRASS,” “LITTLE STAR,” “ANYWAY,” “IDEA” and “GALAXY” were pure yet original.
The first track “GIVE LOVE” showed AKMU getting ideas from what we see everyday. Inspired by the phrase “give love” seen on smart phone games that require love hearts, the song talks about asking for more of the love hearts for a girl who does not reciprocate the love that was devoted on her. Upbeat rhythm and the voices make the song even more fun.
The second on the list, “200%”, is also rhythmical. It’s another love song. Many can relate to the song that talks about being too nervous to say anything in front of a person you love after preparing a love confession all night. The song is vivacious, thanks to the drum sounds, rhythmical guitar and electronic piano.
“MELTED” begins with a grandeur piano sound, leaving a lingering imagery. The curiosity is blended in the song where children ask, “Why is ice cold?” The siblings’ singing skills leave a lasting impact as well.
“ON THE SUBWAY,” listed #4, surprises the listeners once again with their originality. A quiet song describes different people on the train all doing different things, in a realistic and entertaining way. The world is compared to a subway—the ability to look at the subway as a miniscule world is quite striking.
“HAIR PART” describes an unobtrusive woman who suddenly becomes beautiful by just changing the way she parts her hair. Describing a woman who then becomes very popular among guys and sets a new trend for other women is indeed imaginative.
“ARTIFICIAL GRASS,” “DON’T HATE ME,” and “LITTLE STAR” listed on #6,7 and 8 respectively, talk about something other than love.
Based on an upbeat drum, AKMU expresses their thoughts by becoming “ARTIFICIAL GRASS” themselves. “DON’T HATE ME” talks about bullying, and the loneliness that comes from it. AKMU, through these songs, convey their wish that people were more understanding and loving of each other.
The “LITTLE STAR” we see in the sky may actually be just a satellite, but people wish it to shine all the time. The hint of rock mingled with the chorus is moving.
The 9th song “ANYWAY” sings about something quite mundane—eye contacts with passersby. Eye contact with the same gender is about power fight, while an opposite gender is about being confident. The melody that the siblings toss between them is addictive and refreshing.
A song title that shows the originality of AKMU was the 10th track, “IDEA.” LEE CHAN HYUK sings about running out of ideas. He also sends a hopeful message to people who are struggling to find their own stories.
The sweet melody of the last song, “GALAXY,” goes well with spring. The arrangement of chords makes it addictive. The rhyming in the lyrics is another proof of his clever wit.
AKMU kicked off their musical career in full force by appearing on K-Pop Star Season 3 on April 6 to perform the title songs “200%” and “MELTED” for the first time on TV.
2014. 4. 8.
