Roy Kim’s 1st album showcases soothing vocals

Roy Kim
“Love Love Love”
(CJ E&M)

Roy Kim’s first album, “Love Love Love,” shows off his soft, calming vocals with a mix of gentle acoustic sounds and soft rock. The album includes a total of nine tracks, including “Spring Spring Spring,” which was released in the spring as a single.

The title track “Love Love Love” is one of the more fast-paced songs on the album, starting with a simple guitar and voice melody that builds up to a five-instrument ensemble. “Grandpa’s Camera” has a distinctive folk sound, mixing violin with guitar, that meshes well with the quirky lyrics. “Follow Me” is an upbeat song, both playful in tone and lyrics that include a bluesy chorus.

Kim adds variety to the mostly light and cheerful album by including songs like “Let Me Love You,” a moody rendition of a story of a break-up that features heavier electric guitar riffs.

While the lyrics by singer-songwriter Kim fail to go beyond stereotypical emotions, “Love Love Love” is a good first effort for Kim, and its songs are rising in the charts. Listening to the album will not stir the emotions, but it makes for pleasant listening when it’s time to relax and lay low.

By Cha Yo-rim  (yorimcha@heraldcorp.com)


Jay-Z departs from mainstream on new album

Jay-Z
“Magna Carta ... Holy Grail”
(Roc Nation/Universal)

Jay-Z’s 12th album “Magna Carta... Holy Grail” is far from the mainstream sound and beats of his previous records.

The 16-track album is filled with strong, moody hip-hop songs that aren’t exactly meant to be used as mix-table tracks in the club.

Lyrically, the rapper does not stray far from his usual stories -- how he rose to stardom after selling drugs in Brooklyn -- but he includes his thoughts on fatherhood and his daughter Blue Ivy, revealing a different side to the multi-platinum rapper.

Many tracks on the album are collaborations with other notable artists such as Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, Rick Ross, Pharrel, Nas and his superstar wife Beyonce. “Holy Grail,“ featuring Justin Timberlake, provides a great balance between Timberlake’s smooth crooning and Jay-Z’s distinct rapping tone.

“Part II (On the Run)” and “Ocean” both feature the smooth R&B voices of artists Beyonce and Ocean, but the voices overpower the strength of Jay-Z’s rapping. “Tom Ford” and “Picasso Baby” showcase irregular funky beats, creating a unique sound that mixes well with Jay-Z’s trademark voice.

By Cha Yo-rim (yorimcha@heraldcorp.com)


Brian McKnight delivers classic R&B sound

Brian McKnight
“More Than Words”
(E1 Music)

Brian McKnight’s 13th studio album “More Than Words” does not disappoint, whether you are a longtime fan or new listener. The album is a showcase of his classic sound with a touch of the modern.

“More Than Words” shows a maturity and smoothness, once again showing how McKnight remains relevant even after some two decades in the business. Like most of his previous albums, “More Than Words” features a range of fast and slow, deep and light tracks, suitable to play on any occasion.

Some standouts include “4th of July,” with its sleek synthesizer accompaniment, “Get U to Stay,” featuring bluesy guitar riffs, and “Letsomebodyloveu,” which shows off McKnight’s smooth-as-silk vocals.

The title track also does not disappoint, telling a story of a man wanting his relationship to last with a classic upbeat R&B tune. “Slow” and “Don’t Stop” both feature a unique Middle Eastern touch that combines funky slap bass with keyboard, reminiscent of late-’90s two-step dance music.

Overall, McKnight has stayed true to his roots, catering mainly to his core audience. Admittedly, some listeners will be disappointed by how “safe” McKnight has played it on his new album, but nonetheless it is a great continuation of his trademark R&B sound.

By Cha Yo-rim (yorimcha@heraldcorp.com)