4minute returns with new EP, ‘4minute World’

4minute
“4minute World”
(Universal Music)

K-pop girl group 4minute returned to the local music scene with its fifth EP “4minute World” on Monday, premiering the music video of the title track “Whatcha Doin’ Today?” in which the five girls party in wild and odd settings.

Though 4minute definitely establishes its own style throughout the album, some parts of the album are disappointing, lacking in originality and depth. The slower, melodic tracks better reveal the members’ vocals and strengths compared to the dance songs.

It is difficult to make sense of the first track, “Wait A Minute,” for the content of the song seems to have nothing to do with the title. The girls sing about cooking something and “flipping the pan” and then suddenly declare “wait wait wait wait a minute ... yummy, yummy.”

The lead single “Whatcha Doin’ Today?” at times seems like a more upbeat, or even “trot,” rendition of their past hit “What’s Your Name?” Nonetheless, the song is energetic and catchy because of its reoccurring beats and melodies. “What are you doing today? What are you doing later? What are you doing on the weekend? Do you wanna meet up?” 4minute repeatedly asks.

"Come In” features a pleasant and balanced duet between members HyunA and Ga-yoon. “Thank You :)” -- a melodic love song that gives thanks to a significant other for his dedication and love -- is perhaps the best and most sincere track on the EP.

(jiyoung.sohn@heraldcorp.com)


Juanes strikes new territory on new album

Juanes
“Loco de Amor”
(Universal Latino)

Much like love itself, Juanes’ new album “Loco de Amor” is deceptive.

At first glance, the pop-flavored album seems as upbeat and sweet as a teenage crush. For longtime fans of the Colombian rocker, the sound is unlike the Juanes we know. But on a deeper dive, the album shows itself to be something else.

Under the radio-friendly hooks and major chord progressions, there is Juanes’ powerful voice reaching new corners. And, a careful listen to popular rock producer Steve Lillywhite’s mix reveals surprising layers.

Keyboard flourishes familiar to Latin dance floors, such as on the opening track “Mil Pedazos” or the single “La Luz,” manage to sound fresh when combined with the album’s driving percussion and Juanes’ passionate vocals. The title track, which features the fantastic Emmanuel del Real of Cafeuro Tacvba on keyboard, is especially fun. Juanes is on an acoustic guitar, creating an understated performance.

The Grammy-winning singer -- who once led the rock band Ekhymosis -- has moved away from the social activism he previously embraced to take on the universally approachable theme of love on his sixth solo album. It may be new territory for Juanes fans, and it’s a place likely to pull in listeners just discovering one of Latin America’s biggest stars. (AP)


Strong storytelling from Drive-By Truckers

Drive-By Truckers
“English Oceans”
(ATO)

The often-prolific roots rockers Drive-By Truckers took a four-year break from the studio before recording “English Oceans,” and the stockpile of songs pays off throughout the band’s 12th album.

Stripping away the R&B influences and musical explorations of their last few albums, DBT focuses on guitars and a garage-band stomp on the new album -- which also adds to the collection’s consistency.

The band has always shared songwriting chores between singer-guitarists Patterson Hood and Dave Cooley, usually augmented by contributions by other band members (most notably onetime bandmate Jason Isbell in the early 2000s). This time out, Cooley is an equal partner, and he and Hood are the only songwriters -- another beneficial change.

The album’s opening guitar chords recall an old Replacements riff and would’ve fit nicely on the Rolling Stones’ “Exile On Main Street.” It’s a strong kick off to the rawest rocking Truckers album since their early days. But it’s the storytelling that gives the band a special dimension. The colorful twists of “Till He’s Dead Or Rises” and “Primer Coat,” the desperation of “Hanging On” and the poignant “Grand Canyon” show that this veteran band can still equal the highpoints of its past. (AP)