Dynamic Duo ‘lucky’ on new album

Dynamic Duo
“Luckynumbers”
(Loen Entertainment)

“Lucky Numbers” is indeed a “lucky” comeback album for the “hip-hop legend” Dynamic Duo. After a year-and-a-half hiatus, Dynamic Duo does not disappoint fans with their 13-track album, which has earned them top spots in numerous music charts.

The album includes collaborations with Zion T, Crushn, DJ Friz, UV’s Muzie, Supreme Team, Sistar’s Hyorin and more. It begins with the fittingly titled “Return of the Kings,” an old-school hip-hop affair that emphasizes the rapping itself, enhanced by a strong bass beat.

“Manru Homerun,” featuring Supreme Team and DJ F, also focuses on a more underground sound with a twist, mixing a funky rhythm and organ riffs. Featuring Hyorin’s slightly husky voice, “Hot Wings” is a flirty R&B track that tells a story of a man spending quality time with his lover in a hotel room with an ocean view.

The title track “BAAAM” describes a man’s feelings toward a woman he has fallen in love with. Featuring funky guitar riffs at the beginning of the track, the song builds with the lyrical rapping and smooth vocals of the duo.

Through “Lucky Numbers,” the duo has once again demonstrated their incredible talent and rightful place at the center of Korea’s hip-hop arena.

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



Wale moving up with 3rd album

Wale
“The Gifted”
(Maybach Music, Atlantic)

Wale’s third album is a soulful hip-hop affair that is slowly sending his name out into the upper echelons of the industry.

Wale has released an album that is intricately arranged with soulful backup vocals and the use of deep bass lines. He has stated that he wants to move away from conventional pop music, filling the album with warm organic sounds from the 1990s that is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder such as in “Heaven’s Afternoon” and “LoveHate Thing.”

Lyrically, however, the rapper fails to show a depth and understanding of what really separated Gaye and Wonder from other artists with the same tunes. “Rotation,” impressively featuring Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz, has a decent beat but its hazy hook fails to lure people in.

Ironically, the best track on the album is a poppy affair featuring Nicki Minaj and Juicy J, titled “Clappers.” Although he is attempting to move away from conventional mainstream tunes, unless he really starts thinking outside the box, it seems that pop is what he does best.

Nonetheless, the album is a good show of Wale’s hunger to move up the hip-hop ladder. In “Heaven’s Afternoon” Wale raps, “Born to lose, built to win. Started from that bottom, but he’s got it.”

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


Iamamiwhoami a breath of fresh air on ‘bounty’

Iamamiwhoami
“bounty”
(Cooperative Music)

The album “bounty” is definitely not your typical mainstream offering.

Called an “electronic music project” instead of “artist,” iamamiwhoami is the pseudonym of Swedish singer-songwriter Jonna Lee, who works mostly with producer Claes Bjorklund and video director Robin Kempe-Bergman. All tracks on the album have music videos that were made available on YouTube, adding visually to the psychedelic nature of the album.

The tracks are a mix-up of various sub-genres of electronic music, including different elements of trip hop, dream pop, ambient, and synthpop, resulting in a mysterious but alluring album. Avoid listening to this album when you have a headache, because the irregular beats and electronic mash-up will put you into a dreamy trance that is bound to leave your head even cloudier.

The album starts with “b,” a track that begins with simple sawtooth synthesizer that builds up to an all-out expansive soundscape. “John” is a classic electro-house track that features a haze of distorted effects, while “clump” has a strong synthpop bass line. “u-1” has a slight oriental vibe, while “u-2” has more of an electro-house heavy bass feel.

Overall, “bounty” can be a little difficult to process, but is an interesting creation definitely worth listening to.

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