[Comeback] Xikers Unleashes Powerful Energy with 3rd Mini Album "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Trial and Error"3/22/2024 Deborah Rodriguez  Credit: xikers_official Xikers, the rookie 10-member boy group from KQ Entertainment, has once again set the K-Pop scene ablaze with their 3rd mini album, "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Trial and Error." Following their explosive debut with "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing" in March 2023, the group continues to captivate K-Pop fans with their electrifying performances and infectious energy. Comprising members Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Hunter, Junghoon, Seeun, Yujun, and Yechan, Xikers has quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in the industry. Their dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as Roady, has been eagerly anticipating their latest release. "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Trial and Error" features six dynamic tracks, including a 34-second instrumental that sets the tone for the EP’s electrifying journey. Notably, members Minjae, Yechan, Sumin, along with ATEEZ's Hong Joong, contributed to the songwriting process, infusing their personal touch into the EP. The mini album's hard-hitting title track, "We Don't Stop," immediately grabs attention with its loud energetic blend of hip-hop, rock, and punk elements. The hook, repeating the words "round and round" at the song's introduction and before each chorus, effectively builds anticipation for what's to come. Yet, nothing quite prepares the listener for the ending like Sumin's confident "We don't stop man." As the track draws to a close, there's a notable shift in tempo as the beat slows down, transitioning into a hip-hop melody with all members chanting together. Let’s talk about the MV! The accompanying music video for this “We Don’t Stop” quickly made waves, reaching an impressive 10 million views within the first 24 hours of its release, and the visuals match the energy of the song incredibly well. We got Hunter knocking on a door to the beat of the song, Yechan playing a guitar that is on fire, Sumin sitting on a pile of denim pants, Seeun and Junmin on top of a fuse box of a lamppost among many other unique scenes. The choreography appears to be hip-hop inspired just like the track and viewers get to enjoy a great part of it in the MV as well. The b-sides on this EP are just as good as the title track, but no ballads! “Red Sun,” “Supercalifragilistic,” and “Every Flavor Jelly” all share a blend of EDM and hip-hop with strong rap verses, while “Break A Leg” is more of a pop-rock track with heartfelt lyrics. Xikers' decision to not include a ballad track on their EP is intriguing, and it adds to the overall cohesion of the album. Despite their relatively short time in the spotlight, the group has already embarked on a world tour, dropped three mini albums, and carved out their unique sound. According to Hanteo Chart, "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Trial And Error" sold the highest amount of copies within the first week of its release in their career with a total of 224,437 albums, solidifying Xikers' status as a powerhouse in the K-Pop industry. "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Trial and Error" is a testament to their talent and creativity, making it a must-listen for K-Pop enthusiasts everywhere.
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Deshalia Murray  The 9 member boy group ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 has finally made their Japanese debut and Yura Yura is all Zerose could’ve wished for! Based on the groups last two albums, we know to expect a refreshing sound from the group and Yura Yura is just that. In both sound and music video we get a lovely depiction of the sweet artistry the members produce. The single is a pop song with an upbeat instrumental filled with strong drum and guitar beats. ZB1 continues to showcase their immense talent with each member giving us gorgeous vocals that match the sound perfectly. Fans also receive a beautiful song that they can dance to! The band-heavy sound is new for the members but done extremely well, making a perfect start to future Japanese singles they release. The music video is just as heartwarming as the track, with the members depicted as school students. The bright tones in the video are a fun contrast to the dark tones from Crush, reverting back to the refreshing feeling we got from In Bloom. It’s proof the group can pull of any concept. Zerose can expect to blush with the boy crush feeling this music video produces. Each member giving the fans their prettiest smiles and swoon worthy expressions. The clothes and choreography match the tone of the song, vibrant and easy going. This is something to enjoy when you feel down. The bright vibe is a great start to spring and will give you an instant energy boost ! Deshalia Murray  Credit: taeoxo_nct Taeyong, one of SM Entertainment’s groundbreaking NCT members, has brought Nctzens a fun treat with Tap, his 2nd mini album and first comeback. The album consists of six tracks “Moon Tour,” “Run Away,” “APE,” 404 Loading,” “나에게 했던 것과 같이 (Ups & Downs),” and title track “TAP.” The album is beautifully designed and continues to showcase the bold expression Taeyong has always had in his solo work. The album’s songs also give Nctzens a closer look into the versatility Taeyong brings as an artist. In the “TAP” music video we get the quirkiness we’ve always loved from Taeyong. We find him in multiple scenarios (and hair colors) where he’s shaking up his reality, or as he says, “saucing on it”. The music video pairs perfectly with the upbeat and experimental hip-hop sound NCT is known for. Taeyong takes us on a colorful journey both visually and audibly. This album is a perfect follow-up to SHALALA, however, TAP is even more exciting and represents the formula we are familiar within NCT’s music, but with a twist that is distinctly Taeyong’s. You can expect to be surprised by his ability to create a variety of sounds that blend together perfectly in each track of this album. Show Taeyong love for “TAP” and follow The B.E.L.U Lineup for the latest in K music! Deborah Rodriguez  Credit: CRAVITY_OFFICIAL After a triumphant world tour, a captivating performance at KCON LA, and their official debut in Japan, CRAVITY introduces a sound that sets this comeback apart from anything we've heard from the group before. CRAVITY is a 9-member boy group under STARSHIP Entertainment consisting of Serim, Allen Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin. The group made their debut in 202 with SEASON 1. HIDEOUT: REMEMBER WHO WE ARE, and their youthful and energetic music style has attracted the attention of many kpop fans worldwide. Now, returning with the mini-album 'EVERSHINE,' CRAVITY presents a more mature and refreshing sound, delving into the theme of their love journey. The title track "Love or Die" introduces a fresh sound to CRAVITY's title track history. Infused with rock elements, this pop track instantly captivates listeners with its dynamic drum beats and powerful vocal deliveries from the members. The blend of English and Korean lyrics in the chorus makes “Love or Die” an easy sing-along song for everyone, while the strategically placed rap verse towards the finale intensifies the song's impact, leaving you craving for another playthrough. The music video for "Love or Die" intricately portrays the band members' quest for love, highlighting how each challenge in youth contributes to our strength and resilience. The MV's color palette, featuring dark cool and warm tones, complements the pop-rock concept of their comeback. Some of the remarkable elements in the MV include the symbolic wounds on each member's face and the dramatic rain scene towards the end, adding an extra layer of intensity to the visuals. Although the title track is quite intense, the rest of the album is not. The first song on the EP is “C’est La Vie” which translates to “that’s life.” This is a rhythmic pop song with a unique post-chorus that highlights the importance of living positively. The second track is the title track “Love or Die,” followed directly by “Cherry Blossom,” which is a bubbly pop song that talks about the sweetness of love. The fourth song on “EVERSHINE” is “Mr.” which was co-written by members Serim and Allen and also WJSN’s EXY! This song will take you on a time capsule as its sound resembles that of a 2nd generation K-pop song. Very nostalgic! Next, we got “Worst Thriller,” a sinister siren song that encourages thrill-seeking as a means to enjoy life to the fullest. Lastly, we got a track that would be the perfect encore song for CRAVITY’s future tour, “Over & Over.” The delves into the intricate realm of emotions tied to clinging onto memories and the yearning for second chances, even if it entails reliving the same patterns “over and over.” Overall, “EVERSHINE” is a refreshing EP that shows us sounds by CRAVITY that we had not heard before, promising an exciting journey ahead as they further define their unique sound in the years to come. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see CRAVITY perform “Love or Die,” on Day 2 of We Bridge 2024! The event will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV, this April. |