I thought the last review of this year should be with a great album that was released during the last 12 months, so here it is!
Marvelous is an outlier in Mirae’s discography. Usually in the boygroup’s albums, I expect a hype track or something vastly electronic. Only the single has electronic influences, and the bsides are either soft, or are influenced by a genre that I did not expect for Mirae to release. This album is Mirae’s most soft album. It’s more experimental to find the boys’ sound and image, which I don’t blame them for, Splash is an outlier for their singles. But in this case, Marvelous is Mirae putting themselves out there and seeing what works for themselves. Expect 10’s for bias.
Tracklist:
Future Land
Marvelous (single)
Juice (promoted)
Final Cut
Seven Pages (Dear My Friend)
Future Land
Written by: Moode, IRIS Yerin Lee, Czaer, KIRIN
Lyricism by: Moode, IRIS Yerin Lee
Arrangement by: Czaer, KIRIN
Composition by: Czaer, KIRIN, Moode, IRIS Yerin Lee
The bass sets the mood of Future Land well. The beat is the best part of the track though, its hip-hop is subtle yet powerful, and lays the foundation for the rap-influenced song well. The song starts with the bass and beat as the rappers enter. Mirae’s rap line is absolutely underrated, both Junhyuk and Khael are amazing rappers that fit the tone to any track they are on, and Future Land is no different. The delivery of their lines in this song is the best, but an outlier in their lines from the majority of their discography since they usually go for more powerful performances. But this one, though still holds power, has restraint to it. I love it, they let the production, mainly the beat, take control. Production wise, I love the electronic effect that starts every bar, the influence diversifies the track itself. The pre-chorus slows things down as the vocalists tag team as strings enter, and both the strings and the beat build into the chorus. I feel like the chorus is a bit of a let down. I enjoy the beat and the brass, but the song writing for the chorus could be stronger. The second verse tag teams as well, it’s nice to see the vocalists and rappers work together. The second verse doesn’t drag on too, which is a common problem in K-pop songs so I’m happy this verse is quick. The final minute is ambitious. The bridge is anxiety-inducing through the piano chords and bass synth and the lyricism is powerful. The strings enter again as the pre chorus repeats for the last minute. The first and second chorus should sound like the final chorus; The sirens and brass blasting is what should happen in majority in my opinion. But overall, though it has its problems, Future Land is an awesome opener. I love hip-hop beats like this one, so it sold me in its first minute. The lyricism could improve, but the rapping makes up for it.
Hooks: 8
Production: 9
Longevity: 8
Bias: 10
Total: 8.75
Marvelous
Written by: Jang A Reum Deu Ri, David Amber, Jonny Shorr, Will Jay
Lyricism by: Jang A Reum Deu Ri
Composition by: David Amber, Jonny Shoor, Will Jay
Produced by: David Amber
Marvelous starts off with a bang. Actually it starts off quiet as the electronic influences are introduced. Then the bang goes off: The drums clash, building up to such a high point that I’ve never felt the tension so…tense. The electronic influences continue as some glitch effects are added; This all supports the hook that has entered and the hook itself is the foundation of the single. It’s so simple yet so effective, and is the glue Marvelous, it ties the track together. Once the hook finishes, we are left in the dark, for a second, contrasting the vast amount of layers we just heard. The introduction of the track foreshadows the climax and hooks of Marvelous, and is such an effective segment. We are welcomed into the verse by Khael, as the beat becomes constant, the bass line enters, and a distorted piano plays in the background. Marvelous, in just a split second, becomes a dance-pop track, which isn’t bad, but it’s hard to stand out with a single like this, especially in the K-pop industry. The song writing itself isn’t that notable to speak of in the verses, just usual tag teaming that I like to hear. It’s an awfully short verse though, both the first and second verse could be a tad longer. The lyricism becomes talkable at the pre chorus, when Lien takes over. Despite the weird english lyrics, I do like these lines, they get straight to the point and don’t beat around the bush. Actually much of this song doesn’t beat around the bush and only delays when it needs to, but we’ll get to that. The drums stop as the electronic influences tease us, it’s only when the rapping kicks back that drums that were foreshadowed in the introduction comeback. It’s then we are introduced to the chorus. My guilty pleasure is the writing of Marvelous, especially. Is the song-writing kinda thoughtless? Yeah, but holy fuck it’s catchy! The production in this segment builds off the verses: The electronic influences make their full reappearance, then we enter the hook/post-chorus that was foreshadowed in the introduction. As we go into the bridge and hear the genre change to EDM, we are left wondering how well-executed Marvelous is. On paper, this is a generic dance-pop song, however the combination of electronica and drums and catchy ass songwriting leaves us with such a great impression of what Mirae has to offer. This is one of Mirae’s best singles, even if it can be generic at times.
Hooks: 8
Production: 9
Longevity: 9
Bias: 10
Total: 9
Juice
Written by: Cho Yoon Kyung, Christian Fast, Gusten Dahlqvist, Jes Meinertz Byg
Lyricism by: Cho Yoon Kyung
Arrangement and Composition by: Christian Fast, Gusten Dahlqvist, Jes Meinertz Byg
There are great songs out there that I love to (try to) dissect with my shitty analysis and see what makes it great. But there are other songs that I just can’t do that with; They’re too good to actually dissect because I’ll get up and dance or I’ll get carried away with singing. Juice is one of those songs. I’d love to go into how great it is but words will not describe the love I have for this under three minute track. I’ll try, nevertheless.
We open with a disco guitar rhythm and synth chords muffling in, laying the foundation of the track, as Khael’s introduction sets the magical mood we’re about to enjoy for the 2 minutes and fifty seconds we have. Mirae’s vocal line absolutely works wonders in Juice, their high-pitched voices suit the track so well. The lyricism is soft yet bright and the constant beat itself supports the energy of the songwriting and performance. The synth piano chords add a nostalgic influence. I think there is some sort of bassline, though it’s hidden and hard to hear. The guitar enters as Lien’s head voice just makes me ascend. The production of the pre chorus starts off quiet but becomes loud: The beat holds things steady as the guitars work on rhythm and chords with the synth piano, and Dohyun’s voice builds the energy for it to be unleashed in the chorus. If there’s anything I don’t like about Juice, it’s how short it is, and though I love how quick the pre chorus gets things going, I wouldn’t mind if it was delayed just a tad bit. The chorus, oh my fucking god, the chorus!!! The synth piano adds such a magical feeling as the guitar becomes a supporting aspect of the arrangement. The beat absolutely bangs as the lyricism is so energetic yet so down to earth mmm I love this chorus. I also wish the chorus was longer here, however I know that the second and final chorus does make up for it so it’s just a nitpick. The beat supports the rapping into the second verse, and though the rap line doesn’t get much attention in Juice, Junhyuk does deliver. The hook, following the second chorus, is absolutely addictive, as the beat ramps up to build energy. I love how the pre chorus plays one last time instead of a bridge. I don’t have any reason I just love it. As the track plays in its final segments we left with this sweet yet energetic mood. I can’t tell you how much I love this song. It’s this ascending magical feeling that is so lovely and energetic and nice I just love it.
Hooks: 10
Production: 10
Longevity: 10
Bias: 10
Total: 10
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