Guest Post: SHINee, “Odd” – The 4th Album

SHINee is back! Guest poster and kpop enthusiast Emily is back to tell us about their new album.

International K-Pop sensation SHINee released their fourth full-length album on Monday.  This album generated a lot of hype from loyal fans even before it was released.  It had been two full years before SHINee’s last full album was released, so fans we understandably hungry for some new tunes.

I gave the album a listen on Monday.  Let’s just say it’s … Odd: a fitting response to the album’s title, which is indeed “Odd”.  Obviously the album name is a play on the title of the first song, “Odd Eye”, however, I believe the album title stands for more.  The overall sound of the album is very different from their previous albums, which had a very pop/techno/dance feel to them.  “Odd” is heavy on the R&B sound with heavy beats, smooth vocals, and rap, but also has a light, electric thread that lifts the sound.

Overall, I think the album is put together very well.  All the songs complement each other nicely, and there is a good mix of upbeat tunes and sensual tracks.  It is one of those albums that you want to listen to all the way through in order.  The album tells a story.  I cannot say that I have found many albums where I sit down, listen to the music, and enjoy every single song without skipping one I dislike.  The whole album experience is very refreshing.

Fans seem to love the new album.  The album is now SHINee’s best selling album on iTunes.  The R&B beats and smooth doo-wop electronic thread gives the album a very summery feel.  I can picture many ShaWols’ bopping around town or sitting on the beach with “Odd” basting through their ear buds.

The album is definitely one to check out.  If you are interested take a listen to the track “View” to get a feel of the albums sound and tone:

Urbance

Part Step Up, part West Side Story, and part Jet Set Radio the traditional star crossed lovers storyline just got a dystopian update with the new animated series Urbance.  Created by French Canadian company Steambot, Urbance gained massive support through Kickstarter (which is where my awesome brother found it and passed it along to me.) From the character design to the animation style this show lives and breathes the essence of cool. And makes me wonder…am I cool enough to watch this? Hopefully I am because between the visuals, the soundtrack, and the choreography I’ll definitely be keeping this one on my watch list.

Check out their slick official trailer and the story description below. Hopefully their pilot episode will be slated to come out soon!

 

In the crumbling inner city, sex kills. The urban landscape is split in two — men on one side, women on the other— opposing each other. COEVO seems to be the only hope: a government medical treatment developed to cure every single citizen except that those wearables haven’t produced the expected results yet… Born among this lost generation of frustrated gangs, Kenzell and Lesya live each day as their last, defying anyone who stands in the way of their union. Like modern avatars of Romeo and Juliet, they will have to choose between love or their kind, Passion VS Reason, Deadly Eves VS Neo Blasterz… In their flamboyant relationship lies the premises of a revolution against the authorities, the vicious Mediators and their mysterious separatist laws. Rebels can change the world…