Zion.T(자이언티), Miss Kim(미스 김)

Am I being a total sheep if I write about Zion.T's "Miss Kim?"

On the one hand, yes, allkpop has already reported about Zion.T, as has Soompi.  They had very nice things to say, and after I read their articles, I almost felt lacking.  As if, once I posted, I would be judged on what I said, compared to what Zion.T's agency said about the song--how it's a trot/dub fusion, and it is hearkening back to Korea's roots.  Let's face it, I don't necessarily say awesome things like that.  I mostly just talk about how much I loved the video ;)

On the other hand (not to pat myself on the back TOO much), I am not a new fan of Zion.T.  I feel like I'm not such a sheep if I've been listening to his music, wishing for more, even if I post about the music video after others.

So, I'm gonna post about "Miss Kim," because (and I'm a little embarrassed to admit this), after I watched it, Zion.T shot up on my list of favorite artists.  I'm talking top 5.

Yeah, that good.

Alrighty.  A few first impressions:

My dancer friend (Christina, that's you!) loved that they were tapping in the streets.  She said something about soft-shoe and how she wished we could hear the sounds of them dancing.

Another friend (Mindy), loved the Korean typewriter.  My own thoughts were that it was such a fun touch that he was typing out what he was singing.  And when he lays his head on the keys, the spokes (or whatever those are called) move up in a creepy, claw-like manner.  Loved that.  One possible discrepancy:  Is that an actual Korean typewriter?  Because in one shot, they keys have Roman (English) characters, but when he's typing, the characters are definitely Korean (한글).  Is that how they work?  Anyway...

The song is really catchy.  I showed the music video to my brother who is NOT into all things Korean, and who had never heard of Zion.T before, and two minutes after he watched the video, he walked by humming it.  I laughed at him, of course.

The music video.

I want to say it's a video of the past, but not in it.  Maybe I don't even know what I mean by that, but the car looks like it's from the 40's, their fashion looks like it's from the 20's, ish, and the music?  It's a classy, solid, smooth fusion of the older Korean trot style and Zion.T's own Jazzy hip-hop style.

Love the black and white.  Black and white--especially with this video--adds to the overall ambiance of the video.  I want to say, however, when I see a black and white video, I'm always curious about what the colors are that the black and white is hiding.

The rain, the car, the flowers being dropped, the blurry figure--even the dancers, I feel--add to the sorrow and longing, the overall wistfulness of the song and music video.  Love it.

The music.

I just... I love it.

Catchy and classy and entirely different than the other pieces I've heard by Zion.T.  I wish it were longer, rather than just 2:34; but I also admire that he kept it short and sweet.  Some things are just complete, you know?

I love the sounds that he used.  I am bad with the whole instrument naming thing, but I think I hear an upright bass (sick!!!), and maybe an accordion?  I am so not sure about that one, maybe it's a woodwind that is making the actual notes... Or even a organ/keyboard?  Argh, watch me fumble.  I think what I really want to say is that the music also adds to the trot/dubstep feel of the whole thing.  

But.  What makes this song entirely his own is Zion.T's voice.  That man has the most amazing set of pipes.  Such a unique voice, such control and not breathy at all, unless he wants it that way.  I've heard him "live" on Youtube, and he is the real deal.  Maybe not spot on the entire time (no one ever is, and he's not perfect either), but his voice is so true.  My fangirl is showing...

Enough!  Go watch this amazing music video.  I do hope it speaks for itself and that you all love it as much as I do.  I listen to it over and over (probably 20 times since yesterday), and I love it.  Every time.

Enjoy!  I'll see you back here next week. Keep listening to your Chill Music, and have a wonderful holiday too :D

Raonjaena (라온제나), and 쿼트로코드 Quattro Code

Two for one today, darlings!  I have many reasons, but I think the most pertinent one is that the song I settled on by Raonjaena doesn't really have any singing...  So I felt I had to throw in another song, and I really liked Quattro Code for it.

Raonjaena (라온제나) first, shall we?

Their song is "New Begin, of the Day," and it is absolutely lovely.  I don't remember if I've told you all about this, but I am quickly becoming a guitar fanatic.  I love everything that has to do with the guitar, especially music that highlights its beautiful possibilities.  And boy, does this song ever do that!

New Begin, of the Day starts with a man, I suppose we can call him the star of the music video, telling someone (possibly us, his viewers) that it has been a long time since he's seen us.  In Korean, of course.  As I was watching, I thought to myself, "I would be okay if that were the only vocal part in this song, the instrumentals are so amazing!" And then it was the only spoken part, and I loved the song!

The keyboard work is also phenomenal.  I love everything about the pacing and the beautiful way the instruments compliment each other--I even love the 80's parts of the songs, where they dive into that wicked synth.  It fits.

The video could have used something different, I think.  If you're going to do a music video to accompany an instrumental song, I think you should show a story--perhaps the story of what the song is trying to depict?  I feel like we got a bit of it at the beginning and at the end with the main actor guy, but all of the in-between bits were shots of him lounging around with his self-constructed molecule trying to make it look interesting for the camera.  And then shots of the musicians.  That stuff is great, and I do appreciate it, but I also think that a story would have served this song better.

Shout out to the molecule guy!  The guy that opens and closes the song, and then during the in between parts looks like he's trying really, REALLY hard to make that molecule interesting.  I can just hear the cameraman telling him, "Okay, now spread your arms like you're flying!  Good!  Now you're playing with the molecule!  Great, that's great.  Now a thoughtful pose!"  Tee hee!

Even though I thought the video could have been different, I think they did an amazing job of filming it and staging and editing--the transitions were smooth, it was an interesting video to watch, and seemed very professionally done.  It just makes me wonder who gets to decide, in the end, what the video to the music is actually going to be about...

Quattro Code (쿼트로코드), and their song "붙어있을래요" is next!

I fell in love with this song, as well.  It's a little bit poppy, but I am not going to hold that against the song or the band :)  The song is just so smooth and cute and... I think hip and a bit jazzy.

I love so many things about this song.  I love the instrumentals, I enjoy the swinging rhythm of the drums and the bass, I love what they do with the guitar to give it a little spice (sometimes swinging high for a descant, sometimes just emphasizing the guitar's notes), and I adore their voices harmonizing.  The vocals are such a perfect fit for each other and the song, it's just so much fun to listen to.

This video is different and yet very similar to the one from Raonjaena that I just talked about.  Weird that I just realized it.

Yes, somehow I managed to pick two videos with the group being filmed in the "setting" of a story... but not really.  Come on!  Be a little creative, people.  I mean, yes, it used to be creative and fun to have videos of just your group singing and playing for the camera, especially in the studio.  If I wanted to come and see you perform, however, I would come and see you perform.  With your music video, I'd much rather you show me a story, or something actually creative, instead of you and your group performing for the camera and being cute.  Sorry.

After that rant (which I was hoping to aim at ALL of the groups just doing glamour shots for their videos, not only Quattro Code, I promise), I would like to say that I did enjoy the video.  It was really cute, and I thought it fit the sound of the song quite well.  Although, the shots of the musicians made them look like they were either concentrating intensely on their music, or trying not to be bored.

Here's Quattro Code:

All in all, not bad songs for the Chill Music Stash.  I'm going to chalk up the videos that I've seen in the past (like these) to both vanity and laziness.  Take the time to develop something interesting and unique to the group.  I don't know whose fault it is, it could be vanity on the group's part (or their entertainment company trying to get them face-time), it could be laziness on the entertainment company's part.  I just know that I would like to see more original videos out there.  

Wow, didn't realize this post would turn into a music video rant.  On that note, come again and keep listening to your chill music! :D

Shayne 셰인 "Be My Love"

I’ve been away from Chill Music Stash for such a long time, and I’m very sorry.  It’s been pretty hectic here, what with me moving in with a bunch of friends and having more of a crazy schedule than usual, and then I was sick, had a trip to L.A. to see VIXX, and then Thanksgiving, which was fabulous.  Thanks for asking ;)

But I’m back now.  And I wanted to come back with a very chill Bang.  And by bang, I don’t mean bang at all, actually.  I heard this song today and I just HAD to post about it.

It helps that this song is perfect for the gloomy ish type of day the weather decided to give me.

This song is “Be my Love” by Shayne.  Let’s start out with this: I have never heard of Shayne, but I am also fairly new to the Korean Indie/Chill Music scene.  And it looks like, from the comments below the video, that Shayne has been around for at least longer than this one song.

Next, I must comment on this—because I have my Bachelor Degree in English, I very much appreciate the usage of “love” in the title.  I’ve seen too many shortenings (he could have made it: “B My Luv,” which would have turned me off the song), and… just ridiculous words that aren’t even words in titles of songs, and that no longer appeals to me, if it ever did.  Thank you!!

I am deeply sorry that I chose just an audio track to comment on instead of a song and a video, but I just HAD to, because this song is just so ADORABLE!! 

The song starts out with an accordion-sounding thing, and an acoustic guitar, with this harmony of voices singing to you, “I need your love!”  Okay, really, the beginning is a tiny bit much for me, and I would have not thought it fit the song, except the harmonies are in the chorus too.  After that very first bit, which totally sounds like the opening to some cheesy romantic comedy, the song turns into this ridiculously awesome chill but still peppy song.  His voice is sweet and mellow, and I can only think of “adorable,” really. 

With this song, I kind of have a visual in my head of him singing and walking in a jaunty/bouncy manner down a clean, sunshiny street and singing into the camera as he passes cute houses in the suburbs.  Just being a cutie—dressed in, oh, I don’t know, a pastel pink shirt with tan trousers held up by pink and white striped suspenders; red plaid bowtie and a plaid cap.  Seriously, this just popped into my head!  Now, try imagining that as he’s walking toward the camera and smiling and singing.  No aegyo for the camera, because this song is just that touch more serious than a super cutesy ballad.

I will definitely be listening to more Shayne—I adore his style and his voice.  Of course, this could be the only song I like of his, too, which would be a huge bummer.  If you haven’t heard it yet, you should give “Be My Love” a try J  Perfect for any type of day you’re having—if you need a pick-me-up, or if you’re completely happy.

Have a great week listening to your chill music, and I’ll be seeing you next time!!  :D

10cm & Fine Five - Beautiful Moon

Because I don't have a lot of time, and because I just love 10cm and haven't heard anything from them for a long time--this post will be short and, hopefully sweet.

I don't know when I first fell in love with 10cm, but I do know that they were one of my very first K-indie bands.  I fell in love with their style, their music--pretty much everything about them.

Someday I want to go to Korea and see them perform live.  That is going on my bucket list.

For now, I guess I'll have to settle for what they give me on Youtube and the internet.  

10cm, keep up everything you're doing and everything you are!  We love you!

10cm and Fine Five

(The Youtube link wasn't working, sorry guys!)

Really.  Love 10cm for all that they are, because they are wonderful, and amazing musicians.  The music they produce is just such a happy thing in my life.

Have a fantastic weekend with your chill music, kids! :D

Kye Bum Zu(계범주) _ Something Special (feat.Dok2)

This isn't exactly Chill Music.  But I had a very busy day on Tuesday and missed what I was going to do then, so this is sort of an in-between.  It falls kind of in the middle--it's good music to jam to.

Okay, fine, it falls more on the side of rap and hip hop than Chill Music.  Sorry...  (I guess, I am, but I love the song, so...)

Kye Bum Zu (계범주) came out with "Something Special," featuring Dok2.  And, I LOVE THIS SONG!!!

Short but sweet-- 계범주 has an amazing voice, and I really enjoy the style he's chosen to go with.  It's dance-y, but it's also smooth and sexy.  Good rhythm, fantastically catchy and fun to sing over and over when it's stuck in your head.  I also like the slightly growly way he goes into "You got that somethin' baby!"  Seriously cute.

Dok2!!!  Holy cow, I adore Dok2, and I think that it was the best idea every for 계범주 to make this song featuring Dok2.  I am so amazed and happy that Dok2 is in here and he's not dropping the f-bomb left and right as well.  His style and voice just sends shivers down my spine, and the combination of Kye Bum Zu's amazing voice and Dok2's rapping is just amazing.

The music video is completely adorable.  Seriously.  When he looks at her and when he does something cute to get her attention and it WORKS?  The smile on his face when he has accomplished it is THE CUTEST THING!!!

Okay, listen to this song.  It's fun.

I hope you love it so much!!  :D

San-E (산이 나쁜놈둘) and 이나래 (Lee Na Rae) - Raining In Amsterdam

Double feature!!!

Because I slipped up on Tuesday with no Rap/Hip Hop wonderfulness.  So, double feature tonight.  A little shorter with both of them, but...  Sigh.  Life.

First, San-E.  I pretty much adore him.  Like a lot.  Even with his profanity (I have to put this disclaimer in every post, just in case someone is new here.  Profanity is pointless).  I love his style, I love his rapping, I love his voice, and I think he's... such a cutie.  I'm sure he'd love to be described as a cutie, too.  Riiiiiight.  Actually, he's probably aiming for gangsta and "awesome" and "the shiz" or some such, but I'm me and I use words like "cutie" to describe the rappers I adore.  They'll just have to get used to it.

This song... A bit repetitive, but it sounds kind of like it was on the spot.  Improv, if you will.  I love the rhythm and I love their voices cooperating and... Yeah. 

I love the video, I love the setting of the abandoned building and how you kind of get that acoustic echo-y feeling with the openness of the empty hollowed out building.  The lighting and the colors are cool--very real-life like they didn't mess with any of the brightness on the camera and it seems... Real to me.

Hope you enjoy that video.  Lots of profanity.  Let's get past that.  I really enjoyed the setting and the song.

The next song?  Lee Na Rae with "Raining in Amsterdam."

The song--so chill, so much fun!  I love this song, it starts out with this super cute intro, and then goes into a Jazzy, mellow beat with her beautiful, clear voice highlighted with fun effects.  When I first saw the teaser, I wasn't sure I would like the song, because it seemed a little too cute for me.  But I'm glad I listened to it, because it's such a wonderful song.  Just a shade upbeat for true laid-back chill-ness, but it is perfect in itself.

The blurriness of the picture in the video sometimes messes with my eyes, and I have to blink to make sure that it's not me.  The rooms she sits in look too sterile to actually be places that anyone lives.  Weird.  I LOVE those shoes that they show a shot of.  I also love how her sketchbook turns into an animated moving video of galoshes walking in the rain.  That was beautiful.  

One last thing I want to say about this song.  It's just... I love that there are songs like this out there.  It really gives me hope in the musical community, you know?  People coming up with songs that you can tell were... completely themselves.  Yes, they were inspired by something, but to be so completely just... themselves.  Unashamedly.  It's a wonderful thing.

Have the most fantastically chill weekend, dearies.  One last thing--I like Raining in Amsterdam because it's raining here, right now.  I took a walk in it and it was so lovely.  Chilly but not too cold, and delightful.

See you soon!  :D

A.T(에이티) _ Don't be (feat.Geeks(긱스))

Let's get my reasoning behind this one out of the way first.  I just had to, because this music video for A.T's "Don't Be" was sooo creative, and just so stinking CUTE!

How do these artists/producers come up with such creative ideas for music videos?  Seriously!  When I started watching, I was a little confused at first.  Okay, make that a lot confused.  But my confusion was quickly cleared up when the music video started.  And then I was entirely delighted.

The tramp, and them staging it as a music video within a video--super cute!  And I love that we're watching from above, and that it's a trampoline!  I love how creative it is, and I adore the obvious fun they had with the entire thing.  The beginning is so cute--their chipmunk voices and her turning the volume up with her foot!

The pictures they hold up and their turning as they jump, the story, and the GLITTER!!!

Let's not forget the awesome progress bar guy.  I think the top two comments on the Youtube video are about the progress bar guy.

The song is so much fun.  I love the bouncy beat, it catches you and makes you dance around a bit.  I love A.T's voice, though.  And, I'm unsure if this is a group, or what, but I only heard the one singer (besides the guys from Geeks, which makes me soooo happy!), and internet research yielded me nothing...  Anyway.  I LOVE her voice.  I am definitely going to look for more by her, or by the group, because she's got such fantastic vocals that grab you by the ear.

So yeah, the song is fun and I really enjoyed the whole experience.  But, watch the music video!!  You won't regret it!!

I'm going to end with just how much I love Geeks... And I know that's not quite fair, but I think they deserve such an honorable mention because they are getting bigger and actually getting recognized, and I love that fact.  They deserve that and more.

Have a fantastic weekend with your Chill Music, and I'll see you back on Tuesday!  I'm sure there will be something just... amazing for me to talk about :D

알파벳(Rphabet) Feat. San E "Black Suit" MV

This song!!!!

I feel like every time I get on here to post, I'm just IN LOVE with the song I want to post about.  But seriously.  This song. 

It's "Black Suit" by Rphabet featuring San-E.  Before you start asking, it's pronounced "Ahl-pha-bet."  So, just a fun way of spelling it.  I like it, it's... twisty.  

Rphabet is a music producer, but he composes as well and this is his "debut" song, apparently.  So, San-E is the rapper/singer, but it's Rphabet's song.  Written, mixed (I suppose) and created by Rphabet.

One thing: I am not sure I expected this of San-E right after his own song, "Story of Someone I know," but... I really like it.

The song is... I love it.  That does not express how much I really just enjoy this song.

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!

Okay.  That expressed it.  And, now that I've expressed my love for the song in general, I'm going to express my disapproval for the profanity.  You don't need to swear to be heard.  In fact, people respect and listen to you when you use a larger vocabulary and are intelligent about things.  

Black Suit has this absolutely SICK rhythm, simple but infectious.  It sounds like a lot of electronic mix and awesome percussion sounds mixed in.  This is serious dancing music.  The vocals--holy cow, I love the chill "Black suit, my black suit," for the chorus that intensifies and gets harder and then goes into this sequence of electro...  Oh, yeah!  And his rapping?  When does he even take a breath sometimes?  I get so caught up in it, I don't even notice him breathing.  It's GREAT!  I am so not over the mix of this, and those transitions?  Nice.

The video is simply amazing as well.  The first thing I noticed was the black and white of it, complicated only by a few violent bursts of weird color, almost like a negative of a photo gone wonky.

I love how the opening is like an action film--the words just fade into view.  The imagery is amazing: doodling over the actual reality is so neat.  His skull makeup?  BEST THING EVER!  And by best thing, I mean it was really scary at first.

A few things: the doodled birds were fun.  The drinks--I'm SURE it was just alka-seltzer.  Right?  Right?!

The tattoos were very cool (I don't like tattoos, but the imagery fit).  The random lady waving her arms also worked for the video.

My favorite line had to have been, "My skin yellow, but my soul blacker than yours."  That... I've got no words, it's great.

Hope you love the music video as much as I do!  See you soon. :D

Drunken Tiger '살자 The Cure'

Guys.  Seriously.

Okay, my friend sent me this video, and I immediately fell in love with it.  It's Drunken Tiger with T. Yoon Mirae (I think that's what she's going by now?  Tasha?  Yoon Mirae? We know who we're talking about), and Bizzy, accompanied by David Choe on the guitar.  The song is called "The Cure."  And, let me tell you what, this song is absolutely gorgeous.  Perfect chill music.

First of all, the video reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are, with the drawings of animals and flowers and giants clinging to their backs.  It also reminds me of the book "The Little Prince."  Weird that this music video reminds me of two children's books, isn't it?  But perhaps not, because of the simplicity of the song and the drawings and the video.

I absolutely love the ruined burned-out building they're in, and the leather chairs and that random tub that Tiger JK (Drunken Tiger?  We KNOW!!!) lays back in.  I love the old fashioned scales at the very beginning, swinging back and forth--I would guess symbolizing that everything comes back into balance eventually.  

The fact that the whole of the video is in neutral tones also makes me very happy--those mellow, calming tones are my favorites.  The way they use the light is wonderful as well.

I think my favorite part is when the three of them are all seated in the brown leather chairs--T. Yoon Mirae looks like a Voodoo priestess queen with her two priests behind her.  It's awesome!

 The song.  I love the mellowness of it--it's fantastic with the guitar and Tiger's voice harmonizing and then Tasha's... and then Bizzy's.  I love that they made their song less rap-y and hard, but more light.  It was amazing how they were able to make their song sound light but not necessarily cheerful.  "The Cure" is about getting back up no matter how many times you fall.  Because falling is inevitable.  It's a soft, subtle song about courage.  I love Tasha's line about it being a cruel, cruel world out there.  Because, sometimes it really is.

Enough rambling.

Wait!  One more thing: CUTEST THING EVER that Tiger and Tasha put their son's voice at the end of the song.

Now I'm done.

Listen.  Watch.  Feel the awesomeness that is Tiger JK, T.Yoon Mirae, Bizzy and David Choi.

Have the most fantastic weekend ever and keep listening to your chill music!

:D

신초이, 가자미소년단 (Shin Cho-i, Go! Dandy Boys) - 너의 곁에 있을게 (By Your Side) MV

I had honestly never heard of this band before, and I guess their name is, Go! Dandy Boys?  Maybe??  Or the whole thing: Shin Cho-i, Go! Dandy Boys...  That's kind of a mouthful.

Anyway.

This song.  Holy cow.  It reminds me of the good rock bands--the ones who managed to merge the harder stuff with the mellow stuff and come out with this gorgeous mellow song that makes the listener's heart almost hurt with how beautiful it is.  It's one that I feel like I could listen to over and over again.  This song, "By Your Side," (I believe)... just wow.  The intro with the guitars--I adore that sound, the almost-wailing electrical guitar right before the drums come in.  So beautiful, and such a heart-twisting song--at times it's almost happy and just cheerful, but you can feel the, um... assurance and slight melancholy of it.

The whole song is just fantastically amazing, and the band has such a great sound.  I wish I could hear more from them as an international K-Indie and K-Rock fan.

The music video is so awesome, too!  Those rioters or whatever they are (maybe rebels?), with the sticks and the guns and the menacing faces--they were really scary, actually.  I kept thinking that if I were a member of the band, I wouldn't have been able to remain so straight-faced.  I would have probably run and hid in a corner.

The wind was a bit weird, I didn't understand that, but it was a really fun effect, and I bet the band enjoyed using it.  The end where the rioters were all knocked down and the band kind of ran off like, "Oh, we didn't do this," was also a little bit weird to me, but I still enjoyed it.  It's always fun to have a little something at the end of the video after the music.

Enough talking from me.  Time for you to see the music video:

Seriously, I love this song.  It's going on repeat.

Have a great week with your chill (and sometimes not so chill) music!! :D

2LSON, DOK2 and BUMKEY

I've heard of this group of composers/song writers before, but it hadn't clicked for me until now exactly what they do.

Seriously, check out 2LSON, I am loving their work.  It's so fun to see something different on the music scene now and then, and this is definitely different.

I had to look them up, because the song I just heard, "The Lady" is credited as by 2LSON, featuring Bumkey and Dok2.  Now, you already know that ANYTHING by Bumkey, and I am sooo there, and Dok2 is also an amazing artist.  So I listened to the song, and wondered, "Okay, what the heck?  I recognize Bumkey and Dok2, but where is this 2LSON that is supposedly the artist?"  

My curiosity having been peaked, I went on a web search and it didn't take me long to find that this "artist" is actually a group consisting of LE (Composer), Jason (Composer), Noel (Lyricist), and Hyo Bin (Vocalist).

Like Standing Egg, and to some extent, Verbal Jint, then, this group does collabs with other artists, vocalists and rappers (rapp-ists??  Ha, weird!) to make music and get their songs out there.

You should totally check out their music, especially the one below.  I am really on an R&B kick, and quite enjoy this song.  I'd look up more of their songs for you (because I remember, somewhere, seeing their name, but I can't remember exactly WHERE), but I'm soooo tired!

Here's the making of "The Lady":

I... really hope you like them.  Seriously, it's so fun to discover something so new, and then to be able to share it?  Priceless.

Keep listening to your chill music, and have a fantastic weekend! :D

범키(BUMKEY) - 갖고놀래 (Attraction) feat. Dynamic Duo [Official MV]

Looking back at my posts, I can't see having done one on Bumkey.

AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T BECAUSE I'M SO IN LOVE WITH HIS VOICE!!!

*ahem*

Excuse my little freak out up there.

Seriously though.  Bumkey.  He's got the most beautiful, amazing... Wow.  I am so sorry, there is no way to qualify his style and his amazing voice.  I am going to try.

Let's start by getting out there that the music video I'm going to be talking about here is "Attraction," featuring Dynamic Duo.  In the comments on Youtube it seems that a lot of people are drawn the music video because Ellin from Crayon Pop.  I think that's fantastic, and I applaud whoever it was that had the idea to have her in the music video.  That's just plain good business, and I hope Bumkey gets TONS of more fans from that.

I love his voice.  I love his style, which I guess we could call R&B, but I think it also has a bit of a Jazzy influence and a mellow kind of rhythm that makes me think of classy lounge music, or a high class club... Not that I've ever been in either kind of place, but I imagine the music they play would sound a lot like this (I do think this song--and his voice--is perhaps a bit more sexy than classy lounge music, though.  Just saying).

The instrumentals are deceptively simple, sticking with a very similar rhythm throughout, and a few chords and picking on the guitar; but that simplicity is what will get stuck in your head and have you humming the song throughout the day without you realizing it.

Vocals.  Ah, the vocals.  Bumkey has this clear, floaty, flirty tenor that he weaves effortlessly through rhythm and melody to create an entrancing song which will suck unsuspecting passersby in--into the magic and sultriness of this world.  I think my favorite parts in any of his songs is when he takes it high, and the notes just... soar and flirt with your ear.

Dynamic Duo??  Oh, they are a win every single time.  And their rap in this song fits it so perfectly and just COMPLETES everything that the song is striving for.  I think a little rap in songs like this serves to brighten the mood, and make things even that much more interesting.

The music video...  I thought the setting and the room was very clever and tasteful.  The fact that his friends are thwarting him at every turn is entirely entertaining, and I had a good laugh at that.  I love the game of cards they were playing!  I love that you don't actually see them kiss at the end when everyone has been kicked out.  It fades to black before that.  Perfect!

The only thing I had a hard time with was the splitting of the screen.  Yes, it was clever and interesting, but when it showed different outfits and people, I got a little confused about what was ACTUALLY supposed to be happening.

Now!  Go and watch this amazing music video if you haven't yet.  Because Bumkey is... *sigh* 

Just.  Plain.  Wonderful.

Keep chill with your awesome music, and I'll see you back here on Thursday!  I've got a good one in mind.

:D

쏜애플 - 매미는 비가와도 운다[MV]

Yep.  There's no possible way this could be considered Thursday.  But, at least it hasn't been weeks and weeks, right?  I count that as a win!

This song, I just HAD to do it.  Oh, I listened to it and fell in love, and then the music video?  wow.

Since it's all in Korean, and I'm not that good (yet--I keep hinting at it, but I'm learning!  It's slow going, but eventually I hope to be able to speak and read Korean), I have no idea if the band's name is first or the song.  My suspicion is for the band being first-- 쏜애플, and it might be "Sun Apple." Or it might be something completely different ;) 

(Sidenote: I was kinda close.  Apparently the name of the band is "Thorn Apple" which is really awesome.  Totally fits them)  And then the song title: "매미는 비가와도 운다."  No idea there.  It could even be a description for all I know.  I can tell you that there's a subject marker and a dictionary version of a verb... Oh geez.

Well, I want to start off and say that I love the song.  Soooo much!  The singer's voice combined with the beautiful melody of that guitar... It's not wailing, it's almost like a second voice twining with his to make this beautiful, haunting rock ballad-y song.  

Oh, oh, oh!  Oh how it begins!  With the sounds of the insects in the trees, and then with the instruments coming in!  With a lot of songs, I sometimes get impatient with instrumental beginnings, because they don't sound like part of the song at all.  Such is not even remotely the case with this song.  The beauty of this song is that it's not just about the singing.  It's the best of instrument and voice and... so human and just a fusion of beauty.

Yeah *blushes*, I really love this song...

The music video is no less great, however.  Such a lovely, 5 minute story, told through action and movement and setting.  Said story is not about telling a story.  It's about... Seeking, and it's about the listener, and it's about movement and music...

Things I absolutely adore about this music video:

Everything.  Moving on.

Ha ha! Okay, I guess I'll go into more detail.  I feel so put-upon! ;)

The way the whole thing is muted--the colors are all seen as if through a lens of real life, and not brighter than anything.  It feels as if it's one of those old-timey videos, done with not the best camera; but that combines with the excellent sound of the music to create something indescribable.  Lovely.

How she's seeking, and going to places that he's been... Seemingly only just.  The way the cameraman shoots the dancer in one room, and then she walks into it... And he's not there.  So many times.  Beautiful.

The dancer.  Wow, I just enjoy watching him.  He's amazing, and somehow his dance fits so perfectly with this music.

I love how we don't realize (truly) that she is seeking him until she actually finds him.  At the very end of the music video.  The viewer does--kind of--get the sense of urgency from the way the video is shot and how she is obviously seeking... something.  But we don't know she's seeking him until she finds him.

And the end?!  Seriously.  As the listener/viewer, we have come all that way through her search for him, and finally, FINALLY found him with her!  And then?!  We never EVER get to see them meet!  Sure, they're running toward each other, but the camera cuts away RIGHT before they touch!!  What the heck?!  Actually, that is the icing on top of this perfection.  Beautiful storytelling.

I think my ONE finicky bit about the music video: there's a part where the band is in this really dark place with a spotlight on them.  I didn't really like that.  And then the camera moved just a hair, and there was a glare on the drum.  But, that is a minor detail.  I loved everything else.

Go, listen to Thornapple, or: 쏜애플 - 매미는 비가와도 운다[MV]:

And, really, really, I hope you love it as much as I do.  I have no end of love for this music video.  And the song, I could listen to on repeat for days.  Have been, actually...

Have a fantastic weekend, and keep listening to your Chill Music!! :D

올티(Olltii) - 빨라 (prod. gJ) MV

I'm sorry I haven't been posting!  I've been trying to figure things out and also start transferring posts over to another site, so it's been a little bit wonky.

But, I promise I'm still listening to awesome music, and here's one that I really like (it's 올티(Olltii) - 빨라 (prod. gJ) MV):

I think this is pretty much adorable, and I love the music video (lame that she takes him home with her--where's the REAL romance?  Otherwise, freaking adorable).  I also really love how chill this song is.  It's got the heavy beat, but it's got a sweet synth sound over it making it seem flow-y and very relaxed instead of hard-hitting.  His voice is super fun to listen to also.

Keep listening and having fun with your chill music (and all of your music)!  I'll see you back here on Thursday for Chill Music Stash.  I've got this BEAUTIFUL music video in mind!

:D

Randomness: Feel Ghood Music

I bet all of you already know that Tiger JK, Tasha and Bizzy have started their own label (is that what it's called?  Or is it technically an entertainment company?  No idea, I'll go with "label"), called "Feel Ghood Music."  

Sometimes you have to break out on your own so that you can go the direction that you want to, where you dreams will take you.  I hope they have all the success in the world, and love their lives!

Here are some videos with Bizzy, Tiger JK and Tasha:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGfANF0JYVI

(Sorry, couldn't find that video to put on here)

Support them in their quest for further awesomeness!

:D

언터쳐블 (Untouchable) - 연락 좀 자주해 (Call Me) feat. 앤드류 최 (Andrew Choi)

Real quick post this week.

I promise, I haven't forgotten about Chill Music Stash.  I've been working on getting a different site up that fits my needs and reader needs a whole lot better.  And, honestly, posting twice a week was making me crash and burn.  So that's going to change too.

This week, I just wanted to share Untouchable's "Call Me" featuring Andrew Choi.

Okay.  Watching it again, and listening to it--Holy cow, I love the music video.  It's so... Wonderful, and clever and cute.  

The song--Melodic and smooth and rhythmic in all the right places.  Amazingly well performed and put together, and I love it.

Mostly I just wanted to share, so... Enjoy!!

To see it is to love it.  

Except... I don't really understand what's up with the way he's wearing his hat all un-snapped and backward.  I think even HE doesn't know, because halfway through, he turns it right-way front again.  Tee hee.  

Keep listening to amazing and wonderful new music, and I'll see you soon!! 

:D

Dynamic Duo, Choi Sam, and Sleeq for Rap Corner

I've got TONS of wonderful songs to talk about this week!

Last week was an off week for me, and so this week, I've exhausted myself trying to catch up on all that I've missed.  And oh my goodness, there is so much that is just... SO GOOD!!!

Let's start off with an obvious one: Dynamic Duo.  While I didn't really like the new music video they came out with (I felt it was a bit... I don't know--catering to the masses, maybe? Plus, women in masses dancing in provocative ways--not my thing), the rest of the album is PURE GOLD.  Oh man.  So for Dynamic Duo, I've only got an audio link for this "Shoot--Goal In"... But.  This is just the best.  I mean.  Oh, I'm at a loss for words!  Just listen to it.  Listen and be amazed!

I can't honestly say that I know they're not rapping about inappropriate things...  And I do care, but... The sound of this song.  It's EPIC.

The next I've got you also has a FANTASTIC sound.  Choi Sam's "We Are." Its heavy beat, mixed with a delicious, almost old-world treble line in the interim--holy cow.  I adore the animal noises, and the people noises... I love how she features these other rap artists that just compliment the song.  It's amazing to have a female rap artist, too!

See!  Wasn't that mind-blowingly awesome!?

Next is another female "hiphop artist," SLEEQ with "Lightless."  This one has more of a chill vibe going on, with a kind of coffee shop, 1920's is feel.  The drums and the xylophone-like instrument.  I also like her voice.  Definitely laid back and good.

That's it for today.  Lots of audio, but it's all wonderful.  Check out the other songs by all these artists, see if you like them too.  And have a wonderful week! :D