K-POP Reviews

Red Velvet - The Red [The 1st Album] [K-album Review #1]

So, recently, Red Velvet (who debuted just last year) dropped their first full length album. That is pretty good going considering the fact that they just debuted but that just goes to show their popularity.

Red Velvet have always, prior to this album, gone back and forth between quirky-up-beat music and R&B. Their first single 'Happiness' was, well, happy and up-tempo. This was followed by 'Be Natural' which was a cover of the S.E.S song of the same name which was released in 2000. That song was classy as anything out there and the dance and outfits were sublime. Personally, I loved that style more so than the 'Happiness' one which was colourful and all that jazz.

Then came the addition of Yeri, so now there was five members. Their first song with her was 'Automatic' which is probably one of my favourite songs of theirs, if not my favourite. It is a real pity because they never really promoted the song, they only sung it before 'Ice Cream Cake' on shows. Their first mini album was 'Ice Cream Cake', which was the title song and again it was the up-beat, quirky sound. I think it was more classy maybe than 'Happiness' though but that is just me.

Anyway, I will be doing a review of all songs on the album here as the order they appear in on the CD. I will probably do an overall review of the album at the end but sure, we'll see.

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01. Dumb Dumb

So, Dumb Dumb is the title track and the song with the video. I won't really get into the video but it is a weird experience. I love the quirkiness though, I must admit. The song really follows this weirdness. The 'dumb dumb' breakdowns are just awesome.

The verses though are a bit meh except for the 'baby, baby, baby' parts. That kind of saves it. The chorus is great though and the laugh works so well in it. I always have to sing along to that part despite the fact that I cannot speak a lick of the language. That is a real sign how much you like a song.

The Michael Jackson verse is a bit odd. I don't really know what is going on other than the fact that they just name a bunch of his songs. The slow part kind of ruins the vibe of the song. Hate that part and I hate the fact that they had to stick it in. The only thing is that I am glad it was so short.

The song overall is a solid title track. It is upbeat and different, which is what you need nowadays when new groups are debuting ever other second. Red Velvet has that longevity that a lot of groups lack and I can see them being able to grow from this album and this title track. It's not my favourite song on the album but it is great.

I love where they are going with this song. From the start to the end (if we ignore that slow breakdown), this song is consistent. There's no real change or mess of genres that other songs get and that makes me believe that SM are finally getting it! They have been killing it recently, I must say.

02. Huff n Puff

Huff n Puff really draw off Dumb Dumb and continues the upbeat vibe that they are going with. If I am being perfectly honest, I slightly prefer this song to the title track but only a tiny bit. This song is a little more badass and the beat is heavier in some places. The verses are alright like. There isn't so much too great about them but you can tell when the pre-chorus part comes on things are going to be going down. And it does when they sing 'huff n puff'. It just sounds way more badass than what I would be expecting from these girls.

The breakdown is better in this song too than Dumb Dumb and I feel as though their vocals are on display a lot more. The high notes are amazing. 'Nuf said. If there was a song on this album that I would recommend it would be this - because this is a perfect mixture of vocals and the quirky sounds of Red Velvet.