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Though still in military service, Kim Jae Joong presents his thoughtfully put together album, No. X, as a gift to his fans. With 12 tracks of pure talent and amazing vocals, there’s much to be desired from this album and fans surely wouldn’t miss him much. Diving deep into rock and its sub genres like his previous albums, No. X is a physical testament that Jae Joong has successfully mastered his personal music direction and sculpted an image of a rising rock star.
Track 1 – Good Morning Night
A perfect first song for the album, Good Morning Night is an all out rock song that starts off with funky electric guitar riffs and intense drums that definitely give us a sense of what the album will be like. Though the chorus is a bit repetitive, it works as an attention-grabbing rhythmic hook heard throughout the song.
Track 2 – 서랍 (Drawer)
While Good Morning Night woke me up with its high energy, Drawer has a much more relaxing and calming tone. Though there’s still a strong presence of electric guitar, Drawer is squarely a rock ballad number with much more melodic tune and sentimental vocals. The slow but coloful guitar riffs partner with Jaejoong’s equally flavorful voice to sweep me off my feet.
Track 3 – Love You More
Love You More is rock meets funk. The groovy bass is fun and playful while the weighty drums is more serious and structured. During the chorus, the backbeat reminds me of Bruno Mars’ Locked Out of Heaven. There is also an interesting transition of rhythm and tone during the bridge of the song that adds more of an electronic pop feel.
Track 4 – Love You to Death
Love You to Death is an alternative rock ballad common in the British pop scene. Partnering lofty synths with striking beats and winding guitar, the song feels a bit heavy for me as I emerse myself in the loneliness that Jae Joong is trying to convey. Love You to Death may not have the catchiest melody, but Jae Joong’s emotional delivery is the key to relating to the message that the song wants to impart to the listener.
Track 5 – Good Luck
Coming off of the sadness that Love You to Death left me with, Good Luck balances out my mood with a more sassy, flirty rocking beat. Though it’s a straightforward hard rock number with heavy guitar, bass, and drum beats, Good Luck gives off a lighter and more cheerful vibe, which I really enjoyed.
Track 6 – 원망해요 (Blaming You)
When you mix modern synths, vintage drums, dreamy guitar, and a bit of old school organ sound, you get Blaming You. It’s a sensual rock ballad number with a bluesy retro vibe that complements Jae Joong’s husky and sultry vocals. The acoustic guitar solo during the bridge and Jae Joong’s powerful high notes are my favorite parts of the song. Unfortunately, beyond that, Blaming You didn’t sound special to my ears.
Track 7 – Welcome To My Wild World
At first, I really thought that I was listening to My Chemical Romance where the fast-paced electric guitar intro sounded similar to the intro of My Chemical Romance’s song, I’m Not Okay. But after the all-too familiar intro of an alternative punk rock song, the playfulness of the song popped out. Welcome To My Wild World is the type of upbeat song you’d rock along to when you’re at a concert.
Track 8 – Breathing
Breathing is your typical soft rock tune with mellow and peaceful acoustic guitar for the verses and electric guitar for the chorus to amp up the emotions. The bridge made me smile because of Jae Jong’s extra sweet voice and the unexpected piano appearance that sounded like a clock. Nonetheless, Breathing is not a standout track among No.X.
Track 9 – All that Glitters
All that Glitters starts off with dreamy piano, electronic synths, and beats that mimic heartbeats. It gradually intensifies during the chorus but is directionally a haunting and whimsical British pop inspired song. Again, Jae Joong’s harmonizing voice is the reason why this song is full of life and imagination.
Track 10 – 다시 만나지만 다시 만나겠지만 (Meeting Again, Will Meet Again)
Different from the previous tracks that are all subgenres of rock, Meeting Again, Will Meet Again is an emotion-filled ballad that begins with sad piano chords later joined by the orchestra. You can feel the sentimental atmosphere of the song in full blast as Jae Joong sings out his heart.
Track 11 – 그거 알아? (You Know What?)
You Know What? is a super clean pop ballad track that’s almost entirely accompanied by dramatic piano chords and a bit of gentle guitar during the chorus. The simple and unplugged nature of the song truly shows off Jae Joong’s aspirational vocals, which took me by surprise as it didn’t sound like him at first.
Track 12 – Run Away
Deviating from the rock theme once again, the last song of No.X is a mid-tempo ballad backed by light electric guitar strings and bouncy piano chords during the chorus. Though the lyrics expresses loneliness, the composition of Run Away gives off a sense of mystery.
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