I’m totally not against Jung Yong Hwa the actor but after having listen to his first solo album I know that me, rooting for Jung Young Hwa the singer was definitely that! I’ve always cheer up for the singer but One Fine Day just gave me reason. It’s my first good surprise of the year. Jung Yong Hwa is freaking good and at least I’m not in cold sweat when I have to listen to him. On the contrary. My deepest apologies to those who are fan of his acting.
Jung Yong Hwa is the lead
singer of the rock-pop band CN Blue and it was like an evidence that one of
these days he’ll come with a solo project. It’s now done with this first album.
To be honest it took him a bit longer than I thought. I mean he released some
songs without his mates of CN Blue in the past, like his ballad with Juniel, Fool, in 2012. I believed that he was like teasing us for any
upcoming solo project. Or not. Obviously he wanted to take his time and God
knows that sometimes taking his time is the best choice.
It’s
common knowledge that Jung Yong Hwa has penned and arranged many of CN Blue’s
songs. That atmosphere, style and the rock vibe gave the group a genre that’s keeps
working. I remember having sung Loner,
the first CN Blue’s single, for days. It was catchy, rock and…somehow different
from what the kpop musical scene had to offer. My first impression of Jung Yong
Hwa wasn’t that euphoric though. The first time I saw him it was in the drama You’re a Beautiful.
Back
then I taught the guy was a rookie actor, trying hard for his first role. But
then I happened to listen to Loner
and I made the connexion: that expressionless second lead in the drama and that
young talented thing moving along with his mates in the MV are the same person!
I was like: the guy isn’t the perfect actor ever but damn he can sing! It was
practically seeing two different people. Where in the drama he was a bit tense
he was so at ease on stage, completely immersed in the song, giving you chill
and actually making you having a good time.
After two albums and five
mini albums with CN Blue, Yong Hwa’s first baby is finally here. It’s a
surprise for me in the way that I thought the opus will be a lot more rock
turned. But it’s not only about catchy songs, the album is also full of nice
and sweet ballads. My two
favourite’s tracks on the album are the electric and attractive Checkmate in featuring with JJ Lin and the sad, pitiful ballad, Without You. In that latter, the guy assures
that he’s actually happier without his ex-girlfriend, that he barely feels the
difference since they broke up, but at the end of the song we
understand that it’s all lies: the guy desperately needs her back! How pitiful and
beautiful is that? The lyrics plus his voice on it, it’s like an
extreme cold ice cream on a hot summer day: it gives you chills. Checkmate is a rock and dancing duet
with the Singaporean singer JJ Lin about a boy promising
to his loved one that despite all the bad, lies and poison in the worl, he will
be her shield, protecting her from everything. Ok someone take me to Yong Hwa
right now because his words are like honey to my ears. No joke.
Mileage
featuring YDG was the first track of
the album to be released. I honestly wasn’t entranced by it. Yeah it was a nice
song but in the overall I wasn’t blown away. But then as a whole with the rest
of the tracks of the album, the song easily found its way among my favourites. That
singing melody works effortlessly and that makes of Mileage a perfect good, first single.
The album is eclectic and
that’s what I liked. You expect something and then all your expectations are
swept away because what you’re listening to is far way better.
I like to be shaken up like that,
I like to be moved by artists that way! More, more please.
New year, means new stuff,
new testing. I decided to add stars as an indication of my personal
appreciation for the album or mini album or even single that I will review. My
stars will be found at the top of every post.
As always below my two
favourites tracks of the album Checkmate
and Without You plus Mileage.
I think I’m done. Oh wait you
can of course download the album here.
OR 
