I am a huge fan of B1A4 and purchased their first full-length album Ignition when it was first released. Little did I know back then, but they've re-released the album with two brand new tracks and re-titled the album: The B1A4 Ignition Special Edition. And even though the repackaged album only contains 2 brand new tracks (plus their instrumentals at the end of of the album), I've still purchased the album and am currently waiting for it to arrive in the post (I may be posting photos of my copy when it arrives!). I reviewed the album back in March (you can read my full review here) but I think it's time that I gave my review on those brand new tracks - 잘자요 굿나잇 (Baby Goodnight) and 너 때문에 (Because Of You).

The title track of the album (the track that they're currently promoting) is Baby Goodnight and it's a huge departure from their previous title track - Baby I'm Sorry. They returned in March with a dark concept and shocked fans with their almost grown-up attitudes and darker image. But now, B1A4 have returned to their cute, fun and colourful image that they were previously known for. The song itself is a fun, light and energetic pop song that almost seems to feature old-school gameboy sounds. Although it's not a song that would be considered a huge dancefloor filler, it still has elements that make you want to get up and have "dancing party time" - as they beautifully coo in the chorus: "dancing, dancing, dancing in the moonlight". This song definately echoes their first two songs - OK and Beautiful Target - and proves that, although they showed their maturity with Baby I'm Sorry, B1A4 have not lost their fun and energetic personas.

The second new track that B1A4 have given us is 너 때문에 (Because Of You). This song is a lovely midtempo track that fits in nicely with their previous songs (especially the sound that they explored in their first two mini albums). Although the song doesn't have any gimmicks or cute moments, it's a fantastic song to display the member's vocal capabilities (especially Sandeul, who sounds absolutely amazing!)

All in all, I think that this re-release is completely worth buying (whether you've bought the original version or not). We may have 'only' been given 2 new tracks but they are both great songs and the repackaged album features lots of new photos and a brand new concept. Well worth buying, I'd say.

A Pink were one of the top rookie groups of 2011 and released a couple of hits during the past year (MY MY and I Don't Know). And now they're back with the first full length album - a short collection of songs that showcase their cute and sweet sides. But is this just more of the same of what we've already seen from A Pink?  Is their image becoming a little tiring now? Let's find out.

Click the "read more" link below to read my full review of A Pink's Une Annee:

Girls' Generaiton divided into 3 this month for the release of their first sub-unit's mini album - Twinkle! The sub-unit group, comprised of members Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun, were given the odd yet appropriate name Taetiseo. Their group name may not be a word that rolls off the tongue, but what about the music? I review Taetiseo's first mini album Twinkle after the break and see if the album lived up to expectations....

Click "read more" to view my track-by-track review of Taetiseo's Twinkle mini album:

B.A.P made a huge splash at the beginning of 2012 with their explosive song WARRIOR. And after a short break, they've returned with another hardcore and edgy track - POWER. But does it live up it's mighty predecessor? Let's find out!

Click the "read more" link to read my track-by-track review of B.A.P's new single POWER...

My latest review is for 7 member group U-KISS' sixth mini album - 도라도라 (DORADORA). Released a couple of days ago, I've had enough time to listen to it and give you all my review. So without further-a-do...

Click "read more" to read my track-by-track review of U-KISS' DORADORA:

Girls' Generation fans - such as myself - were treated this morning to the first ever video teaser for the upcoming Taetiseo project. Taetiseo? Quite simply, that stands for Taeyeon - Tiffany - and Seohyun. Yes, one third of Girls' Generation have formed a sub-unit group and will be releasing their first single Twinkle before the end of the month. This is really exciting news because Girls' Generation have never produced a sub-unit group before - unlike their brother-band Super Junior, who have graced us with Super Junior-M, Super Junior Happy, Super Junior-T and the recent Donghae/Eunhyuk sub-unit.

The teaser - as glitzy and glamarous as it is - has raised a few questions. Why have Taetiseo gone down this route? Why are Girls' Generation only NOW introducing their first sub-unit group?

As the Queens of K-Pop, I personally don't understand why GG has decided that now is the right time to release a sub-unit. Currently, they're stronger than ever - and not only in Korea, they're doing amazing in Japan and have recently had high-profile TV spots in the U.S. For these 9 lovely ladies, their sun couldn't be shining any more. I am always happy to embrace new GG music - that's a no-brainer - but this has definately come as a surprise to me. I don't think forming a sub-unit is a reaction to After School's successful Orange Caramel sub-unit, nor Rainbow's recent sub-unit Rainbow Pixie. Instead, it just seems to be schedule-filler for Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun.

Aditionally, although the teaser isn't even 20 seconds long, we can already judge what kind of song this will be - fun, glitzy and perhaps somewhat of a throwaway party track. That's fine - I listen to songs like that on a regular basis - but it's not what I expected when Taetiseo was first announced. With Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun being announced as the 3 members of the group, I was expecting either a ballad group or a song which featured each memeber's powerhouse vocals. I have no doubt that this song will show off the 3 ladies' incredible vocals but I think I'd rather have heard their vocals laced on a deep, meaningful and emotional track - rather than this seemingly light and fun song.

I am still very excited to hear what the full song will sound like - and I have no doubt that I'll love it (I'm a big GG fan!) - but this just wasn't what I expected. I'll be writing another review when the full song and mini-album is released - and hopefully, I'll be completely blown away!

After concluding their promotions for previous single The Grasshopper Song and the band's only male member leaving to begin his military service, Sunny Hill have made their return to the music scene this week. Their new digital single Princess and Prince Charming(백마는 오고 있는가) was released on Thursday and is very Sunny Hill. Whether or not that is a good thing is undecided.

This song (and it's music video) ooze Sunny Hill's individual charms and their quirky style. Although beginning as a ballad group, the group reinvented themselves last year with the addition of a couple new members and transformed into a very alternative yet contemporary pop group. This change of style paid off. They became an exciting group and their songs - Midnight Circus and Pray - became decent sized hits and cemented Sunny Hill's name in the K-Pop industry. Fast forward to 2012, and they've released The Grasshopper Song and Princess and Prince Charming. Now, I really do like these songs. They have fantastic music videos - full of great imagery and symbolism - and the songs themselves are upbeat, fun and definately different to what is out there at the moment. That said, however, I feel it's becoming a little samey. Their concept may be unique but their songs are no longer individual. Since Midnight Circus, I've found all their tracks very similar - they've released around 8 tracks (on their mini albums, singles etc.) and each song is a very similar to one another. Sure, Sunny Hill differ completely to the hundreads of other K-Pop groups around, but their material doesn't differ from one song to the next.

Princess and Prince Charming may indeed be a charming song, but it doesn't show any growth - nor does it differ from their previous single or mini album. To me, I'd love to see Sunny Hill switch things up yet again. We've seen them transform once - why not do it again? I'd surely welcome a new direction at this point.