It has been a year, one month
and thirteen days since Girls' Generation have released a Japanese album. For
us SONEs, it feels like an eternity, but we were kept entertained by the girls'
constant updates on Instagram, Twitter and Weibo! They made us feel closer to
them more than ever and I feel that it is fitting to end the year with an album
dedicated to us, their most treasured assets. Starting from June of this year,
Girls' Generation have released music videos and singles from the upcoming
album, teasing and preparing us for the main course. They have not let us down,
believe me, SONEs, they have not let us down. Everything you had hoped for from
a highly polished Japanese production is heard on the CD with twelve tracks
fulfilling our every wish.
The second Japanese
album did well in the charts, peaking at number 2 in the Oricon daily albums
chart, a very successful ranking for a foreign girl group. With these
statistics, our expectations are high for ''Love & Girls'' and we are wondering
whether it is as polished as the first Japanese album. The first album really made
a name for the girls and established them as a girl group in Japan who were
here to stay. The Japanese heard about the Girls' Generation craze that was
spreading across Asia and parts of Europe and were eager to see what they could
offer in their language. They were welcomed with open arms and the first album
won them the Japan Gold Disk Award for Best New Artist of the
Year. This was a milestone in their success and it carried on in 2012
when they once again won Album of the Year in the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.
This year, the girls have been working hard performing a ''Girls & Peace'' world tour from Korea to Hong Kong which sold out tickets within minutes. All those years of training really does pay off if you can sing and dance non stop for two hours straight. Girls' Generation have exceeded expectations in their performance not only as artists but as entertainers. Throughout the year, the girls have been featured in dramas, variety, music and award shows, on top of that, appearing in dozens of endorsements around Korea and Japan. You could say that this year has been yet another successful year for Girls' Generation. S.M. Entertainment's flagship group are the real money makers in the entertainment business and the quality tracks in this album are proof of the girls' persistence in keeping that title.
Love & Peace album at #1 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart.
As of writing, the third album has débuted at number one on Oricon's daily album chart selling 37,486 on the first day. A very respectable figure and we hope to see an increase in sales over the next few days, considering the amazing tracks the album has to offer and their previous commercial and critical success.
The Packaging
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| Taeyeon's very own copies of the album! |
''Love & Peace'' comes in three editions which includes the regular CD edition with just the songs, a Limited Edition which comes with a Blu ray disc with music videos and some behind the scenes footage, and a First Press Limited Edition which includes dance versions of some of the music videos alongside the normal versions, excluding the making of features from the Limited Edition. The First Press Limited Edition of ''Love & Peace'' can be purchased in DVD or Blu ray format. This is a first for a Girls' Generation album to come with a Blu ray disc and the image quality is second to none, however this will further be discussed on the Blu ray section of this review.
There is a lot of detail on the cover art as the girls are seen posing for the camera with each member wearing their own outfits to match their personalities. The cover art for the Limited Edition however is different to the rest of the versions, filling the entire box with badges of numbers, peace signs and the girls' faces. It most certainly is interesting and does set itself apart as the more expensive item. I usually am not a big fan of skirts but Hyoyeon's newspaper design really does look trendy and keeps in tone with her hair colour. She is also the most out-going member of the group and this outfit really does showcase her party girl personality.
Balloons are also a major part of the image as it is present in all of the editions of the cover art. Of course this is keeping in theme with the music video for ''Love and Girls'' where they perform in and lead a parade. The balloons also give us a hint on the type of songs to expect within the album which contain fast dance music suitable for clubs and parties. The different coloured petals and peace sign also adds to the title of the album.
The natural light coming through the window and blowing out part of the image is also a nice artistic choice, providing a higher production value to the photo. Each member is seen either sitting or leaning on a luxury chair, displaying a sense of class and giving the impression of premium quality which this album inhibits. This is after all Girls' Generation, one of Japan's top foreign groups, they need to scream high production value!
The design on the CDs are kept simple with a pink base, giving it that girly touch. Both the music CD and Blu ray disc have a peace sign logo on it along with the album's title. Although there is no title saying which disc contains the songs and which one contains the music videos, there really isn't a need for it as the main CD is hinted at with the more visible colours of the peace logo. The design of the disc's artwork are in line with previous Japanese releases, especially similar to the second album, ''Girls & Peace''.
Inside the cover is a mini photobook which includes photos of each member, posing on the same set as the cover. Alongside each photo are lyrics to the songs included in the CD.
The Songs
01. Gossip Girls
''Gossip Girls'' is a great start to the album with lyrics being thrown
at us at a rapid pace. The girls describe themselves as strong and fierce
individuals, hunting for the boy of their desires to find ''destined love''.
They hide behind innocent faces and hold on to traps to capture the
'''wonderful boyfriend''. Although at the beginning, the girls seem to be able
to handle themselves, they let out their true reasons on why they need someone
in their lives. In the third chorus, the girls admit that they are lonely and
although they walk with confidence, it is merely a façade. This revelation in
the song holds true in reality as Taeyeon admitted that she felt lonely and
empty inside on ''Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook'' at the end of each day after her
schedules although she did not know why. ''Gossip Girls'' gives Taeyeon the reason to
her feelings; there is no man in her life! Tiffany's epic ''Ohhhhh'' during the
last chorus truly adds a deeper depth to the song and is fitting after we find
out what the girls' real thoughts about themselves are. ''Gossip Girls'' could
also be interpreted as a name for a gang, who identify themselves as a group of
people that need eachother for support to substitute their feelings of being unloved and lonely.
02. Motorcycle
''Motorcycle'' is an energetic track to get you pumping. The chorus is almost head banging and the lyrics are sung very fast, just like the motorcycles. You can't help trying to sync this song in with Girls' Generation's ''Bad Girl'' music video, which would seem more appropriate with all the bikes in it. The mixing of this track is creative too with bike noises panning from one speaker to the other and the thumping bass energising the entire track. You cannot help but appreciate the quality time Japanese audio engineers put into mixing the girls' albums. In my honest opinion, they are the most underrated members of the production team, without them, the entire song would have fallen apart. The mixing is fun and creative. Nuff said.
03. Flyers
''Flyers'' is the classic example of J-rock music. Listening to this song will without a doubt make you think of an anime opening; I wouldn't even be surprised if it was used as the theme of a show. ''Flyers'' will get you up on your feet and make you excited about everything. This song would have been great as a music video, with the girls performing at a high school playing the instruments and having students going wild. The lyrics themselves talk about moving on and flying higher, which is easily appropriate for a graduation song with students entering their next challenge in life; a higher level, a new beginning. The lyrics ''I am one with the wind, free as a bird'' is further evidence of how great it would be to use it as a graduation song; the students are now free from compulsory education, they can do whatever they want in life and there is no authority to stop them!
04. Galaxy Supernova
''Galaxy
Supernova'' is one of the club songs in the album and it will get your body
pumping on the dance floor as soon as it hits the DJ deck. This track is fast,
punchy, and uncontrollably catchy. The instruments used in the song sound
modern with a good amount of low end bass, suitable for parties and clubs.
Girls' Generation's Japanese albums have a trademark of electronic music and
this is one fine example of it. The ''In the galaxy, galaxy, oh!'' is really
reminiscent of ''Mr. Taxi'''s ''Mr. Taxi, taxi, taxi'' from their first
Japanese album and it's nice to see a continuing trend in keeping catchy
sentences within these types of tracks.
05. Love & Girls
''Na Na Na Na Na! Na Na Na LOVE & GIRLS!''. This song is catchy and
a track to play in a festival or a funfair. It's really cheerful and the girls'
voices sound complimentary to the beat. ''Love & Girls'' makes you forget
all your troubles for its three minute run time. The lyrics are not the most important
part of the song here but the beats and ''Na Na Na Na Na!'' is the major
section of the song that gets you all excited and joining in a crowd filled
with people forgetting about their troubles in life. ''Love & Girls'' is also a change from the electronic instruments that are used frequently in previous songs. This track is also an indication of a change of style within the album as the next few songs also contain a different sound from the trademark electropop beats.
05. Love & Girls
06. Beep Beep
''Beep
Beep'' is a really cute song about clingy girls wanting to know what their
hubby is up to. Really, it doesn't hurt to pick up the phone once in a while,
right? That is really what the song is about, it's just a more bubble gum way
of making the statement. ''Beep Beep'' reminds me of the girls' cute concept
days, with songs such as ''Oh!'' and ''Kissing You''. ''Hello, hello, moshi,
moshi'', is so catchy that it is honestly very difficult to get it out of your
head after listening to it the first time. Now everytime I receive a phone
call, I'm like ''Hello, hello, moshi, moshi!''.
07. My Oh My
A song to empower those women who were betrayed by their man! The lyrics ''My, oh my'' is an expression of surprise from what the girls have found out that was kept concealed by their lover. The girls' powerful vocals are appropriate for a revenge song, which is used to symbolically overpower their prey. The beats at the beginning is also a nice touch as it almost sounds like somebody is clapping off dirt from their saying ''I'm done with you''. ''My Oh My'' is a song with great vocals from all nine of the girls and it's is a nice balance between dance and strong vocals.
08. Lips
''Lips'' is one of Girls' Generation's best tracks out of their Japanese discography in my opinion. It has a very ''Express 999'' feel from their Korean ''I Got A Boy'' album. The beat is very addictive and the bells give the song a sort of Latin feel. The lyrics ''Can't stop thinking about you, this must be what crazy feels like'' is really engaging and will make you put this track on repeat. I really enjoy the girls' harmonic voices with the members singing ''Oohhhh'' in the background during the chorus. The voices give the overall sound a deeper depth and captures the essence of going insane over your love. ''Lips'' is a lot more relaxing than the previous foot stomping songs and provides the listener with a sort of break to prepare us for the upcoming jams.
09. Do The Catwalk
The whistles. All about the whistles in this track. ''Do The Catwalk'' is a very persuasive song for the ladies to get up on their feet and feel confident about themselves. The catwalk is a good subject to relate to when talking about power and self-assurance. This is a song for us all who sometimes feel that we simply can't go on without hiding behind a wall. ''The vision you wish to be, stare at it directly, mirror or Mr. Mirror'' is an example of one of the lyrics in the song that demands you to strive towards your goal, whether it be a man (Mr. Mirror) or something else; in my case, a filmmaker! The strangely catchy whistling during the chorus is what makes the song so appealing at first listen. The whistles in a way persuades the listener to get up on their feet and walk shamelessly outside in their own true self; the whistling is the reaction from the people around you, envying your confidence. ''Are you ready to walk''? I bet Girls' Generation are.
10. Karma Butterfly
''Karma Butterfly'' is another club track like ''Galaxy Supernova'' but a different kind. It's the type of song that is made for the night where people come to a club to release stress after a hard day at work. The lyrics are about letting yourself go and being free which translates perfectly to the club scene and forgetting about all the worries of tomorrow. For one night, release your inner ego and just go with the flow. The bass is punchy, the beats are not too fast nor too slow, enough for a casual dance in the club.
11. Lingua Franca
''Lovin you, lovin' me'' is the motto of ''Lingua Franca''. We all have had a crush on someone in our lives and this song encourages you to confront it. Loving somebody can also be loving yourself no matter where they are from. Lingua franca means to have a language in common between two people, in this case the language of love. Who cares if you can't understand their language? We can communicate through emotion which arguably can bring us even closer than words. Although at first, it felt odd to have such a song near the end of the album, as the pace of the music was slowing down, I understood that a bit of diversity and change in sound was needed to keep us intertwined with the run time. ''Lingua Franca'' is very reminiscent of songs from Girls' Generation first Korean album with very cute and innocent lyrics.
12. Everyday Love
What can I
say about ''Everyday Love''? An amazingly composed and sung ballad. As always,
there is a powerful ballad at the end of each Japanese album and this one is no
different. Although it does not rival the un-matched ''Born To Be A Lady'' with
its almost poetic lyrics, ''Everyday Love'' is a cute but an emotionally
powerful song about a continuing love. It's the type of love when two people
cannot see eachother all the time where the names of the days keep them close,
knowing when they're going to see eachother next. It's a wonderful closing to
the album and represents all the love and care that went into it. Girls'
Generation truly sing from the heart and this is a prime example of it.
13. Blue Jeans (Bonus Track)
This is a
bonus track for fans living in Japan which is available to be won from a
lottery. It's really bright and cheerful with all the electronic instruments
coming through the speakers in complete clarity. When I first heard this song,
it reminded me of a children's television show opening theme. It has that very
cute and innocent sound that everybody can nod their heads too. It'll make you
happy and a great tune to start the day as an alarm clock! ''In my jeans, in my
blue jeans'' is further evidence of it being the first track of the day, to get
up and get ready, in this case, by wearing blue jeans!
The Blu ray
The Blu ray
comes in a very presentable menu with easy navigations to the music videos and
making of. The making of is very interesting as it allows us to see what goes
on in a typical Girls' Generation music video shoot. It gives us time to
appreciate more on what they do and the immense co-ordination and attention to
detail needed to pull off difficult choreographies. Girls' Generation would
spend hours upon hours a day perfecting their every move and also their vocals.
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| Average and maximum bitrate for the ''Beep Beep'' music video. The bitrates are more or less the same throughout the entire run time of the blu ray. |
The videos
are presented in full 1920x1080 resolution at a frame rate of 29.98 frames per
second which is telecined for some strange reason. All the music videos in the
album were shot at 23.976 frames per second and so there was no need for the
video to be telicined as Blu ray supported the frame rate natively. The Blu ray
player or television has to do extra work to figure out on how to display the
videos. There is a higher chance in viewing the image in interlaced format due
to the television or Blu ray player failing to recognise it being telecined and
thereby not performing a 2-3 pulldown.
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| Click to see original size, the artefacts are more clearly visible. |
However, the image quality is
as good as you can get from Blu ray. The average bitrate is near the maximum
limit and the audio is encoded at an uncompressed 48KHz, 24bit PCM stereo.
Although I do not know the origins of the mixing, the music does sound every
bit as clean as the music CD, possibly even cleaner.
The name ''Love & Peace''
certainly does live up to its name with the vocals from all of the girls,
wonderfully harmonising together to create a highly dynamic sound which only
our nine angels can deliver. Similar to the previous albums where the pace of
the songs would slow down as the running time progressed; ''Love & Peace''
keeps this formula, leading us from one party to the next with a cool down at
the end. Is this better than previous Japanese albums? In terms of musical
quality and the lack of filler tracks, it most certainly is better than the
second album, ''Girls & Peace''. ''Love & Peace'' is on par with the
quality of the critically and financially successful first album. The lack of
filler songs and the overall dynamics within the audio engineering is difficult
to criticise. ''Love & Girls'', ''Galaxy Supernova'', and ''My Oh My''
singles all peaked in the top 10 in the Oricon charts which gives us an
indication on how well the full album will be doing in next few days.
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Kazi Zaman is a video editor (Girls' Generation: A History) and writer for TheSoneSource. He has followed Girls' Generation's activities since pre-début. He is also a film student and an aspiring cinematographer.
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