GD and TOP’s album blows my mind (review)

Were you waiting for my review, bb? Here it is, in it’s full, fangirly glory. Everyone should know by now that I’m a huge Big Bang fan. I’ve been really excited about TOP and G-Dragon’s album. Doesn’t that go without saying? I’m very grateful that they’ve been throwing us a few bones (like giving us various previews, singles, videos, and so on) prior to the actual release of the album because it’s tided me over. Barely, but I’ve made it. YAY! Can you already tell my brain is in a disorganized state of EUPHORIA? Let’s just skip all of the attempts at proper chat and I’ll give you my review of the album!

1. Intro: If you’ve been keeping up with GD and TOP’s activities as I have, you’ll know this is getting to be a familiar track. I like it! It’s not the best track ever or anything, but it’s a good intro in that it gets you kind of hyped for what’s in store. It’s pretty basic hip-hop and I think it’s an appropriate way to start their album. I like the singing at the end, haha. It’s cool how GD mentions all their songs.
2. High High: Okay, so we’ve now had this song for ten days. COMPLETELY OBSESSED with various aspects of it. I know a lot of fans are pretty complainy over this being one of their main promoted tracks, but really… is it that bad? Have you SEEN their live performance? That is entertainment like no other. Seeing GD and TOP perform “High High” has me loving the song more than ever. It’s not perfect by any means and OF COURSE there are more quality tracks on the album, but this is the kind of thing you need to keep interest going for 3+ minutes on stage. I love me some “Knocking Out,” but I actually zone out partway through them performing it. Just saying. It’s a great song to blast in the car, just in case you haven’t tried that yet (what a travesty if you haven’t!).
3. Oh Yeah (feat. Park Bom): OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG I’m so into this song. The live performances have increased my love for it exponentially, and I really didn’t believe that was possible. I have to say my favorite parts are TOP’s; he just blows this track up in so many ways. Bom is beyond flawless; I adore her on stage, and her interactions with the boys = priceless. I’m addicted to GD’s “kitchen” line LMAO and dslfsdjl. I just. THIS. SONG. It’s just a reallyreallyreally good track and I know not everyone is on the same page about it, but I’m loving it completely.
4. 집에 가지마 [Don’t Go Home]: Fun begging! And finally, this song. I remember hearing this song on YG Live. I’m guessing they didn’t end up including Bom because she wasn’t messing with the song (and that’s probably why she’s on “Oh Yeah” instead, because it works better for her voice). ANYWAY, this song is faaaaaaabulous. I love it so far. It has a really smooth sound and I’m totally into the mix of singing and rapping. It’s interesting to hear GD’s falsetto make a comeback, along with lots of other singing that sounds better than his normal voice (don’t get me wrong; he can sing, but I don’t think it’s as strong as his rapping). I really enjoy (and this is one of the best things about GTOP so far) how easily TOP and GD work together. Their interactions are practically seamless; it’s like they’ve always been a duo. I think this song will end up being one of my favorites from the album.
5. Baby Good Night: The title: is it a flawed use of English, a double entendre, or does it just mean “good night” rather than “goodnight”? LMAO, specifics. This song is a nice transition from the last song. It has a similar feel, but it’s slower and… I don’t know. I just know that everything so far screams quality. Is it safe to say this is one of YG Entertainment’s best albums in a while? I mean, I liked/loved a lot of YG Family stuff that’s come out this year, but they’ve all left me wanting. I somehow get the impression with this album that it’s completely full and amazing and doesn’t need more to complete it. Also, is this is random CL feature? I didn’t think it sounded like her until the random French was thrown in.
6. 뻑이가요 [Knocking Out]: OMG, I’m so happy to finally have this song on my computer. I have been liking it more and more since first hearing it. It reminds me a bit of “The Leaders” on G-Dragon’s “Heartbreaker” album. It has a fantabulous beat that gets put on repeat in your brain and you’re left thinking about it constantly. It’s also similar in the way that it doesn’t need a huge pop influence to be completely addicting. THIS AIN’T BUBBLE-BUBBLE, BUBBLE GUM! I suppose there is even an element of dissonance with the “뻑이가요” chorus (as sung by GD), but it works so well.
7. Oh Mom (TOP): I have to say this song started out rather questionably, but give me singing by TOP and I’m jello. When I heard the preview for this song I was squeeing so bad. I’m not into the genre/style of this song, but I’ll take it for what it is and like it. It’s kind of interesting to hear TOP and G-Dragon trying new styles of music. And GUH, I know TOP is being auto-tuned to some effect, but if you just listen to his voice… I’m seriously butter; do you need any more metaphors for how much I’m loving this? I have giant puppy eyes right now. He has a great rap voice/tone that he uses all the time, but hearing him sing straight out is like nothing else. We’ve needed more of this. A two second clip in “She Can’t Get Enough” is definitely NOT enough. I am super curious about the lyrics for this song. I can imagine this being a song playing at the end credits for some movie (or even a drama) about a guy who rides a motorcycle and feels alone in the world LOL.
8. 악몽 [Obsession] (GD): OKSDJFLDKJ, for some reason I’m so frickin’ excited by the intro music for this song. It reminds me of video game. HERE IS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! This album honestly feels like it can’t be any better than what we’re getting so far. I’m absolutely in love with everything about this song. UGH, stop being so frickin’ talented, GD! KIDDING! Never change. Of course, there are about ten thousand fans who are whining about the auto-tune right now, but I could care less. I honestly think G-Dragon’s singing has improved a LOT, and I can’t even figure out why I would think this. His voice sounds so clear and unforced. Sometimes when he’s sung in the past, I end up feeling like he’s ALMOST there but not quite. Now I can listen to this song and have no complaints. I spy another album favorite. AND HE’S INSERTING RANDOM SPANISH. Oh, you international boys, you. French and Spanish, not to mention mostly-correct English? MUAH.
9. 오늘따라 (TOP): I love how this begins! It just promises goodness. It flows into a really good track. This is the perfect follow-up for “Obsession” because it’s of the same caliber, only it’s TOP-style! It’s also a bit more hopeful? Maybe not; I should wait for the lyrics before making such a comment. The piano seems to say that though. And yesss, the piano. I’m in love. FOR WHY SO PERFECT??? The chorus is incredible.
10. 어쩌란 말이냐? (GD) [What Do You Want?]: This is probably the only song on the album that’s going to have me cracking up forever. Apparently this is GD’s venture into the “Rock ‘n Roll” genre. It’s not a bad song, and I don’t think it’s completely lost in this album. However, it’s just… I don’t know. Surprising! I think it’s fun and it’s crazy to see how far GD is willing to go with his musical experimentation. He did a great job with this, although I recommend he not return often LOL. I love the energy of this track.
11. Turn It Up (TOP): I’ve already reviewed this song to an extent, but I can still happily listen to it after all these months. I love that it’s so very TOP. It’s hard to get a fresh perspective on “Turn It Up” after practically a year of listening to it, but I can easily say it’s a fun song.

It’s been a long time since I’ve so easily fallen for an album. Even trying to be positively objective and pretending I don’t have a huge Big Bang (and even bigger GTOP) bias, this album is incredibly full. It has a great range of styles that flow together well. I feel like every song has been well thought-out and it doesn’t seem like there are any filler tracks; most K-pop albums (if not all) usually do have tracks like that, and I am so shocked to experience a lack of such! My brain is so spazzy right now I’m having trouble articulating. I think the only song that’s a bit off for me is GD’s “What Do You Want?”. It just doesn’t quite FIT like I think it should, but then again, it’s not like it sticks out like store thumb. The album kind of allows for huge genre mixing.

We are getting to hear so many different sides of GD and TOP right now and I’m DYING as a long-time fan. I’ve missed them and now they are reminding us of why we love them. G-Dragon and TOP have so much talent, and I’m so excited and proud of them them. They are growing and changing and improving. I recently watched some of my favorite Big Bang performances and thought, “Why do I feel so different about these than I used to?” and now I’m wondering if it’s because they’ve already grown so much.

One of the first comments I made about Big Bang (although I quickly revised this thought as soon as I became infatuated; flaws always drop away when you are looking through giant heart-shaped eyes) was that I really like them, but I feel like they have room for improvement. GUH, and this is what I was looking to! A point in time that I can proudly sit back and say, “BOYS, why are you so flawless?” LOL. Because I honestly will support them no matter what, even if it means making “Sunset Glow” their title song, but really. I’m so thrilled that they’ve made it to this point.

Sure, we haven’t seen all of Big Bang yet, but it makes me very excited to see what the whole group has in store. I suppose I shouldn’t get my hopes up TOO high, but… they’re already high high, they’re so high (couldn’t help it… LOL).

SO! What do you think? LOVVVE it like me or do you have some gripes? SHARE!