Welcome back to Best of Weekly Music Shows! April has been an extremely month as just about everyone is either making their debuts or a comeback. This week alone saw the solo debuts of Minzy and Lee Haeri and comebacks from Bonusbaby, Berry Good, SF9, DIA, IU, Laboum, Jungiggo, Ulala Session and Yesung. Trophies were awarded to a variety of artists, with Eunji winning on Show Champion and The Show, TEEN TOP winning on Music Bank, and Winner getting top honors Inkigayo, M! Countdown, and Show! Music Core — which recently brought back the award system again.
Without further ado, here are the performances that stood out to me this week.
Day6’s “I’m Serious,” MBC Show Champion, April 19, 2017
Day6’s latest track on their April Every Day6 project caught my ear because of how poppy it sounded. When I think of Day6, I hearken back to their first two singles which speak of heartbreak and loss. By way of it’s title “I’m Serious,” seemed prime to take up that similar mantle, but what we get, instead, is this immensely fun track. It’s whimsical with all of its backing vocals and also fun, which is something Day6 needed to express. A great tune all around backed by a band that has the talent to elevate the song to another level.
EXID’s “Night Rather Than Day,” MBC Show! Music Core, April 22, 2017
I adore “Night Rather Than Day.” I honestly did not expect this from EXID, especially given they were missing their main vocalist Solji. However, both Hani and Hyerin stepped up in a major way, with the two delivering some great vocal moments. This track has such a fun jazzy vibe, and I think the ladies are owning their respective parts. Hopefully, we’ll continue to see EXID evolve and experiment with new ideas and styles because when it works, it’s golden.
SF9’s “Easy Love,” MBC Show! Music Core, April 22, 2017
The nine member FNC group made their comeback this week with “Easy Love.” The track itself is a fairly decent pop song with a hook that is familiar and can catch your ear. What really sets this stage apart is their choreography. It is dramatic, sharp, and well executed. The members alternate between circular and front facing formations that add great energy to their stage. When all the cogs are working, it really amplifies the performance to one filled with dynamics.
Minzy’s “Beautiful Lie,” Dingo Music, April 18, 2017
After listening to Minzy Work 01: Uno, I have to say I much preferred many of the B-side tracks to the title, including “Beautiful Lie.” This is a gorgeous ballad from Minzy. “Beautiful Lie” shows Minzy expressing herself honestly, and I think it works on a few different levels. While the range of the song does test her vocal limits, it is a testament to her ability and work ethic, that it sounds so natural. Most importantly, there is an authentic connection here that seems missing in the title – showing that she’s more than capable of standing forward in the spotlight rather than dancing in the shadows of her former group’s sound.
Eunji’s “The Spring,” Naver On Stage K, April 20, 2017
Upon first listen of “The Spring,” I found it fairly in line with my expectations. Eunji’s “The Spring” continues her string of light ballads, and it is something that fits well within her wheelhouse. I especially love the sound quality from On Stage K stages, so this one caught my attention. Eunji can sing sentences that both comfort, yet feel tinged with a bit of nostalgia. She has a remarkably warm vocal tone, so when a song can emphasize this, it is doing the right thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNDrXrMOtY
IU’s “Through the Night,” SBS Inkigayo, April 23, 2017
IU’s comeback was everything I wanted and more. I was never the biggest IU fan before, but something about Palette spoke to me. “Through the Night” was the first major song we got to hear off her latest album, and it’s stunning. It embodies this quiet quality, like someone muttering soft wishes in the middle of the night. At the same time, the emotional depth is loud with heartbreak and an underlying resilience. This may be her first music show stage in a couple of years, but it was a gorgeous one with lilies, moon-like lighting, and a beautiful night blue backdrop. With “Through the Night,” IU expresses her vulnerability, and the power behind words backed by conviction, and she leaves us all transfixed by every word that she sings.
