JJY BAND: DEVIATION

Okay I'll admit it, I have a bit of a crush on Jung Joon Young. Maybe it's because he's unapologetically himself. Maybe because he seems to be so innately rock-n-rock and doesn't give fucks what you think. In the overwhelming ocean of glossy wholesomeness that seems to pervade in the S. Korean music market, I find this refreshing.

He's brash and rough. He's not afraid to get dirty. Sure he can polish up when needed, but it always seems as if he refuses to hide the grit beneath. It's like putting a suit on a pig. It doesn't matter how dapper or cute that pig is in the suit, it's still a pig in a suit. Joon Young may clean up and occasionally sparkle with all the cleanness that is exhibited in the majority of kpop, but beneath it all, he never lets us forget that he's Joon Young. And Joon Young is rock-n-roll. Not the kpop variety, but the real deal. On variety shows he frequently says things that he shouldn't. Often he'll play oblivious, but then a cheeky smile will sneak up, indicating he knows he's really pushing boundaries. He can play the fool and the clever guy, depending on his mood.  One of his most appealing traits is this intense brooding stare that screams cocky defiance, but then there is this kookiness about him that makes you snort and roll your eyes. Oh how I love this guy!

Now I could go on waxing poetic about my love for all things Joon Young, but I'm really here to talk about the music. I L.O.V.E. this album!  The debut track, OMG, is a rousing rock-n-roll anthem, with sexy, growling vocals and dirty guitars.  The video is rated 19+, with good reason.  It depicts everything we imagine the rock-n-roll life to be. Sex, alcohol, more sex, and all the manic, kinetic energy of a roller coaster. If you are wondering where the drugs are, well to depict that in anyway in S. Korea would be a death nail in his career, but a hookah does make an appearance. There's also a hallucination sequence during the song's break, featuring zombies, lightsabers, and a man in a dog mask.  You draw your own conclusions.

After listening to the complete album, I made a beeline to buy it on Itunes. (It's curiously called Escape to Hangover on Itunes.)  I can't find a song I dislike. In fact, I really like all of them. Besides OMG, I think my favorite track is Sunset. Sunset starts out, seemingly a lazy ode to summer, but ends up being a lament of being forever alone. This tune really showcases his sexy baritone voice. I'm all about the baritone. Not since Charlie Sexton have I had these kinds of goose bumps over a voice. (Yes I realize that dates me, what of it?) And when he growls "Do you want to dance with me?" the crazy fangirl inside screams yes!

I also really like Alibi and XGirl. They seem to bookend the emotion of a painful breakup; the start of disillusionment and the sad resignation of when it's finally over. In Alibi he begs "Where is love? Tell me what is love?" and in XGirl he does what many of us do when we are drunk and deep in our feels, admits that even if she's bad for him, he misses her. Been there Joon Young, been there. Need a hug?

I predict that Deviation is destined to be the soundtrack of my summer. I've listened to it, pretty much nonstop, for a week. It's worth a listen guys and if you find yourself as crazy about this album as I am, go buy it.  Like I always say, support great art. Let your dimes be proof of your appreciation.

Jung Joon Young is currently starring in the hilarious cable kdrama, The Lover.  I wish I could find a clip of the glow in the dark condom scene, because it's sidesplittingly funny. He's also a regular on the variety show 2Days, 1Night.

Namaste

OOOOOOHH!! G DRAGON: COUP D' ETAT

Soooo....this happened last week. I watched the two videos he dropped from the LP, Coup D' Etat and Crooked, both equally wonderful, yet very different songs.  Netizens are spending loads of time trying to over analyze both videos. (Fangirl: Omg! Is Oppa okay? I worry for his health!!) I can't help, but shake my head in amusement. Not that I don't think there are messages there, I just think you guys are going a little off the deep end trying to make it fit the fanfiction you have created in your heads. Chill Jill!

Right now I think Crooked is my favorite song off the LP. (Downloaded Part 1 and 2 from ITunes first thing Tuesday morning. Support your artists folks! Good art, deserves our dimes!) In the video, he has that punker, self destructive attitude, which if you know my punk rock roots, you know really appeals to me. (Not that you didn't already have a special place in my heart already Kwon Jiyong, but rocking that Sex Pistols tee cemented your place there!) The upbeat tempo greatly contrasts with the dark lyrics. The video is a perfect depiction of a down hill plunge of someone that has momentarily gone off the rails. It happens to most of us, guys. Whether it be a break up or a failure, we have all had those nights/days/weeks/years, where we just pushed to see what pushed back, because we hurt damnit!!! 

This video resonates with me, not because this is how I feel now, but because that has been me. I WAS the dickhead that pushed, overindulged and was just a complete utter fucktard. I'm not going to try to analyze the personal meaning he is presenting in this video, but I know what it represents to ME. And isn't that what music is supposed to do? Be a vehicle that you identify within a personal way, with your own personal interpretation? 

                                             

                                                                                                                         

I appreciate how GD continues to grow, musically and artistically.  I find myself anticipating each reinvention he undergoes. The songs are as eclectic, as the video visuals are complex. Sure the album has several standard, but great pop tunes.  He's no dummy, he has to give that loving nod to his faithful Kpop fans, who have carried him to this point. There are also some interesting hiphop tunes, a soaring rock anthem, ballads, grooving retro dance tunes, a dancehall/pop/dubstep hybrid that has become my earworm of the day. Seriously, I can't find a single song I dislike.

Some of these tunes may not be received very well by his traditional fans. I would like to think as fans we support his growth, but that is not often the case. Fan culture is an odd and sometime stagnate creature. Nevertheless, I really hope GD continues this path of exploration. I can't help, but believe this will be the stepping stones for new fans to discover and appreciate his work. 

I've been a fan for several years and I enjoyed most of his music. Not every song, but generally like his body of work as a whole.  What I can say, in all honesty...and this isn't just the fangirl in me talking... I fucking love this LP!  To me, it's like he's just slinging out his musical paint brush just to see what comes out on several different canvases. Looking at them individually, they don't seem to go together, but if you put them up together and step back a little, you can see the bigger picture of the series. From where I'm looking, it's a very appealing, fresh vision, one that I'm definitely hanging on my wall.   Namaste.