Studio Album by Leehi

Producers: Epik High’s Tablo, DJ Tukutz, and Mithra Jin, Leehi

Hey, it’s been a long time I didn’t write any song or album review. So, I just found myself in love with this album. It's called Seoulite (Half Album) (I'm not a big fan of the second part of Seoulite. That's why I'm here only for the first half). It’s Leehi’s second album after her stunning debut album “First Love”. It took three years for the young diva to come back--to complete this album. Even when we thought her first album was well-made but surely we are gonna love her even more with her newest album. Leehi said this album is named Seoulite since people keep saying she’s so good at singing English songs but she wanted to restate herself as a Seoul girl. Different from her debut album which was a pop-soul-RnB based, her latest album is a hip-hop number (indeed her producers were hip-hop warriors). This album is gonna leave you in awe and of course, wondering just how beautiful Seoul is to have a singer like her.

Overall, the vibe of this album is relaxing, hip hop-ish, and soulful. Every song has a distinctive vibe—that’s why song preference is gonna be different for each person. 

1. World Tour (feat Mino of Winner)

“New York, Paris, go around the earth a few times. I might fall in love.” (World Tour)

The more I listen to it, the more I think this upbeat song is my jam. It's opened by Tablo’s short rapping and a sample (I don’t know where did it come from though) but the combination is an addictive intro. Leehi and her YG fellow artist, Mino, shared the same song—on the top of that, a jazzy hip-hop song. YG Entertainment might didn’t understand how many people wish this collaboration happened sooner. I’m trying to not be biased here (since the featuring artist is one of my favorite rappers) but I truly can’t deny their charms. Leehi’s soulful vocal brought this hip-hop song to another level. Let’s not talk over Mino’s charismatic rapping since I’m (automatically) fond of his rap in every single song. This song talked about Leehi’s dream to have a world tour. I’m happy for its tiny details (the ad-libs, high pitched sample, vocal layering, instrument transition, etc). We can find a beautiful duet near the ending of the song—what a beautiful balance. The “Don’t think about it too much” part stuck in my brain. 

I don’t know whether I’m biased or not (once again, bias issue is the problem) but this song by now, is my personal favorite. I picked Hold My Hand at first but lately World Tour stole my attention. The more I listen to it, the more this song sounds finely made. I didn’t try to say that this song is the best out of the album though. Vocal and rap holding hands in a song just suit my taste well. Hihi.

2. Hold My Hand

“Please just hold my hand again. Let me feel your warmth. I feel cold when the wind blows.” (Hold My Hand)

OMG, Hayi is cuteeeeeeeee (Lee Hayi is Leehi’s born name. Since she’s super cute here, I want to call her by her real name.)

It showed off Hayi’s adorableness meanwhile gave off a soothing feeling. She sounds playful as if her groovy voice dancing along with the pop-funk music and drum beats. The chorus part is super addicting like seriously. The vocal backing and layering are heart stealers. You can hear Hayi’s low notes and it sounds sexy (I particularly tried to use another word but sexy just came out immediately over again). It goes with “Let me hold your hand again and again and again.” and I want to listen to it again and again and again.

3. Breathe

“It’s alright if you run out of breath. No one will blame you. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes because anyone can do so. Although comforting by saying ‘it’s alright’ are just words.” (Breath)

The melodic piano instrumental flowing with Leehi’s effortless vocal: it left me speechless. I just kept quiet from its first melody—just how can a song sounds this dramatic. Even when you don’t know the meaning of the lyrics, you’ll still be overwhelmed by the feel of this song. It boasted Leehi’s powerful voice over a beautiful melody. Leehi sang it in a relaxed manner so our ears can enjoy it easily. I think, out of all songs in this album, this song highlighted Leehi’s matured vocal the most. I’m not usually into ballad-y songs but this ballad is just different. On the contrary make you feel mellow, it gives off strength and I don’t even know why.

The fact that this song is chosen as the title track said a lot about the quality of this piece.

4. Official (feat Incredivle)

“I wanna be your girl. I wanna make you feel that I am yours. I wanna be official.” (Official)

It embodied blues and jazzy rhythm but remained a hip-hop track. I wish this song got promoted well: how about make it the title track? (Haha, yes you can’t since Breathe and Hold My Hand held the position of the leading tracks). It was the second time we hear Leehi and Incredivle are paired in a song after “More Than A TV Star”. Thought I can’t fall for other rappers but I guess skilled rappers with good flow and poet-like lyrics will keep themselves on my list. His flow is no joke. Incredivle tried to naturally blend his rap to the music and Leehi’s vocal color and yes he succeed. I love the smooth transitions among parts of this song. This song reminds me of her first album. Maybe this song is the closest to Leehi’s original color—her root as a soulful singer. She successfully transformed into a hip-hop singer but this song's existence helped her fans to remember why they were fallen for Leehi.

5. Fxxk With Us (Feat Dok2)

“They say I’m crazy. It’s okay. Everyone is crazy. Why not me? They say look here. You will never make it. All I want to be is myself.” (Fxxk With Us)

I have a soft spot for rappers (haha) and Dok2 is another rapper on the list. Surely, with acclaimed rappers featuring, this album is a solid hip-hop album after all.

I didn’t expect Leehi was gonna sing this kind of song. Leehi has an innocent and pure image but this song displayed another part of Leehi. This song made me sure that it is completely fine if she switches her genre to hip-hop. She can effortlessly fit any genre. She has the needed charisma and her vocal is charismatic too. Dok2 and Leehi's low pitches blended well. Its bridge is fantastic with a slow-paced bass/guitar melody. I love the instrumental too. How should I describe it? Cool snare and drum beat over piano dan guitar melodies (?). Maybe I just need to call it cool. 

Usually title track(s) is the best representative(s) of an album but I thought I’m here for the non-title tracks. Hihihi. World Tour and Official suit my taste very well (admit it, I’m always rappers supporter). Meanwhile, Fxxk With Us keeps climbing my list.  

Overall score: 4,1/5 (I want to give 4,2 but in my trying-not-to-be-biased-perspective, 4,1 is a fair score)

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image source: photollow.com