“Taeyang is the type whose understanding of music and dance are really deep”- Yang Hyun Suk, YG Ent.’s chairman.

‘The sun’ is rising!

Taeyang means sun. Ever since the first time I’m into Big Bang, I think I knew why YG gave one of the members a stage name “Taeyang”. He is Korea’s best dancer and best R&B singer. And with that name--apart from Big Bang's albums, Taeyang has released 3 solo albums: Hot, Solar, and Rise (LOL, everything is about the sun). He dropped his latest album last night and I stuck listen to those songs on repeat. Waited for 4 years since his last solo album in 2010, the singer of "Only Look at Me" is back with stunning songs.

(Truthfully, I thought this album is gonna be canceled or what. I almost lost my patience when G-Dragon released his solo album last year. G-Dragon had released an album in 2012 and one more in 2013, nah? Nooo, where’s Taeyang? Not that I dislike GD’s album--well, I love it so much, but I just want to listen to an R&B track. We need Taeyang’s comeback. Now, finally it's time to Rise). Yes, this album took so long preparation--with the continuous delay issues, but thank to that the result is excellent. As always, don’t ask me to choose. I love every single track. Helped by other YG producers, Taeyang himself participated in making 5 out of 9 songs. Anyway, I don’t expect any ballad songs so I was surprised to hear solely piano and his vocal in some songs. Check out my review on his newest album, Rise. :)

1. Intro (Rise)

“Wake up and rise. Baby I’m the one to light it up, hotter than the burning sun. Every time that people say it’s the end, I will show I’m forever”

Huhu, we can hear his fluent English here cuz the lyrics are completely in English. This intro is so emotional--contains so much energy. Guess since it’s the opening and represents the album, Taeyang puts so much emotion into this song.

2. Eyes, Nose, Lips

“My selfishness that couldn’t let you go turned into an obsession that imprisoned you. Were you hurt because of me? You sit silently. Why am I a fool, why can't I forget you. You’re already gone”

Super excited for it since it’s the title track. As we know title track is a track chosen to promote the whole album, and I think YG picked the right choice. It captured Taeyang’s R&B vocal clearly. Ballad R&B with minimalist sound let his voice stands out. The chorus is so catchy and addictive thanks to his sentimental voice. The highlight? Of course, the tender melody and soulful vocal. His broken heart feeling is so real even before I know the translation. There’s no fancy dance moves, only him with his sorrow.  Look at the MV, just lonely Taeyang and very sad expression.

Then, why on this earth the best dancer has a beautiful voice too? TT.TT

3. 1 AM

“ My friends say it’s over. As they comfort me with a smile but I just want you by my side right now. After chatting away hectically, I just let the music control me. I dance holding onto the end of the night. It's 1 AM and I’m thinking about you.”

Released for the first time on MTV Iggy’s Music Experiment concert on San Fransisco, 1 AM is a typical medium-tempo synth-pop rap song. Brought storyline about a-depressed-but-pretend-to-be-okay heart, 1 AM shows us something close to our life: a feeling when you can't sleep thinking about someone, refuse to move on but look fine. Such a painful contradiction. Teddy and Choice37, my favorite producers participated in composing this song.

4. Stay With Me (feat G-Dragon)

“You pretend to be strong on purpose to push me out but you’re softer than anyone else, my darling darling.  You have the same sad face as me. Won’t you stay with me, come to me?”

Yeah, G-Dragon, Taeyang’s best friend, composed this song and made a featuring. GD’s charismatic rapping took this song to another level. The synergy between G-Dragon and Taeyang, what’s more we expect? Oh yeah, grande choir voice suddenly out in the middle of the song. It gives me goosebumps.

5. Body

“I see you every day but my heart still races. Your white skin keeps tantalizing me. Everyone agrees you’re a sexy lady. I can't believe you’re mine.”

A middle-tempo hip hop song, ear-catching melody. People do agree that you have a good body figure, Taeyang. Then, why you sing that part “I got that body” when everyone acknowledged it? Hihi. The part when CL (2NE1's leader) sings "My head, shoulders, knees, feet are better than yours" stands out. Taeyang composed this song with other YG producers (Teddy, PK, and Dee.P)

6. Ringa Linga

“Monday is so far, like it’ll never come again. Forget everything of yesterday, just like how you did the day before. Erase everything of tomorrow, just like it's someone else’s business.”

Huwaaaa, In the previous time I made an article to describe Ringa Linga cuz it released prior to the full album. Last year, soon after Taeyang came back with this rap song, Taeyang won the best choreography award at Soompi Awards 2013. Even without that mesmerizing vocal, his dancing skill is enough to set him apart from other artists. But Taeyang is Big Bang's main vocal: of course singing is another talent of his. Why, Why? Haha

7. This Ain't It

“ Even I feel sorry to myself. I want to bury this finished love but this can't be it, can't be it, can't be it.”

Why does he look so gloomy in this song? Ballad Britpop song focused on Taeyang’s vocal. Taeyang hits high notes many times proving his wide vocal range. The ending part is gold. 

8. Let Go

“No more tears fall, I don’t even have the time for it. I won't stop. Anymore. I’m used to loneliness.”

Taeyang and ballad are like chocolate and almond. Let Go is another heart-wrenching song. Should I repeat it once again? He has an absolutely beautiful voice. And that beautiful voice blended very well with a slow tempo melody. No matter how often I hear this song, I only love it more and more. I literally listen to it on repeat. Huhuhu. A sweet writing collaboration between Taeyang and genius lyricist, Tablo.

9. Love You To Death

“ Yeah, whatever you do, I just need to endure it. Even if all of me dies, I just need you to breathe. Girl, I’m gonna love you. Everything is breaking down because of you but I can't live without you. Wanting for you who doesn’t want me. If it's my sin, I’ll sweetly receive the punishment. I’m gonna love you to death.”

Happy Perez, Britt Burton, and Tablo helped Taeyang compose this song. "I'm gonna love you to death" part is addictive. Telling a story about being obsessed with a girl. Unfortunately, this girl treats him badly, ignores him all the time. Even she treats him like a stranger, he loves her to death. In addition, this one is Taeyang's favorite compared to all the tracks in the album.

Different from his image as a dancing singer, this album doesn't ask him to move a lot on the stage (except for Body and Ringa Linga). Rise album shows off his ability as a ballad singer. He said he always ended up using the first take of the recording because it contained the best emotion. You can hit better notes but you can't be as emotional as the first take, he said. His deep emotions made him completely own the songs. Yeah, I agree that a good artist is the one who sends you messages in her/his art. 

Hehe, just read an article that this album killing the charts (certified all-kill) and being no #1 on iTunes R&B chart for many countries (include the US) as well. I’m not surprised tho’. Charts is full of tracks from YG artists whenever they make a comeback. Congratulation on your solo album, Taeyang. I’ll play it on repeat, everyone who listens to it knows the reason :)

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Rise album English translation credit to popgasa.com

Image source: soompi.fr