When Red Velvet released an album entitled ‘Day 1’, it was really a cliffhanger for fans. And after how out of this world Zimzalabim was, we had high expectations for Day 2. I’m pleased to say they didn’t disappoint in the slightest.
Hearing the name ‘Umpah Umpah‘, I was a little worried about the prospect of another song with a made up word in Kpop, but the song holds its own in musical quality in a way that more than makes up for that. It’s the perfect song to bring sunshine to our summer, but the edgy speaking and unusual beat reminds you that Red Velvet are never straightforward or simple. This song is the opposite to Zimzalabim with its fresh, carefree vibe but continues the concept of intense build ups and that new age sound. With weirdly ‘High School Musical’ vibes and an enchanting prechorus, this song truly is something unforgettable.
The name ‘Carpool‘ attracts enough attention with how unusual it is. The track itself being melodious yet rhythmic, refreshing and vocally powerful was almost unnecessary. The only critisicm I could give would be that there was such an intense build up before the chorus that the chorus itself became a little anti-climactic. Nonetheless, this song is undeniably stunning.
‘Love is the Way‘ is something we’d never heard from Red Velvet before. The strong brass brings to mind The Beatles’ ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and the sultry, slow tempo singing is almost too good to be true. This song is probably the best in this album, as it enters completely new territory with the flare of a professional. Just when you were thinking that the song wasn’t experimental enough, Red Velvet unexpectedly throw in a man’s voice singing, ‘Your lips say no but my heart says yes.” This unexpected gem really gives you something to look forward in the song, despite there being amazing parts enough already.
It’s not crazy that they might include a party song like ‘Jumpin‘, but did we expect it to be something we could actually enjoy listening to casually? With the sassy vocals of ‘RBB’ and the innocent feeling of ‘Power Up’, this song takes the classic party and adds something magical. The chorus holds that characteristic balance between edgy and melodious perfectly, to create something we won’t soon forget.
From the teaser of ‘Ladies Night‘ alone, I knew it was going to be a great song. It creates that relaxing atmosphere with an undercurrent of excitement that only Red Velvet can master. The sweet vocals are something I see myself singing along to for months, and that jazzy brass adds that extra something. This song is polished to perfection – what more can I say?
‘Eyes Locked, Hands Locked‘ holds the classic spot of last-song-ballad. The question is, does it simply fill the role or is it something unique? I can say with assurance that it is far more than just a track to finish an album off. It’s somehow serene and emotional without being depressing or boring, and combines slow and fast sections to create something that keeps you guessing till the end. The chorus really highlights the seamless mix of old style and new tunes Red Velvet have aimed for with this song.
This album was everything I could have hoped for, and I look forward to the hours I will spend listening to it in the future. Well done Red Velvet!
Kpop Review Café’s Overall Ranking: 7/10
Written by Krystal