Love Tension Mini Album (REVIEW)

4Minute Love Tension REVIEW

4minute is back with their Japanese comeback—with more flavor than ever. 4minute has been on a constant journey to find their musical identity. They went from auto-tuned sassy, power pop to auto-tuned “cutesy’ pop then took a giant loop to a loud and sax-y vampire song. Each of their stages has been more or less a moderate success. 4minute took a dramatic turn right for their Japanese music as they abandoned their sexy black leotards for a more feminine look. And they succeed, while gaining more respect from non 4minute fans.

If you are familiar with 4minute, you know that their music is always loud. It is always loud and in your face. 4minute isn’t afraid to take that step into controversy. 4minute bluntly states that they aren’t going for the innocent look. While Heart to Heart was cute, many fans were disappointed. The cute girl look wasn’t anymore, as they took a turn for a vampire theme in Volume Up.

            Volume Up is catchy. A huge prop goes to Hyuna’s bridge. Gayoon’s high notes, along with the loud sax compliments Hyuna’s rapping and makes it sound badass. JiHyun’s verse slows down the song at the right moment, giving the song the cherry on top to make it a memorable hit.

            The music video has nothing to do with the vampire concept that they were trying to achieve. Nothing screams vampire, there are only many shots of HyunA with red contacts and a couple of bats here and there. The five beauties looked more like lesbians than blood-drinking vampires.

            The Love Tension mini-album features the Japanese version of Volume up, along with the official karaoke. I’ll pass on the instrumental, but it is great for fans who love the beat, or who wants to record a cover of the song. The Japanese version of Volume Up isn’t a fail. I have skimmed the comments on YouTube and the fans love it. The lyrical pronunciation is cleaner and clearer than the Korean version. It is perfection for the Japanese 4nias. To me, it felt like a bit of a downgrade from the Korean version. But English is my mother language; the Japanese Version isn’t targeted for my ears. I’m not fluent in either Japanese or Korean, so I will be sticking to the Korean version. In the Korean version, Hyuna’s rap has more power, and the lyrics flow together more smoothly.

            When the first teasers of Love Tension were released, I face-palmed, it looked boring. I preferred 4minute’s old trashy pop days than their current music. I believed disappointment was going to strike me again, with another disappointing single. When I finally mustered the courage to watch the music video, I was speechless. 4minute has blown me away with this single and video. The girls of 4minute had natural makeup, showing off their individual unique features. They were beauty—the music video was beauty. All the girls had a chance for the lime light; it wasn’t Hyuna plus her backup dancers, and 4minutes of all their beautiful faces.

            4minute has finally found a sound that works with them, not against them. Love Tension is a stunning song, and each girl’s voices fit well and compliment one another. Love Tension (the album) also includes the official instrumental.

            Love Tension is perfect for their Japanese comeback. Although, I would have liked for more songs, the album will not leave you disappointed. If they bring this flavor to their Korean singles, then 4minute will no doubt, become well-respected in their music.

LOVE TENSION (Mini-Album) ◊◊◊◊/◊◊◊◊◊ (4/5)