Since returning to the music scene in 2015 following their lawsuit against TS Entertainment, B.A.P greeted BABYz again with new mini albums and now in November 2016 they bring listeners a second full-length album. How does Noir compare?
1. Le Noir Smooth jazz intro song to open this new album. A lovely reminder to me of how much Yongguk enjoys jazz music, often sharing song recommendations on his SNS. This song sets the scene as a very relaxed environment. Like you're in a jazz cafe and it's late in the evening. You're all alone and enjoying the band playing on stage. Then the adventure begins with the title song in the next track.
2. Skydive Ready to take a leap into god knows what with B.A.P? I sure am. Skydive talks about not holding back and going places with B.A.P. Dive and fall. It's do or die. Let's go, guys. [do check out the MV. It's ten minutes long]
3. Ribbon In The Sky Opening this song with claps and a chorus of oh-whoa-whoa, Yongguk makes his presence known with a line that says Get away I'm Mr Bang and that power's logic makes me mad. The song seems to discuss the hierarchy and status with people and the dirtiness that is corruption but also how the guys are willing to fight against these things.
4. Killer First funky style track on the album. Feels rather club/disco-like. A girl has gotten the attention of the guys, got the rhythm of their heart in her hands. She's got them good methinks if everyone is collapsing because of her. A killer for the man's soul indeed.
5. Fermata The intro section of this song was used in the epic Skydive MV and is heavily driven by the vocalists. It talks about feeling utterly cold and empty after losing that special person and struggling to find them.
6. "주소서" (Pray) When a song opens with a choir, you know it's going to sound dramatic. This was featured in the Skydive MV teaser and hearing this song in the background while the characters are walking in the warehouse, looking suave like they're in John Woo films you just know you're going to be hit emotionally with some cool action scenes. BangZelo take charge of this song. It's almost as if they're venting in a church, expressing their anger and asking to be forgiven for their sins. I almost did not recognise Zelo when he started rapping in a deeper tone.
7. I Guess I Need You Time to get smooth and be seduced by B.A.P here. The lyrics make me think of this as a follow-up to Body & Soul from First Sensibility. Hot stuff.
8. Chiquita A song that's likely to get you waving your arms or clapping your hands to the beat. Liking the brass sound to go with the tune. It's about a guy showing his girl to the world and how pretty she is.
9. "걸어가" (Walk) A nice acoustic guitar-lead song talking about finding the girl who has just disappeared and the boy is looking for her.
10. "지금" (Now) Moon Jongup takes the opportunity to show his vocal skills off in this heartwarming solo track about being in a relationship. The positive feelings when the SO is around him and how empty it gets when she's not around.
11. Kingdom (Korean ver.) Originally a Japanese only single, Kingdom is a punchy song that talks about having specific qualities to be able to control a Kingdom. This would make a great MV that had a historical theme and everyone was a royal soldier who encouraged people to let them rule.
Tracks 12. Skydive (Inst.) and 13. Fermata (Inst.) are self-explanatory
OVERALL:
This second full-length album managed to grab my soul so firmly that I couldn't let myself go while listening to each song. It was as though I was going through a character concept album that talked about the beginning and end of the Skydive MV's storyline which was about a criminal underworld.
Returning to a much darker style, B.A.P have managed to up their game musically since First Sensibility. There was also nothing wrong with their cuter, upbeat songs in the past as it compliments their style diversity nicely like most of my favourite groups however NOIR has allowed B.A.P to justify their talent in production, composing, rap and vocals. Another huge reason that NOIR as won me over is how Moon Jongup has been able to get more lines in this album and not just with the inclusion of a solo track he self-composed. In most of B.A.P's songs, it's often Daehyun and Youngjae taking action with harmonising but Jongup gets the chance to join in as well. There's quite a lot of Daehyun/Jongup team-ups when they sing in sync and it works well.
Matrix was a great welcome back to the Kpop word for B.A.P last year with a ferocious title track but I think NOIR has cemented it further and I couldn't be more delighted as a listener.
**Bang Yongguk, I hope you get well soon. Please take as long as you need on your hiatus**
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