FT Island ‘20 [Twenty]’ Review
Warning: These opinions are of the Admin at FTI5 and we do not claim that these opinions are the same for everyone.
The Low-Down
Barely a month after their last release in Japan and FT Island is once again back with new music; this time in the form of a brand-spanking new full length album. The boys are flaunting a more mature look with this one, donning pastel suits and charismatic stares. Their music too, has felt the effects of their growth and may I just say; everything they’ve done sure has paid off. In fact, their concept for this album is very reminiscent of ‘Grown-Up’. But unlike their Korean mini, which was perhaps a little lukewarm, this album is packed to the brim with style. Japan, you’ve done well with these boys; very well indeed.
Alright, the very first thing I want to say before anything else; Jaejin, my boy, my baby, my love. Oh, how you’ve grown. Is this really the same little boy I saw standing anxiously on stage singing a little off-key with that tiny, nervous little smile four years ago? I can hardly believe how much he has grown; and not just vocally but musically too. He now sings with confidence, sincerity and conviction and can pull it off almost as well as the Hongstar himself. His voice in this album is…flawlessly pure and in such an unforced way too; it emits a sense of innocence and boy-ish charm. Dare I say it…Jaejin you just may have outshone Hongki in a couple of the songs, or if not you have definitely at least matched him. Actually I’m pretty sure Jaejin sings more than Hongki in ‘Stay’. More than the lead singer in a title track? What is this world coming to?
TRACKLIST
- Let it go!
- Neverland
- Stay
- Wanna Go!
- Someday
- Distance
- Always
- Compass
- Paper Plane
- Endless Story
- Life
THE MUSIC
Track 03 – Stay (Title)
This is a beautiful song. Not in the heart-wrenching, heart-break, sadness and death kind of way, but in a way that is natural and effortless. It’s a song which hasn’t been over-dressed or over-prepped and it just flows. Some people find it reminds them a lot of ‘Treasure’.
How many times have I said that simplicity is beauty? There is a slow, yet strong drum beat leading the song which carries upon it a simple guitar melody; a lot of which is just simple strumming. This, accompanied with the rhythmic clapping, makes for a sound which soothes the body and mind. There are no complicated beats, no crazy guitar solos and no strange rap sequences thrown into the mix for the heck of it. Just instrumental and voice, together, and it’s amazingly well done. Hongki’s voice is beautiful and Seunghyun’s barely-there lines were a nice touch. Unexpectedly though Jaejin’s voice is the standout for me, and with Hongki constantly towering over his shoulders; this is saying something.
You know what? Before ‘Stay’ was released, I had been hoping FT Island would release a song like this. I wanted them to take a step backward; away from their inner rockers and away from their depressing ballads to make a song which was just…uncomplicated music. They did it and boy, did they do it well.
Track 07 – Always
I’m really loving Jaejin and Seunghyun’s little duets in the verses, in fact their cute little transitions are one of the main charms of this song. Who can deny that their voices suit each other? Because they do. They should really sing an entire song together. I’m absolutely adoring Seunghyun’s voice here, and he sings so much in this album, I’m starting to wonder if he’ll become Jaejin’s second vocal; just as Jaejin is to Hongki. Now that would be awesome!
One thing I do have to point out however, is that as much as I love the verses, the chorus just does not do it for me. I feel as though the chorus should be a lot less dramatic and lighter; to match the verses. They don’t seem to match at all. Is that just me?
Track 08 – Compass
The mighty maknaes are back with another composition, and much like ‘Yuki’, this song is good. Very good. In fact, you want to know how I knew immediately that it was Seunghyun and Minhwan’s composition? It’s because it follows much of the same patterns as ‘Yuki’ did before it. Or perhaps I should say as ‘Yuki’ did after it, because apparently this song was composed by the young duo in high school. I’ve got to say though, this song is just as beautiful as ‘Yuki’. ‘Compass’ is really captivating; from the gentle verses to the powerful, yearning voice of Hongki leading us into the chorus. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I have a feeling this will be awe-inspiring sung live, because it does have a certain grandness to it.
Track 09 – Paper Plane
Jaejin’s compositions have impressed me the most so far, and with the release of this album, I have no doubt that they will continue to do so. First ‘Yume’, then ‘Venus’ and now this; his compositions just have so much style and so much soul. I honestly think that he is one of, if not their best composer (sorry Funi). Now, all biasness aside, in terms of composition Jaejin seems to understand the power of musical influence. ‘Paper Plane’ is a song influenced by its fathers across the sea in the UK, as Jaejin himself stated, and boy it sure does sound like it. When I first listened to this song, I was blown away by how very Western it sounded, yet still how very FT Island it sounded too.
I’m not even that troubled by the Engrish. In fact, the pronunciation is not that bad at all, well in the chorus anyways. Apart from the fact that the lyrics in the verses don’t really make much sense (and I didn’t know they were speaking English until I looked up the lyrics myself), I actually find myself enjoying the song nevertheless. I think if ‘Stay’ wasn’t already the title track, ‘Paper Plane’ would be a very worthy second choice. Needless to say, the play count for this song in my iTunes has sky rocketed.
Track 10 – Endless Story
Endless Story was a little less amazing for me, but an essential addition to the album. All of the songs preceding it were very gentle, soft spoken yet amazingly well executed songs. ‘Endless Story’ is more of an upbeat, Jrock-like tune with the usual FT Island Jrock feel to it. It kind of reminds me of ‘I want’ in their ‘Satisfaction’ single. With all of the new songs on this album bringing something new to the table, this song is like a piece of home, just to remind us that they’re still the same band, just with a different sound. Although I wish I could say more about this song, there really isn’t much more to say. I guess this song just didn’t do it for me, but then again it’s hard to love every single song of every single album right?
Track 12 (Limited edition) – Satisfaction (Kor. Ver.)
Satisfaction is a very Japanese sounding song. In fact, the first time I listened to it, I literally paused and said, “Wow, this sounds so Japanese.” So as soon as a Korean version was announced, I cringed a little. Now that it’s been released and I’ve sat down and listened to it properly…I still don’t like it. In Japanese, the song is smooth and flows well. In Korean however, it sounds choppy and strange. I have nothing against an artist remaking a song in a different language (providing it isn’t the title track because that’s just lazy) but they really should’ve chosen a song which would’ve suited the Korean language better. Perhaps Distance? Although that probably would’ve also sounded a little strange.
Album Score
Overall, an absolutely fantastic album! Definitely worth every cent if you’ve bought it. If you haven’t…well you should seriously consider it. A problem a lot of artists have with full length albums is that some of the songs will start sounding very similar but somehow, FT Island has managed to avoid that. Although 20 [Twenty] has a very prominent, recurring theme, individually the songs still sound unique. I had no problems at all, naming each of them only after one or two listens.
They’ve really outdone themselves this time, and all self-composed too! Does this warrant the score I’m about to give it? Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn’t. To me, this album was their best Japanese release to date. It was everything I had hoped ‘So Today’ would be; an infusion of Western and Japanese with that classic FT Island flavour we all know and love. So disagree with me if you will, but I believe this is a deserving album of the score I give it. My first time giving full marks! I feel like a proud teacher marking a test.
5/5 stars
Excellent work.
THE MUSIC VIDEO
This MV review will probably not be very long because well, there isn’t really all that much to talk about this time around. The music video is ‘Treasure’ all over again…just that the members all have better hair and, like in Neverland, they can’t seem to afford colour. Most probably because of Hongki and his silly little splurges.
It’s well shot though, and the black and white is really soothing. There are a bunch of really photogenic shots of the instruments and really close close-ups of the members’ faces who, may I just say, all have flawless skin.
Unlike Treasure though, I believe this MV has somewhat of a plot. It is a portrayal of their preparation. It shows them arguing over things, being lost in thought and writing down what I expect are compositions. Composing, practising and recording together. I guess in a way, we’re seeing a glimpse of what they go through as they prepare for a new album, albeit it is very obviously staged.
I find it utterly adorable when they show the little glimpses of them fighting or laughing with each other. We’ll never know what on earth they’re talking about but hey, it’s cute so what can we do? Also, the hand-held cam effect really makes it feel very intimate.
The moment the music pauses makes my breath catch. With just the members’ voices singing ‘Stay’ and with the MV going pitch black; it is all very dramatic.I love the vibrancy of the colour when the MV returns to the screen; it seems to slap you in the face after all that grayscale. And the little flashes of colour between the scenes are a really nice, artistic touch which just adds flavour to the entire MV as a whole.
Also, FT Island’s director seem to like making the members stare intently at or walk toward/away from the camera in slow motion. So Today, Satifaction, Brand New Days, Treasure…It happens a lot. Not that I’m complaining, I do love me some intense FTstares. Oh, and you know that water bottle that keeps popping up? I’m pretty sure it is now the most famous water bottle ever. Good for you, water bottle. I knew you would make it someday! But I’ll tell you a secret, I think it needs to work on its acting a little more. It’s a bit…stiff.
MV Score
Overall, it was a nice, simple MV with little touches here and there to make it fun to watch. I do love it when they come out with an MV which shows them just chillin’ and playing their instruments; after all they are a band for a reason. I liked it. It was simple and uncomplicated, just like the song. A fitting match to a wonderful album, and song.
I still have no idea why Warner hasn’t released an official HD version of this MV yet. Honestly, Neverland was uploaded like a month after the official release date and it wasn’t even in HD. If you’re going to take a month to release an MV I expect it to be in super HD! Warner…you do not realise how much you frustrate me.
8/10
-Review by AdminA@fti5.tumblr.com