Review: TVXQ! '"Tense"

TVXQ!
Tense
S.M Entertainmet 
Released: January 6th 2013

S.M Entertainment towers above most K-Pop companies: not only do they have artists that the public seem to adore, but also seem to have acts that can maintain some type of intrigue and freshness. BoA is on her fourteenth year in the business, Super Junior's 9th is this year and TVXQ!, through their previous internal struggles with their parent company, is turning ten years old.
"Tense" is a celebratory record, commemorating the TVXQ! brand as a whole rather than just remaining members Max and Yuhno's time there. A mix of retro pop numbers and smooth R&B, it's not atypical for a K-Pop release, but a welcome change from 2012's "Catch Me" record, which came at the tail-end EDM/electropop trend that saturated the market. "Ten" is strange as an opener: the R&B stylings but winds up being a thank you message to the Cassies for sticking with them from their debut back in 2003 up until this point. "Something" the title track makes its presence known as a standout with its swing style production and jazz breakdown, but can be only be taken as seriously as its live performances (which have been stellar). "Double Trouble" would be the ideal follow-up song to "Something":it's sensational funk rock blended with big vocals and a heart stopping dubstep breakdown that is too short to fully enjoy. "Off-Road" throws you through a loop,beginning like a elephantine club banger, but is quickly pulled into the midtempo ballad territory thanks to higher and softer vocal range. A slow jam follows the form of "Smoky Heart" and the somber mood continues through ballad "Love Again", then to some extent lifts back up with "Steppin'", which incorporate heavy bass wobbles and a haunting "steppin' steppin'" refrain. One bummer song invades the whole atmosphere of the full length: the substandard "Always With With You" who's tone reflects that of the closing song of a happy go-lucky American dub of an anime film.

When it comes to K-Pop releases, you're usually given a strong single with a bunch of weak filler tracks, but "Tense" is able to maintain a solidarity that is reflected by their careers in the ever-changing K-Pop landscape. Congratulations and let's hope for another ten years...

Recommended Tracks:Something, Off-Road, Double Trouble