Despite its initial fanfare, the first season of Produce 101 only resulted in a small handful of long-lasting breakthroughs. Generally, these came in the form of single artists rather than groups. Kim Sejeong is the perfect example. She’s a steady fixture on variety shows, yet her own group Gugudan haven’t had a comeback in over fourteen months. Jellyfish Entertainment is clearly banking on her popularity and hoping they can hitch the rest of the group to her wagon. This strategy rarely ends well, though it’s certainly not Sejeong’s fault.
When it comes to a Kim Sejeong track, you can pretty much expect a ballad. It’s her sweet spot, and takes advantage of her clear, polished vocals. In this regard, new single Plant (화분) gives you exactly what you want. It’s a pleasant, piano-driven ballad with a sentimental melody and comforting delivery. And given the current level of global panic, “comforting” is a welcome mood.
As a song, Plant is relatively simple. It never builds to some huge crescendo or climactic power note, choosing instead to alternate between subdued, melodic verses and a gentle chorus that draws on moments of falsetto to create an airy – almost fragile – appeal. I like how most of the song loops around a pair of repeated melodic refrains, growing more powerful during Plant’s second half but never becoming needlessly overwrought. Without a bridge, the track feels overly short, but I think that’s okay for a song of this nature. Sejeong (and ballad) fans will likely be pleased. I’ll continue to turn to my thumping dance tracks in unsure times, but every once and awhile it’s nice to indulge in a moment of calm like this.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 7 |
Longevity | 8 |
Bias | 7 |
RATING | 7.5 |
Be sure to add your own rating by participating in the poll below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbAUixR61Vs
Pleasant, in a pleasant way.
Sometimes, one wonders what these agencies are doing. Its been how long since the last Gugudan release? VIXX haven’t done much at all, just seem to be on hiatus for military service. Oh but Ravi has released loads of stuff in his style since he left the JellyFish agency. Good move Ravi!
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Verivery has released stuff, but I often forget they belong to Jellyfish.
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Too bad the Ravi stuff… sucks.
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I was being kind and deleted the last sentence I had written about Ravi. But in any case, love or loathe, Ravi is releasing a lot more than he ever would otherwise.
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You gave this (Plant) a 7.5, but you gave “Flower Road” a 6??
…I forgive you; provisionally. :p
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Flower Road was one of the few ballads that I actually enjoyed listening and made me come back to it regularly. I’ve had a soft spot for Sejeong ever since. Too bad this didn’t live up to that.
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If I analyze the video, she wants life to emerge from the vacant spot once occupied by someone special. She’s doing everything she can to avoid losing her marbles. Her grocery bag fetish makes her an ideal date for Ricky Fitts from American Beauty. What do hoarders want? …a bigger place to collect more stuff!
Seriously, though, she has a beautiful voice and I’ll always have a soft spot for her. While ballads may not be my thing, she’s not here to fulfill my wishes and she deserves to do whatever makes her happy. That’s all I got.
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