MV & Song Review: Red Velvet - Automatic & Ice Cream Cake

Hi guys! Rarana's back and alive. I've been away for some time (college and stuff you know how it goes) but now I'm here to talk about Kpop. Talk about who exactly?

Isn't this artwork beautiful? *^*

Well, it's Red Velvet's time. The four-five member-girl group from SM had already released two MVs during their recent comeback, called 'Automatic' and 'Ice Cream Cake.' And since we 1) don't have the album yet [UPDATE: When I was typing the article in the album wasn't out but now it is.] and 2) both MVs and songs have a lot to talk about in them, let's do an MV & Song review this time around.

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Reviews and such reflect the opinion of the author. Don't take it to heart if our opinion differs, I won't take it as well. To each his own, people.

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"Automatic"

About the video: I literally had  a shock first watching the MV to 'Automatic'. I've already been creeped out by the overall comeback image honestly - I don't really get why everybody has to go blonde in SM nowadays. (A/N: There was Taemin last time and don't even start about Jongyhyun's blondeness... Okay, it fits Hyoyeon but that's it!) And with the blue eyes and overall doll-look all the girls have it just reminds me of horror movies. Anyway it's not that only the image frightened me watching the video - the clothes too.

I'm not a fashionist (surprise) and even know less about clothing in the entertainment world but please, these girls are so young! Like Joy is not even legal yet. (And then there's the new member, Yeri. She was born in 1999! Say whaaat?!) Through the video I had that unpleasant feeling that they all look like little girls playing dress up from mommy's wardrobe...

And I know. There are artistic elements in the MV, the lightning is great and the video's atmosphere goes well with the song. It's just that I felt like Light could in "Death Note", I saw the girls' ages above their heads and my mind went no, no, what are you wearing, why, what is this. I'm not saying Red Velvet should go for a cutesy or high school girls - image like most newly debuted girl group does (and what Happiness looked like a tiiiny bit ) but I'm not glad with this wardrobe.

About the song: Well, at first I didn't like the song either... I thought it's okay, nothing big but bad either. HOWEVER I looked up the lyrics, listened to it once or twice more and now I totally like it! (A/N: Don't be too surprised, it happens with me quite a lot.) It's soothing and the girls sing it well. I'm not doubting the vocals of Red Velvet it's just that it's the first time I notice and remarkably hear how good they are, how good they can be. It's the first time I'm impressed with them you can say.

"Ice Cream Cake"

About the video: I've talked badly enough about how the image creeps me out so on top of that I have to say I like the MV to 'Ice Cream Cake' more. First of all, the girls are wearing clothes that fit them. Second of all, the scenery is good, fits the MV. I've never thought a desert will be a perfect place for such song but suprisingly I feel like it is. (It somehow gives space to it.) I also like the colors, the lightening once again is great and the usage of the pink ball is creative. (A/N: How weird it would have been if the pink bear is still with them... Thank, SM, for skipping that.) If I should pick someone who impressed me the most with her looks, I'd say Joy and Seulgi. The two of them got especially lot screen- and singing time this time around and I'm happy for that. Last time it was Wendy's and Irene's time, it's fair this way.

BUT yeah here comes but what about Yeri? Isn't this her first time showing her face? Why is she on screen a lot less than she should be? Okay, I'm not saying they were hiding her, she obviously was there but still, for her first appearance I expected to see more of her. (A/N: And I did not expect to see her in a pool in a bikini. SM, once again, she's going to be sixteen this year. Call me a prude but  I just can't take that.) The giant white cat was a bit odd but since it was shown for a few seconds only I can tun a blind eye on it.

About the song: I love it! Though the "lalala" part sounds a bit creepy, especially if you're alone in a dark room, with the ice cream car-sound and the overall sound and style of 'Ice Cream Cake' it goes well. They complete each other I can say. My favorite part is definately the rap towards the end. Some might find the innocent music with harsh rap out of place but for me exactly that's why it works.

I love contrasts and let's all give a clap or two to Irene because she slayed. I've never thought any Red Velvet member could rap at all and even if I should have guessed who can I would have not said Irene but damn, she did it. Seulgi sounds amazing as always (not just because I'm biased) and it's nice to hear that SM finally figured out what to do with Joy's voice. (It irked me in 'Be Natural' that she doesn't sing parts which suit her and her voice). Her rap after Irene's was done well too. About Wendy - her singing is still great but the way she starts the second verse, that acapella-like thing, doesn't sound so well for me. I have nothing against acapella, I like it as a genre but Wendy's voice during that part sounds somehow foreign(?) and weird to me. It's not bad, it's just when I'm listening to the song I don't find it right. Guess it's just me and my taste in music.

And Yeri. *sigh* I seriously feel pity for her. If I remember right, she was introduced as a rapper among all. Like she can rap besides singing. When I've read that I was like yeah, probably RV's next song will contain rap and she'll do it. So when I watched the MV for 'Ice Cream Cake' I thougt it's her during Irene's rap part. I mean nobody was showed doing it during, I assumed I hear Yeri. After looking for a member-coded video and listening to the song some more it turned out I hear Irene rapping. WHY, SM? Why you say Yeri can rap then doesn't show this skill of her? Yes, she's cute and pretty and has a nice voice tone but first she gets limited screen time compared to the others, then her singing time isn't that long also AND you not even let her rap a little. What is this? Isn't this her debut? What's going on?

I know, I know. SM is probably playing safe, wants to give Yeri some time to get used to the group, to be a star etc but I'm afraid she'll get overshadowed because of all the safe play. It's already pretty hard for her if we consider Wendy, Irene, Seulgi and Joy performed a lot more and therefore the public knows and loves them and got familiar with them already. It's not like Yeri doesn't even have a chance. I'm seriously rooting for her! I'm just worried... She's barely sixteen. (A/N: Sorry guys, my mother instincts kicked in. And I'm twenty. LOL)

Anyway, I have one more thing the say about the song: the lyrics. If you only listen you can love 'Ice Cream Cake' but when you look up the lyrics I'd bet your enthusiasm gets back a little. For me some parts are lacking and even if they try to pull an ice cream - love simile through I felt a bit disappointed. Well, it's not like I know Korean. When I listen to the song (and I will a lot from now on) I won't be distubed by it that much I guess. :D

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Summary: I can't be more than extremely happy with this RV comeback. 'Happiness' was okay, 'Be Natural' wasn't my style but 'Automatic' and 'Ice Cream Cake' finally got me to like Red Velvet and their songs. I also think it's finally their style. Theirs. It's not SNSD (= Be Natural), not f(x) (= Happiness) but it's them. I still feel a bit of both senior group's style mixed in but it's a lot more subtle now. I think RV is on its way to find their group sound and it makes me glad. And hoping that it's not a rotational group as it was rumored.

Which one I like more?
Ice Cream Cake >= Automatic (but it's almost a tie see)

Ice Cream Cake = Automatic
At first I was on 'ICC' (sorry I can't type it in one more time) but then I didn't feel fair. 'Automatic' is just as great so let's call it a tie. ;)

Would I recommend any of them?
Why not? The songs are cool especially if you love SM's unique way of songwriting and producing. And watch the MVs too. Just because I don't like the blond hair-blue eyes thing you can or you can find other aspects which you like.

If you'd want to know more about the song and get into the details, I highly recommend you to watch MRJ's channel on YouTube in which he reviews songs a lot better than I do. (And he's professional unlike me.)

Here is his review of  'Ice Cream Cake':

(He did one to 'Automatic' too if you're interested.)

That's it for today. Phew, I was long, wasn't I? It just happened sorry. ^^
Next time I'll come with a mini-album review. Can you guess what it's going to be? Write a comment.

Bye!