An Album a Day is my exploration into the Korean music scene. This podcast will cover mainstream, indie and some underground artists within the scene and provide both factual and opinionated commentary. The biggest benefit to sharing my thoughts this way is that it will hopefully expose you to more great music and exploration of your own.

The sixth maxi single, First Love was announced almost a year before it was actually released. Though the reasons remain unknown for the delays, Im willing to guess that the intensive preparation for one of the most physically demanding comebacks yet had something to do with it. Little did they know it then, but this was the beginning of the end. More insight, right after the drop. 

Youre tuned into An Album a Day. Show start.

Hey yall, following todays episode, we will have final thoughts on After Schools Korean discography. But before we get into my 100% unscripted rambling, I must acknowledge that this album, First Love, was the last Korean album before an indefinite hiatus clutched the After School name. ??? (romanized as Cheotsarang) was released June 13, 2013 and South Korean audiences never heard from the as a group again. Take note of how I said that it was the last Korean album -- they still had a receptive audience in Japan until 2015, but the hiatus reached all angles of After School and sat them down. Its a bit ironic, as the title track from this album did indeed sit some band members down, literally.

But first, the music. Clocking in at 20 minutes, the album delivers dance tracks and R&B flavor in the style weve come to anticipate from After School. Brave Brothers, who we havent heard from on their album in a while, hold down the first and second track, 8 Hot Girl and First Love respectively. The first track lets the listener know that the ladies are back after a long wait and bringing something sexy to the scene, then properly falls into the title track. Brave Brothers took complete reign on the title track, actually, what with writing the lyrics and producing the music. He said hes collecting nothing but wins and I dont blame him. (Yes, for those unfamiliar, Brave Brothers is one man by the name of Kang Dong Chul and his sound is more familiar to you than you know. Well talk about him in depth someday.) Oh yes, 8 Hot Girl can be chalked up to a Konglish language moment since its missing an -s, but this could also be semi-intentional. Remember, Ive said that After School is one band, one sound. Who knows?

Production-wise, the album has a darker tone, especially stand-out track Dressing Room. The production team for this, the third track of the album, jumps to-and-fro from Europop and futuristic influences, settling somewhere between rock and R&B. Its the best sounding song on the album because of its unexpected presence. Its also the most memorable song with ad libs and attempts at vocal riffs. Track four, Times Up, has a faster tempo and incorporates live and MIDI stringed instruments, and features more singing in higher registers for the chorus. The rap breakdown has a refrain thats not bad either. At this point in the album, theyve delivered two ballads but this one doesnt feel like their usual formula. Fifth track Love Beat brings us back to the pep rally/aerobics class/nightclub pulse thats fun but missing something. The song constantly feels like youre waiting for a musical drop -- an extra accent on the 808? An increase in percussion? Somethings missing, seriously! A handclap, something?! Songs that hold you at a standstill are so unkind, as your awareness of how music should work is challenged each minute the song is on. Its an unfulfilled experience that is relieved by the closing track, Makeup & Tears. Live instruments and clear transitions that move the song along, Jungah and Raina sing out about crying over memories while putting on their makeup. The lyrics are