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.

Several days have passed and were back with the show. In a world where fast and consistent content rules the land, and attention spans are shorter than ever,  I thank you for being a positive audience and your willingness to wait for me. Now, on this National Teachers Day, allow me to turn your attention back to where we left off, class. After Schools discography continues, right after the drop. 

Youre tuned into An Album a Day. Show start.

Hey yall, we have reached the debut studio album, Virgin, a whopping 13 track experience on both Pledis Entertainment and LOEN Entertainment labels. LOEN is now Kakao M and likely assumed co-publishing responsibilities for this album because of a long-standing positive reputation. While Pledis was relatively new on the scene with a year 2007 founding, LOEN was established in 1978. Interestingly enough, Pledis is almost like the new kid on the block again, as it was acquired by Big Hit Entertainment in May 2020. 

Back to the album. The studio album is less than an hour long but delivers a solid experience. Approaching this April 29, 2011 release date began in 2009, thus setting the scene for anticipation. The groups ninth member, E-Young, was introduced during this era and there were other big moments for After School, such as their leaders debut solo project and the first full-length album from subunit Orange Caramel. The group was riding a buzz wave and audiences wanted to hear what was next. 

Nine new tracks were released, including two as solos for members Raina and Jungah; and three songs were re-recordings. Their third single, Shampoo, was added as a radio edit, too. In terms of singles from the album, technically November 2009s Because of You is first and March 2010s Bang! is second. The songs were added to the studio album to create a solid thread, as if to say, Hey, we know what vibe we want to give you and weve been consistent about it for years. Okay, maybe not to say that specifically but it was clever planning on the production side. By grabbing older tracks and incorporating them into After Schools first studio album, it shows that the direction for their sound, the colors they were intended to create, was solid from the get-go. There wasnt any experimentation prior that would tarnish the potential of the album Virgin, is what Im saying.

Nonetheless, I didnt wholeheartedly enjoy it. The music production during this time in pop music was hollow. A lot of music sounded like Norway-founded, Los Angeles-based music production duo Stargate (if you need a point of reference, think Beyoncs Irreplaceable or much of Rihannas Good Girl Gone Bad studio album). They were sought after and produced simple songs that put guitars in the spotlight but not a bass. This production style caters to crafting for lyrics and not for musicality. As a music producer whos focused on instrumentals, I dont prioritize space for lyrics, but for the various instruments to do the talking. I acknowledge my bias in this review but I also admit boredom with hearing limitations in vocal arrangements as well for After School. They did not attempt anything too drastic. Suffice it to say, if it aint broke, dont fix it, is the standing motif for this group.

That aside, K-pop fans on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being essential listening and 1 not worth mentioning, the A3Day rating on this is a 5. The energy of the album is consistent and though there is a perceived tendency to end on a mellow track, the closing track brings the continuity full-circle. Some versions will have the...