Review: U Kiss - Standing Still

U Kiss is back with their third full length album Collage (Album cover rocks by the way). Guys, seriously though. Take a break already.

Music Video
Okay, so I promised I would be a lot nicer in this review. The reason I could be so sure is because I watched the music video before posting my last review and it blew me away. Like, there are no buts about it at all. I honestly, totally, freaking loved it. Yes, yes, U Kiss is back, baby!!!

Fine, their video concept is basically the same. You know, just a bunch of guys dancing in an abandoned building. Just FYI, the music video was shot in an actual abandoned warehouse, so I'm totally not  making fun of them.

Still, I thought the music video fit the melancholy feel of the song, especially with the individual shots. The video began with a different soundtrack just as the members were walking towards the screen before the actual song started playing, which I thought was awesome. U Kiss video editors, please always include a shot of U Kiss walking towards the camera from now on.

The video editing this time was actually really well done. The video quality was way better than Alone was. Also, the melting rose bursting into flames at the 2.30 mark symbolizing their dying love was really well-placed, especially considering the song was about the guy burning down.

I was a little disappointed that U Kiss didn't get to interact with the female extra though. As far as idols go, they are one of the groups with fewer reservations about getting up close and personal with the opposite gender, so there could have been some good chemistry. Still, the song was about the girl standing still, so I suppose it is relevant in a way to have her standing in the water, staring at the camera with her creepily unnatural green eyes. Hmmm, maybe she has mixed heritage.

*Nerd Alert* But since dark eyes are the dominant genes, either way it doesn't make sense.

As to why they were in a warehouse in the first place, I assume U Kiss were house-hunting again since they blew up their house in their last music video. And judging by the fact that their first choice was a dingy warehouse, I think its safe to assume that U Kiss has some pretty weird taste in houses. Look on the bright side, at least they got rid of the zombies! Or did they?? You know, I did think Ms Green-Eyes looked kind of suspicious.......

Braaaiiinns!!!

Song and Lyrics
The lyrics to Standing Still were really simple. It was basically about how even though the girl's presence was enough to set their hearts on fire, she still remains aloof and totally unresponsive to their feelings. U Kiss, you say that now, but I'm pretty sure you'd never find any Kiss Mes who would act like that.

My all-time favorite song from U Kiss was 0330. It was a game-changer for me right there because it was so different than all of U Kiss's previous songs. And even though I did love U Kiss's other songs, I despaired of ever finding one that could compete with the shining star that was 0330. And I think I found it. Without a shred of doubt, Standing Still is the best song U Kiss has come up with to date.

It isn't really considered a ballad, because it has a little R&B mixed in it as well, and the beat is similar to a fast song. It's kind of like Stop Girl, but more melancholy. And the instrumental was absolutely beautiful. It had that kind of dreamy quality that would fit perfectly with the setting of an Italian romance movie. Seriously U Kiss, this music video should totally have been shot in Europe.

What could have been.

Yay, Aj's back! I know I ragged on the rapping last time, but this time I have no complaints. It was both powerful and emotional, it fit with the song and the whole "Frostbite, but karma's going to bite back" line gave me chills. Its a shame that Aj didn't write the rap this time though, I would have loved to see him try to put a mathematical twist in the lyrics. Or maybe he would use theories of physics instead.

You're not the only one who can do it, Simon.

 And holy crap, the adlibs were bloody perfect. I think this is the first song where U Kiss's entire vocal line joined forces to create this harmonious blend of vocal perfection. It was so incredible. That was hands down my favorite part of the entire song.

If there was something I had to say about the song, and this is a really small complaint, it would be the sound effects. I don't know what was with that whooping sound in the chorus. It sounded like the sound you would hear in a comedy baseball game, just as the batter swings the bat.

freepik.com

Pictured: The editors during the MV shoot.

It was really weird and hilariously, the members actually danced in time to the whoop. Dancing to a whoop? You guys take things way too seriously.

Dance
I don't think I have ever given a really bad review for any dance at all. I just raved about how awesome  Shinee's mike stand dance and BAP's push up dance was, and now I'm about to do the same for U Kiss. Hmm, am I too easily impressed?

Robotboot/photobucket.com

 Omg, I'm moved to tears.

Seriously though, I love this dance. It seems that U Kiss has taken a liking to doing two distinct dance moves at the same time, because they've done it for almost all of their Japanese songs and now they're incorporating that into their Korean songs as well. Also, I noticed this the first time in Tick Tack, but U Kiss has really graceful hand movement. It's almost beautiful to watch, the way they moved their hands and fingers in cohesion with the rest of their body. U Kiss really pays attention to details. I mean, who would notice their fingers? Except me of course.

 I see everything.

 I've been reading quite a lot of comments online from fans about how the best part of the whole dance is the part where the members pat their bodies all the way down to......well, all the way down.

ALL the way down.

Anyway, I respectfully disagree. Firstly, because I feel like a pervert for thinking that. Secondly, come on, it is pretty obvious that the most awesome part was the shoulder-shrugging part, especially when they did it in total synchronization with that fancy footwork, and the beat, and with each other. It was so friggin' cool, definitely the hottest part of the dance in a non-perverted fashion.

Fashion
I cannot even begin to say how relieved I am to see U Kiss back to wearing normal outfits for this music video. Their punk outfits were totally badass and awesome. And the black outfits give a really cool contrast of sophisticated chic vs punk hip-hop. Congratz U Kiss designers, for not jumping off that cliff.

 What I do want to talk about though is their hair, and what I'm going to say is basically what a lot of fans have already commented about. First of all, Hoon, you look sexy with that blond hair. Please stay blonde, like forever. Secondly, Eli, I'm not a huge fan of piercings anywhere besides ears, so your brow stud bugs me. Still it's a personal preference, so I will not comment on it. I will however, comment on your hair though. Pink is SO not your color. Like, no way, not ever. So once this is over, let's just get your hair back to a more natural shade, 'kay?

Initially I prepared an onslaught of ranting when I saw the two curtains of seaweed growing at the sides of Dongho's face. But when he ties his hair back, it actually looks pretty good. He kind of looks like Chansung of 2PM back when they made their debut and everyone called him Bun-Boy. Dongho looks so mature in the video, its kind of sad in a way. I mean, I still remember their Shut Up days, where Dongho still looked like a little boy no matter how hard he tried to look badass.

Pictured: Adorable.

Now look at him, all grown up (Sniff~). And I sound creepy again.

And last but not least, AJ! AJ, welcome back, you've been missed. I have always been surprisingly okay with your extensive range of hairstyles, from the neon striped do in Doradora, to the bald head you sported when you went to study. This hairstyle however, takes the term geek to an entirely different level. You kind of remind me of that anime character, I don't even remember his name anymore, but here's a picture:

Awful. I'm just awful.

AJ, I know you agree with me. I saw your tweet.