Rather than opt for a standard music video, TVXQ’s U-Know is promoting his newest mini album with a thirteen-minute short film, unveiling his cinematic concept via a full storyline. Even so, the album has an official title track in Vuja De, and that’s what I’ll be writing about today.
Vuja De embraces elements of big band and swing, which is well-trodden territory for TVXQ. U-Know’s lithe vocals thrive within this sonic landscape and the exciting arrangement compliments his flair for the dramatic. The song is featured prominently during the second half of the Nexus short film and benefits from its surreal visual. On its own, the audio is a bit more inscrutable. It’s splashy and reserved in equal measure — big, brassy peaks surrounded by moments that feel like they’re simply killing time.
I guess I’m trying to say that — while I like this song — Vuja De doesn’t quite come together for me. I admire its ambition and perspective and U-Know is a great conduit for this material, but the structure is a little all over the place. Maybe the track just needs more time to blossom.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I’ve enjoyed their solo Korean endeavours – and I enjoy this one for its ambition even if the music isn’t for me – but I’m here to say that I can’t believe TVXQ are finally likely having a Korean comeback after what, nearly 5 years now?! According to SM’s latest list anyway, and who knows what’ll eventually end up happening, but I’ll be happy if we get anything at all at this point
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Really really hoping we get a big comeback for TVXQ this year, it’s their 20th anniversary!
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“On its own, the audio is a bit more inscrutable”
What he said.
What is the story here in the song? Sure, I love the theatricality and the brass, and the points for those add up to mid8’s or thereabouts. Yeah, sure, I’d give it somewhere in the 8’s. But what the heck is going on?
So there is a part in every marching band routine which becomes more free form, between one “beat” and the start of the next section, the drill scrambles a bit then reforms. This song sounds like that scramble section except instead of lasting so many seconds, it lasts for 3 minutes with no “beats”.
Some mighty fine examples
‘https://youtu.be/q6MJSfjXUgQ?t=230
‘https://youtu.be/YrFtooCP5vk?t=208
‘https://youtu.be/5iHl3OqtoUA?t=644
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Unrelated but Chen is gonna release his 1st japanese mini album and 3 of the b-sides were already pre-released. Free World and On The Road sounds really good.
Free world
On the road
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My husband really liked the movie. And some of the music. And he’s indifferent to everyone in K-pop except for PSY. It will take this a little time to rise or fall in my book but I admire the ambition!
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I came back here to say that there’s an official music video for this song now. It just came out a few minutes ago.
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