Single of the Week: Tohoshinki - "Android"

So, as many of you know, I started my sophomore year of university last month (time flies!), and while things were already hectic to start with, they're about to get even more stressful in the coming weeks. Aside from my 8AM-5:30PM schedule four days a week (T_T), I'm busy with all the work those subjects have, and a host of other extracurricular things. Which means that I won't be able to churn out full-length reviews on a regular basis anymore, unless I really have a lot to say.

But I don't want to disappear off the face of the earth either, because before the school year started I promised myself that I'd blog on a regular basis for the rest of the year, even with school. So, over the next few weeks I'm going to be trying a host of different ideas, and hopefully by the end of July or something, we (yes, we) settle on something regular, but not as time-consuming as those novels I usually write.

Starting with a single of the week. Basically this post will be half the length, and content, of a proper single review, but it'll still be a thorough enough walk-through and review of the song. Just less of my ranting and less context, which most of you can do without seeing as you're probably more updated than I am right now.

Shall we?

So "Android". Yunho and Changmin are back after wrapping up their (as always) record-breaking, historic "TONE" tour, and they're armed with a brand-new-single. While we all brace ourselves for their Korean comeback (which SM has absolutely no right to screw up, thank you very much), "Android" will have to suffice. And it does a pretty good job in doing that.

Since the split, Yunho and Changmin have gone for an edgier, more rock-inspired sound in Japan, mainly because Changmin sounds particularly good with it, and the melodies are less technically challenging than the likes of "Love In The Ice", but still highly melodic.

"Android" is just that. It's reminiscent of last year's "I Don't Know", with less spunk and more grace. The synths at the beginning and the percussion throughout give the song kick, but the melody, half of which delivered by Changmin's crisp vocals, and the production as a whole, sort of wrap the song in smoothness. It's like wrapping dragon fruit in cling wrap -- you can still see all the spikes and the fruit itself, but it's smooth to the touch.

Each element of the song is strong enough to stand alone -- the instruments give the song both character and finesse, the melody carries the instruments even further, all while being powerfully stunning, and the arrangement brings them all together neatly but naturally. Everything is so effortless -- effortless but fearless.

And really, the bottom line is, this is a gorgeous song. Need I say more?

4.5/5

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Thoughts on the new "column"? Suggestions? :D