Album Review: VIXX – EAU DE VIXX

Release date: April 17, 2018

Tracklist:

1. Scentist (Title)
2. Odd Sense
3. Silence
4. My Valentine
5. Circle
6. Good Day
7. Escape
8. Trigger
9. Resemble
10. Navy & Shining Gold
11. Shangri-la
12. Scentist (Instrumental)

Total Runtime: 00:39:29

Recommended for: VIXX fans, and open minded people.

Not recommended for: Minors

After almost a year since their last Korean comeback as a whole, K-Pop’s representative concept idols are back with their third studio album. Showing their own distinct scents, VIXX revamped as perfumists in “EAU DE VIXX.” After the huge hype they created with their viral performance at MBC year end program that even lead their performing for the Olympics, the group surely had attracted a huge amount of newfound popularity. Known for constantly releasing high-quality songs, will VIXX continue impressing this time?

Track 1 – Scentist (Title)

The unexpected popularity of Shangri-la probably created a huge amount of pressure towards VIXX’ new title track. Fortunately, the majority of the people came out not disappointed with their “perfumist” concept from the album name “EAU DE VIXX” to the title track “Scentist.”

In contrary to what most people had expected, their newest title track is not as hard-hitting as their other songs. It features a calm and sensual ambiance slightly differing from their previous title tracks. If you list them, ever since after Love Equation, all their title tracks had explosive and hard instrumentals, but this time, they toned it down a notch, which is probably a breath of fresh air.

The song starts with Ken’s adlibs, which I find not necessarily unnecessary, but the song may have been as good without it. The verses featured the vocalists in a lower register, creating a sultrier atmosphere complemented with the pre-chorus. The pre-chorus may suggest a bomb chorus but there is this feeling of excite and getting disappointed which actually creates satisfaction. It somehow goes: expecting a killing chorus – gets a toned down half-assed upbeat one – gets disappointed – realizing how the chorus is good and how it totally fit with the pre-chorus. The rap was also good, though I’m not particularly a fan of Ravi’s first “woo ye ye” or something like that.

One thing most commendable about the song is its cohesiveness and how it just goes smoothly from start to end. What’s also amazing is how this is VIXX’ song with the most equal line distribution. Scentist is an enjoyable and refreshing title track.

As for the music video, as expected, they delivered. While fans are still confused as to why VIXX’ music video for Shangri-la did not get the attention during 2017 year-end awards, Jellyfish entertainment served another aesthetically striking music video. It somewhat carried a vague storyline of a child being trapped inside a room. It was soon suggested that he took extreme measures: holding a gun pointing it to someone in which we can assume that he is the child embodiment of VIXX members who are formulating different perfumes through various means.

P.S.: There is actually no word like ‘scentist’ in the dictionary.

Track 2: Odd Sense

What can I say, “Odd Sense” is…. odd. I would define the song as experimental and has a very ambiguous instrumental. The synth in the beginning took me by surprise because it’s rare (IIRC) for a VIXX song to just drop the instrumental like that the second the song begins. That being, I like odd, because odd is unique, and if done right, turns into asset and distinction. The song did not stray from the “EAU DE VIXX” concept keeping VIXX’ signature sensual music.

Track 3: Silence

I’d say, it’s not a wise move to put “Silence” right next to “Odd Sense” because they have similarities in music style. “Silence” starts off with an instrumental with tropical elements resembling to those music typically played in parties and clubs. As expected, the verse continues with the same groove which soon comes into halt with a sensual honey-like entrance of N’s vocals in the pre-chorus. The pre-chorus could have suggested an upbeat chorus but after, the split second dead air immediately commenced the slow chorus that is rather sultry in approach. Pardon me for the repeated usage of “sultry” and “sensual” but those two words will probably be the summarization of the whole album. The chorus is actually a pleasant surprise, I like body-roll music.

Track 4: My Valentine

At first listen, “My Valentine” is a no-no for me. Frankly speaking, it’s nothing VIXX hasn’t done before. But after a few listens I came liking it, especially the rap-talk before the choruses as well as the bridge featuring body-melting vocals. I would recommend watching the performance instead of listening to it alone, the choreography is really interesting.

Track 5: Circle

Like what I said in Track 4, “Circle” is not something VIXX hasn’t done before. But in this case, it sounds more like Ravi’s solo music, so it’s safe to say that it’s not exactly like other VIXX songs. Circle is the typical VIXX sex appeal music and with a very addictive chorus.

Track 6: Good Day

Finally a change in music style. It would have been way better if this song is put above “Circle” to create a fine intervention with the stagnant genre. Anyways, “Good Day” is probably the most harmless song in the album. The melody of the song is very catchy especially the chorus. It has a feel of being “Time Machine” like childish infused with “Milky Way” maturity. Maybe it’s the benefit of distinction but I would say Good Day is one of the album’s best songs.

Track 7: Escape

At the first seconds of the song, I really thought “Escape” will be one skippable and forgettable b-side, but I suppose EAU DE VIXX loves to prove me wrong. The song itself has an unexplainable charm that makes you want to repeat it over and over again. “Escape” became one of my most favorite songs out of the bunch!

Track 8: Trigger

Before writing this review, I was pretty sure I had a clear list of the songs I like the most from the album. but I think at this point, that list is invalid and voided. Like as I described “Scentist,” “Trigger” is a breath of fresh air, for it is not as hard-hitting as the other songs in the album. As a matter of fact, “Trigger” is very chill and groovy, which is a nice break after the series of heart stopping songs. That being said, I’m afraid I’m still wrong, because it’s indeed heart stopping for it got a raise in the sexiness level.

Track 9: Resemble

After “Love Letter,” “Resemble” could possibly the ballad-est out of all VIXX ballads, if that’s a valid statement. It’s also toned down for the instrumental only featured an acoustic approach creating a much calmer ambiance. It also allowed us to indulge more into the vocalists for they really did well into interpreting the emotions of the lyrics with their voices. Many K-Pop fans think that reaching high notes is the only standard in determining the vocal skill of a singer, however, I think that if the singer is truly skilled, they can pull of a song genre like “Resemble.”

Track 10: Navy & Shining Gold

As the title suggests, the song is a special gift to the fans for navy & shining gold are VIXX’ official fandom colors. “Navy & Shining Gold” along with “Good Day” are the bright and fun songs in EAU DE VIXX. They also seem to have taken the phrase “save the best for last” seriously because I’m pretty positive that this is the best song in the album for me. But, like I said in Good day, it may be just the benefit of distinction. Anyways, Navy & Shining gold is a very fun and catchy song that one Starlight will surely appreciate.

*Tracks 11 and 12 are not reviewed.