[MUSIC REVIEW] Lee Jung Hyun - “FANTASTIC GIRL” album

The 6th album from the very elegant pop star Lee Jung Hyun is full of energy and takes certain styles embodied in previous albums in “FANTASTIC GIRL”.

I have to admit that I had a stupid moment as I could have reviewed this album months earlier but upon receiving it from my friend who sent me it as a gift, I thought it was a photo booklet. I looked through the photos many times and only months later when I was perusing a website, I realized that what I received was not just a photo booklet but the actual album for Lee Jung Hyun.

Sure, I’ve received album in different packaging (especially with HK albums) but I found it pretty interesting to see the album bundled in this way.

But on to the review. Lee Jung Hyun’s music has always appealed to me. From the energetic fast paced music with her vocals (which some may think is high pitched at times but I find enjoyable), she’s able do different music genres and have fun with it.

Her last album “Passion” was Latin-based and her sixth album “FANTASTIC GIRL” blends a little bit of the past and something new altogether.

As a matter of fact, a few tracks that you hear on this album has a style that you may hear coming out of producer Timbaland (ala Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado) or music coming from the Pussycat Dolls.
“FANTASTIC GIRL” features 12 tracks with collaboration from producers Yoon Il Sang and Choi Joon Young. Also, featuring a collaboration with Double K.

The album definitely has that dance music feel and tracks such as “Fun Fun” featuring Double K has that 80’s style beat with Korean instruments playing in the background. Then you have “Dallyeo (Run)” which has a Pussycat Dolls music style feel to it.

And you have many other awesome R&B hits such as “Welcome to My Style”, “NamjaNeun YeojaReul Gwichanhge Nae (Men Annoy Women)”,“All In” and “Ni NajaReul Jwo” (Give Me Your Man)” for those who enjoy that top 40 feel.

Then you get to a track like “CheolsuYa SarangHae” (I Love You, Cheol Soo) which uses an 80’s analog synth style sound that she utilized on her third album “Half”.

And of course, you get the Lee Jung Hyun smooth ballads for songs such as “Ddo Saranghal Su Isseulkka (Will I be able to Love Again?).

As mentioned before, the packaging for the album is via a 7 x 10 28-page photobook. A flap that looks like a postcard which leads to a CD holder in the front inside page. And a thank you sheet with track listing and promotional card for the record label.

I must admit that I do miss the fast, hyper-energetic techno or trance style of the older albums but at the same time, each album for Lee Jung Hyun shows how she is able to embrace different styles of music and also shows how she matures and improves with each album.

Lee Jung Hyun does step into new territory with “FANTASTIC GIRL” and like all her albums which show change and improvement, this album is no different. Featuring a good balance of music, Lee Jung Hyun fans will dig it!

— DENNIS A. AMITH