[NEW RELEASES] Monochrome

I waited three years. As a fan of sexy diva Lee Hyo-ri - for her looks and her affection toward abandoned animals - her recent comeback with her fifth album, “Monochrome,” was welcomed with outstretched arms. The album seems to spice up her trademark boyish charm despite repeating “I’m a Miss Korea” over and over in “Miss Korea.” Well, she sings it with her typical deep voice. The fact that she wrote her own lyrics for “Miss Korea” draws me more to the song, as I can finally acknowledge her as a real musician rather than a pretty-faced former girl group member, and like her for the music as well. Her title song, “Bad Girls,” however, tends to be less appealing, but will definitely succeed within a niche group and with her die-hard fans. “Better Together” also made me pay 600 won ($0.53) to download it legally on my iPhone. There’s nothing complex about the song in terms of composition, but the melody is beautiful from start to finish.

Honestly, the album is just another pop-drenched release that’s very “Hyorish,” but most of the songs are quite good. It is also faring well on local music charts. By Yim Seung-hye

Monochrome

LEE HYO-RI

Label: CJ E&M

Genre: Dance