FT Island(FT아일랜드) - What If Mini Album Thoughts(K-pop/Rock)

   FT Island has made their return right before summer was coming to an end. The band is pretty much on legendary status with numerous awards to their name that were rightfully earned over the years. They've never broke a sweat catering to the masses in Korea and Japan adding a range of ballads to acoustic and hard rock traits to their sound. Their last album; Where is the Truth? took them to one of the darkest emotional places in their music so I wondered what direction their new music would take at the crossroad of artistry. What if is their newest mini album for the closing period of summer.

Track List:

01. 여름밤의 꿈 (Summer Night’s Dream)
02. Dance With U
03. Nowhere
04. Fade Out (Feat. 유나 of AOA)
05. Who I Am
06. Paradise (Korean Ver.)

    FT Island is just coming from a rebellion phase of doing the music they wanted to do without the pressure of album sales. I do truly believe that they suffered in the sales department because their music on Where Is The Truth? didn't sound like anything that would be on the mainstream stations in Korea. What if is complete damage control as an answer to their past musical choice that clearly not all their fans were here for. I'm not saying that FT Island gave two fucks about doing whatever they hell they wanted in the studio cause they probably had none to give, and I don't care because Where Is The Truth? was one of their best albums in my opinion. I'm more than certain that their record label cared though. As a result, What If is very tame in terms of their previous releases. They went back to being very pop rock with an acoustic vibe which isn't a bad style on them musically. It's just a step back from the epic direction their music was going in. FT Island has owned the hell out of this style of music more than once in the past causing it to be nothing new for long time fans. Summer Nights Dream is a good song for what it's worth. I like the sultry feel of the ukulele played along side the band and the maraca in the background. If you are missing that special someone during the summer, this song is for you. The rest of the tracks are disappointing to me except for the little upward moment in the form of the track called Fade Out. FT Island literally wouldn't let their dark emotional sound get erased completely. There's a good balance of background piano and the band's playing over a violin led pop beat. Yuna from AoA pulled off her feature on the track using the grace of a seasoned singer. She could have easily been awfully out of place. At least I got two songs out of this album that I liked. Too much of the album sounded similar to overused pop songs that are heard repeatedly in Kpop. Please stop singing songs with an English phrase being said multiple times…. Find a new method to making catchy songs.


   Hongki can sing anything. This is the main reason FT Island music genre transitions happen so diligently. He has a great band of guys with him too that support him firmly with their vocals and occasional raps. They keep getting better and better signaling no slow down point for them in sight.

    What If wasn't for me personally. I kinda of saw this type of album coming before I gave it a listen. I got something out of it but I hope FT Island can continue to spread their wings freely through the music THEY want to create.