Female K-Pop releases in 2014 have been plagued with what can best be described as “sexy syndrome”. 15& distinguishes themselves from the fray with the delectably sweet album “Sugar”.

“Sugar” is the ten track debut album for 15&, who previously released the singles “I Dream”, “Somebody”, and “Can't Hide It”.

15& is a duo comprised of “K-Pop Star” season one winner Park Jimin and “Star King” performer Baek Yerin. Park Jimin and Baek Yerin are strong R&B vocalists on an individual level, but have superstar potential when combined.

While “Sugar” is a strong R&B album,15& could benefit from collaborations from male artists such as their label mates 2PM or 2AM. The strongest point of “Sugar” is that the primary genre showcased in the album is R&B as opposed to electronic music, which has started to dominate K-Pop.

“Sugar” contains ten tracks, with very little divergence from the R&B genre. The album opens with “Star” contains the innocent vocals of Baek Yerin and Park Jimin, with contemporary jazz instrumentals. The title track “Sugar” is more uptempo and is reminiscent of the song “Red Shoes” from the IU album “Modern Times”. “Sugar” is a playful single which showcases the vocal range of 15& while maintaining a youthful sentiment.

“Shy My Boy” is one of the most definitive tracks on the album, with the song highlighting the modern jazz vocals that have become synonymous with Park Jin Young and JYP Entertainment. The song would be as comfortable on a pop album as within a musical, which highlights its unique quality.

With its samples and soft drum beat, “Oh My God” captures a nineties sound and is one of the most danceable songs on “Sugar”. “Rain & Cry” is a smooth jam that is one of the standouts on “Sugar”. The song frames the harmonization and complex melodies which will set 15& apart from other K-Pop artists in the future.

“Not Today Not Tomorrow” is one of the catchiest songs on the album and one which compels listeners to sing-along. “Not Today Not Tomorrow” exhibits musical maturity which is not necessarily present throughout the rest of the album. By contrast, “Silly Boy” is a whimsical track that fits within the context of the rest of the album.

The previously released singles “Somebody”, “Can't Hide It”, and “I Dream” complete the album. The inclusion of these songs helps to round out the album and to reintroduce the tracks to new listeners. “Somebody” remains as infectious as when it was first released in 2013 while providing context for the artistic growth of 15&.

Listen to the new album “Sugar” by 15& RIGHT HERE.