2NE1 Comes Back With A Marriage Of Mass Appeal And Experimental Music

2NE1 came back with an album that is drenched in their unique flavor. CRUSH, 2NE1's 2nd album in 6 years, promises to present new flavors through their music. CL also flexed her musical talent by composing three songs and writing the lyrics for another two songs.

Their album was released on February 27th, and their double title song "Come Back Home" and "Gotta Be You" were revealed. The other tracks include CL's "CRUSH", "If I Were You", and "Baby I Miss You".

Just their 2nd album in 6 years, Crush is filled with 2NE1's flavor. Their growth over the past 6 years is evident in their latest effort. Debuting as a genuine hip hop girl group, they have always been at the forefront of trendy hip hop without sacrificing those emotional sensitivities that makes their music unique. This album follows the same model - it is carries elements of musical experimentation but still carries mass appeal.

"Come Back Home" combines Reggae and Hip Hop to create a fun melody line but adds Dubstep to the mix to elevate the music from "good" to "amazing". The title may bring many older fans back to the 90's when Seo Taiji and the Boys released their 4th album with the same title. However, 2NE1's song is drastically different and presents a different kind of appeal to its much older namesake.

"Gotta Be You" is a little more focused toward mass appeal. Heavy synth and the rhythmical rapping make the song an instant classic.

CL's songs were a surprise for the listeners, mostly because all three songs were drastically different. "CRUSH" is a strong tune that compares to 2NE1's "Fire" or "I Am the Best". "If I Were You" is a very feminine ballad that appeals to the ear. "Baby I Miss You" is a distinctly R&B tune that 2NE1 member Bom said was "one of the best songs CL wrote so far".

CL's solo piece "MTBD" follows the style of "The Baddest Female" with CL's vocals driving the song well. While CL's rap is playful, the general feel of the music is heavy. However, it is a great stand-alone piece and displays CL's talents well.

"Good To You" is a quiet song that expresses the sorrows of a girl in love with a man who loves someone else. "Happy" is an energetic pop song, but again, the lyrics are very sad.

Their much anticipated album debuted with impact on the online charts. "Come Back Home" took the number 1 spots on various on-line charts, including MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, Soribada, Naver Music, Daum Music, Olleh Music, Cyworld Music, and Genie. "Gotta Be You" took the top spot on Monkey3. Eight of the nine tracks placed on the top 10 songs of the day.

2NE1 will perform their entire album while on their 'AON: All Or Nothing' tour. Their first concert will be held in Seoul on March 1st and 2nd.

Tags
2NE1
crush
Come Back Home
Gotta Be You
If I were You
Baby I Miss You
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