Chungha – Querencia
Title: Querencia Artist: Chungha Label: MNH Entertainment and 88rising Release: February 15, 2021
I believe that the last time I wrote an actual album review I complained that there were only eight (8) songs on the alleged album. Now, here I am to effectively eat my words because we have a whole twenty-one (21) songs! TWENTY-ONE! So here’s the thing, I have a love hate relationship with Chungha’s voice and her songs, but I mean we do have like a bunch of tracks so like I am guaranteed to find another Rollercoaster and Cherry Kisses no? I also think she is a very charismatic performer, I just need her to stop touching her damn face before she ends up being even more of Bom’s twin. Heheh. All in all, I do vibe well with Chungha’s music so I am excited to see how this goes!
Title Track – Bicycle
I didn’t listen to any of the teasers or anything related to this song, so I really had no idea what to expect. I find that after three listens, I was enjoying this one a lot. I feel like this one will be a grower for sure. It holds very classic R&B and trap elements within its beats. I also enjoy the use of the bicycle bell as added touch in certain spots. It is definitely a high energy song and Chungha makes it very convincing with her performance. I like the various sets of the music video and the customing. If there’s one thing I am not a huge fan of, it’s the instrumental breakdown, but I know that it serves the purpose of being a high energy moment during live performances. The rap is an interesting choice that I am currently undecided on. This feels like a song that many boy groups are releasing now in Korea. It’s a good song to vibe with in the moment.
B-Sides
SIDE A {NOBLE}
Introduction instrumental that really serves no purpose tbh. Just sounds like noise.
Masquerade
If there’s one thing Chungha is gonna serve ya, it is a song with latin flare. Masquerade is fun while listening to it and you can easily dance along to the salsa beats. It is a good follow up to Bicycle for sure. Keeping the same explosive vibe.
Flying on Faith
I forget that Chungha is from Texas. This song is very a simple pop song, but I will say that I am feeling the vocals here. It reminds me of the early 2010s pop sound which I have been missing a bit. I think this one will definitely age well across her discography.
Luce Sicut Stellae
There’s something so charming and simple about this that I am enjoying so much. It has soft beats and a nice melodic capture of her voice.
SIDE B {SAVAGE}
Sighs. Whatever.
Stay Tonight
So I checked to see what my thoughts were when I first heard this during my roundup and I loved it so yeah. This song is excellence. It has aged positively deliciously. I also said in the round up that the title track for the actual album would be trash and well…. I wasn’t entirely wrong was I? Hahaha.
Dream of You
I also looked to see what I said about this one, but I never included it. I was just like what’s up with all these pre-releases. Anyways, this is also a banger. It is very house pop and beat heavy. This song could easily be placed on Dua Lipa’s Nostalgia album and it is excellence as well.
Bother Me
Keeping with the theme of Side B, this track is also a house infused track with a nice use of synths. It feels like a very authentically Chungha song. There is something about these type of deep house sounds that I always enjoy especially by female idols.
Chill
Chill is the perfect song to close out Side B. A more vibrant song that still includes the same flavor of its predecessors.
SIDE C {UNKNOWN}
Sounding like pots and pans. Lmfao. Girl I guess.
Play (feat. Changmo)
Fairly certain I was in the minority who enjoyed this song when it was released. I still like it a whole lot. It gives the fun and playful vibe that it was aiming for. It is bouncy and fun!
Demente (feat. Guaynaa)
Am I giving this high ratings because she is singing in both Spanish and Korean? Yes. Listen. We stan a Puerto Rican queen. I love reggaeton a lot because I am from the Caribbean so these sounds are always fun for me to hear. I can already imagine playing this at my BBQs in the summer
Lemon (feat. Colde)
Streets are saying this is a popular one for many, but I will be honest. I forget how it sounds as soon as I stop listening to it. In the moment though, I enjoy it a lot. A very relaxed soft trap song with r&b and latin elements which is in theme for Side C.
Byulharang (160504 + 170607)
Soft and acoustic. It kinda goes against the vibe that was being set with this Side, but it was sweet regardless. Which makes sense since it is a song for her fandom.
SIDE D {PLEASURES}
If I had to pick a pointless instrumental this one would be my favorite I guess.
X
I didn’t say much on this during my January round up, but it is a vibe. I have been very into rock ballads lately and this one is so good. It is very chill and soothing. It sets the perfect tone for Side D cause we know we’re slowing things down now.
All Night Long
I can hear Yerin in every aspect of the song. I can literally picture her performing this instead of Chungha. It has the classic soft R&B sound that Yerin works with. For that reason I have a hard time enjoying it as a Chungha song.
Everyone Has
I don’t think I ever spoke about this song previously. It is fine. A nice enough ballad. I don’t necessarily enjoy it tbh. It feels a bit dispassionate and I feel like with ballads there needs to be reverence.
Come N Goes
A pick me up from the previous two songs. A more of a soulful, classic pop sound that I can appreciate. It feels very light and breezy. I enjoy it and think it is a good overall wrap up for the album.
Querencia (Epilogue)
Okayyyy… LOL
Final Thoughts
Okay so here’s the thing, this is definitely a pretty good debut album. She made a lovely effort. She sounds fantastic on every song, the idea was really good too and I enjoyed that each side captured a certain style. However, the problem that I am having is that nothing quite stands out to me. After I have finished playing I forget every song except for Stay Tonight and Play. I just wished that I found an earworm or something that really stuck with me. That being said, Side B, is clearly the superior side.
Concept: 5/5
Vocals: 4.5/5
Raps: 3/5
Cohesiveness: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.25/5
Unbothered Unnies 