A Digital And Fluffy Fun Comeback | YENA’s 2nd Mini Album SMARTPHONE

On August 3rd, 2022, soloist YENA made her first comeback with her 2nd Mini Album titled SMARTPHONE. The album includes 5 tracks: ‘Make U Smile’, ‘SMARTPHONE’ which serves as the album’s title track, ‘WithOrWithOut’, ‘Lemon-Aid’, and ‘U’.

The opening track is ‘Make U Smile’. Honestly, I was not expecting the album to start off with a soft piano ballad, but it was a lovely beginning. The soft song has YENA’s mesmerizing and delicate vocals accompanied by a beautiful piano instrumental. It is really quite lovely.

YENA continues to delve into that fun style for SMARTPHONE, the same approach she had taken with her debut track. ‘SMARTPHONE’ was an instant banger from my first listen. This style is definitely infectious, and I was bopping my head and immediately trying to learn whatever choreography I could from my second listen and watch through the music video.

The instrumental definitely helps out a lot with this, taking on a very upbeat and energetic pop-rock style that is pretty much all the rage nowadays in K-Pop. I do think ‘SMARTPHONE’’s approach was more out there and in-your-face, which instantly earns points from me. There was just so much energy coming from the chorus when the pop-rock was at its strongest and coming at us relentlessly.

I also enjoyed the extra oomph the synths added to the song, which gave the song some additional appeal points. The pop-rock was the more prominent aspect of the track, so the synths acted like detailing in the song. YENA sounds awesome in this song, with her youthful vocals and raps. The energy she brings into ‘SMARTPHONE’ is extremely bright and poppy, adding more to that fun and perky style of music. And it also helps that the song’s hooks were catchy and addictive.

If I had to be critical, I would point out the pre-choruses were the weakest parts of the song. It hurts my soul to say that because of my love and respect for YENA as an artist, but thusly, I must be honest. The pre-choruses while incredibly fun didn’t have the momentum I felt they should have had to lead from the verses to the choruses. But that was not going to stop me from fully loving this track! I also loved how in the music video YENA fought a leak and a stuffed duck.

‘WithOrWithOut’ follows the fluffy filled title track with a more prominent rock sound throughout. Giving off Avril Lavigne vibes, this song would definitely work well with a live band performance, such as ‘Lxxk 2 U’ from YENA’s debut album ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY).

Next up is the penultimate song ‘Lemon-Aid’, a cute 90s pop track that is as refreshing as the drink the name is based on. I love this track so much, thus taking the spot as my favourite B-Side track from the album. The bass build-up to the chorus seals that in with a chorus that is repetitively addicted enough to continuously play all day long.

The closing track is ‘U’. The best way I can describe this track to someone who has never heard it before is something reminiscent of a High School Musical number. With an uplifting brass opening, this was an amazing way to end off YENA’s first comeback.

I am truly excited to see what YENA has in store for us Jigumis. All I know is that I will love it with my whole heart and always give it an honest review. Till next time, YENA. Choi Yena, FIGHTING!

05.08.2022