'more caramel please!'

LIPSTICK; Orange Caramel

Orange Caramel have earned themselves a respected title as one of the few groups to push the limits of weird and do it successfully. However, the "LIPSTICK" album only partially proves this claim.

01. Bubble Bath

The EDM of “Bubble Bath” does well to honour its 2nd gen origins, but its melody is dizzying and unsettling. It’s no surprise that the chorus reads:

I scrub myself clean and erase you

I want to soak my body in this hot water for a while

Making a lot of bubbles that look like clouds

So that not a single trace of your scent remains

The lyrics are brightly sung which juxtaposes the incessant “buzzing” of the music. As Orange Caramel cling to the hope of erasing their former lover, the consistent dizziness of the instrumental serves as a constant reminder of how difficult the task is.

At each section of the song, the hypnotic effect only intensifies. It left me feeling perplexed. It’s not a difficult piece, but it makes one listen attentively in consideration. The outro pushes the metallic buzzing of the instrumental to the forefront as you fall deeper and deeper into the melody.

02. Milkshake

“Milkshake” opens and closes with a lonesome piano melody. However, everything in-between is designed to inspire the fun and carefree nature of the 80s diva. One can’t help but sing along to the catchy hook “Pink milkshake kiss”. Regrettably, it does no more than retain the same melody throughout the entire song, with no interesting variations.

03. LIPSTICK

Although “LIPSTICK” is a product of its time, its sound has been borrowed by later groups (see: “BAAM” by MOMOLAND). However, the difference between the two is, again, variation. MOMOLAND’s “BAAM” saves the most explosive part of the song for the chorus with the addition of horn instruments. Furthermore, it capitalises on song structure by playing a fake-out chorus that leads into the bridge. “LIPSTICK” falls short by keeping much of the same music in the chorus as the rest of the song; the main difference being a few dubstep beats. The plain bridge offers a small break from the repetitive melody. With no musical respite, "LIPSTICK" becomes laborious.

04. Aing

“Aing” is “LIPSTICK”’s polar opposite. The trot track unleashes the full potential of the genre by pushing the dynamics of the music. The chorus is a rollercoaster of vocals, from staccato singing to slides and descending notes. Orange Caramel creates a constant state of urgency, but doesn't forget how fun and entertaining the trot genre can be. This is a beautiful marriage between trot and idol music, and I hope to see this more often in the music scene.

05. Not Yet…

Sung by member Raina, “Not Yet” is a rich ballad that remind us of the majesty of 2nd gen idol vocalists. She puts her soul into the lyrics as it peaks in the final chorus. The only question mark moment is the fact it’s placed directly in the middle of the album. Leading off from the chaotic “Aing”, it does not make sense in this position and is confused even more with "Superwoman" succeeding it.

06. Superwoman

“Just like her I wanna be pretty….”

Yes, “Superwoman” has remnants of 2NE1’s “Ugly” flittered around the track, but is most obvious in the chorus. The melodies are similar, however Orange Caramel do not have the grit 2NE1 possesses. Regardless, they do sing earnestly. Both songs also have overlapping lyrical themes. 2NE1 sings of the pressure of non-conformity to beauty standards in the race for love, whereas Orange Caramel reveals the frustration of not being enough for your lover:

You have so many endless expectations

I’m not superwoman, I’m not wonder woman

07. One Love / 08. Shanghai Romance

“One Love” and “Shanghai Romance” are both 2nd gen songs in nature, however, “Shanghai Romance” emerges as the more enjoyable song. We finally see the whackier Orange Caramel we all know and love. It wont be everyone’s cup of tea, but it's definitely one to turn your head. “One Love” however, feels like the token EDM track on “LIPSTICK”. Catchy and unmemorable.

09. Dream of Clara

I must first admit I have listened to “Dream of Clara” before and I was pleasantly surprised. Not many kpop artists are willing to dabble into the haunting fairytale sound. However, it is always beautiful when used (see; The Abandoned - IU, Mystery Lover - Taemin, Chantey - AKMU). “Dream of Clara” is no exception. Calling upon an ancient fairytale reminiscent of Jannabi's “The Land of Fantasy”, Orange Caramel give us a whimsical and twisted fairytale.

10. Close Your Eyes

The album closes with a dramatic ballad sung by Nana. I appreciate that they did not opt for a generic and slow ballad. "Close Your Eyes" has meaning and its production was surely given time and deep thought.

The progression of the track climaxes in the bridge. They escalate the vocals and add an electric guitar that carries into the final chorus. This contrasts nicely with the emphasised orchestral instruments.

Final Comments

“LIPSTICK” is certainly on brand for a 2nd gen album. Orange Caramel weren’t oblivious to trends despite being one of the “weirder” kpop groups. “One Love” stands as a classic EDM track that would be common on any 2nd gen album. Whereas, “Superwoman” is a cleaner take on 2NE1’s “Ugly”.

However, Orange Caramel redeem themselves on the songs where they are not afraid to be eccentric or creative. This is best seen on “Bubble Bath”, “Aing” and “Dream of Clara”. Perhaps knowing Orange Caramel’s brand before reviewing this heightened my expectations of their album. Nonetheless it is still a decent body of work worth checking out, if only once.

Best songs: Bubble bath, Aing, Not Yet, Dream of Clara, Close Your Eyes

Rate: 7/10