Song Review: LEE CHAE YEON (IZ*ONE) Comes Back With "Don't" And CSR Make A Japanese Debut With 'Higher"

LEE CHAE YEON (이채연) - Don't 

Review 

"Don't" is a two-step dance pop track that features a fresh blend of everyday sounds, such as phone dial-tones and repetitive lyrics that depict the mind and emotional state of someone going through a tough breakup. 

The song's music video showcases Chaeyeon's dance prowess as she moves from a big city to the beach. The track itself is a departure from her previous work, borrowing elements from early 2000s dance pop and tying them to make them sound more modern. The tune predominantly revolves around a limited number of themes and riffs which, although very catchy and enjoyable at first, they can get tiring fast. A simple variation of the main themes and a memorable bridge before the end could have done wonders for the enjoyment of the track. 

Chaeyeon's involvement in the album's production, from writing the lyrics to choreographing the dance routines, is a testament to her growth as an artist. She has expressed her confidence in the song, stating that it's not only catchy but also easy to get immersed in the lyrics. The song's choreography was designed to surprise the audience, with the attention to detail, the unique point moves and the number of dancers. In the end, "Don't" is a testament to Chaeyeon's evolution as an artist, showcasing her ability to experiment with different sounds and styles while maintaining her unique voice and identity. 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

LEE CHAE YEON is a South Korean solo artist currently under WM Entertainment and a former member of the project girl-group IZ*ONE. Lee Chae Yeon officially debuted as a member of IZ*ONE on October 29, 2018 with their first mini album "Color*IZ" and its title track, "La Vie En Rose". Then she made her solo debut on October 12, 2022 with her first mini album "Hush Rush" and the same-titled track as the title track. On July 3, 2024 Lee Chae Yeon made a comeback with her third mini album "Showdown" and the song "Don't" as the album's title track. The album contains five tracks and the physical release comes out in three versions: two photobook/CD versions (Off and Play version) plus a QR card version (POCA Album version). This mini album is the follow-up to her first single album "The Move: Street" that was released on September 6, 2023 with "Let's Dance" serving as the single's title track. 

Track List 

1. "Don't" 
2. "Summer Heat" 
3. "Supernatural" 
4. "Standing On My Own" 
5. "Dreaming" 

CSR (첫사랑) - Higher 

Review 

For some strange reason CSR's label, A2Z Entertainment, kept their best song for the Japanese market. "Higher" is undoubtedly their best track so far. Memorable from the first note and catchy till the end. The bright, over-long chorus evokes an adventurous summer spirit and the passionate, continuous high-notes deliver a feeling of urgency that make the song stick to your mind like glue. Even though the girls seemed to be at their vocal limits in the past, this time they showcase a confidence in performing a much more demanding song with very highs and very lows alternating one another. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the group's energy and their evolution and growth as artists. 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

CSR is a seven-member girl group under A2Z Entertainment. The group debuted on July 27, 2022 with the mini album "Sequence: 7272" and today CSR make their Japanese debut with their first Japanese mini album "L'heure Bleue" and the song "Higher" as the album's title track. The album will contain four tracks and the physical release on a CD will come out in two versions:  Nineteen and Anne version. This album is the follow-up to the group's second Korean single album "L'heure Bleue: Prologue" that was released on June 11, 2024 with "Pretty Mob" serving as the single's title track and will include Japanese versions of both songs from the previous one. 

Track List 

1. "Hello" (Japanese ver.)
2. "Pretty Mob" (Japanese ver.)
3. "Higher"
4. "Blueway"