魂: Map the Soul – MY REVIEW

With MapTheSoul.com not having the smoothest of opening weeks and with the problems facing foreigners in Korea, I decided to grab the album on iTunes. At first I felt a little dirty because I was downloading it, but then I remembered this is good downloading and Tablo would probably let it slide.

I gave the album it’s first listen on my iPod while walking to the supermarket on Friday morning after another failed attempt to buy the album on the site. There were no distractions, no pausing to watch TV – just me and the music in my ears. I find this is a really good way to listen to a new album and it let me give it the best chance possible.

This is not an exhaustive review by any means. Just a little on each track and what, if anything, it did for me. I’m not a musician so I can’t comment on the compositional elements. I can only say what I feel after listening to each track.

01 Believe

I think this is a good solid start to the album. It’s got a recognisable beat from previous albums and the lyrics are crisp and clean. It really got me in the mood to finish the album.

02 Cipher (feat. Beatbox DG)

I don’t really like beatboxing and this track didn’t really do anything for me. The lyrics were pretty alright but it just didn’t work for me.

03 Map The Soul (feat. MYK)

I have to say that the title track is not my favourite on the album. It’s not even my second favourite. That said, it’s a good track and I am really curious to see how this is performed live should they take it to the music shows on TV. I also don’t really get the music video.

04 Customer Service (Skit)

This had me laughing out loud while waiting for the traffic lights to change outside Home Plus. At first I was wondering if it was racist, then I just couldn’t stop laughing at it. There are some seriously memorable lines which I will list now:

• Caller: “I want my t-shirt with YOUR face in it.“
• Caller: “Who is this man with the hu~sky voice?“
• Mithra: “Young man?“

05 Top Gun

This feels a little strange after the hilarity of the previous track, but it’s some more recognisable beats with good lyrics and a good tempo. I really like Mithra in this track.

06 Scenario (Paranoia Pt.2) {feat. MYK}

Tukutz has got it right with this track. The backing sounds are really good and the lyrics cling on tightly making it a really solid track. Again, Mithra is working it in this track and the ghosty backing vocals work well.

07 London

I don’t really like instrumentals so like the beatboxing, this didn’t really do anything for me. It’s not bad, I just view it as little stop gap before my favourite track.

08 Free Music (feat. Tablo & MYK)

This is my favourite track on the album without a doubt. With an addictive rhythm and a strong beat, it’s just hypnotic to me. It feels light-hearted and fun which I like. The lyrics aren’t heavy at all and have just the right tone to them. It’s also great walking music.

09 Map the Soul (Worldwide Version) {feat. Tablo, MYK & Kero One}

I never really notice which of the versions of this song I’m listening to so my feelings are the same as for Track 03.

10 8 By 8, Pt. 2 (feat. MYK, Minos, Paloalto, The Quiett, Verbal Jint, Kebee, E-Sens & Simon Dominic)

The final track has a lot of attitude and a lot of contributors. A good beat with nicely delivered lyrics from a variety of sources makes this a pretty awesome end to the album. Actually, the lyrics are brilliant.

SUMMARY – 魂: Map the Soul

I’ll be honest. After the first listen, I was a little disappointed because there was nothing like One from the previous album. I knew that the album was supposed to show a side of them nearer that of their earlier works so I gave it another listen and I’m glad I did. Literally as soon as the first track started again, the whole album sounded different. Each song felt like it was supposed to be after the one before it and followed by the one after it. Yea, this album works for me.