Artist: Hyolyn

Album: “Love & Hate”

Label: Starship Entertainment

Year: 2013

Intro

I consider myself a big “Star1” so it’s evident that I must buy this solo debut from Sistar’s leader considering she’s my bias for this group. I was curious to see how well she could hold her own for a full album without Dasom, Soyou, and Bora.

It’s interesting to see how she can hold up on her own as she is now tasked with holding down an entire album by herself.  Pulling a solo debut after starring with a group is no easy task especially with thinking of a different concert and theme for it.

Good

Hyolyn may not have the help of her Sistar squad, but she isn’t short on guest appearances. She has help from Mad Clown, Dok2, Lil Boi, and Zico. The good thing is that they don’t take the spotlight away from her. She is the star of the album and we’re aware of that throughout the album.

This album is a huge change away from the stuff we’re used to from Sistar and Sistar19. It is more leaning towards the R&B side with the hip-hop influence for that change of the pace cementing her place as “Korea’s Beyonce”.  There’s no shortages of down tempo songs which displays her ability to belt the notes.

Bad

I feel that she jumped way into the R&B world that she may have forgotten her pop roots. I’m not saying it’s truly a bad thing, but one of Sistar’s appeal is that they’re capable of pulling both the cute and sexy concepts. I guess I’m too used to the cute appeal.

Overview

Although she’s the lead singer of Sistar, I am hoping for a future solo project by the other members of Sistar to see what they’re capable of. A full rap album by Bora would seem interesting. Soyou and Dasom are more than capable of singing by themselves.

Overall rating: 4/5

Reviewed by: Mr. Timtastic