Twice - Twicetagram/Merry & Happy

Release Date: October 30, 2017/December 11, 2017
Genre: kpop

Their first full length album and later, repackaged special album. By the end of 2019, I was very familiar with all of Twice's MV, but knowing where else to start was a bit of a challenge. Their debut mini album sounded weird to me, but I liked "like a fool" and with this album, I liked "Missing U," but I figured that was all I could expect from kpop, all of their effort went to their singles.

During the lead up to their YouTube original documentary, Seize The Light, it kept counting down to a live premiere, and it started with journalist submitted questions and it made me realized, Twice is a big deal. So I watched the documentary, which lead me to watch Sixteen, and I watched Time to Twice, I basically got consumed by them. Other kpop groups at the time helped me unlocked certain barriers I had with kpop music, and so when I finally had the energy to give Twicetagram a listen, I was blown away.

Review: "Likey" is a classic. It's very bright and cute and catchy, and the rap was actually one of the highlights of the song. My favorite Twice song is "Heart Shaker" because when I only knew them from their MV, the ending made me so confused because I'd had yet to learn all their names, and they doubled. It's also very sugary and upbeat and at the time, I like that it was a pure pop song with no force rap section. "Merry & Happy" is a good Christmas theme song and that's all there is to it.

Onto the rest of the album, "Turtle" reminded me of the role "Ice Cream" played by being so soft, but it was between the title tracks so it just sounded slow. It's one of those melodic songs you don't catch until you're ready, then it hits you. "Missing U" was a favorite at first listen just because I didn't need a translator to understand the message of the song, it's cute and the rap was fine. Then from "Wow" to "Rollin,'" this album just went on a cruise control on just being so catchy and fun. The reason it's called "wow" because wow is the catchy part. it's called ffw" because fast forward is the catchy part. same with "ding dong," same with "24/7," same with "look at me." I know that's not unusual, but I just love how unapologetically pop this album was sounding, and it was all back to back.

At one time, I would have declared "Rollin'" to be my favorite bside because it sounded so different, from the way it build and build just for it to go "ow" and the rap duo killing it during the 2nd verse, it just drove me crazy hearing it.

"Love Line" took a turn. Of course I'll listen to it, but it feels a bit slow after all those middle tracks being so sugary. I like "Don't Give Up" for being sharp during the chorus. "You in my Heart" serves as a good closer and they got to use more of their vocal skills. Finally, the actual closer, "Jalijayo Good Night" is a soft song, like a lullaby. Because I watch their extra content, it's funny when they use this song whenever they go to sleep.

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Heart Shaker 10/10
2. Merry & Happy 8/10
3. Likey 10/10
4. Turtle 9/10
5. Missing U 10/10
6. Wow 8/10
7. Ffw 10/10
8. Ding Dong 10/10
9. 24/7 10/10
10. Look At Me 10/10
11. Rollin' 10/10
12. Love Line 7/10
13. Don't Give Up 8/10
14. You in my Heart 8/10
15. Jaljayo Good Night 8/10

Summary: Heck yeah, 15 tracks, and no skips. The two title tracks are super fun and catchy, but the middle section of the album is ridiculous for being nonstop catchy.

Key Tracks: Heart Shaker, Likey, Missing U, Look At Me, Rollin'
Rating: 9/10