[Review] Girls’ Generation – ~Girls & Peace~

The general consensus amongst most K-poppers is that Girls’ Generation‘s Japanese albums trump their Korean ones. I don’t necessarily agree as I enjoy both for different reasons, but I get why people feel that way — compared to their Korean albums, SNSD’s J-pop is more grown-up and electronic, and I imagine that when they eventually try to crack America, their music will sound something like that.

The group’s second Japanese album, Girls’ Generation II — ~Girls & Peace~, continues the europop sound they championed on their J-debut, with a couple of ballads and R&B-leaning tracks thrown in for good measure. The Japanese versions of their K-pop hits have thankfully been limited to just “Oh!” this time, which is still just as addictive today as it was when it was first released.

Cuts like “Paparazzi”, “Animal”, and “Reflection” are straight out of the Kylie/Britney/Ke$ha book, with slick electropop beats and glossy hooks designed specifically to fill both the dance floor and your head. “Flower Power” follows a similar thread, but shifts further to the left with its offbeat vocal arrangements and refreshingly weird lyrics. Urban banger “T.O.P.” boasts a cocky cheerleader chant for its chorus and oodles of kid-friendly crunk, while “I’m a Diamond” turns things up another notch with more bragging over a speedy military beat. However, one of the unlikely standouts is the title track “Girls & Peace”, a glossy mish-mash of J-pop, modern electro, and ’80s new-wave that fits the group like a glove.

Girls’ Gen are pretty hit and miss when it comes to their ballads, and this album is no different. “All My Love is For You” is one of their best ballad offerings, but the mawkish “Not Alone” would’ve served better jammed onto a random OST rather than as the album’s closing track.

Overall there’s little that’s glaringly wrong with Girls & Peace, but there’s still a strong sense that Girls’ Generation haven’t yet produced the pop masterpiece that they’re capable of. It’s certainly cohesive, but it’s not particularly memorable or interesting, and outside of the official singles, there’s nothing even remotely as amazing as “You-aholic” or the brilliant “The Great Escape”.

SNSD have the ability to release their own Tangled Up, Absolute First Album, or Wonder World, but Girls & Peace definitely isn’t it. It is, however, one of the stronger girl group records to come out this year, and it’ll undoubtedly please both SONES and casual pop fans alike until the Divine Nine’s next disc struts into stores.

Score: 3.25/5

Must download: “Flower Power”, “Paparazzi”, “Reflection”, “All My Love is For You”.

Skip: “Not Alone”.

For fans of: Super pretty electro-poppin’ girl groups, shiny europop.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 2nd, 2012 at 5:09 am and is filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://twitter.com/Fantasy715 Fantasy715

    I think their japanese debut album is an pop gem and it needs more credit. I love this album too. It’s not as glorious as their first one but still it is one of my favourite albums this year. I’m totally hooked on “Reflection”, “Flower Power”, “TOP”, “Paparazzi” and “Stay Girls”. I don’t agree about “Not Alone”. I find it a really nice ballad and relaxing track! I don’t skip any of the tracks. I think it deserves better score but that’s my opinion. Can’t wait for their Korean and English one! “Album on repeat”

  • JammySmoochie

    Japanese Girls’ Generation is really better.

    For this album, I love Flower Power, Animal, Stay Girls, Boomerang, All My Love is For You, Paparazzi and Girls & Peace — with Stay Girls as my favorite.

    True, they haven’t released their Wonder World album yet, and I need them to release it sooner while everything’s going their way. That Korean comeback in January better be amazing. I’m slowly but surely becoming a fan.

  • http://twitter.com/kirstydelite kirsty delight

    i’ve been listening to their Korean works to prepare for this j-pop release and the *postponed* korean comeback and i discovered that i love their korean albums like Oh!. they’re not as ‘mature’ as their japanese stuff but probably for d most part in keeping w their ‘sonyeo’ concept/image in korea.

    i agree w d must download list. i still have on replay All My Love Is For You despite being one of the ‘older’ tracks in the album. i also find that Boomerang is better than d (korean) demo. all in all, this is a great addition to their discography and i look forward to a flawless korean or english release. i feel this is a prologue of better things to come from the girls.

  • gotgotgone

    I thought it was ok my favorites are Animal and Reflection. I want a new Korean album from them asap thought and I want them to do a throwback to the Gee and Oh sound. Will we ever get another subunit group cause Twinkle Twinkle was my jam. Thanks Propht for introudicing me to K-pop I would have never gotten into it without you.

  • Tiffany Smith

    I think that their latest album is really good. I’m A Diamond, T.O.P., Reflection, and Animal really stand out to me. (Reflection and Animal could be American singles imo.) This is getting me excited for their American debut whenever that happens. Their J pop material always slays in general. :)

  • twinkle9

    This album is not awesome like the first but is a good album, i really love my reflaction and stay girl, i cant wait for their tour.
    TOP is what the boys should be.
    The best things is that they already pass the 100k in just 5 days wahahahahahah…

    I cant wait for their korean album this January. waaaaaaaa one month for my ladies comeback yeahhhhhhhhhh…

  • twinkle9

    btw Reflection remember me The great escape, not talking about the music, just the lyrics the meaning of each lyrics.

  • AlexSac22

    This is at least 4.8/5, this album is a solid, cohesive and varied album on repeat on and on!

  • leesigh3

    I really liked “Stay Girls” even though the message, based solely on the english parts >.>, sounds weird.

  • mae

    Whaaaaaaat a new album??? I just spontaneously orgasmed!

  • http://www.facebook.com/lucaswoodstock Lucas Oliveira Dantas

    i agree with you proph, even though i would’ve rated higher, maybe a 4. but that’s because i really loved this album, and maybe i’d be a bit biased about its grade.

    however, there are indeed some flaws about it. when i heard the smash up on the flower power’s single, i was beyond excited for this to be released; and upon hearing it i feel that the songs are a bit less exciting than on that smash up mix. i dunno, they sound a bit slower.

    and i also think the editing of the album a bit weird; for an album that is mostly leaned on the dance eurotrash vibe, the gap between songs is way too long. i dunno, maybe madonna’s confessions on a dancefloor spoiled me.

    but in general it’s a great collection of songs that is very true to the divinity of girls’ generation, even if they don’t sound like you said like the pop masterpiece they should be. but i like it a lot, currently loving it.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YN4GHCMAO22DHQEZAH6ZDVZ6YQ Blinkx

    The song “Animal” sounds like Fergie’s London Bridge.

  • http://twitter.com/bacilbka Bagas K. Ardhy

    Girls & Peace, I’m A Diamond, & Stay Girls is my selection from this album. Yes i prefer the first album but this is worth to listen also
    For me is 3.8/5 ~~
    But still, knowing that they are producing several new songs this year and korean comeback next year enough to keep me excited

  • http://twitter.com/ericyumyum ericyumyum

    This Japanese album is so good! Their Japanese stuff are always better than their Korean stuff.

  • http://i-heartyaoi.tumblr.com/ Bubble Tea ♥

    Not Alone, T.O.P, Stay Girls, and I’m A Diamond are my faves in this album <3 Actually, all of them are my favorites. LOL <3

  • http://twitter.com/Myrmicinae Brendicienta

    The reason for the lack of a “the Great Escape” or “You-aholic” or even a “Let it rain” heir is due to the fact SM ditched STY and Hiro this time, and decided to work with their european team which wrote some of their korean hits. While I really love “Flower Power”, “Animal”, “Reflection”, “I´m a Diamond”, T.O.P. “Paparazzi”, AMLIFY and “Stay Girls”, the selection made for thsi album is not as neat and cohesive as the first one (which IMO would be the perfect album if “Gee” and “Hoot” wouldn´t be there). I think that in order to craft THE PERFECT SOSHI ALBUM, SM needs to hire a better A&R staff. Just because your regular songwriter has written a stellar song it doesn´t mean he/she will always give you diamonds. It´s also time for SNSD to fully grown up their korean material, and next January is their chance to do it. I believe with the right selection of songs they can do what you request Proph. Since Interscope is now in charge, I hope their english album delivers what we all expect: The Definitive SNSD Album!

  • Honey-Bunny

    Disagree.. This Album is way better then they’re previous releases.. An album where you can actually leave on play and not have to press the “skip” button.. Apart from “Oh!” which has the “Kpop” bubble gum pop sound..(not that they’re is anything wrong with that) but “Girls’ Generation” have grown “up”.. So it’s inevitable they move into more progressive Pop/Electro/R&B/Dance/Ballad genres. I just wished “Time Machine” was included.