So as expected, we have a Korean release of the album released at the start of June. And if anyone is familiar with Jade’s work and Korean releases, then you’ll already know what to expect; yes new tracks. Oh and there’s the possibility of Taiwanese and Hong Kong Versions following shortly too!
The album opens with the first single, Only Human which has been giving a slight change; shorter intro and clearer vocals on the bridge which, if you’re not familiar with the version on the Japanese version, then you won’t mind, but somehow the clearer vocals detract from the song. Wonderful World (the opening track on the Japanese version and has been referred to by some sites as the album title track) still has the extended opening with the vocals which in, to be honest, is more suited to it’s position on the Japanese release. From here it seems this part of the album is dedicated to the ballad [So Deep, Love, You Smile & I Will]
Track 7 indicates a change of direction. This is a new track especially for the Korean release called What You Want. Take Lady GaGa’s music in general, add Britney Spear’s Radar and add Jade in large quantities and you have What You Want, probably one of the best songs so far from the Eternity ∞ name. Again we have another block of more upbeat songs [Change The World, Vanity, Damn & How Far]
The last few tracks things go a little pear shaped. Worth It All is another of the great songs from this project and really deserves to be in the first half of the album, rather than near the end. No Apologies is more of a dark ballad while the final track, an English translation of the Korean group Brown Eyed Girls of My Style…well, it’s sort of hard to described this song. It’s like some genetic malfunction between modern, retro and translation that just doesn’t seem to work, producing a musical mule.
So let’s look at the album as a whole; two new tracks, granted one is a bonus, one given a slight make over and a changed track listing. Does it make a difference? Well we’re in two minds about it:
No - It contains the tracks from the Japanese release bar the two that were exclusives there (Hello Goodbye & Broken Lullaby) plus there’s two new tracks (granted one is a musical mule), who can argue with that?
Yes – The blocking of styles on the album doesn’t make it flow and a some points a little strange and nothing at all like the previous release.
If you don’t already own the Japanese version, then this is the one for you. If you do, then you might get this for the two new tracks.
Rating: 4/5
1. Only Human
2. Wonderful World
3. So Deep
4. Love
5. You Smile
6. I Will
7. What You Want
8. Change The World
9. Vanity
10. Damn
11. How Far
12. Worth It All
13. No Apologies
14. My Style
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