Tense

Tense is the seventh Korean studio album (thirteen in all) released by K-Pop duo TVXQ. It was released this year on January 6th, 2014 by SM and was promoting TVXQ's 10th anniversary. Tense focuses on R&B as well as pop songs though their lead single "Something" held that of swing jazz. The overall album gives off the vibe of love, courage, as well as hope. The repackage of Tense, Spellbound, was released in February on the 27th.

Ten (10 years)

I really love the opening song of this album because not only does it have TVXQ member's speaking lovely English while thanking their fans for their 10 year anniversary, it is a beautiful love song that really just hit me right in the heart. Ten refers to more of a cute love story that is explained by our beautiful duo, Jung Yunho and Shim Changmin which also goes on to state how infatuated they are with this "little princess" of theirs. While also dedicating the lead song to the fans as a whole, TVXQ incorporated that of their love into the title song, Ten.

This song has a beautiful tone and I could literally fall asleep to this. Though it may just be me, the beginning part of this song involving the commentary constantly reminds me of TVXQ directing their thanks to not only their fans, but that of his ex-members Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu of JYJ. It pulls at my heartstrings in all honesty.

Something

Not only is the music video that of amazing quality, but the swing jazz tone is a new incorporation towards K-Pop as a whole. I was very glad that TVXQ came back with something new as most K-groups seem to be repeating their stylistic ways. To see Yunho and Changmin in this new brand of light with great dance moves and outfits along with hairstyles that are just perfect, I can't begin to explain the euphoria I feel for both of them. Seriously, this new brand of love I feel is unbelievable.

This is a song that can be perfect for a dance party, might I add. And I can put this on repeat all night long. One of the best TVXQ songs in more of highlighted aspect as this somewhat glorifies their idol life. Something can totally sum up the heaven and hell they faced in the past ten years to an extraordinary degree.

Your Man

Your Man constantly reminds me of a Michael Jackson song and I think it's more of the beat that gives off this type of a vibe. It openly brandishes pure love that the duo feels yet can't begin to explain as greatly as they wish to. Even though this relationship they proudly sing of is rocky and somewhat hard to manage, it is obvious that nothing can alter their reality as Your Man explains their pure dedication towards this special somebody.

Moonlight Fantasy

While TVXQ opens up this album with dance mixes as well as upbeat tempos, Moonlight Fantasy starts off slow and soft before introducing that of their jazzy beats. These powerful lyrics indicate a powerful relationship that describes a detailed confession on how "you and me" can "split the sky apart" while we're together. Of course, we can never forget to thank Shim Changmin for his beautiful high notes that make songs like these burst with admiration and positivity!

Beside

Beside speaks that of pure honesty. While most of us fall in love and claim to be with the "wrong person" our judgment much like TVXQ's is skewed in the slightest as we fail to find the real person we're running after. This story explains that of what happens once that special someone removes their thick skin and allows us (hopefully) in to see the real color and beauty of their soul, which, forces us to fall even harder than before.

As this lovely girl TVXQ idolizes in the lime light stands with her heart broken by her man, it is then promised that someone better is out there to take care of her. While both boys fight to explain that they aren't like any other guy who has broken this beauty in half, convincing her seems to be the true problem. I can't begin to explain how much I adore this song in all honesty.

Double Trouble

If there is anything you need to know about this song, it's one of those that you can put on when you're doing chores or simply cleaning around the house. It's great to really get you amped up and singing along while doing silly things like sweeping or folding clothes. Double Trouble, just the title, gives me the feeling of our lovely TVXQ duo owning every aspect of life with this. It's like their theme song, I'm not even going to lie.

I adore the lyrics as they talk about a challenge when picking up girls. The more cold you are towards them, the more they find you a mystery. Seriously one of the best songs in the whole of the album.

Off-Road

Off-Road is something I'm very fond of. This is more of a softer and non-adrenaline pumping piece. In the whole of the album, Off-Road has touched me in more than one way. This song explains that of a rough relationship as their surroundings which were so familiar now become new and foriegn. It's a problem a man and woman face in their relationship when things are becoming harder to control and both sides are frustrated with the other for no particular reason.

The truth behind the lyrics make this song ten times more fantastic than it already is. From a sentimental aspect, TVXQ hit 10/10 with Off-Road. The foreboding tone of pianos and violins which open up this beautiful song just enter you into a story that isn't much like the rest you've heard up to now.

Smoky Heart

Smoky Heart starts off with an intoxicating melody that would put nearly anyone to sleep. Another admiring love song with barely a tale different than the others portrayed, Smoky Heart has a tone that one would possibly hear in a cafe. These types of songs are one of my favorites and if you're this far into the album, you have to commend TVXQ for their amazing work. The euphoric feeling they both explain, being completely infatuated with this mystery woman who burns their heart 24 hours a day and makes their head spin at just the thought makes even the listener fall in love.

If you're a sucker for these types of stories, Smoky Heart is definitely a tale to check out.

Steppin'

I really love the rhthym of this song. It sounds so playful when infused with the voices of our lovely duo and it gives you this need to dance around with your date or by yourself even in the comfort of your room. While this brand establishes a playful way to pursue your love, TVXQ goes on to state how, while chasing after their girl, that they suddenly find this pattern nothing less than a dance routine.

All in all, Steppin' is the cutest thing I've heard yet and it doesn't fail in making you smile. Plus Yunho's little snippet of talking into his microphone more than singing into it is rather intoxicating. Check it out and you'll fall in love like I have.

Love Again

Love Again makes me long for the things in a relationship I lost rather dearly. While this story describes that of TVXQ shocked at the lover who they thought they lost but now found once more (as she has come back), tears at my heartstrings, I'll tell you that.

"We will fall, fall in love all over again as if we never broke up."

When giving out those rare second chances due to the unconditional love you hold for someone in your heart, these are exactly the thoughts anyone and everyone could portray. The realistic truth behind it is just wonderful. On those lone nights, I find myself playing this song and though it makes me feel a bit nostalgic upon the person who I have lost, there's still that ounce of positivity soaring through the air with the passion this song, start to finish, holds.

Rise

Rise was written by our beautiful Shim Changmin and the lyrics don't fail to make me tear up as well as the soft melody that hints this song. Unlike the rest of Tense, this song bursts out with a soft, lullaby tint that has me either falling asleep or feeling every ounce of emotion wafting off altogether.

I guess it's because of their ten year anniversary that Changmin has written something so pure and innocent. The path leading to their success was hard and something they never thought they would find even after three of their talented members left. Rise is simply the duo singing their own experiences to that of their audience which basically tells them to never give up on their dreams let alone back down from what they believe in.

Rise is filled with so much honesty that it hasn't failed to make me cry. For anyone that's feeling down in life, this is something that will lift you up weather you wish for it or not.

Always With You

Always With You is the last song of the album and obviously ends with a bang. With a new guitar and drum entrance with postive vibes radiating through the song as a whole, the journey comes down to a close. From the start, TVXQ opens up Tense with the yearning to find something of great value to them. While going through each song of the album and realizing the ups and downs of life, love, hope and courage, Always With You ends that of their reconciliation with their one true love as well as a new brand of confidence that is willing to last another ten years of their career.

Overall

I can't begin to explain how proud I am of TVXQ to come back with such a great start to the year. While their anniversay was in December 26th, I expected a lot concerning this album and you see, how in these past ten years, Changmin and Yunho have matured and evolved as human beings.

Even in interviews, I see how much pain they as a duo have experienced especially after their ex-members (now forming JYJ) had left. All in all, Tense shows not only love but admiration as well as courage in every piece that's written. I couldn't be a happier Cassie when stating that this album has made me smile and cry almost at the same time. Our lovely duo didn't win those awards based off these songs for nothing, just saying.

Tense is nothing but brilliance. Pure brilliance.