Lipstick

Lipstick is the first full-length album that was released by Orange Caramel on September 12, 2012 which includes thirteen songs.

1. "Bubble Bath"

"Bubble Bath" is a beautiful song that’s upbeat and catchy. Of course, the story portrayed is that of cleansing the bulk of tainted skin that has the scent of a man’s presence. Not only is the song something anyone can easily dance to, the meaning behind it is not only deep, but truthful.

With the need to explain how this woman was better than the man she had gone on to date and fall in love with, the innocence followed after is absolutely beautiful. I think this song as a whole really sold me to the album, seeing to it that it’s the first track that plays when you ready yourself for a bit of Candy Culture.

2. "Milkshake (밀크쉐이크)"

The song really reminds me of an upbeat anime theme song. Maybe it was the English lyrics in the beginning initiating an intro to Orange Caramel’s apparent cuteness or the fact that the background music really colors the song with more of an abstract tone that never fails in making you feel happy and want to sing along.

I also love the way that the song compares a kiss or a touch with sweets like milkshake’s and ice cream. I thought that was the cutest thing ever.

3. "Lipstick (립스틱)"

The seductive tone of the lyrics are what really hooked me in and while the song doesn’t fail in hooking you in as yet another playful dance song, the meaning of falling for a man that you know might be trouble is almost a mistake every girl has made.

Comparing this man to everything you want in that slight second is tainted with absolute truth and let’s not forget how catchy the song is as a whole since this is the leading track to the Lipstick album.

4. "A~ing (아잉)"

The slow intro to this song is shattered by the upbeat and dramatic music that reminds me of maybe a video game theme song. The whole album reminds me of more J-Pop than K-Pop and that’s maybe because these types of songs often appear upon anime’s as ending credits or themes. All in all, it’s still something that catches on and makes you love it.

The lyrics as a whole catch on with the song. Speaking of first kisses that make your heart tingle and how “aing” is a sound made due to utter happiness. The attraction levels that make one clingy are not only cute but dangerous while also making that of a woman’s heart hurt due to its sensitive like ways.

5. "Magic Girl (마법소녀)"

The music video for "Magic Girl" doesn’t fail in making me squeal at how cute Raina, Nana and Lizzy can actually be. It makes me forget that they’re in their early-mid twenties because of how young and beautiful they are. Throughout this music video, I really loved seeing the bulk of their spiffy clothes that never fail in being colorful and adorable.

6. "Not Yet (아직)"

"Not Yet (or Still)" is by far the most intoxicating song within this album. While the other songs are upbeat and playful, this has a slow, rhythmic and very personal tone to it. The song itself was Raina’s solo and the pitch of her voice is so beautiful that I was floored with emotion before even reading the lyrics.

While she sings about the love she had released from her clutches, it felt as if seasons passed and even now as she has made this final decision, she’s still placed in darkness and can’t seem to love anyone but the man claimed to be made for her. Basically the loser of a relationship that can’t seem to move on from a chapter in her life does Raina absolutely take my breath away with this song. I couldn’t help but relate to this in all aspects of life, almost like remembering a first love that was lost.

7. "Superwoman"

"Superwoman" was also a solo performed by Raina that also featured Choi Seung Cheol from the boy group Seventeen.

Let me just go on to state that this song is absolute perfection because Raina has the voice of an angel and Seung Cheol rapping along to her elongated notes and the beat of the song really brings out the banter of two individuals speaking to one another within this piece. Basically a voice trying to find reason.

8. "One Love"

I will forever adore the tone of this song. Mainly because the lyrics really made a load of sense to me. While finding someone attractive and gossiping about it with your friends, there’s always that first impression that makes the ones around you question why you would like that person and that often leads to wrongly influencing you into treating your said “One Love” with disrespect.

On top of that, I really adored the way the meaning behind this was to basically 'think before you speak' because building up a relationship/friendship can take quite a while, but say or do the wrong things and it’s forever broken in just a few seconds.

9. "Shanghai Romance (샹하이 로맨스)"

The whole tone of this song reminds me of China. The beginning tone really eases into the bulk of the song and I adore how it’s basically a story about love in the big city of Shanghai. I just really love the connection this song has to flying across the world just to be with this mysterious man just for a bit of “Shanghai Romance”.

10. "Clara’s Dream (클라라의 꿈)"

"Clara’s Dream" was a solo performed by the beautiful maknae Lizzy. I really love hearing her sing because her voice can seriously lay me to rest at night when I can’t sleep. It’s just absolutely intoxicating and the music as a whole really soothes my bones.

“Clara’s Dream” paints this picture for whoever is listening about a night in which a woman’s lover had left and now all she could see is darkness and dream for him in another light. It’s just a very peaceful song. I can’t help but play it on repeat. Probably my most favorite song of the whole album.

11. "Close Your Eyes (눈을 감아)"

"Close Your Eyes" was followed by Nana’s solo performance. I can listen to Nana sing all day long and not even care about life anymore. Seriously, each solo within the album is special to their individual singer and Nana, painting a picture of a saddened place in which she can’t function without this other half of hers, is heartwrenchingly beautiful.

12. "Love Does Not Wait (사랑을 미룰 순 없나요)"

This song is yet another solo performed by Raina (and I’m not complaining because her voice is that of a goddess). While this represents more of the type of music I listen to, I really feel the lyrics of this song. Love has come and gone for a couple as they soon go cold with their feelings and basically want to end it. Of course, one party is much more ready to break up rather than the other and “Love Does Not Wait” revolves around sparing one more day so that they can be together instead of leaving with a goodbye.

13. "Bangkok City (방콕시티)"

"Bangkok City" doesn’t fail in making me want to sing along. It gives off more of a club vibe than anything and judging by the lyrics, it basically sums up the course of the song as a whole.

Overall

Orange Caramel is a group I have never listened to, but after giving it a try did I realize how amazing they are. Seeing to it that they’re one of the must underrated sub-groups I’ve come across, I really want to give them all the love I can. Their Lipstick album absolutely stuck out to me. While they do perform more Candy Culture music that shows their colorful and cute side, I realized that within each of their songs, there is a hidden meaning behind it as a whole.

Lizzy is by far one of the most talented vocals I know and Raina as leader of the sub-group really adds to the vocal line up and I respect that full-heartedly. People usually see Nana as just a pretty face, but judging by each of their solo’s that bring out a new side to them, you really have to admit that all three girls are individually talented in ways comprehension is barely necessary.

All in all, this album is strikingly fantastic and I think they deserve more respect and love!