Mr. Simple is the fifth studio-length album for Super Junior, released in Korea on August 3rd as the super group’s comeback album in Korea after extensive activities in Japan. Mr. Simple features the title track, Mr. Simple as its main single, but includes many dance tracks and a few slow, ballads. The album is also planned for release in Japan on December 7, 2011.
The album opens with the title/comeback track, Mr. Simple with a fast, simple beat that then layers with synthesizers in the background. The melody is fairly monotonous: Mr.Simple sounds a bit like SHINee’s Lucifer in style and composition, with most of the emphasis on the chorus and that it stays on the same note without being annoying. The catchiest parts of the song are two instances of the hook before the line “blow your mind” where the synthesizers in the background mimic the melody. The official MV can be seen below, via YouTube.
Opera begins strongly with a tightly bound synthesizer melody. It soon builds and utilizes the usual conventions for a power pop ballad: strong chorus, mandatory synthesizers and very simple but memorable melody. The second track seems like a continuation of Mr. Simple, in that it’s very monotonous but has auto-tuned harmonies layered upon each other.
In Be My Girl (La La La La), any instance of the lines “la la la la” will have the listener undoubtedly wanting to sing. The melody is still quite monotonous, compared to the previous two tracks but otherwise is very catchy. The first three tracks on Mr. Simple would be great workout songs.
Reggae tones make an appearance in the track, Walkin’. The track sounds relaxed, a feeling that is expressed in the vocals and is a bit of a surprise to hear reggae elements on a popular Hallyu group's album!
The same relaxed, carefree feeling from Walkin’ seems to minutely seep into the following track, Storm. Although Storm is a ballad, the fact that there are fewer ballads on the album makes its appearance seem more important and the listener takes more care when listening to the track.
Super Junior picks up the pace again with Eoneusae Urin (Good Friends) and later, yet another dance track, Gyeoltu (Feels Good) . Eoneusae Urin (Good Friends) carries some light jazz elements fused with pop and is a bit of a surprise to hear—it sounds good!
Gyeoltu (Feels Good) carries the ‘good feeling’ further and provides another synthpop dance track with melodies that explore more than a few notes. The track is very catchy and makes you want to dance immediately.
The album wraps things up with the power ballad, My Love, My Kiss, My Heart. The track uses a little English during the chorus, using the words in the title of the song and “let’s love, let’s kiss.”
The album includes a Korean version of Perfection by Super Junior M as a bonus track.
Frankly, Super Junior’s fifth album, Mr Simple, has it all: dance tracks and ballads with the right balance of each. The album holds influences from a variety of genres; Super Junior keeps it fun by including a mix of synthpop dance tracks, tracks with jazz and some reggae influences. Is there anything they can’t do?
Mr. Simple can be purchased here through iTunes US. Listed below is the official MV for Mr. Simple:
Super Junior’s most recent release following Mr. Simple will be A-CHA and will be available on a repackage of Mr. Simple on Sept 19, 2011 through US iTunes. The repackaged album will include some new tracks, A-CHA and Oops!!, a collaboration with f(x) as well as all material from Type B of Mr. Simple.
![Mr. Simple [Version B]](/media/musicrelease/cover.png)
