2PM - Time For Change

An album that will never get old on your play list. The gymnasts of JYP prove that there is more to them then just strong dancing and acrobatics. The only slight negative critic this mini-album might get is the fact that there are too few songs in it. At the same time that may be the reason why this mini-album becomes so strong; All four song tracks (in addition to three instrumental tracks and a short intro, totaling 8 tracks) are strong and addictive with a sound that is pure, dark and sexy R&B.

There is no doubt that this is a great mini-album period, and it's quite possible that as a first time listener one will fall for the mature charm that 2PM possess, a charm that has evolved and matured since their debut single album Hottest Time of The Day. Where their first album was about approaching the girl with a cute and playful tone, Time For A Change tells the story of the love fall-out.

There is no doubt that the theme of Time For A Change is dark and bittersweet. Yet the anguish is not expressed in heart aching ballads, but heavy beats and raw vocals. The frustration of being desperately in love and being consumed by that feeling is expressed in Again & Again, a song that became a favorite among the different music charts and heightened the popularity of the group. With a catch that is slightly addictive and an electronic sound that is different yet not alien, the song is fresh and unique. Their popularity kept rising with the introduction of the second single from the mini-album. I Hate You is a fast paced song that despite its harsh lyrics is a great dance track.

You Might Come Back is a a slow song that is half ballad, half R&B. The mix is what makes this song interesting. The slow parts blend nicely into a faster rhythm, the same way one is plagued by the thoughts of winning back the person you lost. The R&B mix of Again & Again really makes the voices of the group stand out. The slow rhythm accompanied by a simple piano manages to tie the red thread on this mini-album.

The mini-album follows the trajectory of a fall-out: In the beginning it is all about loving the wrong person and the pain that it inflicts. This is followed by anger at not being with that person and trying to bargain with them. In the end the depression makes you reflect so that you finally can find acceptance. This mini-album somewhat follows the 7 steps of grief, and a story of heartbreak is told in four songs.

2PM ended their mini-album promotions in the middle of July. A reality show called Wild Bunny is now airing on Mnet, and Taecyeon and Wooyoung are the new MC's for SBS Inkigayo. The production for their new album is about to start as announced by their CEO JYP on his Twitter.