[Single and MV Review] GD x Taeyang - 'Good Boy'

AKP STAFF

��GD X TAEYANG - 'GOOD BOY'

Probably needing no introduction, G-Dragon and Taeyang are two members of the super group Big Bang. They're part of the first�YG hip-hop project (the next one will be released December 2). As previously stated, this is the first time G-Dragon and Taeyang are promoting as a sub-unit, dubbed GD x Taeyang. They dropped their single "Good Boy" on November 21 KST.

The track is now ridiculously popular, taking first place on nine different music charts. Not only that, but "Good Boy" is currently number one on the iTunes charts of Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, ranks 25th on iTunes America's Hip-Hop/Rap chart, and, if that wasn't enough, just minutes after its release, "#GOODBOY" became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter.

The song itself is a fusion of hip-hop, trap, and EDM, with musical elements taken from each. There are definite hints of DJ Snake and Lil Jon's "Turn Down for What" as well as CL's "MTBD." A synth and guitar line opens the song, then G-Dragon starts singing in a more traditional cadence ("Put your hands in the air"), transitioning into his unique rapping style for the first drop. Taeyang comes in during the bridge ("Eh eh eh, I'm different from how I look"), his smooth vocals accelerating to a rapid-fire buildup to the chorus: "I am a good boy." At the second half of the song, Taeyang takes over the main verse as G-Dragon ends the tune with the same lyrics he began with, culminating into the main chorus.

"Good Boy" is an unashamed club-banger, even announcing its intentions as a party song from the very start. The lyrics are nothing special, but the appeal of this song is more visceral than intellectual. It's also insanely earwormy, getting caught in your head and stuck on replay. It's that good. But don't take my word for it. Log into iTunes and grab it, then crank up the bass on that bad boy...er, "Good Boy."

MV REVIEW

The MV for "Good Boy" is a visual feast. It starts with occasional black light shots along with shots of the duo entering a club. In the club are all sorts of oddities, such as someone having the words "Good Boy" shaved into his hair, a white mouse, a fellow dancing in a gas mask, etc.

When G-Dragon and Taeyang start performing, it's in a neon geodesic dome, with clubbers hanging off various parts of the structure. The dancing and hip hop posturing dominate the video for awhile, shown to us in vibrant colors. There's a definite tip of the hat to West Coast rap in scenes featuring them driving around while whooping it up.

Hats, jackets, gold chains and fingerless gloves help complete the hip-look look they were going for in the video, but it also has an irrepressible K-pop style. Pink and purple backgrounds, crazy hair and loud clothing help remind you that it is, indeed, K-Pop.

The only issue I have is that the edits don't linger long enough for the eye to settle on any one thing. Which isn't a bad thing, per se; it keeps you from getting bored, but I feel it also contributes to a sense of detachment, as the human eye doesn't do that normally.