GOT7 - MAD

Track List:

1. If You Do *Title
2. Put Your Hands Up
3. Feels Good
4. Good
5. I Keep Looking
6. Tic Tic Tok

Just two and a half months since their last release, 'Just Right,' GOT7 is back, and they're hoping you'll go 'Mad' for their latest EP. "If You Do" is their title track, written by Black Eyed Pilsung. The rap lyrics on much of the album were written by Jackson and Mark (probably no surprise, since they've had a hand in the raps since GOT7's debut).

The album kicks off with "If You Do," which starts off a bit reflective, and then transitions to a smooth bass-driven dance track. There's silky harmonies juxtaposed with raps, like in most songs these days. The song is an angry letter to a girl who mistreated them, but the tone of the chorus is a bit too upbeat. I like the raps, however, which get angrier and more aggressive over the course of the tune. The girl's voice basically telling them off mid-song is a nice touch, too.

"Put Your Hands Up," despite many other songs with similar titles, is not a party song. It's primarily rap-driven, with repeated lines as hooks. Everything has a distinctive flow and actual singing is rare, adding to the in-your-face feel. The lyrics are pretty clever, using various lines from the Miranda rights as well as a metaphor of incarceration to show their anger towards a cheating woman.

"Feels Good" is a dance song through and through. With a burping synth and smooth croons and rap interludes, it's well put together. Problem is, from the tune right down to the lyrics, it's a bit generic. It doesn't go with the concept in the teasers, nor does it bring anything new to the table. It's a slick, body-moving track, but ultimately, it feels like filler.

"Good" is where the album picks up again. It starts like a normal pop song, and the raps come in, keeping time perfectly. I like some of the layering effects in the vocals, and how some of the raps sound naughty. Some of the lyrics reference other songs on the album, which is a growing trend I enjoy. The song itself is about confidence, which they appear to have in spades.

The next track is "I Keep Looking," a playful song that starts out a bit stripped down, but picks up heft with the chorus, with a bouncy synth line and some killer rapping. I can rhapsodize all day about the tune and its sick hooks, but at the end of the day, it's all about a girl.

"Tic Tic Tok" is probably the most mature-sounding song on the EP. That's not to say the others aren't, but this has a sensibility about it that sets it apart. It's got half-sung half-whispered vocals, and a nice bridge that sets up the chorus, along with some repetitive raps. The ever-present beats remind you that it's a dance tune, and a pretty good one, too. The song is asking for time to stop, so they don't miss a moment.

GOT7 did here what they always succeed in doing: putting out an extremely listenable, accessible hip hop collection. While I was hoping to see more creative control (maybe a Youngjae or JB tune), it doesn't mar what's here. Jackson and Mark are pretty talented and clever writers, and the other members always bring it. I think I like this album the best; some of their other offerings felt a bit uneven. With this one, they're right on point.

MV REVIEW

Watch the boys of GOT7 get their frustrations out in "If You Do."

The members are all in various places that emanate depression, dirty apartment halls, the streets at night, a graffiti-drenched strip mall. The scenes switch between individual cuts and shots of the whole band dancing. Eventually, the boys go on a rage-fueled vandalism spree, hammering on doors, throwing things, etc. Youngjae tags walls while BamBam lives up to his name and smashes a car with a bat.

The costumes here are a little darker, and yet at the same time a little more normal. Jeans and tees are seen, as well as black outfits, complete with leather. The wardrobe is entirely appropriate to the concept, and in many ways just takes a backseat to the action.

The dancing here is actually really, really good. There were points at which I paused it that show some real athleticism to the moves. I know that many bands practice relentlessly to get it right, and these guys really got it right.

I like some of the cinematography here, like the view from the backseat as BamBam goes to town on the windscreen and the car rocks back and forth. The overall tone of the MV, even though it's supposed to be depressive, actually has bright colors in places and the graffiti is similarly day-glo. The vandalism scenes also made more sense in context than the ones in EXO's "Love Me Right" (but also a good video).� It's a pretty cool MV, with the dancing and the mischief. It's nothing mind blowing, but it's fun. �