REVIEW Album Review: Taeyeon - "Purpose Repackage"

[yooamygirls]

ALBUM REVIEW: TAEYEON – “PURPOSE REPACKAGE”
Written by: yooamygirls



Taeyeon's 'Purpose' was undoubtedly one of my favorite albums released in 2019. It had a total of 12 tracks (although two were released beforehand) and despite the large number of tracks, the album flowed seamlessly. 'Four Seasons' and 'Blue' were already certified hits, but the album didn't stop there - it added the long awaited dance title track 'Spark' and many other b-sides that, in my opinion, were some of the strongest songs Taeyeon has released in her entire career. With the album, Taeyeon has added another flawless album to her discography and many anticipated a repackage like her 1st full-length album 'My Voice' (2017) was given. 'Purpose Repackage' was released in January with three new songs and it definitely felt like a satisfying conclusion to the album— something I can't say about many repackages. All the added songs fit the album thematically and none of them felt like just another filler to add to the song count.

'내게 들려주고 싶은 말 (Dear Me)'


This is, in my opinion, Taeyeon's most personal title track since her debut song 'I' in 2015. It's a song that directly speaks to her as the title says- and directly translates to "Words I want to say to myself"- and Taeyeon has said multiple times that this song is very dear to her heart. Taeyeon is quite well-known for liking her b-sides over her title tracks, so it was a surprise to her fans when she said that her favorite song from the repackage was 'Dear Me'. That was one of the reasons why my expectations really grew for this song and I knew even before listening to the highlight melody or any form of teaser that this song would be one that would bring tears to my eyes.

As someone who loves 'I' and everything that song represents, I felt like 'Dear Me' was a great follow-up to that theme of self-love and self-acceptance. Although those themes are prevalent not only in k-pop, but music in general worldwide currently, I feel like there can never be enough of that reminder to embrace and be kind to yourself. While some might criticize 'Dear Me' as being "cliche," I think it touches upon that theme in a unique way by making the song and its lyrics in the form of a letter. Throughout the song, you really get the sense that Taeyeon is singing for and to herself, and as a fan listening to that is emotional in its own right. Many Taeyeon fans have been vocal about their worry for her mental health (and Taeyeon has been very straight forward about her struggles with depression in recent years) and this song felt like Taeyeon's direct message to her fans that she knew she was loved. It was a reminder to everyone that Taeyeon, underneath her talent and flashy and successful career, was a human through and through.

While the melody of the song didn't capture me as much as her other songs have, I think this song more than makes up for it with the strength of its lyrics, and I highly recommend anyone who is going through a difficult time to give this song a listen.
7/10

'월식 (My Tragedy)'


This was my most anticipated pre-release track. The title made it seem like it would a very dramatic type of song, with an orchestra instrumental, and Taeyeon belting from start to finish. 'U R' (2015) is my favorite Taeyeon song of all time, and I felt like 'My Tragedy' would be in a similar vein. The song wasn't quite that, but it did really pleasantly surprise me. Instead of being a successor to 'U R', it feels like it's one to 'Here I Am' in that they both sound like they could be a musical number.

The song starts with haunting notes of an organ, then Taeyeon comes in with her low register. Even without knowing the lyrics, one can tell just how desperate and melancholy the song is through Taeyeon's vocals. She sings "I don't need nobody" in the beginning of the chorus, and that sets the mood for the entire song. There's an echo behind her voice, the instruments become louder post-chorus, and it's truly beautiful. This seems like the type of song that only Taeyeon can pull off and I'm so thoroughly impressed.
9/10



'너를 그리는 시간 (Drawing Our Memories)'


My absolute favorite song of the repackage and one of my tops from the 'Purpose' era as a whole! This is like an upgraded version of 'Time Lapse' (from the 2016 'My Voice' album) and I have absolutely no complaints. The composers added two genres Taeyeon does best—acoustic folk and pop ballad—and produced this masterpiece. The instrumental is pretty minimal in the beginning with a pretty flute-like instrument and a piano carrying the song alongside Taeyeon's voice, but somehow the song sounds completely full.

The song builds and builds in scale and Taeyeon proves that you don't need to sing in a group to make a song sound interesting— she harmonizes with herself and adds so many ad-libs that it takes multiple listens to catch everything. I've listened to this song in repeat for over a month and I discover something new about it every time. The song itself is quite long—4:33 seconds—so it leaves plenty of room for Taeyeon to show her explosive vocals. The last minute of the song is where she shines the most and Taeyeon once again proves why she's deemed a vocal queen.
10/10

I honestly couldn't have asked for more. Even more than a decade into her career, Taeyeon manages to surprise me more and more with her musicality and talent and I think that shines the most in her solo work. 'Purpose Repackage' is my favorite work of hers since 'I' (2015) and I think it's an album that will have incredible longevity. There's at least one song that will appeal to everyone and with the newly added three tracks, Taeyeon has made an already amazing album even more perfect.

'Purpose' is a very important word to Taeyeon, as she even has a tattoo of it on the back of her neck, and she has talked about what gives her purpose in life and her career in her concerts multiple times. Singing isn't just work for her—it's a way of healing— and I think this album is a testament of that.

Even if you're not a fan, these songs have a message that will appeal to everyone worldwide, and I think that's something that Taeyeon prioritized when creating this album. These songs, while being important to Taeyeon herself, is also a healing hand to those who take the time to listen to them.

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Artistic Creativity: 8/10
Vocal Quality: 10/10
Music: 8.6/10

8.8/10
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PROOFREAD BY: @Saseum
GRAPHICS BY: @Rinoa​

 

[WithJuyeon]

i really enjoyed the new tracks too! drawing our moments is also my favorite one

 

[BlueNose]

i feel mostly the same
i didn't care much for Dear Me, but I like what it represents for Taeyeon. My Tragedy and Drawing Our Memories are probably some of my favorite taeyeon songs however

 

[fromisEJel]

Amazing review!

 

[kimsguardian]

this should be nominated as AOTY! and ofc always as expected great review from cute reviewer

 

[rosie]

Drawing Our Memories is absolutely amazing

 

[Lilac]

Thanks for the review! Drawing our Memories is 10/10 for me too