Album Review: One Way – ‘Rainy Days’

Album release date: January 2011

Genre: R&B/Hip Hop, Kpop

Rating: 3.5/5
Review by: jct

On their first full album, Korean male group, One Way delivers more catchy R&B/Hip Hop music as well as slow-tempo R&B materials. Although Rainy Days doesn’t break new grounds musically or lyrically, it’s still an enjoyable listen.

Some Shining Moments

The album contains 10 new songs and 4 bonus tracks (3 instrumentals + radio edit of 'Rainy Days'). However, there are only three really good songs on One Way’s full album, Rainy Days, and they happen to scatter in the beginning, middle and end of the album, which is in itself a smart strategy.  

First, the good: “Rainy Days” (both the Korean and English version) is a slow-tempo R&B song with a rap segment about a broken heart. The vocals are very calming and smooth as they sing, “Any chance I’m taking right now/ To shower down this pain/ Rainy days, rainy days/ Now that’s you’ve gone far away/ My raindrops pouring down my eyes/ You know I’ll never be okay.” Also, the background sounds of raindrops are a nice addition to the song.  

The next single, “Forever” is a solo song by Chance which was released as a digital single back in July 2010. It’s a slow-tempo R&B love ballad about the relationship of a typical couple as they go through many ups and downs. Chance dedicated this song to the love of his life, as he sings smoothly with romantic lyrics: “It’s been a long time since I met you/ The good memories come out one by one/ Like the black coffee that you like, along with the bitter memories”, and he continues, “Forever, Forever, Forever/ Happy tears flows down/ You and I just like this/ We’re going to stay together forever.”

The album ends off with the track, “A Thousand Words” which is a piano-based R&B ballad about a heart ache and wanting the lover to come back, as they sing passionately, “Cause soon I gotta find/ The ways of living without you, I’m losing my sight/ Of path we walked through together/ and baby tell me how/ does it have to be right now?/ you’re all that I’ve got all I need/ so I’m willing to say a thousand words put together, I love you.”

“Rainy Days”, “Forever”, and “A Thousand Words” are pretty much all there is in terms of above average songs. Most of the other 6 tracks aren’t particularly clever and may be considered clichéd rehashes. However, the production of the songs in general is decent and doesn’t rely on computerization and studio gimmicks, as they use distinct electric guitar sounds, and nice piano melodies. The album also has the right number of guest appearances and for the right songs, without overshadowing One Ways’ vocals.

Overall, there are some shining moments on Rainy Days, as the songs are well-sung, but most of the songs aren’t particularly spectacular or outstanding. However, the group is still young, and they’ve still got plenty of room to grow.

Tracklist
1. The Forecast (feat. One Sound Choir)
2. Rainy Days (feat. 준수 (Junsu) of 2PM)
3. New drag
4. 빠져 (Out)
5. Forever
6. Flight 101(feat. As one)
7. Can't stop
8. Coffee (feat. J.ae)
9. Rainy Days (Unplugged English Version)
10. A Thousand Words
11. Coffee (Trumpet version) - Bonus Tracks
12. Forever (Harmonica version) - Bonus Tracks
13. A Thousand Words (Harmonica version) - Bonus Tracks
14. Rainy Days (Radio Edited Version) - Bonus Tracks