Tony An -Top Star

   I was admittedly excited when Tony An mentioned he would release a new mini album, his first since his return from the Army. So I ordered it as soon as I could and got the one that came with a poster.
  After I went and picked up my package from the post office (-_-) and opened the package I was pleased with the quality of the packaging. Despite being a mini album the cd wasn't housed in a regular cd case but a small book like case with a little photo booklet of high quality photos of Tony An glued in (so it cant be lost I assume) even the cd had a nice design on it.
  I know that I am more than likely in the minority on the theme of this mini album. As an occasional ten gallon hat wearer myself, I appreciate when others take the style and  use it as a theme for a non country based music single. Also in the world of k-pop where everything is fashion based Tony An's theme stood out like a green dot on a red sheet of paper which is probably what he wanted.
   As  for the tracks this mini album is a big departure from his previous works like Believe (1st album) and  Yutzpracachia's Love (2nd album) where his commercial hits had a more sad/smooth sound with the exception of "Melody" (which was pop rock).  The title track "Top Star" is incredibly upbeat with its simple melody and almost completely synthesized music is most definitely meant to be a pop dance song.  I do like the fact that they try to make it more interesting adding layers of digitized drum loops and background vocals and I detected a disco beat in the bridge before Tony's rap section. Sadly like usual I didn't really enjoy the title track I guess I was expecting a more deeper or thoughtful song but it came out just in time to be a fun spring/summer song. Also I must admit is great to see him perform it with the dances  it seems to brighten the audiences mood.
   After Top Star is Truble Maker  that's right Truble not trouble.  Tony changes it up again going in the pop rock direction  like "Melody". The chorus of the song is were I think Tony shines greatly (except the I'm so trouble maker part ). Lastly Thank You feat. Simon D is an interesting song music wise. I like how it starts off with marching drums and a piano medley and the the background drums speed up which is usual (to have a fast beat with a slow piano medley) on the chorus Tony's vocal tone reminded me of his older works which is a plus for me. The following track is not a new song but a remix of his single I am going to see you right now that he released after leaving the army.  The original version of this song  gives you a feel of some of Tony's older works if you haven't heard any. The remix however tried to "update" it adding in the high pitched synthesizers  taking away the surprising smoothness the original had. I would recommend you give the original a listen. The last track is the instrumental version of Top Star which I didn't think would be interesting at all but was slightly surprised. In the instrumental it is easier to hear the layers of synth and  digital drums and the work that was put into the song.
    The mini album as a whole is a definite departure from his old style its too early to see if he will stay completely with this new style of music but hopefully he'll release a song or two in his previous styles that gained him so many fans.