Album Review: IU mini-album - Lost and Found

IU (아이유) – Lost and Found

01 . 미운 오리 (Miun Ori; Ugly Duckling)
02 . 미아 (Mia)
03 . 있잖아(FEAT.마리오) (Itjanha; You Know)
04 . Feel So Good
05 . Every Sweet Day
06 . 미아(INST)

What is IU? A better question would be who is IU? IU is a new singer who had just debuted in the latter half of 2008. At the tender age of 15, one might suspect she would have a screechy, higher-pitched voice and sing bubblegum pop songs, but that is not the case for this young artiste. Her voice is crisp and she shows much maturity in her vocals. It doesn’t hurt that she had been praised by the likes of Gummy and Toy. Now with her debut release, IU is ready to show what she’s made of.

When one sees the title Mia, one might expect some sort of upbeat song, but IU surprises with a strikingly beautiful ballad with a powerful orchestra foundation and strong vocals. The music is absoulutely stunning and a turn from the usual ballads heard in Korean pop today. The use of the piano in the verses brings a subtle and gentle feel that gives way to a haunting and aggressive sound fronted by the string instruments. IU’s vocals are sweet, yet powerful, and her singing techniques are quite impressive. It’s no wonder this song was made the title track.

Other impressive songs on the single are Itjanha and Feel So Good. The former is a surprisingly catchy upbeat track that resembles MEILIN’s Liar. Using a slight electronic sound fused with pop really gives the song an edge and IU shows her versatility. The song’s joyful nature really works with the artiste’s sweet vocals while it is still able to show off her strengths. Feel So Good is another nice surprise on the mini-album. Though being so young, she definitely showed what she has with this lounge number. Adding a whispery quality to her voice, she’s able to smooth by the notes and brings another perspective to her vocals. 

This is definitely the strongest debut of 2008. All the songs were well done and despite her young age, she’s able to exude maturity and versatility. Though she has time to grow, she’s already bettered many of her rivals and will surely be one of the stronger artistes to come. It’s only a matter of time before we see her true potential.

5/5

5/5 – Even if you’re not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 – If you’re a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 – If you’re a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 – I don’t think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 – You might as well just flush your money down the toilet.