maybe i just have to get it out of my system

first post for an outside recommendation! @bini-ph told me i had to listen to BINI, a P-pop girl group, and since I wasn't given a specific song to listen to, I watched all their music videos!

BINI generally has a fun bubble-gum pop sort of sound, like if illit had red velvet's vocals. a great example of what their music usually sounds like is their latest release Cherry On Top, a fresh song with a great hihat and kick in the back and fun lyrics about being so awesome that your presence is a gift to those around you.

however, i live for heavier sounds so of course the song that spoke to me the most was their one song that doesn't sound anything like the rest of their music, Strings off of their 2022 album "Feel Good"

Strings is more like if itzy and nmixx collabed.

The intrumentals are literally to die for. It starts the first five seconds with piano before jumping in with a horn section, then alternating between verses and prechoruses that are emptier to showcase the vocals and more intense (yet still harmonized and smooth) choruses with more intense instrumentals.

the girls themselves have insane harmonizing talents and they can belt like nobody's business. it's also a great song for learning the members' names since they introduce themselves during the bridge so I can identify Maloi, Colet, and Jhoanna as having some truly insane vocal moments. Especially Jhoanna and Colet those girls can SING.

BINI has moments where their voices are intentionally almost breaking, forcing out some really intense emotions surrounding vulnerability and an emotion that not quite anger but something that tells you they're upset with the bullshit you're putting them through.

the lyrics use the metaphor of a marionette on strings, among other delicate balancing metaphors, to talk about how they're walking a thin line between functioning and falling apart, and how the situation/relationship they're in isn't good for them in the long run. over the course of the song they recognize that the situation sucks and they need to find strength to escape.

in the bridge where they introduce themselves it's like they start to recover identities lost in a toxic relationship, and in the outro they say "Untie all the knots, believe and you’ll make it" after saying in the choruses "I'm on strings, don't cut me off" signifying that they've reached a level of strength where they can stand on their own without these restrictive supports and leave the situation on their own two feet.

Blanquera and Perz did an excellent job doing the choreo for this song, making great use of levels and interesting formations, making great utilization of 8 members and frequently having these balanced 4+4 formations where half the members were doing one thing and the other half were doing something similar either mirrored or opposite, all for the vibe of a marionette or a puppet following instructions, until they find their own strength, of course.

all in all it's a great song about strengthening oneself, but if you really want to know what BINI sounds like, Cherry on Top, Karera, and Salamin, Salamin are better places to start.

as i only know how to give recommendations in the form of kpop, if you like any of the groups i mentioned above (illit, red velvelt, itzy, nmixx) there's a strong chance you'll like the music BINI puts out. In terms of western pop, maybe Ava Max? Strings gives off a bit of "Kings and Queens" vibe.

i'm always on the hunt for more filipino music and i'm so glad BINI was put on my radar! they definitely deserve more recognition! thank you @bini-ph for putting me on!