PHANTOM is a Korean Hip-Hop trio comprised of Kiggen (Leader/Producer/Rap), Sanchez (Main Vocals/Rap), and Hanhae (Main Rap/Vocals) under Brand New Music (Branched from Brand New Stardom) and WA Entertainment.

As one of my most anticipated debuts in the longest time ever, I’d like to welcome you all to the PHANTOM CITY.

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I’ll start with the title track, “Burning”.

This song has the “Phantom” sound that most of the patient fans have come to know quite well.  After hearing a small snippet on Running Man a couple weeks ago, I held high expectations for this track, and I’m glad to say that they didn’t disappoint.

The song is talking about a rough break-up where a guy is being torn apart by having to forget memories from the past flame. He sees no purpose in life and is “burning down”; the visuals fit the song quite literally as vocalist Sanchez ignites into flames. I found it pretty funny when the girls began throwing alcohol though…  But anyway, there are a few cameos from fellow label mates/rappers such as Bizniz (who plays the main fireman), which I also found entertaining.  It’s pretty common to see those guys in each other’s videos from what I’ve observed though other MVs.  Oh, can I also mention how amazing my darling/ fellow maknae/”singing MC”  Hanhae looked? Be still my heart! ; ;

3rd track off the album is “Homeground” feat.  rappers Verbal Jint (버벌진트) and Swings (스윙스).  From Nagoya to Auckland,  it’s a fun shout out song that lists off the hometowns of those featured in the song as well as other cities/neighborhoods/states in their respective countries.  With all three members of PHANTOM hailing from different countries,  the list gets pretty extensive.

The 4th track, “Seaweed Soup” (미역국 ),  is one I’ve already mentioned in a previous post which can be seen here on the blog!

Track 5, also known as “Where you at?” (어딘데? ), happens to be one of my other favorites off the album.  A nice mellow song, oh how I feel the love~   This also happens to be the last of the new songs featured on this album… Sad days, but there will be more to come soon enough! But just in case this is your first time hearing about Phantom, I’ll post the last two tracks here too.

Does the backing track sound sort of familiar? “ICE” was a promotional song for Hite Beer; the track was bought by the company and given to PHANTOM to sample.  The main  promotional video highlighted the famous Kim Yuna (whom the guys were disappointed that they didn’t get to meet), but  here’s the alternate version (which is pretty entertaining).

The final song  is none other than “Hole in Your Face” (얼굴 뚫어지겠다 ).  A song about a guy who’s madly in love, to the point where he could burn a hole by staring at her picture for too long.  It’s a toughie, but I’ll have to say that this is still my all time favorite song by them (and one of my favs in general).  The teaser video was put under fire, due to the fact that it showed the girl being shot in the face, therefore they released a “clean version”.   The video continues from that as Sanchez (the lead) is slowly going insane in this dream-like world that he can’t escape.

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It’s really rewarding to know that the three members are receiving tons of attention and praise, and that they’ll be carrying the torch for the underground world as they begin their ventures onto music programs and such.  I’ll have to say, Phantom wins the title of #1 “Rookie” Group 2012 in my heart.

Happy Listening,

Eli  ♥