TOHOSHINKI - Purple Line

One week before the release of their highly anticipated third Japanese album, TOHOSHINKI(DBSK) released their 16th single and this was the leading track of the T album: Purple Line. For the first time a foreign male group reached #1 on the Oricon Weekly charts. That is reason enough to analyze this single. As we're already used to, Purple Line was released in two versions. The CD only version came with the title track and two remixes, plus the instrumental versions for Purple Line and the DEAD END remix. Though the CD+DVD this time didn't have the music video for the title track, but off shot movies of their Bangkok concert.

All their previous songs released in Japan were made by Japanese producers, the only difference were their Korean songs turned to Japanese like Rising Sun or O - Sei.Han.Go. But this time it was the other way round. Purple Line was written by Yoo Young Jin (who also created the two aforementioned songs and Super Juniors's Don't Don) and produced by none else than Lee Soo Man himself. Also, the music video was recorded in Korea. Firstly, a short version of the Japanese video was released and fans were tensely waiting for a full version to come out. Surprisingly, as it was announced that a Korean version of this single was also going to be released, a full Korean music video was launched. A few days later also the Japanese fans got to see a full video in their language.

With all that background information we can start listening to Purple Line. Those who know Yoo Young Jin's style already know what kind of song they're most likely going to hear, for those who don't: they'll experience a powerful dance track that really never gets boring to listen to, as the rythm and melody changes constantly. The song is initiated by a "clattering" sound and few short lines by Yoochun. This clattering gets mixed with a strong beat and synthetic sounds as soon as Jaejoong starts with his first part. In turns the five members sing their parts until they reach the powerful chorus. After the second chorus, the song changes for the first time and a more melodious part appears, where Jaejoong, Junsu and Changmin's smooth singing crosses over the hard beat in the background. Though this laid back moment is cut by Yunho's rap. Once again he shows of that rapping is his strength, even the part this time is fast and mostly in Japanese but he manages it perfectly. Also, this part of the song differs from the rest as it has a traditional sounding instrument (like a shamisen or biwa) mixed with the constant beat. After that the chorus is repeated a few times more and fades away at the end with the words "Purple Line".

The DEAD END - STY Gin n' Tonic mix - is compared to the original version (that can be found on the Five in the Black album) a pretty relaxing song. While the original was dark and heavy with electric guitars, the remix sounds more swing-ish. Chimes and a piano accompany the vocals of the five men and lead the listener to a imaginary journey to a club to chill out.

On the other hand the primary version of ZION (also from the Five in the Black album) was jazzy, though already somehow mysterious. This cryptic feeling is even stronger in the ZION - Zero G Remix -. The guitars are completely replaced by a heavy synthetic beat, giving the song a trance music like feeling.

Even though though is written by the same person, the differences between Purple Line, Rising Sun and O – Sei.Han.Go are apparent. It's not as powerful, though that doesn't mean it's bad. Even with the (compared to the other two songs) lighter beat it transmits the message quite well. The song is about finding your way in life and accomplishing your aims. DBSK once explained in their radio program Bigeast Station that the purple line refers to the rays of light on horizon when the sun sets. It is interesting to see, how the group finally starts to show a bit more of their Korean side in Japan, also the off shot movie on the DVD proves that because the japanese fans get to see the different side of DBSK.

Also, the two remixes are interesting to listen to while the ZION remix might not be made for everyone. This single was a great start for the group and we can expect that their upcoming tour in Japan will be a success. At the end of February, DBSK also started to promote the single in Korea and prepared their comeback in their home country hopefully at the end of the year.