Top tracks — play these first
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분홍신 Start here — This track stands out with its whimsical narrative and catchy melody, encapsulating the playful yet introspective themes present throughout the album.
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크레파스 — With its lush arrangements and heartfelt lyrics, this song showcases IU's vocal range while exploring themes of nostalgia and longing.
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Modern Times — The title track merges modern pop sensibilities with vintage instrumentation, reflecting IU's unique ability to bridge different musical eras.
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누구나 비밀은 있다 — This song features a clever lyrical twist that delves into personal secrets, revealing a darker undertone contrasting with the album's overall brightness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends various styles effectively but has moments where cohesion dips due to its diverse influences.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with jazz influences, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant afternoon gatherings
- playful melodies for relaxation
- headphone detail appreciation
- warm background for conversations
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- fans of abrupt tempo shifts
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The album showcases IU's artistic maturity and received widespread critical acclaim.
- Themes
- whimsical nostalgia· modern romanticism· jazz-infused playfulness
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2013, 'Modern Times' is IU's third studio album, following her critically acclaimed record 'Last Fantasy' from 2011. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a leading figure in K-pop, showcasing a maturation in her musical style and artistic identity.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 금요일에 만나요 Start here 3:37
- 2 크레파스 3:13
- 3 을의 연애 3:11
- 4 누구나 비밀은 있다 3:49
- 5 입술 사이 (50cm) 2:50
- 6 분홍신 4:14
- 7 Modern Times 3:25
- 8 싫은 날 3:52
- 9 Obliviate 3:10
- 10 아이야 나랑 걷자 4:59
- 11 Havana 4:09
- 12 우울시계 2:48
- 13 한낮의 꿈 3:40
- 14 기다려 2:30
- 15 Voice Mail (Korean Ver.) 4:06
Disc 2
- 1 Concert Clip of 'Modern Times'
Disc 3
- 1 Additional Scenes of 'Modern Times'
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Born to Die
Lana Del Rey
Shares whimsical nostalgia and modern romanticism with lush, cinematic production.
Little Broken Hearts
Norah Jones
Features jazz-infused melodies and a blend of playful yet introspective themes.
Metals
Feist
Combines a warm, organic sound with lyrical exploration of personal and emotional landscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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