Big Bang : 3rd Mini Album - Stand Up

Title track Stand Up (Track 1) and the following Haru Haru (Track 2) and Heaven (Track 3) are in Big Bang's signature style of dramatic arrangements, strong beats, melodic raps, and catchy choruses. Haru Haru, in particular, is the album's money track, from the haunting piano intro to G-Dragon and T.O.P's smooth rap overlays to the perfectly pop refrain, while Heaven goes a bit more velvety with relaxed rap and a balladic chorus.

T.O.P wrote and co-composed A Good Man (Track 4), which fits in with the Big Bang style but sounds less bombastic than G-Dragon's compositions. The silky melody and free-flowing rhythm come with softer edges than the preceding tracks, particularly in the chorus and the guitar arrangement. The song has some rough transitions and unique arrangements, such that though the rap, vocal, and bridge sections are all individually strong, they don't always mesh together well.

Lady (Track 5) and Oh My Friend (Track 6) both offer fun variations to the group's usual hip-hop sound. The lightest track of the album, Lady (Track 5) dabbles in old-school pop charm with flirtatious lyrics, a spry clap-along melody, and a bubbly chorus. The group goes punk pop in Oh My Friend (Track 6), an unexpected collaboration with punk band No Brain. Though the song doesn't sound too memorable save for the hook, the combination of Big Bang and No Brain works surprising well, showing that the group can try new things without losing their original appeal.

Stand Up also gets extra kudos for having sturdier packaging than last year's Always and Hot Issue, and coming with a fabulous build-your-own 3D paper model. Yes, you too can have your very own 3D papercraft model of a Big Bang member, though folding all the parts together will require some time and effort. I haven't yet transformed my Tae Yang paper parts into a 3D Tae Yang, but I'm sure it'll make a good desk decoration.