Ice Cream Cake (EP)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ice Cream Cake
Digital and Ice Cream Cake version cover
EP by
Red Velvet
ReleasedMarch 17, 2015[1]
Recorded2014–2015
StudioSM Studio (Seoul, South Korea)
Genre
Length21:28
LanguageKorean
Label
Producer
Red Velvet chronology
Ice Cream Cake
(2015) 		The Red
(2015)
Singles from Ice Cream Cake
  1. "Automatic"
    Released: March 14, 2015
  2. "Ice Cream Cake"
    Released: March 16, 2015

Ice Cream Cake is the debut

Ice Cream Cake", with the latter becoming the group's breakthrough commercial success. S.M. founder Lee Soo-man served as the EP's executive producer, with Hayley Aitken, Trinity Music, Daniel "Obi" Klein, Charli Taft, Jam Factory, Kenzie, Teddy Riley, Cha Cha Malone
, MonoTree and others contributed lyrics and production.

Upon its release, Ice Cream Cake received positive reviews from music critics for its "impressive effort" of establishing the two sides of their musical identity. The EP also attained commercial success, becoming Red Velvet's first chart-topper on the

Heatseekers Albums chart
. It has since sold a cumulative sales of over 94,000 copies.

Background and release

Following the end of "Be Natural" promotion in late October 2014, it was announced that Red Velvet would return with an

S.M. Entertainment as the fifth member of Red Velvet through two videos uploaded on the label's YouTube channel on March 11 and March 12, which contained audio previews of then-unknown album track "Somethin Kinda Crazy".[4] On the same day, they revealed the title of the group's first album, Ice Cream Cake.[5] On March 14, the music video for "Automatic" was released days prior to the EP's release, with title track "Ice Cream Cake" followed suit on March 16.[6] SM Entertainment confirmed that the group would be promoting both "Ice Cream Cake" and "Automatic".[7]
The mini-album was released in two versions, Ice Cream Cake and Automatic. While there are no changes in the track list, the Automatic version has an alternative cover which features the original artwork in black and white, along with the design of the physical disc and the photo book inside is different from the other version.

Composition

Concept

Not only does the group's name "Red Velvet" represent their two different images, it also represents the duality sonic concept that the group was focusing on since their debut in 2014.

R&B jam".[9] Ice Cream Cake marks the first release from Red Velvet to contain both "Red" and "Velvet" compositions, which was eventually followed by two different releases that focused solely on a single sonic concept: The Red in September 2015 and The Velvet
in March 2016.

Songs

"Ice Cream Cake"
"Ice Cream Cake" is a
bubblegum pop and drum and bass
. The song represents the "Red" sonic concept of the group.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The extended play starts with the same-name track "Ice Cream Cake", a "punchy, sugary pop confection" that consists elements from

bubblegum-pop and drum and bass. Produced by Hayley Aitken and producing team Trinity Music, the song original title was "Ice Cream Truck" before the lyrics was rewritten in Korean by songwriter Jo Yoon-kyung and Kim Dong-hyun. In addition, it also features "haunted" harmony which can be heard during the intro of the song, while being accompanied by the sound of a music box. The lyrics tell the excitement of a girl being attracted to her boyfriend, using "ice cream cake" as a metaphor to the girl's feelings. Along with the electro-pop "Stupid Cupid" and the bright, poppy "Take It Slow", the three tracks represent the "Red" concept, with "Stupid Cupid" offers a different "aura" through the electric riffs, and "Take It Slow" highlights the group's harmonization and soft vocals that recalls "the perfection" from fellow labelmate Girls' Generation-TTS.[10]

"Automatic"
"Automatic" is a contemporary R&B song with influence from neo soul.[11] The song represents the "Velvet" sonic concept of the group.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In contrast, the second track "Automatic" is "a surely implemented R&B track" with influence from neo soul, thus represents the "Velvet" sonic concept. Produced by Daniel "Obi" Klein and British singer-songwriter Charli Taft, the song was the first work from the duo with Red Velvet (who would later participate in the group's upcoming releases). Lyrically, the song tells how "natural" and "automatic" the senses and feelings of a girl come just by the touch of her lover, with the opening monologue "How do you like this beat?/Natural and automatic for you." Charli Taft also co-produced the third track "Something Kinda Crazy", a modern-R&B track with synth-pop influence that sings about the starstruck feelings of a girl when she falls in a relationship. The lyrics was written by songwriter Kenzie, with American producer Teddy Riley joined in the production. The closing track "Candy" is a "smoothing, popping" R&B track that sings about the wishes of a long-lasting relationship. These three tracks eventually represent the group's "Velvet" concept, portraying the group's "sultry" images and music.

Promotion

SM Entertainment announced a program where the group would promote their new EP, called Ice Cream TV. The group performed the songs live on the show, which was streamed through

Minho. Besides their live performances, the group also talked about the new album and their 'comeback'.[12]

The group started promoting their singles "Automatic" and "Ice Cream Cake" on music shows on March 19. They first performed the songs on

BTOB. The group also had its first promotions in the United States at KCON on August 2 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. The group participated in a fan engagement session at the Los Angeles Convention Center
and performed songs "Ice Cream Cake", "Somethin' Kinda Crazy", and "Happiness" during the concert.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[18]
Seoulbeats[19]

Upon its initial release, Ice Cream Cake received positive reviews from most music critics for showcasing the duality sonic concept of the group. Jakob Dorof of pop music magazine Spin described the track "Ice Cream Cake" as "a treat as unexpected as it is unpredictable [...] packs a punch, but goes down smooth over time" and deemed it "the SM label's specialty: bubblegum pop that deeply rewards repeat rotations."[20] Billboard's Jeff Benjamin called the album "an impressive effort for such a young group" and praised its ability to personify the group's dual-sided musical identity through the singles "Ice Cream Cake" and "Automatic." He explained: "The former track is a punchy, sugary pop confection that [...] seems to represent the outfit's sweet bubblegum side; their "Red" side if you will. While the latter is a slow-burning, Janet Jackson-esque R&B jam that [...] positions them as sultry sirens; their "Velvet" side."[9] In a positive review for the EP, writer Kim Do-hyun of IZM complemented the strong R&B influence in the release, while noting that the release is "an independent statement" for the group, choosing the two singles, "Something Kinda Crazy" and "Take It Slow" to be the highlights of the EP.[10] Another review from Seoulbeats described the EP as "an earnestly sweet album that shows the wide range of talent the ladies of Red Velvet possess."[21] The two singles would later appear in the top 25 Red Velvet songs by Billboard, with "Automatic" at number nine and "Ice Cream Cake" at number eighteen.[22]

Commercial performance

On the week of March 15, 2015, Ice Cream Cake debuted and spent one week at number one on the weekly

Top Heatseekers on April 4, 2015.[29] The album is also the group's first appearance on the Japan's Oricon Albums Chart
, peaking at number 76 for one week.

Track listing

Ice Cream Cake track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."
Jo Yoon-kyung
  • Kim Dong-hyun [ko]
    • Hayley Aitken
    • Sebastian Lundberg (Trinity Music)
    • Fredrik Häggstam (Trinity Music)
    • Johan Gustafsson (Trinity Music)
    		3:11
    2."Automatic"
    		3:30
    3."Somethin Kinda Crazy"
    		3:19
    4."Stupid Cupid"
    • Seong Hyun-bin (Doppio (Devine Channel))
  • Iconic Sounds
    		• 3:29
    5."Take It Slow"
    • G-High (MonoTree)
    • Lee Joo-hyoung (MonoTree)
    • G-High (MonoTree)
    • Lee Joo-hyoung (MonoTree)
    • MonoTree
    		3:31
    6."Candy" (사탕; Satang)
    • Hong Ji-yoo
    • Claire Rodrigues Lee (Hookline & Singer Music)
    • Kevin Charge (TG Publishing)
    • Score
    		4:22
    Total length:21:28

    Personnel

    Credits are from the album liner notes.[30]

    Charts

    Sales

    Chart Amount
    Gaon physical sales[34] 88,271+
    Oricon physical sales 2,796+
    Billboard physical sales[35] 3,000+

    Release history

    Region Date Format Label
    Various[1] March 17, 2015 Digital download SM Entertainment
    South Korea
    South Korea March 18, 2015
    CD
    		 SM Entertainment,
    KT Music

    References

    1. ^ a b "The 1st Mini Album 'Ice Cream Cake' - EP by Red Velvet on iTunes". iTunes Store. 17 March 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
    2. ^ "The 1st Mini Album 'Ice Cream Cake'".
    3. ^ "The 1st Mini Album 'Ice Cream Cake' / Red Velvet (레드벨벳) - genie". www.genie.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-04-30.
    4. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (March 11, 2015). "[Video] Red Velvet Welcomes New Member Yeri in Time for Comeback". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
    5. ^ "레드벨벳, 새 멤버 '예리' 합류 5인조 변신…18일 컴백". MK News (in Korean). March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
    6. ^ Yoon Sang-geun (March 15, 2015). "컴백 레드벨벳, 더블 타이틀곡 활동…뮤비 기습 공개". Nate (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2015.
    7. ^ a b Lee Jong-hyun (March 15, 2015). "'컴백' 레드벨벳, 반전 매력 선사! 'Automatic' MV 기습 공개". Hankooki (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2015.
    8. ^ "SM Entertainment's New Girl Group "Red Velvet" Finally Unveiled". KpopStarz. 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    9. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff. "Red Velvet Send Delicious 'Ice Cream' EP to World, Heatseeker Albums Charts". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
    10. ^ a b "Neo Music Communication IZM". IZM. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    11. ^ Kim, Do-hyun. "Ice Cream Cake - 2015 - Red Velvet". IZM. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    12. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (March 13, 2015). "Red Velvet to Pre-release 'Ice Cream Cake' Online A Day Ahead of Album Release". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
    13. ^ Jeon, Ah Ram (March 22, 2015). "[Interview] Red Velvet Talks Rumors Surrounding Member Change, Goals for 'Ice Cream Cake' and More". Newsen. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
    14. ^ "Super Junior D&E's "Growing Pains" Wins on Music Bank". Soompi. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
    15. ^ Hwang Seong-un (March 22, 2015). "'인기가요' 레드벨벳, 전혀 다른 두 가지 매력 '아이스크림 케이크'와 '오토매틱'". 10asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
    16. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (March 27, 2015). "'뮤뱅' 레드벨벳, 데뷔 7개월만 가요프로 첫 1위..눈물 펑펑". Korea Daily (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2015.
    17. ^ Hwang Seong-un (March 22, 2015). "SMTOWN, 대만 홀렸다…SMTOWN LIVE 대만 공연 성공리에 마무리". 10asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
    18. ^ Kim Do-hyun. "Ice Cream Cake". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    19. ^ Chelsea (28 March 2015). "Ice Cream Cake". Seoulbeats. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    20. ^ Dorof, Jakob (2015-06-11). "SPIN K-Pop Report: Ga-In Subverts Adam & Eve, Lim Kim Pops Smoky Bubblegum". Spin. SpinMedia. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
    21. ^ "Sweet Love in Red Velvet's "Ice Cream Cake"". Seoulbeats. 2015-03-28. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    22. ^ "Red Velvet's 25 Best Songs". Billboard. 2019-07-31. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    23. ^ "레드벨벳, 가온 주간 앨범차트도 1위 '정상 행진'". Nate (in Korean). March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
    24. Gaon Chart
      . Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    25. Gaon Music Chart
      (March 2015). Archived March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
    26. ^ Gil Hye-seong (June 21, 2015). "상반기 음반판매, 엑소 1~3위 석권..레드벨벳, 女유일 톱20". Korea Daily (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2015.
    27. Gaon Chart
      . Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    28. ^ a b Yoon Seong-yeol (March 27, 2015). "레드벨벳, 美빌보드 월드앨범 2위 진입..MFBTY 8위". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 27, 2015.
    29. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart". Billboard.
    30. S.M. Entertainment. 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link
      )
    31. Gaon Music Chart
      (March 2015). Archived March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
    32. Gaon Music Chart
      (March 2015). Archived April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
    33. Gaon Music Chart
      (January 2016).
    34. ^ Cumulative Sales for Ice Cream Cake:
    35. ^ "Red Velvet Performs in North Korea: 10 Things to Know for the Historic K-Pop Performance". Billboard. 2018-03-30. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ice_Cream_Cake_(EP)&oldid=1216177429"