Rocket Punch: Red Punch 2nd Mini Album Review

Rocket Punch has finally made their first comeback! They released their second mini album Red Punch on February 10, 2020. Unfortunately this promotion period falls under the coronavirus outbreak along with Yunkyoung's injury, so most performances were without Yunkyoung and all shows were without a live audience.

The packaging of this album is really cute, and I like that the formatting mirrors Rocket Punch's debut mini album Pink Punch. The photobook packaging comes in a clear plastic resealable pouch.

The backside of the pouch lists the tracklist.

Rather than blatantly tearing off the top, I carefully cut open a long slit at the top to preserve the packaging.

Here is a comparison of the packaging for both mini albums. The spines also look similar. The biggest difference in my opinion is that there's a pretty sheen over the Rocket Punch logo in the center of the album cover.

Here is a closer look at that sheen, along with the graphic design of Red Punch. There's a carival theme this time, along with rocket ships and hot air balloons. The album dimensions are 7" by 7.125" by 0.375", the same as Pink Punch.

Like the first mini album, this mini album also contains 80 pages and follows a comic book style. The first page has a cute, more simplistic design than the album cover.

The next page has a group photo from the black photoshoot, along with the tracklist.

This photobook contains a total of 3 photoshoots, with the first section beginning with a group photo from the red shoot.

This section contains 12 pages of individual member photos. Majority of the photos are individual member shots, along with a few group photos sprinkled throughout the photobook.

Some pages have cute little graphics too.

Each song has a two-page spread, complete with song credits, song lyrics, and artwork matching the song.

The next section contains 6 pages of individual photos from the black photoshoot. I am just blown away with Sohee's haircut; it seems tough to pull off but she really rocked this style in all 3 shoots!

The following section contains 6 pages of individual photos from the yellow photoshoot.

Next is another set of 6 individual photos from the red shoot. That cat petting Suyun's head is really adorable.

There is also another group photo from the red shoot.

Next is another set of 6 individual photos from the yellow shoot. I like how the boxes in this shoot have a few lyrics from "Bouncy" on them. Other pages from this shoot also have some of the lyrics printed on top of the photos. Also Yunkyoung pulls off crimped hair well! I haven't seen this style in so long.

And a group photo from the yellow shoot.

Following is another set of 6 individual photos from the black shoot.

And another group photo from the black shoot.

There is one last set of 6 individual photos from the red shoot.

And closing off the photos is one last group photo from the red shoot.

The following 4 pages contain the group and each member's Thanks To messages.

The last page contains the album credits. My photocard was also placed back here.

Each album also comes with a bookmark; mine was slipped inside the photobook.

Here is the front side of the bookmark and random photocard (1/6). I got Yeonhee for the photocard!

Here is the backside.

A sticker sheet should also be included, but oddly enough I couldn't find anything of the sort within my photobook...and it's definitely not Kmall24's fault since this was a sealed album, so I'm not really sure what to do :( (Update: Kmall24 helped send me the missing sticker sheet!)

The sticker sheet format is similar to that from Pink Punch, with the members' printed autographs and motifs found throughout the album.

The very back has a slip for the CD.

The CD design is really pretty and differs from the album cover.

Lastly, there are also 2 exterior first press posters. I got the one from the black shoot; the other poster is from the red shoot.

This mini album includes the following tracks:

1. RED PUNCH - Composed by CODE 9, this instrumental intro track blends smoothly to lead up to the title of this album.
2. BOUNCY - The title is created by CODE 9 and PURAVIDA, who also created masterpieces from Golden Child Re-boot album "Fantasia (Y solo)" and "Go Together (Jaehyun & Jibeom & Bomin unit)". CODE 9 also created Rocket Punch's "Lucid Dream" and "Do Something". Just the opening right away is really strong and gives off that spunky Rocket Punch vibe.
3. So Solo - This is the promoted B-side, and definitely continues on with girl crush concept.
4. Fireworks - is a pop song that bridges the more powerful tracks at the beginning of this album with the slower ballads in the latter half of the album.
5. 종이별 (Paper Star) - is a beautiful ballad co-created by J. Yoon, who also worked on Golden Child's "Spring Again", as well as several of Golden Child's intro tracks and Lovelyz' and Infinite's B-sides.
6. 다시, 봄 (Lilac) - is a pop ballad created by Egae and Yongbae, who also created Rocket Punch's "Pink Punch" and "Bimbambum".
7. 여자사람친구 (Girl Friend) - is another pop song to round out the album.

When it comes to Woollim's music, I generally love it all. Even though it may take a few times for me to warm up and eventually fall in love with a Woollim song, I end up loving it and will put my new album on repeat. And I absolutely loved all the tracks from Rocket Punch's debut mini album (even though it did take me a bit to like "Love Is Over" but I love it now!). But unfortunately none of the songs from Red Punch stuck with me; it definitely shows a different side of Rocket Punch and I will continue supporting the girls and future Woollim artist debuts, but I think it's time for me to slow down...

Overall, I'm really glad that Rocket Punch has had their first comeback! I love how the album layout and packaging are consistent with their first mini album, creating a brand for themselves and I wonder if future albums will follow this format as well. Also this girl crush concept and these songs broaden Rocket Punch's spectrum. While I don't really like the songs on this album, I'll look forward to what else Rocket Punch has in store and will keep on supporting them.