Debuted from the same agency with a 3-year interval, FTisland and CNBLUE have drawn similar trajectories. Jeered as puppets and underrated, the two bands gradually began to appeal to the public and music fans with their own music. Breaking the unwritten rule in the industry that “it’s difficult unless it’s dance music,” they have secured competitive edge in the idol market with band music. Now they have begun to make frontal breakthroughs with genuine music against the prejudices that they faced initially.

While FTisland gained spotlight by totally revamping their sound in “I Will,” CNBLUE adheres to their wide-ranging pop rock. Their signature smooth melodies and waving grooves are more attractive than ever. Jung Yonghwa’s vocal management that differs in each song, as well as the members’ blending skills, are both excellent. Despite the repetition of phrases and shallow depth of lyrics that leaves one wanting, the neat composition of the tracks makes you feel good. Compared with the music that was full of uncomfortable tension in the past, it’s definitely more natural.

There’s no banal ballad track included just for its sake. As the main theme that encompasses the album, the synthesizer is utilized to place dance grooves and a dreamy atmosphere throughout. Though it doesn’t seem far from CNBLUE’s past music at first glance, the title track ‘Cinderella’ has much denser structure and sound which reveals a definitely evolved sense of appeal. Raising the quality by featuring mamamoo’s Wheein, ’Domino’ serves as the album’s highlight by splendidly mashing funk rhythm guitar and synth sounds. The sensible usage of synthesizer that produced impressive dance rock numbers ’Drunken night’ and ‘Catch me’ also lets one peak into he band’s capabilities.

While the tracks fronted by electronic sounds shed light to the new side of the band, songs such as ‘Roller coaster’ and ‘Hero’ that are continuous of CNBLUE’s past balance out the album. Among the translations of releases in Japan, — ‘Control’, ‘Radio,’ and ‘Footsteps’— ‘Radio’ overwhelms other listed tracks with its explosive energy. It’s the most worthy track to pay attention to along with ‘Domino’. The stable, tidied color of their sound, along with the fluid sequence of tracks, makes it obvious how much effort was put in to its solid structure. Though few limitations can be noticed from simplistic and restrained lyrics, as well as composition and arrangement that lack diversity, one can definitely call “2gether”  a well-made pop rock album. 

This is a dramatic progress, unfathomable from the early days of CNBLUE. The album represents how the time invested diligently into music, regardless of twisted perspectives toward them, was not in vain. The band has now entered their own orbit, making spectators withdraw their doubtful eyes and anticipate their future.