Where to even begin. This is perhaps my most anticipated comeback of all of 2020 so far. Fans of LOONA had to wait an unfortunately long time for their latest comeback due to various issues with the company and a certain someone. Gladly however, the company behind LOONA known as BBC (Blockberry Creative) were able to overcome these issues and we finally heard news of a comeback late last year. Excitement since then has been almost feverish with many Orbits and LOONA fans eagerly awaiting the release of their new mini album # and title track So What. This release is somewhat bittersweet however with one of the members, Haseul, taking a break and being unable to participate in their comeback as originally planned. Thankfully though, her vocals are still present on the album and Haseul fans still get to hear her sweet and talented vocals once more. While I admit to my readers that I would consider myself an Orbit, I will strive to remain fair and consistent with any and all reviews on my blog and hope you enjoy this review whether an Orbit yourself, or a part of another fandom. Now, let's get into the review!
If you have not checked out the full # album above is a highlight medley of the songs on the album. This will give you a point of reference to the songs I will be discussing further down this article. First song out the gate is the intro titled #.
#
# is a wonderful aural intro into LOONA's "B#RN" era. Interestingly enough the intro to the song was first unknowingly revealed during one of the teasers released for the mini album. This particular teaser was quite popular because of its rather mysterious and dark nature followed by a almost creepy base-like sound. The mood set by the instrumental teaser flows well over into the intro song of the album. After being greeted with the familiar sounds we are then pushed into a small section of the song where the baseline and electronic trumpets begin to signal a growing intensity within the track. Around the 3/4 mark we are introduced to an intense and very powerful section of a fusion between Dubstep and hardcore EDM. It is this section that is particularly important in introducing the overall flavour and style we are to expect in the upcoming title track. While the track is predominantly all instrumental there are a few layers of manipulated vocals to the song which give it extra depth. I appreciate the attention to detail in this track and love when producers play with vocals to the point they become a part of the instrument itself. The deliberate intensity of this song is nothing short of amazing. I fully expect this song to be utilised during music shows to highlight the concept LOONA has chosen for this comeback as demonstrated during their showcase event. The intro even comes with a dance which complimented the song well. LOONA have really begun to establish themselves as a group focused on all elements of performance and this dance highlights this fact. Sharp movements and formations compliment the aggressive nature of the instrumental during the live performance; it was a great way to get the crowd energised for what is to come. A great start so far!
My Rating
Song: 9
Concept: 9
Dance: 9
Overall rating: 27/30
So What (Title track)
The second song on the # mini album is the title track So What. This title track signifies LOONA's slight shift away from their previous material by bringing in a more mainstream sound with wide appeal. This was no doubt done on purpose to improve LOONA's overall popularity both internationally and domestically. This is not the say the song is lacking in overall quality, polish, and interesting production choices typical of the groups previous releases. While the overall concept and sound could be considered mainstream LOONA have definitely added their own unique charms to the song. I'll now attempt to breakdown So What by addressing the music video first.
So What's music video is typical LOONA affair in that it is filled to the brim with the groups expanding, and at time very confusing, lore. I will not be attempting to decipher all of the symbols and meaningful scenes within the video because I'll be here until next week but I will touch on the few that have the most obvious impact. The initial moments of the music video are a testament to the growing influence LOONA's lore has on their material and the overall message this song and video are portraying. As we progress into the music video itself we are shown that rather than performing in the typical Kpop boxes we have all come to love and loathe the members themselves are filming on location; likely in Thailand where they were seen shooting various performances. While filming on location can be a challenge, especially when it comes to lighting, the overall presence of the real world in the music video is a powerful one. The music video is shot in such a way we get to fully appreciate the scenery around them while they perform their intense choreography. Digipedi, the company behind most of LOONA's music videos, is here yet again to add their special sauce to the video. A focus on both smooth and abrupt transitions make for a very dynamic visual experience. Digipedi has also made a conscientious effort to highlight the members in their own respective scenes to the point you often forget that LOONA are no longer producing solo songs but this is in fact a full group comeback. As a result of the clever cinematography used each member looks flawless this comeback, it is very hard to criticize any stylistic elements within the video with each member truly owning the concept in their own way. For example, maknae Yeojin whom is known for being one of the cutest members is both juxtaposed as a cute schoolgirl and as a badass dancing with her members on a rooftop while member Vivi is seen wearing a face bandana looking rather imposing even though we know what a gentle soul she is in real life. I cannot stress how much I feel like LOONA is capable of pulling off any concept and this is largely due to the competency of their stylists and the members themselves. If we look further into the music video as a whole we can begin to unravel the message behind the song and music video. With imagery of the girls dancing while chanting "I'm so bad, I'm so bad" and "So What!" it emphasises the feeling that the members are trying to break free of something they feel is oppressing them. I believe this has a significant tie within LOONA's lore here but there are people out there far more suited to unravel these mysteries than myself. What I can see however is that the overall message of song is that LOONA are telling us to try and break free of the rules and normalities that exist to hold us back. They're encouraging us to be FREE, as seen at the very end of the music video, free from our reality and own our future; a powerful message indeed. While there is a tonne of imagery and symbolism in this music video perhaps nothing is more powerful than the scene once the song ends. A set of white feathers reversing in time as if to symbolise a rise from the ashes; much like a phoenix. This scene is particularly striking given that member Haseul is on hiatus for this comeback and her animal is a white bird. What a truly stunning and thought provoking end to a music video about being your true self and breaking free of all that attempts to drag you down. While I do think this music video is very good, I do have a criticism for some of the visual effects used in particular scenes. I am a big believer in that if you're going to use special effects they need to be seamless otherwise don't bother. Digipedi have done a great job in making the video flawless in regards to lighting and overall film quality but the special effects, likely not done by Digipedi, are lacking somewhat. I would have liked to have seen more care taken in the effects of the comets and the image of the world on fire. I do however appreciate the relatively simplistic use of text throughout the video to really convey their message clearly to the viewer. I believe that this music video would in fact be capable of portraying LOONA's overall concept and message even without a song but the powers that be have decided that we get both so let's take at the song now.
As mentioned previously So What is a song that has been labelled as more mainstream than LOONA's previous releases but I do not believe this has negatively impacted the influence and power of this title track. So What begins quite quickly as we are swiftly introduced to the driving baseline of the track with the members chanting "I'm so bad, I'm so bad", a great way to set up what's to come if you ask me. Jumping into the first verse we get to hear members Heejin, Kim Lip, and Hyunjin rapping their little hearts out with a tone of aggressiveness we have previously not seen by the group. This aggressive tone is a cornerstone of this concept and really aims to drive home the message the group is trying to convey to the listener. The lyrics of the song are equally as interesting and powerful as the imagery featured in the music video with the members telling us "Don't be afraid", "be yourself", and "being fearless, So What!". The chorus is a great summarisation of the concepts explored during this comeback with the members continuously telling us it's okay to be bad and to burn yourself to become who you truly are inside. The symbolism of burning away the shackles that bind us to the typical stereotypes and normalities of this world are incredibly powerful and energising. The hook of the song is perhaps the most prominent part of the experience where we feel this message. In conjunction with a new more aggressive baseline during the chorus which anchors the song, we hear the members almost screaming "I'm so bad" repeatedly each time increasing in pitch and intensity. This does wonders for the overall dynamic quality of the song and also acts as a vocal hook for the track itself. While minimalistic in lyrics the chorus does introduce us to a similar dubstep sound heard earlier in the album. This really aids the album in its ability to remain cohesive, a smart decision from the producers. The second verse of the song allows more of the members to introduce themselves through their vocals. Each member has really attempted to increase the aggressive attitude of their voices in order to match the message and overall mood of the song. Interestingly enough a lot of the lines in So What are very short and this is clearly done on purpose. By having shorter lyrics each member is really able to give it the extra lift and punch it needs to fit the song. This form of songwriting can also help with line distribution with members being heard more often in a song even though for shorter periods. The overall line distribution of this song is quite fair as a result with only members Vivi and Yeojin getting fewer than I would like. Fortunately these members do get more time to shine in the other tracks on the album so for now, it's forgivable but not encouraged. Lastly I wanted to bring attention to the bridge of So What. This section of the song is a true masterpiece. It is here that we get a taste of the vocal talent the members of LOONA posses. In particular members Kim Lip, Chuu, Yves, Heejin, and Jinsoul all shine during the bridge with each member allocated some wonderfully thought out lines that are accentuated by the backing track almost falling out from underneath them. The biggest surprise of all though was member Jinsoul's ad lib as the song enters the final chorus; a true display of practice makes perfect. Overall this song is a smash hit in my opinion. Yes, this is my favourite style of music so I am more biased here but I must stress how much I think So What is a complete package in terms of production, vocals, and concept. I think it was a smart move overall for BBC to choose a more mainstream sound for So What, I think in time LOONA will gain a lot of popularity from employing the current trend of hard hitting/girl crush songs in Kpop. Now let's address this dance shall we.
Dancing in definitely one of LOONA's most greatest strengths and they have demonstrated this often via covers uploaded to their Youtube channel. Having previously covered some of the hardest boy group dances in Kpop they have utilised the skills and disciplines from these choreographies and employed them during this comeback. Not only that LOONA's ability to bring all the members together, even the weaker dancers, and make them all look like main dancer material is impressive. The dance for So What is honestly on another level than we have seen from girl groups recently. What I find most impressive about the dance for So What is how many elements of other routines they've incorporated into their own; in the best way possible. A combination of elements found in their cover dances and previous title tracks really compliment the continuity and skill of LOONA. Having watched a live performance video of the So What dance routine you can see just how difficult this dance is. With constant elevations and formation changes the members are constantly in motion which adds to the intensity and energy the song exudes. While LOONA has the uncanny ability to make the weaker dancers look stronger there are a few members that definitely stood out for me in regards to dancing this comeback. I think it would be a crime not to mention Yves's overall dancing talent and ability to convey a concept through her dancing alone. Other members that really stood out during the dance include Heejin, Choerry, and Hyunjin. After all is said and done, I am left in awe at their performance of So What and no matter how many times I've watched it, it continues to get better as you begin to notice more of the little details that go into this stunning choreography.
My rating
Music Video: 8.5
Song: 9
Concept: 9.5
Style: 9
Dance: 9
Overall rating: 44.5/50
Number 1
The third song on the album is Number 1. It is here where we begin to diverge in concept over the first two songs on the mini album. Number 1 is a beautiful song laden with a surprisingly heavy and pulsating beat echoed with light synths that compliment the overall feel of the song. I am definitely getting an 80's vibe from this particular song with the echoing base feeling similar to the sound profile of Yves's solo song New. The lyrics of this particular track are very sweet and endearing in nature but veiled with a somewhat darker overtone. My interpretation of the song is that the members are singing about finding that certain person whom they consider to their Number 1. Lyrics such as "We hold hands and match our footsteps, more closely, as if to dance" suggest the girls are attempting to find, or woo back the elusive or lost person they love. With a very catchy hook sung with breathy and airy vocals the lyrics "Du Du Du...Du Ru Du Ru..." are sweet and match the tone of the song well. Unfortunately Haseul's voice is not on this track which is a true shame because I felt like this song was made for her higher pitched yet crystal clear vocal technique. That being said, many of the members really embraced the concept of the song well as it has similarities to their previous released material. I felt that member Choerry really shone in this track with her masterful use of her falsetto voice encapsulating the light and dreamy feel of the song very effectively. Overall I very much enjoy this song. It is great to hear more of members getting an equal share of the line distribution here. I suspect this is due to the style of the song and many of the members vocals and singing styles lining up more succinctly with this genre of music. Member Vivi in particular did well in this song with her underrated vocals getting a time to shine. The contrast between some of the members deeper tones from Yves, Hyunjin, and Olivia Hye really compliment the brightness of this song and make it one of those B-sides you instinctively fall in love with.
My Rating
Song: 8.5
Concept: 8.5
Overall rating: 17/20
Oh (Yes I Am)
The fourth song on the mini album is Oh (Yes I Am). This is perhaps my favourite B-side out of all of LOONA's released material. Oh (Yes I Am) draws a few parallels to song's such as Rosy by Olivia Hye, Go Won and Heejin on her solo album. This style of song is definitely a strength of LOONA. It's funky, playful, and bright; all things I consider LOONA to embody. Line distribution here is again superior to their title track with member Haseul making an appearance. Her light breathy vocals are a welcome addition as is her impressive whistle tone towards the end of the song. There are definitely similarities in tone between Oh (Yes I Am) and Number 1 however they do seperate themselves with Oh (Yes I Am) easing off the 80's feel while remaining quite funky and experimental with its backing track. I honestly believe that Oh (Yes I Am) could very easily have it's own dance and music video to encompass the concept explored in this song. The members that stood out in this particular track for me were Kim Lip, Vivi, Haseul and Yves. Each come to the table to offer something different. Kim Lip brings in her staple mixed vocal while Yves offers a contrast with her slower and deeper tone. Meanwhile Vivi really takes this song and makes it her own, in particular her small rap section was impressive and definitely begs the question as to why Vivi wasn't give more lines in LOONA's title track. In conclusion I think this is might be my favourite song on the album by the smallest of margins. Haseul being present here for the vocals has definitely given this song the edge over the title track So What. Also, the f(x) vibes given off by the playful instrumental remind me of a happier time when girl group f(x) made a comeback with their top tier album 4 Walls. I would most definitely like to see more of this style of music from LOONA in the future but I also appreciate the groups diversity to perform darker concepts like So What and more funky experimental ones like Oh (Yes I Am)
My Rating
Song: 9.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 18.5/20
Ding Ding Dong
The fifth track is Ding Ding Dong. Out the gate this song is a pleasure. While the previous two songs on the album felt like sisters Ding Ding Dong was definitely their fun and perky cousin. The instrumental largely plays second fiddle to the members vocals here with only a mixture of a drumbeat and cute synths to pull the song together. What really makes this song stand out are the vocals each member brings to the track. A combination of cute and bright sections contrast well with sections of breathiness. This combination is also reflected in the lyrics as well. While the lyrics have a somewhat similar message to Number 1, I found the lyrics here to be a little more bright and lighthearted where as Number 1 had an air of mystery about it. More so this song is about the feelings expressed when you find that special someone, the energetic butterfly feeling of new love. Interestingly though I felt like the lyrics could be interpreted as one about self-love and discovering that spark of light hidden within all of us. I think this is a sweet and cute message that synergizes well with the more aggressive concepts found in the title track and thus the album as a whole. It is in my opinion when songs within an album draw upon one another that a complete package is created. Anyone can put a bunch of songs on a CD and call it an album but a carefully curated set of songs that compliment each other in message, style, concept, and production is what truly makes a great album. LOONA have been consistent previously with this sentiment on quality rather than quantity and it's no different on this mini album with this particular song supporting this idea. Moving further into the song we can see a greater contrast between the brightness of the song in the form of sharp and higher pitched sections of belted vocals. I really appreciate the contrast here as it servers to both highlight the vocals of the members and to keep the song fresh. Members Heejin, Haseul, and Chuu really shine here with nice clean belts that keep the song on it's toes. Yeojin and Gowon in particular have great impact on this track as well. Their sweet and bubbly vocals really bring that cute element out of the song without overshadowing the vocal gymnastics of the main singers. It's honestly one of the best composed and arranged B-side tracks from LOONA and is a superb addition to this album. This track definitely serves to highlight the diversity within this mini album and to show off the versatility of its members.
My rating
Song: 8.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 17.5/20
365
Last but definitely not least we have the fan dedicated song 365. This song was released earlier in 2019 as a digital single on Dec 13th. This particular song should be considered as the lead single of # due to it signalling the return of LOONA in the near year. I cannot stress how amazing and important this song was and is to Orbits all around the world. 365 is considered a "fan song with a message that LOONA will shine as moonlight for 365 days to the fans who waited for them a long time"; a truly beautiful and poetic sentiment. Interestingly enough LOONA also had a new lyricist on board for this particular track and I just have to take a second to offer my thank you for creating one of the most poetic and visually stunning songs to have been sung by LOONA. 365 is a soft R&B ballad with an equally soft and passionate piano used drive the song along. The highlight here though is most definitely not the instrumental, even though beautiful and it compliments the song well, but the vocals. Being a soft and slower song we really get to hear each members voices clearly. While line distribution is not the greatest, which is honestly my biggest disappointment with this song, we do get to hear each member clearly while they sing the truly beautiful lyrics about always wanting to be together with Orbits. I do want to mention though that line distribution in this song highlights a greater issue with LOONA and their songs; sadly this issue is quite prevalent in this mini album as well. An overall reliance on the vocals of Kim Lip, Heejin and Chuu does negatively impact the opportunities of the other members to really shine. While I admit they all have beautiful voices and some of the members have talent beyond the typical Kpop singer, it still would be nice to hear members Vivi, Haseul, and Yeojin treated a little more fairly in future releases. As a result issues with line distribution are reflected in my song ratings. Overall though 365 is a magical love letter to Orbits whom have been eagerly waiting the release of more music from the group and will no doubt stand the test of time as a beautifully sung ballad.
My Rating:
Song: 8.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 17.5/20
You've finally made it to the end of my review, I'm so proud of you!! This ended up being longer than planned but I really enjoyed taking my time to share with you my thoughts on LOONA's latest mini album #. In conclusion I found # to be a very solid entry into LOONA's growing discography. While lacking in a few areas as a whole I found # to be full of diversity and one which highlighted the members concept and vocal versatility. The stand out songs on this album are definitely the title track So What and B-side Oh (Yes I Am); with 365 being an obvious favourite as a fan song. As an Orbit I am left flawed by this comeback and I truly hope LOONA can reach new goals and heights with this powerful message of burning away your burdens and setting yourself free.
I hope that you enjoyed my review, if you did please share with your friends on Twitter and share your comments and thoughts - THR
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