HA:TFELT Preps Us for the Summer with Deine
HA:TFELT, formerly known as Yeeun of Wonder Girls, came back with the soulful counterpart to her first release with her reinvented image, MEiNE. The single features title track “Pluhmm” as well as the accompanying “Cigar,” both of which take on an urban, soulful sound that is now becoming synonymous with HA:TFELT’s musical style.
Although I have yet to find an official definition for the English title “Pluhmm,” the Korean title for the track, “위로가 돼요,” roughly translates to “It’s comforting.” This fits in well with the message sent through the release of Deine, which translates to “your” or “yours” in German. MEiNE, or “mine,” includes “I Wander” featuring Gaeko of Dynamic Duo and “Read Me” featuring punchnello—two songs that convey the singer’s lack of understanding herself. “Pluhmm” serves as the second step in self-discovery; the singer begins to accept and understand herself as a person and is no longer afraid to show that to her significant other. Instead, the track directs the attention towards the person she’s interested in, confidently expressing her desire and asking them personal questions like, “What is the puppy you’re raising?”
The song itself is as fresh as the fruit she is eating in the music video. HA:TFELT’s velvety voice is airy and seductive, perfectly complementing the flirtatious yet simple melody of the track. It takes a few listens, but the attention to detail in “Pluhmm” really makes it stand out. From the muted floating voices in the background to the occasional water drop sound effect, these aspects show the thought put into constructing the track. At one point during the bridge, she even floats between singing and talking, which adds a seductive touch. It’s difficult to categorize the track into one genre; it’s a soulful pop track with a slight trap beat and bossa nova influence. It has the right amount of each element to catch your attention without sounding conflicting.
The music video is a work of art, not unlike most Korean music videos. The carefree confidence of the song really shines through in HA:TFELT’s visual interpretation. Her skin is radiant and her hair is a new length and color, making her look refreshingly bright. It’s a simple video of her engaging in different actions around her house, like dancing barefoot on what looks like flour, talking to herself in the mirror, and dancing with a disco ball surrounded by plants. The colors of the plants and the books bounce off the walls as she invites us into her house to exhibit her way of living life.
The accompanying track to the single, “Cigar,” channels the same mellow vibe of Deine but tackles it with a more urban beat. This is definitely a song for those looking for something to vibe to while driving. “Cigar” has a more underground K-R&B sound that would be appealing to those who enjoy the likes of Hoody, Cherry Coke, or SAAY. It’s great to see Amoeba Culture giving HA:TFELT the flexibility to explore more genres that we didn’t see when she was signed to JYP. She has the chance to display her understanding of her own sound, delivering tracks in genres that could use more of a female presence.
Deine is sadly being overlooked with the comebacks of larger Korean groups and idols, but those who are able to find this gem are in for a treat. SUNMI has rightfully found her path to success, and while HA:TFELT continues to remain more lowkey about her comebacks, she is nevertheless releasing amazingly unique content for her fans. If you’re looking for a track to help you transition from spring to summer, look no further than “Pluhmm!”