Brown Eyed Girls: Four Years Later
If there is one advantage girl groups have over boy groups, it’s that the members do not have to take time off for military service. As such, they are able to promote as a full group for as long as they like, so it’s a bit of a surprise that monster group Brown Eyed Girls would take a full four-year hiatus between comebacks. The group has been known to take about two-year comeback hiatuses in the past to pursue solo activities, but never before had they been gone from the scene for so long. On October 28, the quartet made their long-awaited return to the K-Pop industry with full album RE_vive.
Dual Titles: “Wonder Woman” and “Abandoned”
Since so much time has passed, it wasn’t immediately clear what type of track the girls would return with, though it was more than likely going to be in line with their successful EDM melodies that have been present more often than not since “Abracadabra” went viral. “Wonder Woman” does have a surprising musical twist within it, with less of the heavy EDM or house focused sound used in exchange for a rhythm guitar often heard in early R&B. Considering their musical roots, “Wonder Woman” is almost a perfect mix of their initial beginnings as an R&B ballad-focused group, blended together with the upbeat EDM of their popular tracks to create a fully modern mix of old and new. Taking a step back and analyzing it with this in mind, it’s an absolutely brilliant and fresh concept to bring to the table after four years.
The video begins with a clip playing of their first successful track “LOVE,” panning out from a shot of a couple on top of a wedding cake and focusing out onto one of the members spray painting black on a sign with their name to the sound of a glass breaking and the starkly contrasting beat of the new song beginning. The purple-tinted light immediately shifts to red to emphasize this change, as well. This is a powerful visual that sets the tone for the remainder of the video that continues to emphasize the unconventional. Brown Eyed Girls have never been afraid to break the standard, especially in their videos, and this trend continues in their latest music video. Most notably, there is a heavy use of gender role shifts, with the men in the video adorning wedding dresses while the quartet are dressed in suits. This is likely a very deliberate callout, especially toward Korea’s intense stigma towards anything other than heterosexuality and the immense importance of traditional gender roles. It’s safe to say that Brown Eyed Girls aren’t afraid to make a statement in this rigid industry, a refreshing perspective, even ten years after their creation. It’s hard to argue that they didn’t knock it out of the park with their return!
“Abandoned,” is a song that is just as haunting and somber as the title suggests. The lethargic tempo and eerie string melody paint a picture of deep suffering and powerful emotion that is extremely moving, even upon first listen. It’s almost confusing how the shift in sound goes from something so much brighter in “Wonder Woman” to something so emotionally profound. It is simply captivating, only heightening as the song reaches its climax about two thirds of the way through.
The music video is incredibly fitting of the dark concept, with very little light used and darkness reigning supreme throughout most shots. The lack of color and sets featuring cobwebs and broken mirrors conveys the pure intensity and pain associated with the track, bringing the entire concept full circle in the best way. The video definitely doesn’t make as much of a statement as it’s counterpart, but it is absolutely striking and perfectly fitting for the song.
The Album
No doubt returning with a bang, RE_vive brings ten new tracks for fans to enjoy along with their return. The album is a cover album, though many fans may not be aware of it at first glance. It pays homage to some of Korea’s biggest hits of the past, including tracks from g.o.d and Uhm Junghwa. Kicking off the album with “A Common Love Story,” the girls set a precedent that they’re continuing to explore different musical genres, even after a decade in the industry. The opener has a distinct R&B sound with a touch of sensuality that is perfectly fit for their vocal timbre.
Contrary to the title of “Sorrow,” the melody of the track actually is much more upbeat than one might expect after listening to “Abandoned.” This song has just a bit of a tinge of Latin flair added to it, making it a catchy dance track with a different feel from the title that it follows, though still maintaining the sunny disposition of “Wonder Woman.” Looking for some retro vibes? You’ll find them in the next track, “Goodbye With A Smile.” The song features a heavy horn section with a jazzy beat that is reminiscent of the popular music of the 60s, bringing in a new sound while maintaining a lighter feel overall.
Another shift comes in “Love Only,” a slower vocal-heavy ballad that has undertones of blues and jazz of the 20s. We rarely hear K-Pop groups release songs in this realm (in fact all that comes to mind in recent days is B.A.P’s “Le Noir,”) so it’s a very refreshing addition to the album. “Love Like A Spring Rain, Farewell Like A Winter Rain” continues along the ballad trend, giving a nod back to the group’s musical origins. Up next is “The Sky,” a slow tempo and sensual R&B track with a brighter aura intermixed, that is made even better by the quartet’s extremely strong vocal prowess.
Uhm Junghwa is featured on the reboot of her popular 1998 hit “Invitation,” marking the only original artist collaboration on the album. “Invitation” has upbeat pop origins for sure, and it’s quite refreshing to hear this song updated for 2019 while still featuring the original artist. It also stands out compared to other tracks for its more traditional pop influences compared to the slower ballad tracks that tend to dominate the discography. Concluding the album is “The Letter,” a soft, mellow and melancholy ballad track fit for an OST. Not surprising, considering the original track is penned by Kim Kwangjin. Brown Eyed Girls deliver a beautiful rendition of this song, definitely doing the original justice.
It’s safe to say that Brown Eyed Girls’s return to the K-Pop industry was a triumphant one. From maintaining their M.O. of pushing the boundaries with their music videos to paying homage to important releases in the music industry, they’ve done just about everything right in making a lasting impression after a four-year-long hiatus. For newer K-Pop fans unfamiliar with the girl group, it’s worth checking out their comeback, without a doubt.