Go Crazy with MAMAMOO
The vocal queens are back with their newest mini-album, White Wind! Released on March 14, MAMAMOO’s new album includes seven tracks featuring their title, “gogobebe”; a Latin-infused, unapologetic party anthem.
“Where R U,” a song about waiting for love, starts the album off on a light note with its poppy string line and almost safari-like synths before transitioning into the darker “gogobebe.” The group’s last several releases have seen success with their Latin inspiration so it’s not entirely surprising that “gogobebe” follows the same pattern. Where “gogobebe” differs, however, is with its electric beats and heavy brass bass line; simply put, “gogobebe” sounds like the perfect fusion of “Egotistic” and Hwasa’s “Twit.” Theme-wise, it’s quite a bit grittier than what we’ve seen from MAMAMOO in the past, with the girls urging you to look past “wrong and right” to make the best of the night.
“Waggy,” the third song on the album, is a lighter acoustic track with a beachy vibe about puppies. Yes, puppies. Aside from the adorable topic they’ve chosen, this song also has a wonderful muted trumpet line in the breakdown and, perhaps even better, Hwasa speaking French. The halfway mark of the album brings us “25,” a coming-of-age R&B solo by Wheein that showcases not only her falsetto but especially her lower register. Switching up styles yet again, “Bad Bye” starts off with a classical piano line before drifting into one of the saddest songs the group’s ever released. Moonbyul’s verses in this breakup song stand out in particular, injecting a certain bitterness into the lyrics that anyone who’s been through a breakup can relate to.
Things kick back into full gear with “My Star,” a subtly sexy, spacey tune that puts the spotlight on MAMAMOO’s characteristic power vocals (thank you, Solar). Interestingly enough, and despite its lighter content, “My Star” has a dirtier beat to it similar to “gogobebe.” In an album full of variety and a discography full of musical risk-taking, this is another compelling choice by MAMAMOO. The album closes out with the piano-heavy “4seasons” that really sounds more like an open ending than a final song.
Whereas MAMAMOO’s more recent music videos have oozed sexuality, the video for “gogobebe” is an explosion of color and spunk that’s more reminiscent of some of their earlier releases like “Um Oh Ah Yeh.” The video shows the four girls going through their respective mundane lives while dreaming of letting loose. The climax is when the girls are finally invited to a party only to turn up at the wrong door. Hwasa’s deep vocals and the resounding claps that usher in the final chorus are honestly heart-stopping. Overall, it’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s exciting, and Moonbyul completely rocks her suit.
White Wind is a solid release from the group and, personally speaking, one I enjoyed more than their recent albums. With an array of styles and its catchy title track, White Wind proves that MAMAMOO will keep delivering again and again.
Bonus: The girls performing “Waggy” in full kigurumi on MCOUNTDOWN because we couldn’t not include it.