Known for her individual charm and distinctive dance style, Moonbyul from MAMAMOO finally got to solidify herself as a solo artist this year with her debut mini-album, Dark Side of the Moon. After three months, the artist swiftly returned with 門OON : REPACKAGE.

The Single

With mild keyboard notes lingering, “Absence” opens up as an R&B track featuring Moonbyul’s natural vocals. The title “Absence” can have many interpretations according to one’s own experiences and perception of life. The lyrics capture the feel of emptiness in a romantic relationship, as the protagonist can sense the loneliness of being with a distant lover and his indifference. “Even though I’m hugging your body every moment in a day, it feels like you’re going to disappear,*” Moonbyul sings, expressing the uneasy and confused feelings. The song’s mood is delivered at its best as the singer’s soaring vocals bring out the real and raw emotions. Though the song does not sound as bold as her debut single, “Eclipse,” the track has its own mournful tune and groovy beats.

The Music Video

The music video is gentle and simple capturing the doleful mood in an aesthetic way. It is more of a performance video, showcasing the singer and backup dancers’ genuine choreography. The video starts off with Moonbyul sitting on a chair, something that’s come to be considered her signature style and continues with the flow of the choreography. The singer is mostly found in a black and white ensemble quite similar to the “Eclipse” music video. Blue is the only color added to the palette,as the singer doesn’t have any exaggeration on costumes or jewelry like she had in her previous video.

The dance moves are calm and serene, complimenting the mild tune, and the emotions are carried out really well by the artist with her dismayed looks during the video. The signature move is a simple hand gesture done at the end of every chorus, which symbolizes the act of letting go. On the whole, the visual content is a pleasing watch.

Final Thoughts

“Absence” may not be as strong of a track as “Eclipse,” both in sound and perspective, but is a perfect choice by the artist to bring out a different shade in her solo career. With the single, we get to know how diverse Moonbyul can be on screen.

Did you get to listen to the new single? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

*Lyrics translated from here.