The Grand Return of MAMAMOO

The vocal queens are back! After more than a year since their last official group release, MAMAMOO is back to bless our ears with their aptly named mini-album MIC ON. Consisting of three new tracks including “ILLELLA,” the girls are back to put the funk in fall.

“1,2,3, Eoi!” serves equally as an intro and a full-fledged song in the way that it’s centered around MAMAMOO’s iconic acapella group greeting. In a year where we’ve seen solos, features, and units from all four women, the groovy track feels like a welcome home. “1,2,3, Eoi!” also perfectly sets the stage for “ILLELLA,” especially with Hwasa’s opening “one, two, three” line. 

“ILLELLA” is sonically similar to 2018’s “Egotistic” in its reggaeton influence. While the track is another that’s on the more experimental side of MAMAMOO’s discography, one thing has stayed the same: the unparalleled vocals. Between smooth harmonies, Solar’s impeccable belting, and the group’s characteristic ad-libs sprinkled throughout the end, this is very much a MAMAMOO release. That being said, it’s refreshing to hear Moonbyul get a moment to shine in the verses: her parts in most of the group’s title tracks tend to showcase only her rapping abilities, but “ILLELLA” lets the multi-talented singer flex her vocal skills too. 

The music video for “ILLELLA” trades in plot for performance, letting the girls prove their dancing prowess. It starts with them waking up from a crazy night, and goes back in time to the start of the previous evening's plans. Between shots of them in glitzy streetwear and athleisure, the night progresses, with the ladies of MAMAMOO upping the glamour as time goes on. The video ends with them walking under their soon-to-be stage like it’s a catwalk, fully dressed for their rooftop performance. Wheein shines in particular throughout the video, especially in the dance break—it’s almost impossible to take your eyes off her, even more so when her sultry vocals usher in the key change of the final chorus.

“L.I.E.C.,” a song about living life to the absolute fullest, is a quintessential dance track—something that MAMAMOO has pulled off well since their debut. It’s a perfect finish that sounds like a promise of more to come for the regrettably short mini-album. 

Be sure to support MAMAMOO for their latest comeback, and start saving that concert money because the girls are set to embark on their first world tour starting this November.

Edited by Rashelle B.