It’s Impossible To Stay Quiet About VIVIZ’s “Shhh!”
A year after releasing their viral title track “MANIAC,” VIVIZ returns with another fun song in “Shhh!.” Off their fifth EP VOYAGE, “Shhh!” highlights Eunha, SinB, and Umji’s performance skills with impressive choreography backed by a latin-inspired beat. The four other tracks on the EP delve into VIVIZ’s other talents, featuring some composition and lyric-writing credits by Umji. This release, which came out on November 7, packs everything expected of VIVIZ and more.
TRACKLIST:
“Shhh!”
“Cliché”
“Full Moon”
“Hypnotize”
“Love & Tears”
The Title Track: “Shhh!”
VIVIZ knew that their last title track, “MANIAC,” got people moving to its dance moves. This likely influenced their decision to continue with a dance-heavy title track in “Shhh!” Composed by Aniela Eklund and Oliver Forsmark, this latin pop track hits all the right notes. VIVIZ knows actions speak louder than words, thus making this message central to the song. In the song’s lyrics, the group tells a love interest, who is blatantly attracted to them, to finally make a move rather than contemplate and stare.*
If that person doesn’t make a move, then VIVIZ surely does: “Shhh!” is definitely a song accentuated by its choreography. Choreographed by Big Planet Made Entertainment performance director Kany Diabaté Ahn, “Shhh!” makes use of hip movement—that’s also how to create the iconic “Pop your Ondong” move from “MANIAC” after all—and many backup dancers to highlight its point move.
As Mnet Plus’s magazine puts it, choreography stands as an “integral component” of a K-Pop song’s popularity. The “Shhh!” music video uses unique angles and cinematic shooting areas to capture its dance.
Though some of the video’s scenes seem questionable, like VIVIZ singing in a bathroom, the rest knows how to capitalize on the song’s greatest strength.
@viviz_bpm 이번에도 믿었어요 with #Kany @Kany Ahn #VIVIZ #비비지 #EUNHA #은하 #SINB #신비 #UMJI #엄지 #Shhh! #쉿 #Shhhchallenge #쉿챌린지 ♬ Shhh! (Short ver.) - VIVIZ
The B-Sides: Magic by the Composers
If “Shhh!” didn’t knock you off your feet, then check out VOYAGE’s B-sides for more songs. “Cliché” comes off as the “Untie” of the EP: the sultry, darker sister to the title track. Composed by Maria Marcus, Christian Fast, and Tobias Näslund, “Cliché” uses hip-hop in this mystical instrumental that sounds unlike anything else in VIVIZ’s discography. Up after “Cliché” comes “Full Moon,” a synth-filled drum and bass (DnB) song. Though DnB permeates through the current K-Pop trends, “Full Moon” still sounds great with rapid percussive hits contrasted by VIVIZ’s soft vocals.
The EP’s last two songs, “Hypnotize” and “Love & Tears,” feature contributions by Umji. Composed by Belle from KISS OF LIFE, Jword, PAPRIKAA, and steven, “Hypnotize” takes listeners into a trance with its R&B instrumental. Umji pens its lyrics, which discuss falling into an undeniable romance. Sharing its name with VIVIZ’s first world tour, the ballad “Love & Tears” includes lyrics and a composition created by Umji. Together with Seo Wonjin (서원진), Umji helped give “Love & Tears” a lovely melody.
The Verdict: An EP That Lives Up to the Anticipation
The long wait between “MANIAC” and its EP, VERSUS, did not worsen the quality of VOYAGE. In fact, I have never given a comeback review a perfect score until this release. It satisfied all of my expectations for this comeback: “Shhh!” feels like it exceeded the bar set by “MANIAC,” the music video strengthens the song, and the B-sides offer some amazing additions to VIVIZ’s discography. While the VIVIZ members started their K-Pop careers as part of GFRIEND, the trio continues to make a distinct identity for their own group.
*Note: lyrics taken from the English captions in the official music video.
“Shhh!” TITLE TRACK SCORE: 10/10
“Shhh!” MUSIC VIDEO SCORE: 10/10
VOYAGE EP SCORE: 10/10
Overall Score: 10/10
Edited by Cara Musashi