Namjoo Proves That She’s Queen of the Party with Her 2nd Mini-Album Bad
Pink Panda, it’s time to get loud! Apink’s lovable lead vocalist, Namjoo, is finally returning to the K-Pop charts. After dipping her toes in the trap genre in her first solo album “Bird,” the multi-talented idol blessed Apink stans with a three-track mini-album entitled “Bad” on March 18.
What makes “Bad” such an enjoyable listen is that it showcases the absolute best aspects of Namjoo's vocal ability. While some netizens may have felt like “Bird” relied too heavily on its punchy, trap-inspired production, Namjoo truly lives up to her lead vocalist title throughout the entirety of this sophomore record.
The mini album doesn't begin with Namjoo right away. Upon hitting play on the album's first track, “Mirror, Mirror,” listeners will be surprised to hear a rather sultry (yet adorably campy) voiceover from none other than Big Hero 6 star, Daniel Henney. The acclaimed actor starts the song by offering Namjoo comforting words of encouragement in a phone call, saying, “Listen, if they don't like it, let ‘em. It's just because you're too perfect.”
What follows is a fun, bouncy song that screams hot girl summer as Namjoo boasts about how she unapologetically loves herself and how she's ready to hit the streets to be the queen of the club. It's the perfect pump-up song for anyone getting ready for a night on the town in the same way that the track is an electrifying way for Namjoo to open her highly anticipated second album.
Her vocals, though, truly shine in the title track that follows. If “Mirror, Mirror” is the song to get ready for the club, “Bad” is the track that'll be bumping from the speakers right when you walk in the doors. Though the song is chock-full of frantic instrumentals, each addition seems to only highlight Namjoo's impressive vocals. Along with the fun, third-generation vibe that “Bad” offers, Namjoo's control of rapping on melody and impressive riffs throughout the chorus make this song a treat for Pink Panda and casual listeners alike.
Namjoo closes her sophomore album with “Ridin' Out (Ridin' Out),” a mid-tempo song that showcases a cooler, more tame register of her range. It's a great song to close the album out in how it slows the energy of the album down for a more enjoyable and holistic listen. That's not to say that Namjoo isn't giving listeners a stellar vocal performance.
“Bad” certainly lived up to the anticipated expectations that Apink fans had for this new release. Stellar vocals, interesting production choices, and a well structured tracklist, Namjoo knocked it out the park.
Edited by Cara Musashi