Former GFRIEND member-turned-soloist Yerin is back with a new EP. Released on September 4, Rewrite comes a year after her last EP, [Ready, Set, LOVE]. Rewrite introduces six new tracks, including the title track “Wavy,” to Yerin’s discography. The official release comes four days after Yerin’s special busking event in Gangnam, where she premiered “Wavy” and one of the new B-Sides, “4U.”  

TRACKLIST: 

1. “Wavy”

2. “SHINE”

3. “Permeate”

4. “Save me” 

5. “One Thing (Feat. KIM DAYEON of Kep1er)”

6. “4U” 

The Title Track: “Wavy”

Yerin compares love to a tidal wave in “Wavy.” Love is “wavy”: Something that hits hard and causes a roller coaster of feelings. These emotions never happen in a linear pattern. Musically, “Wavy” still sits in the dance genre like Yerin’s previous title track “Bambambam.” Le’mon and GALACTIKA * production group composers woobin, And1, and OGI make “Wavy” burst with pop. This summery sound fits with Yerin’s cheerful image. 

The music video’s concept comes from her ideas about the EP’s title, Rewrite. Yerin appears as a shop worker who mends people’s broken belongings and their hearts. Yerin also uses a glimmering glass bead—perhaps a GFRIEND reference—to imbue her surroundings with magic. Overall, the music video is full of color and wonder. Any music video with a cute dog and giant teddy bear will likely elicit a pleasant reaction by many. 

The B-Sides

I think Rewrite is Yerin’s best EP. Though [Ready, Set, LOVE] encapsulates the summer theme better, Rewrite outdoes it with its space to explore more sounds. Yerin’s five-track debut EP ARIA also explored a variety of genres, but Rewrite builds on what to expect from her—and also the surprises that await. I am most fond of “Permeate” and “One Thing,” Yerin’s collaboration with Kep1er’s Dayeon. Composers Jon Hallgren and Maria Marcus filled “Permeate” with a unique rhythm. 

I went into “One Thing” incredibly biased: GFRIEND is my favorite girl group of all time, Dayeon is my bias in Kep1er, and both groups have some of my favorite discographies in all of K-Pop. My biased brain tells me that this collaboration exceeded my expectations. Junhyuk, Heggy, and MonoTree composers LUKE and IRIS created such a playful hip-hop track that allows both artists to shine. The introductory tone set by Dayeon immediately lets listeners know they’re in for a lively song, and Yerin brings the warm tones. 

The Verdict: Yerin’s Best Showing Yet 

People can take the word “rewrite” in multiple ways: To change something comes with a negative or positive connotation depending on the perspective. Yerin’s Rewrite keeps an optimistic view, and that also extends to my feelings towards it. Though I do think “Wavy” could add a little more punch, the track suits Yerin very well. The B-sides contain some of her best work, and some of my favorite songs of this year so far.   

“Wavy” TITLE TRACK SCORE: 8/10

“Wavy” MUSIC VIDEO SCORE: 7.5/10

Rewrite ALBUM SCORE: 9/10 

Overall Score: 8.2/10

Edited by Lacey Diluvio