VIVIZ’s First Full Album Shows a Montage of Metamorphosis
Photo: VIVIZ Official X
Not all idols can maintain careers in multiple groups under different companies. Eunha, SinB, and Umji managed to come back as part of GFRIEND in January, and the trio returned this week to launch their first full album as VIVIZ. A Montage of ( ) shows more of their individuality. The album was released on July 8 with three solo songs and six group songs. A Montage of ( ) came shortly after the start of VIVIZ’s 2025 world tour, NEW LEGACY, which began in Seoul on Saturday.
TRACKLIST:
“La La Love Me”
“Hands Off My Heart”
“Citrus”
“Sticker”
“Toxic”
“Hipnotic (SinB Solo)”
“Love Language (Umji Solo)”
“Milky Way (Eunha Solo)”
“Wildflower”
“La La Love Me”
If you mashed together VIVIZ’s first summer title track, “LOVEADE,” and “MANIAC,” their first song to go viral for its choreography, you would get “La La Love Me.” “LOVEADE” brings a rapid, overwhelming sweetness and “MANIC” brings a slower, chic style. Born from the two comes the bubblegum pop sounds of their most recent title track. Though I found the gentle verses lacking, the chorus of “LA LA LOVE” bursts in volume for a highlight. While “La La Love Me” does not suit my personal preference as much as “Shh!” did, the song still feels like one meant for VIVIZ.
The music video for “La La Love Me” displays themes of metamorphosis, a grand transformation into a new stage or appearance in life. The process of a caterpillar growing into a butterfly commonly exemplifies this concept, and VIVIZ uses that imagery here, too. Even when cornered by predators like spiders, the members look to the butterflies to guide them into the sunlight. All this symbolism comes sandwiched between short choreography scenes that I wish the editors included more of.
The Album
The B-sides in A Montage of ( ) fit within two categories: dreamy and spooky. Take “Sticker” and SinB’s solo song, “Hipnotic,” for example; they carry darker, mysterious sounds as if they were made for Halloween. For lighter, relaxing listens, press play on songs like “Hands Off My Heart,” “Citrus,” and “Toxic.” Despite its title, “Toxic” is an upbeat R&B song with chimes that push its angelic image.
Eunha contributed to the lyrics and composition of “Milky Way,” the epitome of dreamy with a peppy pop instrumental and airy vocals. Umji also wrote some of the lyrics for her solo, “Love Language.” This R&B song gives off an air of confidence. “Wildflower,” a song first performed at VIVIZ’s 2024 world tour, finishes the album off with a relaxing R&B and jazz mix.
Overall, A Montage of ( ) successfully captures what a solid first album should do. It plays on sounds previously explored in the group’s discography while adding in new aspects that highlight the members. VIVIZ stands as its own separate entity from GFRIEND (not as a sub-unit), and this album has given Eunha, SinB, and Umji more chances to show who they are as individual artists.
Edited by Joi Berry