Moonbyul’s Fourth EP, laundri, Comes Awash with Emotions
Photo: MAMAMOO Official X
A year after her last Korean music release, Moonbyul has come out with her newest EP, laundri. This comeback uses a laundry concept that compares various emotions to a wash cycle. The title swaps the “y” for an “i” to focus on a personal perspective. With eight tracks in total, laundri covers a wide range of feelings.
TRACKLIST:
“Cotton”
“Goodbyes and Sad Eyes”
“Da Capo”
“Chocolate Tea”
“DRIP”
“Over You”
“ICY BBY”
“Take-off”
The Pre-Release: “ICY BBY”
Moonbyul released “ICY BBY” on June 17, two months before the comeback. This song reads straightforward from its dance instrumental and confident lyrics. Moonbyul sings about how a cold exterior can actually charm others. She will “melt” those around her. While the chorus gets repetitive, Moonbyul comes out swinging with the rap portion here.
The “ICY BBY” music video functions as a performance video utilizing the entirety of its location. The video uses its escalators, multiple floors, and wide spaces of a shopping mall to highlight dance moves. Moonbyul also held a busking event at Seoul’s Time Square mall to promote the single.
The Title Track: “Goodbyes and Sad Eyes”
Released on August 20, “Goodbyes and Sad Eyes” is a breakup song with complex emotions. Moonbyul uses the pop rock genre to convey the relief following a breakup. While some people may linger in heartbreak, this song specifies this act as a leap into freedom. The speaker’s previous partner can no longer make them feel small, and the days to come will only improve their life.
The music video paints two different perspectives: one where a contemplative Moonbyul does laundry at home and another where she goes out partying without worries. It makes a creative choice to integrate 2D and 3D animation alongside usual videography. This space away from reality shows animated versions of Moonbyul envisioning many possibilities after the breakup. Visually and lyrically, “Goodbyes and Sad Eyes” displays how breakups allow for self-growth and reflection.
The rest of the laundri EP fluctuates between gentle, chill tracks and expressive rock-inspired songs. Listen to “Cotton,” “Da Capo,” and “Chocolate Tea” on days where you want to step back and take life slow. After “Goodbyes and Sad Eyes,” “DRIP,” “Over You,” and “Take-off” cycle through various intensities.
Moonbyul embraces her inner rockstar the most in “DRIP,” an aggressive song. “Over You” starts off slow and soft but its chorus eclipses in emotion. Finally, “Take-off” finishes laundri with a lengthy optimistic anthem. Spanning 4.5 minutes, “Take-off” includes so much power, much like an airplane departing for the skies. Despite the long period since Moonbyul’s last Korean release, laundri leaves a strong first impression.
Edited by Clark Royandoyan