Disbanded Girl Groups

Photo: Star Empire Entertainment

A few weeks ago, we looked at some incredible boy bands that have unfortunately disbanded or gone on hiatus, leaving behind great music that remains on some of our playlists. This week, the focus is on the girl groups who are no longer releasing music but whose songs have left long-lasting impressions on our minds, ears, and hearts; songs and groups still worthy of a listen today. 

“Yes or No” - 9MUSES

9MUSES delivered sweet, summery funk sounds in their fourth EP, 9MUSES S/S Edition, with the single “Yes or No.” The members approach “Yes or No” with light, melodic vocals that gently ask a date for reassurance through its lyrics, carrying a cute musical charm that feels perfect for these hotter months. For “Yes or No,” 9MUSES directed their own music video, paying homage to Instagram, where the viewer scrolls through a “for you page” looking at posts from each member singing the song. It is a fun, personal music video for a fun, upbeat song that sounds just as fresh today as it did upon its release.

“Girlfriend” - Wonder Girls

Wonder Girls lay their emotions bare in “Girlfriend,” the fourth single from their 2012 EP Wonder Party; the last EP to feature members Sunye and Sohee before they departed from the group. The song features a stunning acoustic backdrop, stripped back from the upbeat pop sounds that some may be used to hearing from other songs in Wonder Girls' catalogue. Here, the vocals are exceptionally smooth, pulling the listener into their story, with a sultry and mature sound that sees them contact an ex and confront him about his new relationship, a style of song and sound that I'd love to hear more girl groups deliver today.

“Breath” - PIXY

REBORN continues to be one of the most interesting albums from a K-Pop girl group (in my opinion); one that defies listeners' expectations, with us not knowing where the sound is heading with each song on the tracklist. The entire album conjures a haunting style that the members' vocals delicately dance over, creating a striking juxtaposition for the ear. I touched on “Deja Vu” in a previous B-side article, but today, my REBORN B-side recommendation is “Breath,” which, from the outset, centres around a dark, sensual, blues-pop production with captivating, breathy vocals. These vocals tell a story through the members' flow and expressions, something that PIXY were exceptional at doing on each one of the REBORN tracks, being a hidden gem of an album that deserves more praise.