MAMAMOO’s SOLAR paints a raw and unapologetic picture with her first mini-album ‘FACE’ – Album Review

By Nandini Iyengar -

March 20, 2022 - 4:52 PM IST

South Korean female group MAMAMOO’s leader SOLAR has finally made a solo comeback! The artist, who debuted with the single ‘Spit it Out’, has released her first mini-album FACE. The album contains a Hanja character which translates to a dragon and is also a part of SOLAR’s birth name. The album is perfectly titled FACE because it makes an attempt to show SOLAR’s true face as an artist. The mini-album was released on March 16, 2022. Let’s take a look at what magic SOLAR spins with this album!

MAMAMOO’s SOLAR paints a raw and unapologetic picture with her first mini-album ‘FACE’ – Album Review

RAW

The song opens the track with fierceness. The track is the shortest on this album, and yet it packs a punch. “I just wanna be raw, raw/ I just wanna be raw, raw, raw.” ‘RAW’ suits as the opening track for FACE as it mirrors SOLAR’s intentions as an artist. She stretches the word ‘raw’ multiples times to bring out the unabashed feel.

꿀 (HONEY)

Known for her powerful vocals, ‘Honey’ serves as the title track for SOLAR’s first mini-album FACE. SOLAR co-wrote and co-composed the track. The track has all elements of making it an instant earworm. The hook sports distinct jazzy music that draws a listener’s attention. We meet different versions of SOLAR in the music video which are symbolic of her multi-faceted personality. “Everyone looks at me with honey in their gaze/ If you lower your guard, thinking I'm already yours/ You'll hurt yourself bad.” Like a butterfly drawn to honey, SOLAR’s admirers too are drawn to her. SOLAR’s cheerful vocals add a bounce to the track. The synth bass beats accompanied with trap beats make ‘Honey’ a great track to listen.

찹찹 (CHAP CHAP)

‘Chap Chap’ is a song that feels like an opening for an anime track. The techno and electro beats are filled to the brim in this track. “Now, I don't want to care anymore/ If it's just you and me, it's okay/ You're the only one.” The song has romantic tones to it, and it celebrates even the dull aspects of one’s life.

BIG BOOTY

‘Big Booty’ is a bold and smooth jazzy track. SOLAR’s sweet vocals accentuate the sultriness in this track. The grand saxophone tunes matched with drum set beats enliven the atmosphere for a listener. Big Booty goes all out on expressing adoration for one’s booty. (It's not because I undoubtedly want it/ Big booty, big booty). There is naughtiness in the song which makes it an enjoyable listen.

징글징글 (Zingglezinggle)

ZinggleZinggle is a medium-tempo track with lo-fi beats interspersed in the track. The song expresses love despite having quarrels occasionally. “Really do love you, my babe/No, it's just zingle-zingle/Fighting for a day or two”. SOLAR breaks out of her singer mode when she sings the concluding line in the track. The R&B and dance genre influence makes listening to ZinggleZinggle is a great experience.

SOLAR’s first mini-album FACE comes two years after her debut with ‘Spit It Out’. Just like her debut song, her mini-album is reflective of the creative and edgy spunk that is synonymous with SOLAR and in extension, MAMAMOO. She has breezed through the songs with ease. The deliberate use of onomatopoeic words makes each track a likeable one. There is fun and celebration of one’s true self.