Four-member girl group Mamamoo has returned with the fun, rhythmic single “Um Oh Ah Yeah” off its second mini-album, “Pink Funky.”
While the group has until now adopted an older, retro image, the four girls ― Solar, Whee-in, Hwa-sa and Moon-byul ― have donned a more fun, younger look this time, with sexy, vivid costumes and captivating dance moves.
“Some fans worry that we’re turning into the average girl group,” said Hwa-sa at a press conference Thursday. “But we wanted to show everyone a new, more fun side of us. Our unique color as a team won’t change.”
Since the group’s 2014 debut with the track “Mr. Ambiguous,” Mamamoo has gained considerable recognition as a talent-laden team with powerful vocals. Manager Kim Do-hoon described Mamamoo to be an “evolved version of the girl group,” touting the girls’ skills and energetic on-stage performances.
From left: Rapper Moon-byul, vocalist and leader Solar and vocalists Whee-in and Hwa-sa of girl group Mamamoo
The catchy new song “Um Oh Ah Yeah” has been composed by Kim Do-hoon ― the composer whose previous work includes Gummy’s “Memory Loss” ― and features a funky, rhythm and blues dance sound with elements of ’90s synth pop.
The song was digitally mastered by engineer Chris Gehringer, who has worked with such international pop stars as Lady Gaga, Jason Mraz, Jay-Z and Rihanna, while Mamamoo participated in writing the lyrics.
The amusing lyrics speak of a girl who falls in love with a handsome man, who later turns out to be a girl.
“Our female fans are raving about the song,” said Solar, leader and vocalist of the group. Mamamoo prides itself on having a solid foundation of female fans and being the target of many a girl crush, though “our male fans are increasing by the day as well,” Solar said.
In the song’s lively music video, Moon-byul, Wha-sa and Whee-in dress up as men, with costumes including wigs and beards. Singer Park Bo-ram also makes an appearance.
Other tracks on the album include the trap hip-hop-based “Freakin Shoes,” also composed by Kim Do-hoon, and the rhythmical ’60s funk style “No No No,” composed by Seo Yong-bae and Park Woo-sang.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that July will see a flood of girl group comebacks, including new releases by Sistar, Girls’ Generation and Girl’s Day.
When asked whether they were intimidated by the competition, the members replied that they were “honored to be sharing the stage with such skilled, experienced groups,” while adding that they have “confidence in our unique style” and “will continue to have fun and be free onstage.”
By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)