Momoland more than Bboom Bboom, more than Nancy (1 of 2)

The nine members of Momoland (L-R): Hyebin, Taeha, Yeonwoo, Nancy, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, Daisy, and Jane
Souce: Soompi.com

You must have encountered their most known hit these past months and weeks, most likely because of its catchy chorus and dance which has been copied by many—including men. Or you must have been captivated by a pretty face of one of it's members. 

I'm referring to Momoland, the nine-member female group launched in 2017, which now has been getting more recognition and fame for their single "Bboom Bboom". But the album from which it came from was their third one. And they came back this June with their fourth, joining Blackpink, Red Velvet, and Twice in releasing new content.

Their catchy song, where cool EDM, synth brass, and attraction-based lyrics intersperse, has been a good introduction for many to this fresh Kpop act. And Nancy, as the most recognizable member in the music video and live performance of the song who is likened to our Liza Soberano, has apparently become the face of the group. Yet, Momoland has more to offer aside from the dance-able "Bboom Bboom", and the other eight members are also worth one's attention.

More than "Bboom Bboom"

As I looked back at their discography, they have already started with two albums and two singles before Bboom (I'll shorten the title from this point). I find their initial music worth one's try. They have started so well with albums which put together upbeat tunes and smooth melodies.

But first, you might wonder: why the name Momoland? Much like SM Storyland? Obviously, as you take a listen to their first album Welcome to Momoland, their concept is likened to an amusement park. Like an Enchanted Kingdom or Skyranch to your ears. The intro of the first track already gives you that clue. They carried it further whenever they introduce themselves ("Get yoooooour tickeeeeeeeet!"). Track 1 brings you to the entrance. Tracks 2 and 4 lead you to fantastic rides. Yet "JJan! Koong! Kwang!" did it the best, especially when you find out that saxophone blasts have been layered on the track. Track 3, meanwhile, Is the breezy ride on the ferris wheel. "Love Sick" (상사병) was something I didn't expect Momoland sang until I heard it. The song is worthy of your ride back home, or your slow dance in a formal function.

The same could be said of another song from their second release, Freeze, entitled "What Planet Are You From?" (너, 어느 별에서 왔니). Their mellow songs are as much beautiful as their upbeat ones. Speaking of upbeat ones, "Wonderful Love", released as a single apart from either of the two albums, is also a nice pop composition. Looking into its music video reveals that Momoland has been into dabbing before red-haired Nayun's "Hit-it-Hit-it-Hit-it-Ho" in Bboom.

Momoland's their third album labeled Great! (which they often exclaim in Bboom) showed the gradual maturing of the group's music and looks, from the way they dress to the way their songs sound, and even to the way they dance, highlighted not only by Bboom's chorus but also in the bridge (which shocked me, I confess). The other songs, of which "Fly" is my favorite, further shows their growth. In fact, in one interview, Jane shared that some of the members cried when they heard for the first time that song which would make them rise to fame. They felt how different the song is compared to their previous songs, and so were "basically like 'OMG'".

Last June, they released their latest album, Fun To The World. Here I observe that the group's music and looks matures further, although something from Bboom retains in their latest single "Baam". This is also the same thing I can say for Red Velvet (for "Bad Boy", although their latest "Cookie Jar" is a good return from their bubblegum pop sound from "Russian Roulette") and Blackpink (for "Ddu-Du-Ddu-Du" and the entire Square Up). 

(To be continued)

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