Mamamoo Are Not Shy in "Pink Funky"

After being teased with the gorgeous, “Ahh Oop”, Mamamoo has followed through strongly by releasing their next extended play, Pink Funky. It is another strong step in the right direction for Mamamoo with the group infusing new styles with their old ones. They confidently pull off each change with the confidence and talent they are known for.

This new direction saw Mamamoo try their hand at more songs that incorporate features of hip-hop or mainstream pop. “Freakin Shoes” is an example of this change and has the ability to divide opinions; some may like it and some may not. Like their other releases, it is an upbeat tune that the girls embody with confidence and attitude. It features a lot of different elements and verses that are pulled together by a dominant hip-hop beat that continues through out the entire song; it keeps the song moving until the very end. The song could be quite jarring for some people and interesting for others. Despite this, “Freakin Shoes” seems like an experiment, and, in my opinion, it paid off.

Despite not standing out initially, the fresh and jubilant sound of “Um Oh Ah Yeh” becomes incredibly infectious over time. Featuring prominent synthesized sounds and beats, the song fits more into the mainstream pop category than anything the group has done before. Mamamoo prove that they can effortlessly fit into a new style while still retaining their old qualities. Like their other releases, the group’s focus is creating a song that is full of energy and showcases their vocal ability. Their live performance is even another step up, with the group’s energy in abundance. Pulling together quirk and comedy, the song embodies the intricate story of the MV: a girl who decides to pursue someone with confidence.

“Um Oh Ah Yes!” Looking good in many different styles, that’s you
(How’s a subtle compliment like this?)
Um : Second in plan: I’LL REEL YOU IN oh!
Oh : My shaking heart, stand by, and cue!
Ah : “If you have the time, would you like to have some tea with me?”
Yes? : How does something like this sound?
Oh yes! Um Oh Ah Yes

The lyrics reflect this quirky feel from the use of a four step plan named “Um Oh Ah Yeh” with a Colin Firth reference to the ‘man’ she was pursuing ending up to be a woman. “Um Oh Ah Yeh” is brilliant on so many different levels and has definitely deserved its spot on at the top of the charts.

“A Little Bit” is the only ballad on the album, allowing the group to showcase a different side from their main concept. Despite being more simplistic than other releases, this song is easily attractive due to the highlight on the group’s vocals. The girls effortlessly navigate between soft and strong moments to create a steady build up of emotion through out the song. The song is well put together and easily could have found its way onto a drama soundtrack. If you liked this slower side of Mamamoo, I would suggest you listen to their track off the Spy OST ,“My Everything” as it is one of the groups stronger ballads.

“No No No” delves into the area of empowerment, promoting the idea that a person with confidence is always comes out on top. Mamamoo declare that they are ‘Beyoncé’ –because that is the ideal level of confidence for everyone — in the face of a man that treated them with no respect at all. Similar to Ailee’s message in “I Will You Show You”, they tell them it doesn’t matter if he is interested, they should just be friends, if anything at all. This sassy and vocally charged song is exactly what you would expect from Mamamoo, and it never gets old or outdated: Confidence really is the best policy.

The message is flipped with “Secret Camera” through the storytelling of someone who is falling in love. Almost dream-like, the song captures the dizzy and elated feelings of a person in love. The feeling of weightlessness is created through the weaving together of many instrument lines, the most important being the triangle. Mamamoo’s vocals flow in and out of this progression giving it direction, with the instruments dropping out or being added in certain moments to make the girl’s lines stand out. For example, when Moon-byul’s rap comes in, the backings fade away to just the bass line. Her identifiable voice and the low sound of the bass compliment each other, making her rap stand out.

Mamamoo’s collaboration with label mate Esna, “Ahh Oop,” still shines among the many gems on this album. Despite being released more than two months ago, I still can’t get enough of this smooth and sassy piece. The combination of rhythm and blues, Esna’s husky vocals and the versatile vocals of Mamamoo make this song practically irresistible. It definitely will be put in the running for my song of the year.

Mamamoo proved that they were never meant to be in the rookie category with their debut album; they have the talent and the attitude to blow that ‘title’ away. Pink Funky was a step up from their debut proving that the group also has versatility along with their talent. No matter what gets thrown at them, they easily adapt to it with the confidence their songs usually promote. These girls are confident, talented and are not going to drop off the radar anytime soon. So, was Pink Funky all you expected and more?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

(YouTube, Images via WA Entertainment)