Despite four years elapsing since her last music release, Suzy has proven her love for music with a surprise comeback: “Satellite,” a digital release for that enables us to enjoy her dreamy vocals and haunting storytelling. Although the idol-turned-actress has kept busy with acting projects and photoshoots, we are reminded again of her roots as a singer — a pleasant outcome for fans who’ve patiently waited thus far.
For this comeback, Suzy has paired up with Monika (famous for her appearance in Street Woman Fighter) for a beautiful portrayal of her story through contemporary dance. Although the MV aesthetic is kept to a bare minimum — Monika dancing against a collection of muted grey palette buildings — it has just the right ingredients to tell its painful story. Even if we aren’t provided with a straightforward plot or acting, we are led to solely focus on the emotional story. From facial expressions to subtle movements amidst the dancing, Monika tells a tale viewers can interpret and imagine without any words. Suzy’s song (which she wrote) can be expressed twofold through this contrast.
Paired with a Brit-pop and band instrumental, we have a magical, haunting track we didn’t know we needed until now. “Satellite” is quite distinct from her previous works (“Holiday,” “In Love with Someone Else,” “Yes No Maybe,” or “Pretend”) in that Suzy is not the main protagonist of the MV, and save for two lines, the rest of the song sings entirely in English. Beyond the technicalities, however, further differences are found in how she utilizes her vocals for this particular song. For her usual tracks, Suzy’s voice is soft and snug within her comfort range, allowing her voice to stay clean for most tracks. Suzy has the ability to hit the perfect emotive note that accommodates the song’s tale — using a beautiful, feminine voice while doing so.
This time around, however, her voice is lower and deeper in its sadness. There’s a haunting echo that reverberates while she sings, and we are left to imagine the painful longing that drives such a sound. The repeated line “I’m a satellite” sets the tone with its despair, as it indicates her inability to fulfill her ongoing love for the other. On first listen, it can seem relaxing, but it quickly becomes heart-wrenching (yet also painfully pure — a classic signature of Suzy’s melodic voice).
Going back to the twofold expression of the song, Suzy utilizes this method not just to highlight the track, but also to bring greater attention to both the visual and audio. Both sensory experiences are heightened from these threadbare modes of expression. Without any overwhelming notes or dramatic turns, Suzy makes a soft but strong impact with purely her vocals and lyrics.
Moreover, the strictly grey color palette not only contributes to the somber mood but aligns our focus to the only moving point: Monika’s performance. While the set may seem gritty and plain at first sight, it goes to show that there doesn’t need to be any fancy or eye-catching setup in order for a performance to shine. In this particular circumstance, it is the exact opposite approach that ultimately draws and keeps our attention. While this approach may be difficult to pull off, both the director and participants keep this work mesmerizing from start to finish.
Overall, it was a pleasant surprise seeing Suzy keep up with her musical discography, even as she transitioned into an actress with a new agency. While it’s a common transition to see for idols who desired a career change, it’s not always common to see them stick to the music scene. Despite the four years that passed, it’s almost gratifying to see Suzy continue to experiment with another career that is clearly still special for her. Rather than focusing on digital sales or general popularity, we can see that her comebacks are geared towards expanding her artistry — which is great to witness.
What did our readers think of Suzy’s latest comeback? Feel free to let us know in the comments below!
(YouTube. Images via Management SOOP)
