I never thought I’d see the day when three-fourths of 2NE1 would release new music at the same time. Granted, none of these songs seem as if they’ll be actively promoted, but between CL’s continued digital releases and this holiday duet from Bom and Dara, it almost feels like old times. Come on, girls… just invite Minzy over and reunite already!

Last time we heard a holiday release from Bom, she was draining all the joy from the normally buoyant All I Want For Christmas Is You and transforming it into a funereal dirge with help from Lee Hi. That description might sound like a criticism, but I actually thought the revamp was pretty clever. With The First Snow, Bom has again harnessed the moodier aspects of the season. However, the melody isn’t nearly as iconic here, resulting in an atmospheric – but ultimately forgettable – product.

It’s great to hear Bom and Dara’s voices together, and their interplay brings needed diversity to the track. This may be controversial to some, but I much prefer Bom’s voice as part of a group tapestry. She has such an overwhelming presence, and her inimitable style often overtakes a song when there’s no one else to play off of. With that said, her segments of The First Snow add a jolt of emotion that’s vital to the song’s success. A piano ballad like this suits her better than Dara, but the track is at its best when the two join forces to sing in unison during the climax. They conjure a striking blend. It’s just a shame that it couldn’t have been tethered to a stronger melody.

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