Mamamoo’s massive success has spawned equally popular solo offerings from its members. This time last year, Hwasa unveiled the addictive Twit, which ended up being one of 2019’s most enduring hits. This time around, it’s Moonbyul’s turn. She’s back with her second mini album, which sees her trying on a different style for title track Eclipse (달이 태양을 가릴 때).
These past few months have taken too many boy groups down a darker musical route, resulting in a very generic slate of songs. Interestingly, Eclipse would fit right in with these tracks, despite being performed by a female soloist. It’s rare to hear this style outside of the moody boy group oeuvre, but it kind of works. It helps that Moonbyul has a great songwriting team behind her. Eclipse brings together RBW Entertainment’s stable of composers and Monotree’s Inner Child. They find ways to pull this tired trap/EDM brew in new directions, bringing in rock guitar and pushing Moonbyul’s talents further than the quirky idol rap she usually delivers.
Eclipse’s instrumental may be overly stuffed and noisy, but it’s my favorite part of the song. The heavy bursts of percussion remind me of A.C.E’s excellent Under Cover, and the klaxon-like synth blends well with the squeals of guitar that filter in and out of the track. Melodically, Eclipse’s chorus feels better suited for a power vocalist. Moonbyul’s limitations are definitely on display here. But, the refrain is otherwise solid and memorable from the first listen. Even better is the aggressive pre-chorus, which approaches death metal in its warped delivery. It’s a delightful surprise from Moonbyul, who I never would have expected to release a track like this.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I think it is ok. First of all, it is remarkable that a female is performing a track that is clearly meant for a male group. Moonbyul handles the lower register it is set on (for a male) well enough. She also handles all the various group parts well enough.
The interesting part is that the song construction lays bare the technical aspects that kpop song writers must use to sell a song to a male group, with all the expected parts pre-arranged ready to fill in, eg the lower rap, the higher rap, the character contrast voice, the star vocal line better, the filler voices (all the rest). Moonbyul does well enough but she isnt nailing them all because she isnt as virtuosic as it would require. But to be fair, idk if such a female exists today in kpop, maybe Yoon mirae, but she does more original material. CL possibly but also not her style.
I would give it high 7s to 8.0, because I dont think honestly I will buy it and listen often.
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Mamamoo has the three best female voices in K-pop, and then there is Moonbyul. Couldn’t listen to this song more than 15 seconds.
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At least it was… something different? (as far a solo female idol music goes)
Too bad the hook is rather forgettable, as is the whole song.
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Kinda like an aggressive and less cringe version of jopping imo lol
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I don’t know why but I loved the energy of the song and the vibe. It is on my playlist because I liked the song. I guess I have been a fan of Mamamoo and I may be biased as to why I like it.
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As part of Mamamoo’s recent encore concert, Hwasa takes over the chorus immediately after a “surprise” entrance. Moonbyul still sings the high point (“I will save you with my light”). The effect of this swap seems to work much better, with a heightened level of excitement. Although, it’s hard to separate the sonic benefit from the obvious visual benefit of the surprise entrance (and the audience’s reaction). Overall, I wonder if Hwasa’s higher register and Moonbyul’s high note at the climax are evidence that a proper female vocalist has a place in this arrangement because those higher register notes cut through the crowded instrumentation. For a male voice to do the same, he would also have to reach upward in pitch or shout his f-ing ass off.
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