Review

Song Review: Moonbyul (Mamamoo) – Touchin&Movin

Moonbyul - Touchin&MovinMoonbyul’s pre-release Think About was a very nice surprise, reinventing her as a funky pop diva with the frothy melodies to make it stick. With Touchin&Movin — the title track of her first full album — she’s further deepened this sound and crafted a real gem.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Mamamoo’s solo efforts, but Touchin&Movin easily turns that around. It feels like the Seventeen funk workout we’ve been missing since 2016’s Very Nice. The song bounds with ebullient energy, simply constructed but stuffed with musical goodies that give it a thrilling sense of spontaneity. I love all the instrumental quirks that pepper the verses. Flourishes of guitar and brass add unexpected exclamation marks to the song without upending its momentum.

Freed from being “Mamamoo’s rapper,” Moonbyul makes a convincing ringleader for this musical carnival. Her confident vocal enhances the track without devolving into pastiche. She even gets a key change moment toward the end! I had none of this on my 2024 K-pop Bingo Card, but Touchin&Movin does the rarest of things in K-pop: It totally reinvents the way I think about an artist. I guess strong melody, jubilant production and an earnest performance will do that.

Hooks 9
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 9

Grade: A-

16 thoughts on “Song Review: Moonbyul (Mamamoo) – Touchin&Movin

  1. I loved this so so so much! I have listened to it a few times already, truly made my morning. Definitely added to the daily playlist! A mood-maker and such an expected sound from Moonbyu! I will check out the whole album after work for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. As a casual listener of Mamamoo (and haven’t really listened to their solo tracks aside from a couple of Hwasa’s), I love the song! It’s really unexpected to hear the main rapper of the group singing and going off on her vocals, but then again they are a solid vocal group.

    In addition, I haven’t listened to her pre-release “Think About” until now but I enjoyed it as well!

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  3. This is soooo groovy! The fun K-Pop I signed up for! Definitely something I’d play on a loop for a long time. And the key change in the last chorus, the cherry on the top! Sounds like something I’d play while getting ready for the day or something

    A straight 9 for me as well! But will age well for me for sure!

    (And this is unironically something I think Get A Guitar could have went with, though it’s also a chill funky bop of its own đŸ¤¡)

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Moonbyul consistently solidifies herself as my favourite mamamoo soloist and I fee like she’s been on an upwards trajectory since ‘Eclipse’. Out of all the girls, she’s the only one that appeals to me musically and yeah I love Moonbyul I really appreciate and respect her artistry that’s it that’s the comment

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  5. This isn’t quite the style of song I usually like, but it’s so energetic that it’s hard not to get energised in turn. Definitely a great direction for Moonbyul. My other favourites from her are CTT and G999 which have similar lively energy.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. This gives me SUCH a rush! I haven’t listened to much of Mamamoo’s songs besides Hip, but the key change, the synth, the sax, everything about this song is so fun!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Aren’t we just appreciate with songs with a complete structure? A definitely happy journey to go through this 3:22 track with a solid verse, solid pre-chorus, strong chorus with upbeat melody, dance break, comes with a bridge that’s been missing in today’s Kpop! A key change on last chorus? Moonbyul is serving and the key change did reminds me of old time Mamamoo Piano Man.

    Just wondering if there’s any buried treasure on this album? Personally Like a Fool is one of the treasure b-side on this album.

    Solid 9/10 for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • And memories is just another anime j-pop rock-ish banger! The drum and electric guitar is just cherry on the top, plus the beat tho. Definitely suit with one of those anime’s opening with flashy fighting scene.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Omg! Thank you for drawing my attention to this! I’ve been outta the loop for a while and the “anime” comment piqued my interest to go take a look. AND I WASN’T DISAPPOINTED! This is definitely the kind OP that plays on an isekai anime – the full structure and feels and everything! And she sounded amazing!! Also Onewe on the instrumentals nailed it! Thank you for introducing this! đŸ˜€

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  8. Moonbyul continues where she left off with Lunatic- songs that make you want to get on your feet. This song has a very 80’s sound to it (which is fine with me). Seoul’s version of Miami Sound Machine (Compare this song with The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You).

    Liked by 1 person

  9. MOONBYUL!!! Mamamoo’s 2019-onward music hasn’t connected with me much, but this was delightful, and delivered by their main rapper, no less!

    Of course she can sing, but I was delighted by how confident she sounded and that key change!! đŸ˜€

    Also love her relishing in her lower range. It makes her stand out among female idols. It also makes this song feel like it could be performed by a male artist as well. She’s mentioned trying to challenge the gender binary through her work and she succeeds at it here.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Moonbyul has that rare energy that I always really gravitate towards: a sort of genuineness you see in performers who are comfortable with who they are and don’t seem to be putting on a beautiful, but carefully crafted mask.

    It’s just her, center stage, wearing this earnest intention to have fun on her sleeve. And I eat it up.

    I’m partial to groovy and funky disco-inspired songs already, but this song also has meat on its disco-guitarry bones. Sugar and substance.

    I’m repeating myself, because what else can I say: I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

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