A full group comeback for Mamamoo is on the horizon to celebrate their twelth anniversary, but before that the individual members remain active with solo work. Moonbyul has been quite prolific over the past few years, covering many genres with her music. Her latest Hertz throws these genres into a blender.
One thing I’ve appreciated about Moonbyul’s solo work is that she doesn’t feel restrained by K-pop’s gender expectations. She has released a few songs that feel as if they could have been given to boy bands. I hear many of the industry’s boy groups in Hertz, though this time it’s not always for the better. The song opens promisingly enough, pulling us in with a rugged, rock-fueled verse. Moonbyul excels in this realm and the track’s energy is freewheeling and fun.
However, these moments are all Hertz really has. After a somewhat forgettable chorus, the song collapses into a non-hook, repeating its title in monotone as the instrumental loses all flavor. Given the track’s brevity (2:28), you come away from Hertz feeling like there’s no centerpiece at all — that a necessary minute or so has been extracted from the song entirely. In other words, its an idea in need of development and space, both of which come at a premium in this era of K-pop.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Â Production | 8 |
| Â Longevity | 7 |
| Â Bias | 7 |
| Â RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
“…its an idea in need of development and space, both of which come at a premium in this era of K-pop.”
I’m here for these gems you drop that encapsulate so much about the industry in so little space. My comments feel archaic in comparison.
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I just miss when composers wrote songs to make an artistic hit/something that could resonate with the audience, than creating a Tiktok viral moment. I don’t listen to my music as an OST in the background, I listen to it as an activity and for the art of it. I want something to challenge my brain, my ears and also my voice. (Unrelated to Moonbyul’s song per-say, just sharing my general view of the industry as a whole)
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preach.
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I think it is actually pretty good. Maybe because I miss them so much, this to me reminds me of peak Dreamcatcher “La Maison” and such. Also, Moonbyul as usual does a great job of handling what sounds like a group song all by herself, which is quite a feat.
Last weekend I found my ipod that has all the 2nd and 3rd gen goodies from a decade ago. I had almost forgotten how the songs start out with energy and =just kept going=. The frisson of excitement. Like how SHINee “Lucifer” throws in one more half-verse at 3:15 because they can (link below). (gah, I miss a full out voice like Jonghyun.)
This song could be like that if only it was twice as long. Or at least a minute longer, please just one more minute.
For the kids here, one of the best songs and dances in kpop. Notice how it =moves= while giving the singers quiet moves at the right moments to be able to actually sing and dance at the same time. (This version is famous for the moire’ effect on Taemin’s tshirt from the camera resolution.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovztfpWPo5M
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Lucifer is such a vibe! I love that song so so much! Bebe Rexha did such an amazing job writing this song ;w;
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You found the ipod!
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I found the blue one! Darling daughter has taken possession of the pink one, and has cracked the glass though it still works fine. The green and yellow ones are … somewhere.
Order of acquisition = pink > blue > green > yellow, which roughly corresponds with what’s on it. So green and yellow clearly don’t matter much = late 3rd / early 4th gen to whatever gen we are at right now.
All are ipod Nano 7th.
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I found the blue one! Darling daughter has taken possession of the pink one, and has cracked the glass though it still works fine. The green and yellow ones are … somewhere.
Order of acquisition = pink > blue > green > yellow, which roughly corresponds with what’s on it. So green and yellow clearly don’t matter much = late 3rd / early 4th gen to whatever gen we are at right now.
All are ipod Nano 7th.
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It’s good but I wish it was louder/harder
7
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