Some groups function solely as a collective while others feel more like a series of successful soloists making music together. After years of promoting their individual work, Mamamoo have transformed into the latter — a supergroup of sorts. It’s been almost four years since we’ve seen them come together for new music, making 4 Flowers feel like an event.

When most listeners think of Mamamoo’s music, their powerful, lush vocals instantly come to mind. 4 Flowers utilizes this strength, even if the song stays quite subdued until we reach the climax. Don’t expect the kind of retro pizazz jazz hands they debuted with, though that would have been a nice nod to their past. Instead, we’ve got a heartfelt midtempo that feels more like a fan song. It’s not the trendy material I’d expect to conquer the charts, but that’s probably not the point at this stage of their career. 4 Flowers is all about honoring Mamamoo for what they are: an insanely charismatic, vocal powerhouse.

With this in mind, 4 Flowers is a perfectly serviceable ode. It’s not the song I’d find myself seeking out, as neither the melodies nor the production capture my imagination. I picture it as the closing track of an album, tying a bow around an era rather than ushering in a new one. That sense of finality has its own charm, even if I’d rather see the ladies take a more ambitious approach.

Grade: C+