Miss A released their seventh project, Colors, March 29, 2015. The six-song mini album provides a look at the different sides of Miss A while staying true to who they are. Sadly, the album seems lost among many of the stories about them from Suzyâs announcement that sheâs dating Lee Minho, and Say A and other K-Pop fans tossing around accusations that the rest of Miss A are bullying Suzy. However, if people actually focus on the music, they may find Colors is worthwhile and more interesting than the supposed scandals surrounding the group.
The album opens with the R&B track âí깸ě.â The song provides a more mature sound for Miss A. The beauty of âí깸ěâ is how it utilizes their huskier vocals well. Jia, Fei, and Min, especially, stand out as star performers. R&B is a style that doesnât seem to fit Miss A because of their poppy, dance-tracks theyâve had in the past, but the style leaves a listener hungry for more because the vocals are sensual without being overtly sexy. âí깸ěâ is a great opening track.
âOnly Youâ is the lead single for the Colors, and while itâs a good song, Miss A plays it safe. It has all the elements to make it a hit song with a nice dance beat and easy-to-recall lyrics. It has hints of early 1980s sound, which adds to the appeal. However, it sounds more like a potential debut or second single than a single from an established group. Suzy, too, at times, sounds thin vocally, which throws the dynamic off a bit. Throw in the random male screaming in the instrumentals, and thereâs a lot going on in âOnly Youâ that feels strange even though itâs an overall decent track.
Track three, âLove Song,â is fairly simple and one of the best songs on Colors. Fei and Jia drip sensuality, while Minâs vocals add a different layer of richness. The instrumentals also add interest to the track along with hints of mystery. It was a great choice to promote âLove Songâ along with âOnly Youâ during the first week of promotions because the two together show Miss Aâs depths as a group. However, âLove Songâ is much better than âOnly You.â
Another addictive track is âë šě.â If anyone remembers late â90s music in the US, this song will speak to you as there are twinges of Monica, Brandy, and Aliyah in the beat. Throw in Miss Aâs sweet vocals, and hints of traditional Asian sound in the instrumentals, and you have a song that truly has global flair! At times, the high notes feel wrong for Miss A because lower tones are more fitting, but the overall beat and simplicity make the song fulfilling.
âI Caught Yaâ brings in some Motown vibes with some 70s sound. The old-school vibe provides a nostalgic feel to this otherwise upbeat song. The catchy beat and hook with âI Caught Yaâ makes the song worth listening to over and over again. Whatâs interesting about âI Caught Yaâ is how the girlsâ vocals blend well while the listener is able to determine who is who. The song has a strong amount of soul that helps with the enjoyable nature of the song which makes it another top track.
The album wraps up with âStuck,â which is the perfect ending since the album started with a slower track. âStuckâ has a strong sense of femininity associated with it, almost to the point where the listener can feel Miss Aâs vulnerability. Thereâs almost a childlike innocence with the song that makes it so memorable and sweet, putting an exclamation point on the albumâs end.
Colors was a nice return to the music scene for Miss A. Colors easily has many hits on it, making it one of the standouts in K-Popâs first quarter. Colors earns an A-.
— Joelle Halon
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