Tag: MEOVV

Cast your mind back a few weeks to when MEOVV pre-released the single HANDS UP ahead of their comeback. Well, two weeks after the release of HANDS UP, the group released their first mini-album, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE. It features the title track DROP TOP (the focus of this post), as well as their 2023 singles (MEOVV, TOXIC and BODY).

Admittedly, MEOVV doesn’t have much out at the moment. But the first track that caught my attention was TOXIC, and now DROP TOP is right up there with it. What both songs have in common is how amazing the vocals are. Every time DROP TOP comes on, I’m just in awe. SOOIN’s deep voice at the beginning instantly pulls me in, and the rest of the members sound so clear and stunning throughout. GAWON’s rap in the second verse is super crisp, and I love the extra punch they bring to parts like the chorus—it gives the song a nice lift. Now, I’ll admit, DROP TOP isn’t the most groundbreaking song. The instrumental has its moments – parts were atmospheric and calming. I enjoy the added oomph during the chorus, through the upbeat pop and rock elements. However, it also feels like something we have all heard before. As for the hooks, I thought they were kind of bland at first, but they’ve really grown on me and add some nice texture. All in all, I do wish the song had a bit more going on. But MEOVV’s vocals? Absolutely top-notch in DROP TOP.

The music video initially shows the members in confined spaces or weighed down in one way or another, yearning for freedom. As the music video progresses, we see the locations transition to open skies, and the members appear happier as a result. I do like how the camera becomes unfocused during these moments, or they are not your typical camera shots (in terms of the night vision). This speaks to the idea of not being confined to a single style or being bound by the strict, defined four walls of the screen. All of this aligns well with the song’s lyrics, which convey the message of living in the moment and embracing one’s individuality.

DROP TOP had an edge to it due to the instrumentation, so adding a bit of choreography made sense. I liked that it wasn’t an intense routine—it let the members focus on singing live. The moves were light and relaxed, and the rest of the routine was just MEOVV vibing with the music. This setup really suited the song.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

MEOVV is gearing up for a comeback in May. But before we can hear their 1st mini-album, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE, the group pre-released the single HANDS UP (the focus of this post) on Monday. The future album release will follow their TOXIC and BODY comeback from November 2024.

HANDS UP has garnered a lukewarm response from me since its release. I liked certain elements, while other parts of the song felt very beige. Let’s start with what I liked, namely the delivery of the chorus. I really enjoyed the hooks, and MEOVV’s deadpan delivery of them was actually quite effective. It forges a catchy and memorable element in HANDS UP. I also enjoyed the momentum behind the song. That really helped me get through the song. I also liked how cool the ending of HANDS UP sounded, with what felt like a remix of everything before it. Beyond that, I felt HANDS UP was stuck in a bit of a rut. I find the vocals to be over-processed, particularly when they do the longer notes in the choruses. I am not convinced as to why they needed to do this, and I’m unsure of its effectiveness. It did help with that deadpanness, but I am sure the members could handle that part without the autotune. HANDS UP also has a beige problem with its instrumental, where everything felt overly similar throughout the song until the final moment. I wish there were more variety in the music and that it wasn’t linear as it was. The verses, as well as the rapping, were also dull and unimaginative. Overall, what I liked from HANDS UP has helped the song grow on me ever so slowly, but I don’t think I will reach the point of really enjoying the track.

The music video revolves around the Korean game arkkagi, where players flick their own stones to knock off their opponent’s stones off the board. I really like the aesthetic of the setting, which felt very clean and modern. The intense focus on the members and various hand formations displayed prominently throughout the video are probably representative of the intense focus needed to play the game and the necessary hand formations to flick a stone (particularly when it is in a precarious location on the board). I also like how, during the second verse, the stones are flying by the members as per the game. But interestingly, the most memorable moment for me was watching the kid feel so stressed about his next move against another MEOVV member during the second chorus. For some unknown reason, that scene spoke to me and was memorable.

The choreography for HANDS UP was actually quite cool. Obviously, there were a lot of arms and hands up in the air throughout the routine. But there was also an element of intensity, attitude and sassiness from the members that I quite enjoyed.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

MEOVV kicks off the new week with their first comeback, TOXIC. The latest release follows on from their September debut with MEOW.

TOXIC keeps it simple with a vocal focus and minimalistic electronic instrumental. It’s so simple that the song has barely anything to it instrumentally, and I have yet to decide whether this is a good thing. The instrumental comprises a paced beat and a consistent soft bubbling effect for most of the song. Occasionally, an atmospheric sheen comes into play for certain parts of TOXIC, such as during the choruses and the end of the song. All is good, but it is so beige at the same time. Keeping TOXIC‘s instrumental bare allows MEOVV’s vocals to shine and be heard unfiltered. It is a risk, as there isn’t anything to hide behind. But listening to TOXIC a few times since its release, I don’t see that being a problem for MEOVV in this R&B ballad track, which is about realising how much one depends on a relationship despite it being so toxic. You can hear how stable the rookie group sounds, and you can also hear the emotions behind the voices, which makes the subdued TOXIC more impactful. I am drawn to the members’ falsetto in the choruses and vocals in the pre-choruses. But I wish the melodies and verses were more riveting.

My take on the video is that it shows two sides of MEOVV—once innocent angels (dressed in white and light colours) who have fallen due to a toxic relationship (dressed in black and with black wings). But regardless of whether they are innocent angels or fallen angels, they continue to do everything they used to do before, indicating that they prefer the status quo and hence can’t leave the toxic relationship (as depicted in the song lyrics). However, the fallen angel version of the group does have the added pensive moment. At the end of the video, we see a glimpse of one member trying to ascend back to Heaven via the elevators, which might be the code for escaping the toxic relationship.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10

Over a month ago, MEOVV made their debut with the single MEOW. The five-member female group is the first under THEBLACKLABEL, a label founded by YG Producers Teddy and Kush. Their lineup comprises Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin, and Ella. THEBLACKLABEL is also currently home to TAEYANG, JEON SOMI and BLACKPINK’s Rosé (who will be making her long-awaited solo comeback in December).

To be honest, my initial impression of MEOW wasn’t great. A month after its release, I am not yet convinced that MEOVV is the next big thing in KPOP based on MEOW. I recognise some potential behind the group and the song, but neither has won me over nor really put the group on my radar other than that they are attached to one of the Big 4 entertainment companies. Let’s focus on the positives. I have come around to the vocals. When MEOW does give us some melodies, SOOIN and ELLA pull it off well. Something a little more vibrant could have helped MEOW be more appealing (more on this in a second), and I think these vocals, through the melodies, could have been the best conduit for that. I can sense the edginess behind the choruses and the heavy hip-hop influence, and I believe MEOVV could take this to higher levels with the right song. The flute-like instrumental at the end of the song was a great addition and gave the song a little something different to end off the song. The biggest problem with MEOW, for me, is its heaviness. From MEOW‘s main refrain to the serious tone the members exude, it is pretty suffocating. This ultimately served as a barrier for me to get into the song. As mentioned before, the song needed some vibrancy to it. We don’t need much that disrupts the edginess that the group has going for them. But we needed something to balance out MEOW, at least to have it appear in my books.

When I see the music video, I cannot help but think it is a YG video that has been gutted. The quality is there, just like any other YG-produced music video. But many elements that usually make you go wow in a YG video are missing. Instead, MEOW‘s music video attempts to be minimalistic. That can be an aesthetic when done right, but I don’t think it was achieved here. It just feels empty. Instead, the video relies on the members to fill up the space. I like the edgy vibe the members exude through their outfits and demeanour. But it just wasn’t enough. The scenes where the members dance with the Big Foots were a bit fun.

The choreography for MEOVV’s debut was quite powerful and aggressive, making for a compelling case for the group. I did not expect the performance to be as aggressive for some reason, but I guess it makes sense, given the group’s roots and the hip-hop influence on them. That whole dance break at the end of the routine is very worthwhile to watch.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 6.5/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7/10