OK, Orbits! It’s been a long ride but we’ve finally arrived!
Following nearly two years of both individual and subunit promotions, LOONA has officially debuted with their first mini album, [+ +], which features six tracks, including pre-release single “favOriTe” and title track “Hi High.” After all the anticipation throughout dozens of pre-debut tracks, a handful of mini albums, and hundreds of behind-the-scene clips, does LOONA’s debut live up to the hype?
Throughout their pre-debut activities, one of the things that always attracted me to LOONA was the way they went against the grain. I enjoyed the unpredictability of their pre-debut songs, never knowing if you’ll get a more sensual sound like Kim Lip’s “Eclipse” or an ultra quirky pop song like Chuu’s “Heart Attack.” This musical diversity is a smart move to attract as wide a range of fans as possible.
With that in mind, I have to wonder if their debut with “Hi High” was designed to pull in more Korean fans, who often favor sweet and cute concepts. “Hi High” is like a cross between LOONA/yyxy’s “love4eva” and LOONA 1/3’s “love & live.” It’s not my favorite on the [+ +] album, but I can definitely appreciate the fun and infectious energy of the song. By the end, I can’t help but be won over by Chuu’s explosive high note, which reminds me that LOONA’s real strength lies in what all the individual members bring to the table.
The rest of the album is where you’ll find the actual gems of LOONA’s real potential. I still love the energy of pre-release single “favOriTe.” Another one on top of my list would have to be “열기” with its powerful vocals and trendy instrumentals.
But you’ve heard nothing until you get to the final charismatic track “Stylish.” This is where you can hear how they’re dripping in confidence and raw talent. The “you’re so stylish” hook is just so damn smooth. That and the a capella harmonizations and adlibs make the track three and a half minutes of pure bliss.
Overall, LOONA’s best tracks are still pre-debut ones. And even though [+ +] plays it safe and offers a good sampling of what LOONA can do, I hope they continue to take risks and deliver the uniqueness they’ve come to be known for.