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(Image credits to MNH Entertainment. From the #Bare Ver. Mood Sampler)
Chung Ha has to be one of my top K-pop artists of all time. Her music is diverse in genre, yet always has certain elements and styles that make it definitively her. The evolution of her discography is one of my favorites, shifting from bubbly summer numbers like "Love U" to darker, brassier songs like "Bicycle." To top it all off, she's immensely artistic as well as talented in both dancing and singing. What does she not possess to be a successful artist? Well, sometimes public opinion can be unpredictable. Riding off of her "Gotta Go" fame, Chung Ha released her 1st studio album Querencia early last year. It is her most creative and daring project to date. Accompanied by a slew of quality singles, it seemed as though she was set to continue her upward trajectory. Yet, the album did not do so well commercially. And who knows why? These sorts of things are inevitable, especially in K-pop, but it certainly stung with the underdog Chung Ha. Despite this, it seems as though she is determined to keep going. She's finally back, with the first half of her 2nd studio album, Bare&Rare, and the message is clear: she's here to stay.
Bare&Rare, Pt.1 opens with the captivating "XXXX." Lyrically, it sets an important precedent for the album, dealing with introspection and self-worth in a way that interconnects to Querencia. The song opens with sounds of glass shattering (a call back to Querencia's album cover), which Chung Ha then likens to herself: "reflecting parts of me diversely... shattered pieces shine on the floor." She confidently asserts her strength in the face of struggle "cause she's a fighter" on "XXXX," singing slick against a simplistic background of deep, distorted synths and vrooming noises.
(Image credits to MNH Entertainment. L: Bare&Rare, Pt.1 teaser image. R: From the #Bare Ver. Mood Sampler)
As a whole, the darker songs on this album are much stronger than the brighter ones. "Nuh-Uh," where Chung Ha discredits her copycats, mish-mashes traditional strings and flute with striking drums and groovy synths. A highlight of this song is the edgy, chopped-up chorus. The result is a song that is sultry and confident, hypnotically commanding your attention and ending the album on a note of determination. "Crazy Like You (feat. BIBI)" is clearly the fandom favorite from this album, and rightfully so. Smooth and ruthless, Chung Ha croons remorsefully about a cruel ex on this track. Sonically, it would fit well on Woodz's Colorful Trauma thanks to the rock influences, both in instrumentation and singing style. I will admit that the BIBI feature is a bit throwaway.
The real gem on this album, though, is "Good Night My Princess." While Chung Ha is primarily known for her dance music, I would argue that her slower songs are just as compelling. With how her vocal skills and marble-smooth voice lend themselves to ballads, Chung Ha's slower music has always oozed with genuine emotion. "Good Night My Princess" is proof of that. She lays herself raw in this song, diving deep into her and her mother's hardships and showing us how she reassures herself through them. Along with the slow guitar, the song showcases her vocal register quite nicely, beginning with a deeper chorus and switching to falsetto for the finale. That chorus is just so euphorically touching-- it's the kind of song where you have to sit down for a moment to wistfully digest it all.
(Image credits to MNH Entertainment. L-R: "Sparkling" teaser images)
Moving onto the lighter fare, we have the jumpy "Louder." This song follows up well to Querencia's "Chill" in its cold, refreshing energy. I'm not particularly one for this sound, but it's fun, and acts as nice padding for the album I suppose. "California Dream" isn't anything exceptional either, skeletal in its simple, guitar-driven production. It's rather one-dimensional, but perhaps that is all that's needed to serve its purpose of driving music. I enjoy its bouncy, light chorus. One of my favorite songs, though, does come from this brighter side. "Love Me Out Loud" is explosive and full, invoking a sense of confidence and pride that does justice to its title. The verses borrow from the wistful energy of prior songs, but the chorus goes all in, with fulfilling guitar and belting.
Finally, we have lead single "Sparkling." Now, let me preface my review by saying that I do like this song. However, in comparison to her previous title tracks, I would rank it bottommost. "Sparkling" is endearing in the sense that it is a throwback to her musical origins. Chung Ha debuted with a very energetic summer sound, and persisted with it for 2 years before switching over with "Gotta Go." While those songs, such as "Love U" or "Why Don't You Know," were nothing to write home about, I still attach a lot of nostalgia to them. They were simple pop bangers. Quite interestingly, "Sparkling" attempts to make peace between that summer sound and her more abrasive singles of recent by offering retro synthwave. The result is quite charming. I love the post-chorus with the whistling, as well as those undulating synths in the background. Her vocals find a suitable place amidst the running instrumental-- Chung Ha simply sparkles on this track. However, "Sparkling" lacks punch. The groovy chorus is just fine, but I dislike the way it is understated. This more laidback energy was intended of course, but I don't know how much I enjoy it. Thankfully, the post-chorus brings in some explosiveness, but as a whole, "Sparkling" isn't anything unique or extremely powerful.
(Image credits to MNH Entertainment. From the "Sparkling" M/V)
But this does not ring true for Bare&Rare, Pt.1 as a whole. This is easily her most personal, heartfelt, and deep album to date. It continues what Querencia began in terms of self-exploration and artistry, but this time shifting the focus away from musical style and towards meaning. She harkens back to the days her mother struggled in "Good Night My Princess," to her days as part of I.O.I in "California Dream," to the days she worked as a DJ in "Louder," and to the days she felt supported by her fans in "Love Me Out Loud." It's her feelings, memories, and signature genres on this album. Even if some of the more summery songs are not the most gripping sonically, these are easily her most compelling lyrical works yet. True to the title, Chung Ha lays herself bare in this album, proving just how rare she is in skill, empathy, and strength, even in the face of hardship strong enough to shatter glass.
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