[Album Review] Nine Muses - 'Drama'

AKP STAFF

NINE MUSES - 'DRAMA'

Track Listing:
1. Pilot Episode
2. Drama
3. Choice
4. Trickling
5. September 17

Nine Muses shows us there's no business like show business with their new mini-album 'Drama.' The band underwent some lineup changes last year with the departure of Eunji, Lee Sem, and Sera. Now the group known for the songs "Gun," "Dolls," and "Ticket" are back as an octet with new members Sojin and Keumjo.

The album starts with the intro track, "Pilot Episode," a catchy and danceable intro. My main quibble with it is that just as I was really getting into it, it ended abruptly. I would love to hear this developed into a full-blown song. They could do it on their next album and call it "Greenlit For Series." ;)

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They chose an interesting opening for "Drama," starting with some retro-style horns and launching immediately into deliciously aggressive raps by both Euaerin and SungA. It becomes rather bland when it hits the main melody, however. It's an okay tune, but to me, it lacks the punch and energy of their previous singles like "News" or "Wild." Hyemi really kills the vox on this track, though.

"Choice" is a disco-inspired tune, done a little better than "Drama." It's got more hooks, and before the song can get stale,�Euaerin's rap injects it with new life. You end up feeling as good at the end as at the beginning, body moving, heart pumping.�

The EP's liveliest track, "Trickling," is interesting. There are some softer parts while other parts are sung a little faster and buoyed by a rap that keeps to the beat perfectly. You finally get a chance to hear more of the new members here. Keumjo in particular handles the chorus masterfully:�

"Trickling, trickling, my tears
Trickling, trickling, my love
My chest is soaked...trickling."

The girls mellow out with the R&B-styled ballad, "September 17." Here Keumjo and Sojin are given somewhat larger parts, and early in the song, one of the verses is a duet featuring their vocals. It's nice to actually figure out how they sound unencumbered by synth bombast, and they sound good. Hyemi's delivery, as usual, is flawless and moving.

Overall, the album is not particularly memorable. There's a couple standout tracks, but it's not as good as I was hoping for. I was hoping for a fiercer style, and something that would make these tunes pop rather than fizzle. When they're on their game, they're on, but when they're not, it's by-the-numbers music. The girls did what they could with the material, but I think it's the material that let them down and not the other way around. I want this group to do well and I like the fact that in 2013, they appeared to gain at least some recognition. I'm hoping their next comeback will play more to their strengths. They deserve better.� Nine Muses fighting!