Sunmi - Full Moon

Tracklist:

1. Full Moon (feat. Lena)
   
2. 24 Hours�
3. Burn
4. Who Am I (feat. Wonder Girls' Yubin)
   
5. Stopped Time (feat. Got7's Jackson)
   
6. If That Were You (written and composed in part by Wonder Girls' Yenny)
   
7. If That Were You (feat. Wonder Girls' Yenny - CD only)
   

Sunmi of Wonder Girls fame has dropped her first mini-album. Last year she released a single, '24 Hours,' that marked a major change in image from cute to sexy and fierce. While '24 Hours'�rocketed to the top of the charts, is the EP 'Full Moon'�likely to do the same?

At the time of this writing, it appears so. While it didn't hit the top of charts on�Melon, the MV for "Full Moon"�has well over a million views in a week's time.

The teaser images were compelling. Particularly the one of her in a coffin as a vampire. The only problem... the vampire thing is not original. The one that springs to mind most immediately for me is 4Minute's Volume Up. However, it appears that Sunmi is pushing the envelope for sexy even further, adding her long legs to her list of obvious charms. My problem with sexy is that it's an obvious choice for rookie groups trying to get more exposure -- but Sunmi is hardly a rookie. Besides that, sexy concepts are starting to backfire now; one look at Stella's Marionette MV on YouTube will show many more dislikes than likes.

The disc starts off with Full Moon, featuring Lena, a member of a new JYP girl-group. I like Sunmi's voice here. It's not too high, nor too deep. The problem with the song is that it doesn't grab me and Lena's rap part, while serviceable, adds little to the tune. It feels very much like the part was inserted to promote Lena and her group. One line in the song is "It's the perfect night to whisper love," or is it the perfect night to whisper JYP? �

Next up is "24 Hours," last August's hit, as if to remind us that her solo career was not ill-advised. "24 Hours" has an urgent feel to it, as if she feels that she only has 24 hours to get her point across. It's just as catchy now as it was last year, and it's certainly catchier than the eponymous title track.

The third track, "Burn," has an interesting synth riff which almost sounds like dripping. The lyrics reflect a woman pushing her no-good boyfriend away. I love the way the synth tracks layer here. I'm a fan of Big Beat and techno in general, and I can imagine this song as a tip of the hat to the genre. It works much better than the forced integration of dubstep in some recent K-Pop -- just sayin'. I love the "burn baby burn" lyrics, as well. Almost a Reply Disco Inferno?

"Who Am I?",�which�features her former group mate Yubin,�reminds me of Texan blues. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The lyrics to the song go right along with the sexy concept, but the song feels very different from standard K-Pop fare. And that is a very good thing. It eases into Yubin's rap part effortlessly and ended with me wanting more.

The fifth entry on the EP is "Frozen In Time," featuring Jackson of GOT7. It's a pleasant ballad with an ethereal vocal quality. I had my reservations about it upon the first listen. GOT7 is a hip-hop band, so a rap line, especially in a contrasting deeper male voice, would be a poor fit. Fortunately, Jackson actually sings, and does a fairly good job. The lyrics themselves are somewhat dreamlike, talking of being "imprisoned in frozen time" and wanting to turn back the clock to a time she and her man were in love.

"If That Was You" is a great melodic endnote to the album, a mid-tempo pop track penned by Wonder Girls' Yeeun. Refreshing, sweet, and rewarding, it's a mature track that really showcases Sunmi's vocals. Not ethereal or drowned out by the music, but there on full display.�