Greatest Hits:: Loona: PTT (Paint the Town)

Apparently the random wheel generator likes the fourth generation groups at the moment, which I'm fine with because eventually I'll get to do older groups and that's something I'm very excited about. But, in the meantime, we get a group that I initially became interested in because I really enjoyed watching them dance on Queendom 2. Do I actually know much about them? Nope. But I do know that they have a lot of subunits, like tripleS, and are currently promoting under various subunits and/or as soloists.

• Group: LOONA
• Debut Date: 2018 August 19
• Company: Blockberry Creative
• Status: Inactive (there are no members remaining at the company, but they were not officially disbanded; additionally, the members have expressed a desire to perform together again)
• Album: [&]
• Song: PTT (Paint The Town)
• Release Date: 2021 June 28

This song apparently marks the return of leader Haseul! There's usually an immense sense of relief from the members when one who was on hiatus for whatever reason comes off hiatus, even though this album had difficulties. So some interesting facts about the album. This was their first album to have all the songs on the Gaon Download Chart and also their fifth consecutive top five album to debut on the Gaon Album Chart. This one debuted at number 4. And! It was their first entry on both the Billboard Japan Albums Chart and the Oricon Albums Chart, as well as the Polish Albums Chart. And it seems it was generally well-praised by critics. 

So I did some digging from people who know more than I do and are also Indian, and, apparently, that instrument is likely either an Indian Been (but if it is, it's being played like a Taepyeongso), or a Korean Taepyeongso, and there is also a Tabla being used, though you can tell it's a sample because of how repetitive it is. Personally, I'm happy to finally have a name for the Been, but discovering the existence of the Taepyeongso was also a cool surprise for me.

So starting with their dance practice video because their dancing is what drew me to them in the first place, even though I haven't seen much of it in general. And oh, my gosh. Holy moly. The synchronization is simply incredible, and that's hard enough in a smaller group, but when you have twelve of them, that's even more impressive. And even though I don't know which member she is, Yves apparently stands out a lot and steals the show, her and Choerry, with Vivi getting a very proud moment from the fans for improving a lot. And this is actually a really good example of gorgeous and powerful dancing. I mean, just look at that! My legs hurt just watching them.

I've already sort of talked about the instrumentals, but frankly it's worth another mention. They're awesome. 

The transition in the music video at 1:09 is so perfectly executed and I love it to absolute bits. The instrumentals and the vocals and the choreography are just all working in perfect unison. This is power at its peak. It's incredible. 

And I'm genuinely half in love with their vocals. That bridge is amazing, the way the instrumentals quiet for really the only time in the entire song so there's nothing to distract from the beautiful singing they're doing.