Song Review:: Moonbyul (MAMAMOO): ICY BABY {Pre-Release}

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  • Release date: 2025 June 17

  • Album tracklist: ICY BABY

  • Album runtime: 3 minutes

 My girl, Moonbyul! I didn't actually see that this was being released until a few days before it was, and then finding out it's a pre-release caused all the emotions. I fear I still haven't actually moved on from Is This Love?, so I'm worried about my acceptance of the new album. But, you know what? It's good for me to have to accept a new song, and if MAMAMOO isn't releasing new music as a group right now, then I'll be looking forward to their new music as soloists.

We've got some retro video game vibes to the instrumental, which is interesting to be hearing. I like the vibes. I just wish the different sections were a little more strongly distinct. With the exception of the intro and the first verse immediately following it, the skittering beat goes through the entire song and kind of takes over the instrumental track. Even in parts where the rest of it settles into something that could be construed as cute, that beat is just omni-present, and I apologize if that's now the only thing you can hear.

I genuinely love how versatile Moonbyul's voice is. Her actual singing voice is so solid generally, and she's got great control over it, as it evident by how good of a rapper she is. I wish the song was a little stronger vocally, because her chest voice is just so gorgeous and, in my somewhat humble opinion, one of the best in kpop. This one feels a little tame for what she can do, but the combo of the singing and rapping gives the song enough texture to elevate it from simply cute fluff of the slightly milquetoast variety.

This is more of a performance video than it is a music video. For the record. But, the choreography scratches the frustrated itch I've been having over a lot of the girl group choreography, so I should be good for a bit.



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