Welcome to MAMAMOOSIC, a blog project which focuses on the incredible music of MAMAMOO, a 4-member Korean girl group created in 2014 by Kim Do-Hoon of RBW (Rainbow Bridge World). The music of MAMAMOO employs elements of jazz, soul, funk, lounge, urban R&B, hip-hop, EDM and world music to produce a unique modern style which, although highly musical, ultimately still aims primarily for fun and excitement. Each post on this blog project will closely examine one of MAMAMOO's albums, and also include links to secondary non-album releases, exclusive online tracks, and live covers. Although MAMAMOO's accomplishments also extend into video production, dance, and fan engagement (of course), for now this blog will only concentrate on their musical achievements.

Memory

Mamamoo's Memory era began when "Woo Hoo" (a promotional video for LG's G5 and Friends smartphone) was released on April 3rd, 2016 (this single would eventually also be included as the last track on the forthcoming Memory mini-album). Filmed as a "one take" tracking shot, the video presents Mamamoo in a modern light, further expanding their visual identity beyond their initial image as a "retro-R&B" act. Although opening with a classic Mamamoo acappella segment, the rhythm groove features contemporary synth-pop sounds, a texture designed to reflect the sounds of modern pop.

However, more importantly during this period, Mamamoo and their production team also began developing a live concert concept, titled "MOOSICAL". On August 13th, Mamamoo’s first live album, Moosical: 1st Concert In 2016, was recorded (although the album itself was not released until 2017). This concert featured songs from the albums Hello, Piano Man, Pink Funky and Melting, as well as a few new songs yet to be released on record ("Angel", "DAB DAB", and "I Love Too/Never Letting Go"). Arranged for a live band in this concert production, many album songs appeared in a fresh light including a "swing jazz" opening for "Piano Man" (introduced to some extent in one or two music program stages) and a "rock-flavored" "Taller Than You". Additionally, Moonbyul added a new dialogue section in the beginning of "Sting". These concerts also featured solo spots for each member and a dance spotlight ("Girl Group Medley"), although these were not included on the eventual CD release. This concert never appeared on DVD, but some footage for the new songs ("Angel", "DAB DAB", "I Love Too") was later made available as MVs to promote Memory. 

  1. "Mr. Ambiguous"
  2. "Baton Touch"
  3. "Peppermint Chocolate"
  4. "Piano Man (with jazz intro)"   
  5. "AAH OOP!"
  6. "Hi Hi Ha He Ho (intro)"/"Don't Be Happy"
  7. "Love Lane"/"Sting (with Moonbyul intro)"
  8. "Taller Than You (rock version)"
  9. "Girl Crush"/"Pink Panties"
  10. "Angel"   
  11. "DAB DAB"   
  12. "Words Don't Come Easy"
  13. "Emotion"   
  14. "Funky Boy"
  15. "I Miss You"
  16. "I Love Too"
  17. "You're The Best"
  18. "Um Oh Ah Yeh (band intros)"

Below are the "solo member" songs not included on the CD (but performed live in between "Sting" and "Taller Than You"):

Moonbyul: “Don’t Forget” (Crush) (also recorded for Fancafe 16.08.22)
Wheein: "Moderato" (also recorded for Memory)
Solar: "I Will Always Love You" (Whitney Houston), "Sexy Back" (Justin Timberlake)
Hwasa: "Stay" (Rihanna), "You Give Love a Bad Name" (Bon Jovi)

A "Girl Group Medley" ("Run Time" + "NoNoNo" + "LIE" + "I like that" + "Cheer Up" + "Dumb Dumb" + "Pick Me") was also performed (as a loose dance routine) after "Pink Panties" and before "Angel".

On August 31st, “Angel” and ”DAB DAB” were released, which each featured Mamamoo in 2-person "sub-units". While "Angel" featured soaring melodic lines from Solar and Wheein's "angel line", "DAB DAB" focused on Moonbyul and Hwasa's "rapper line". These two singles helped further expand Mamamoo's musical identity beyond their early electro-swing roots. A few weeks later on September 21st, the electro-funk single "New York" was released.

Mamamoo’s 4th EP, Memory, was released on November 7th, containing the four singles released earlier in the year as well as four new songs. On this album, the opening track, "Memory", recalls a vintage "holiday" texture, but the rest of the album aimed for more modern pop sounds in order to further display their artistic growth. In fact, the album's title track single, "Décalcomanie", emphasizes a rock groove beneath its pop melodies, resulting in an infectious hit anthem. The accompanying promotional video for the title track "Décalcomanie" also portrayed Mamamoo as alluring (sexy) young adults, with the intention of moving the band image beyond their earlier fun and mischievous "beagle" look. On the other hand, the song "I Love Too (Never Letting Go)" was designed as a personal dedication to "Moo Moos" (Mamamoo fans).

Memory
1. "Memory (Draw & Draw & Draw)” (그리고 그리고 그려봐) (lyrics by Solar, Moonbyul, Kim Do-hoon, music /by Kim Do-hoon, arrangement by Shinmin): This evocative Christmas-ey ballad recalls the vintage holiday jazz of artists like Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Its inclusion here was appropriate for the album's holiday season release date (it's notable that Mamamoo at this point were confident enough that they no longer felt the need to open their albums with high-energy "bops"). Hong Jun-Ho provides delicious jazz guitar ornamentation and Kim Sung-Min's understated trumpet add a special "nostalgic" flavor to the mix. The lyrics describe the speaker's fond memories of the past with a loved one and her intention to "draw out" these memories in order to savor them. English lyrics.  MV.

Guitar: Hong Jun-Ho, Trumpet: Kim Sung-Min, String Arr.: Shinmin, Strings: Yung Strings (str. ens.)

0:00: Guitar, strings intro
0:15: 1st & 2nd verse (Wheein, Hwasa) with additional drums, piano and bass
0:47: Chorus (Wheein, Solar, Hwasa, Wheein)
1:17: Rap interlude (Moonbyul) with added trumpet lead
1:32: 3rd & 4th verse (Solar, Hwasa, Wheein) with added string melodies, guitar leads
2:05: Chorus (Solar, Hwasa, Wheein, Solar)
2:35: "Memory" extended tag (Hwasa)
2:48: Chorus with modulation (Hwasa, Solar, Wheein, Hwasa)
3:19: "Memory" extended tag (Hwasa), outro with trumpet lead

2. "Décalcomanie" (데칼코마니) (title track) (lyrics by Solar, Moonbyul, Hwasa, Kim Do-hoon, music by Kim Do-hoon, arrangement by Kim Do-hoon, MGR, Park Woo-sang). This hit song is driven by a straightforward rock beat with an eight-note pulse, and is highlighted by memorable groove cadences and a brassy, infectious chorus. The energy of this song builds to several climaxes, and features two fierce raps from Moonbyul. The ending vocal adlibs also lift this song into "soulful" territory. The lyrics describe the singer's special feeling for a man she has recently met, and state that their passionate first kiss is like the impression of a decal. English lyrics.  MV.

Guitar: Hong Jun-Ho, Bass: Choi Hoon 

0:00: 1st verse (Hwasa) with organ and handclaps
0:18: 2nd verse (Solar) with added drums, piano, bass, background vocals, cadence break
0:36: Chorus (Solar, Wheein, Hwasa, Wheein) with added synths, brass, full band
1:12: 3rd verse (Wheein)
1:28: Rap (Moonbyul) with rhythmic piano groove, cadence break (Hwasa, Solar)
1:47: Chorus (Hwasa, Solar, Wheein, Solar)
2:22: Bridge (Hwasa, Wheein, Solar), rhythm section lays out before arrangement builds back up
2:38: Rap (Moonbyul), "Mamamoo is coming back for you!" (Hwasa) cadence variation (Solar)
2:56: Chorus (Hwasa, Wheein, Solar, Wheein)

3. "New York" (from single) (lyrics by Park Woo-sang, Kim Ma Cho, Moonbyul, music/arrangement by Park Woo-sang). The main riff of this electro-funk song is based on the bass part from the bridge of the earlier "DAB DAB" single. It features some tasty funk guitar from Jung Jae-Pil as well as tightly-arranged brass and a few carefully-interjected vocal samples. Wheein features as the main vocalist here, but Moonbyul contributes three rap sections, with the third coming after a psychedelic synth lead section. In this song the vocalists fantasize about a love affair/adventure in New York, an exotic city located half way around the world. In the music video the girls fool an online male friend into believing that they are in New York having fun.  English lyrics.  MV.

Guitar: Jung Jae-Pil/Young, Piano: Park Woo-sang, Bass: Choi Min Sung, Drum programming: Park Woo-sang
Background vocals: Jung Geun-Young 

0:00: Intro with funk bass riff ("Let's get it. Whoa.", Hwasa)
0:08: 1st verse (Wheein, Solar, Hwasa) with added drums and funk guitar
0:27: Pre-chorus rap (Moonbyul), bass restrained
0:35: Chorus (Wheein, Solar) with added background vocals, bass riff based on verse
0:53: Chorus part 2 (Hwasa) with added brass and alternate bass
1:02: 2nd verse (Wheein, Solar)
1:20: Pre-chorus rap (Moonbyul), bass restrained
1:28: Chorus (Wheein, Hwasa), Chorus part 2 (Solar)
1:55: Bridge (Wheein, Hwasa/Solar) with looser groove, more keys
2:15: Pre-chorus with synth lead, rap (Moonbyul) joins in second half
2:32: Chorus (Wheein, Solar), Chorus part 2 (Hwasa)

4. "Moderato (feat. Hash Swan)" (lyrics by Wheein, Park Woo-sang, Hash Swan, music by Wheein, Park Woo-sang, arrangement by Park Woo-sang). On this R&B/hip-hop number, Hash Swan provides raps for each chorus, while Wheein covers the melodic material of the song. The repeating verse and chorus parts keep things interesting by cleverly interchanging each singer's parts in various combinations. This was Wheein's first song composition and was initially unveiled to the public at the band's first MOOSICAL concert (during Wheein's solo section). The lyrics describe a sudden passionate attraction between two lovers, but also declare that there is no great hurry - she is not going to run away. English lyrics.

Drum programming: Park Woo-sang
Background vocals: Wheein

0:00: Intro with synth and vocal adlibs (Wheein), intro groove (based on chorus)
0:33: 1st verse (Wheein) with restrained bass, trap drums
0:55: Chorus rap (Hash Swan, Wheein melody)
1:20: Pre-chorus (Wheein) with kick drum/bass
1:38: Chorus (Wheein, Hash Swan rap fragment)
2:02: 2nd verse (Wheein, Hash Swan rap fragment)
2:25: Chorus rap (Hash Swan, Wheein melody)
2:49: Pre-chorus (Wheein)
3:07: Chorus (Wheein, Hash Swan rap)
3:30: Outro groove with trap drums (Hash Swan/Wheein) (based on intro groove)

5. "Angel" (sung by Solar & Wheein) (from single) (lyrics/music/arrangement by Park Woo-sang). This is a gentle ballad in triple meter featuring Solar and Wheein over electric piano, strings and shimmering guitar. The string arrangement is somewhat similar to the one heard in "Memory", but includes more rhythmic (or pizzicato) string elements. Although Park Woo-sang is credited with drum machine programming, the drums actually sound fairly authentic. In the lyrics, the speaker tells her lover that she cannot act like a perfect angel for him, and desires to retain her own identity at the price of their relationship. English lyrics.  Live MV (from MOOSICAL concert) 

Guitar: Jung Jae-Pil/Young, EP/Drum programming: Park Woo-sang, String arr.: 권석홈, String: RBINJ
Background vocals: Wheein, Min (이민영 of Miss A)

0:00: Keys/strings intro
0:18: 1st verse (Solar) with drums
0:41: 2nd verse (Wheein), arrangement builds
1:05: Chorus (Solar, Wheein) with bass and rhythmic strings
1:35: 3rd verse (Solar/Wheein) with added guitar/keys ornamentation
1:57: Chorus (Solar/Wheein)
2:27: Bridge (Wheein/Solar) with changing rhythm cadences
2:51: Chorus (Solar, Wheein), groove lays out in beginning

6. "DAB DAB" (sung by Hwasa & Moonbyul) (from single) (lyrics/music by Park Woo-sang, Kim Ma-cho, arranged by Park Woo-sang). Although Moonbyul is Mamamoo's primary rapper, Hwasa's rapping skills were featured in the earlier hip-hop tracks "I Do Me" and "Freakin Shoes". The two members' rap interaction blossomed on Melting's "Taller Than You", and here they continue their development as the band's official "rapper line". The song verses are driven by a witty piano loop, before the groove opens up into a brassy funk chorus with turntable-scratch commentary. The first and second bridges have very different treatments, and the interlude also features a male background vocal ensemble/sample (Kim Sung-whee). Like "Cat Fight", this is a fun and frisky song. The lyrics describe the speaker's impatiance with a boy's standoff-ish, "tough guy" exterior and asks him to just show his affections. English lyrics. Live MV (from MOOSICAL concert). 

Guitar: Jung Jae-Pil/Young, Drum programming: Park Woo-sang
Background vocals: Kim Sung Whee

0:00: Piano loop intro with adlibs (Moonbyul)
0:17: 1st verse (Moonbyul) based on intro groove
0:35: Chorus (Hwasa) with brass, funk bass
0:53: Bridge (Hwasa/Moonbyul) without piano
1:01: 2nd rap verse (Moonbyul) with variation
1:18: Chorus (Hwasa)
1:36: Bridge (Hwasa/Moonbyul) with funk bass later used again in "New York"
1:53: Interlude with background vocal rhythms highlighted in first half, then Hwasa, cadence
2:11: Chorus (Hwasa), stop time break

7. "I Love Too (Never Letting Go)" (놓지 않을게) (lyrics by Moonbyul, Solar, Hwasa, music by Kim Do-hoon, arrangement by Choi Yong-chan): The inspiration for this "folk/R&B" song was started by a birthday event for Solar in which fans showed their devotion to the band with the slogan "Never Letting Go" (part of a lyric from "Love Lane"). Earlier online-exclusive fragments of this song (featuring parts from Solar, Hwasa and Moonbyul) appeared throughout the year on Mamamoo's Fancafe as they were composed by the group members. This song features lengthy rap-with-piano sections alternating with a heartfelt folk-rock chorus. Kim Sung Min's trumpet solo before the final chorus is also another highlight. The lyrics expresses the speaker's thankfulness for her lover's love and support (in particular when he had told her that he would "never let her go").   English lyrics.  Live MV (from MOOSICAL concert). 

Guitar: Hong Jun-Ho, Bass: Choi Hoon, Piano: Kim Do-hoon, Trumpet: Kim Sung Min, Trombone: Choi Jae Hoon

0:00: 1st verse rap (Moonbyul) over piano
0:20: 2nd verse rap (Hwasa), cadence (all)
0:43: Chorus (Wheein, Solar) with trombone, guitar, etc ("I love you too...")
1:23: 3rd verse rap (Moonbyul)
1:44: 4th verse rap (Hwasa), cadence
2:04: Chorus (Wheein, Solar)
2:45: Trumpet solo break
3:07: Chorus (Wheein, Solar, etc), outro adlibs with guitar solo

8. "Woo Hoo (A good day to look forward to)” (기대해도 좋은 날) (from LG's G5 and Friends smartphone promotional OST, which also includes an instrumental version) (lyrics by Cosmic Sound, Cosmic Girl, Jang Yoon-seo, Park Woo-sang, music/arrangement by Cosmic Sound, Cosmic Girl): From promotional material: "'Woo Hoo' is a medium-tempo, funky and rhythmic synth-pop number that truly brings out MAMAMOO's bright and positive energy." Although this song is intended to be very light-hearted and sunny, Moonbyul's darker rap section introduces a welcome contrast into the middle of things. Driven by a synth groove, this song also has some well-crafted soul-funk guitar and bass on the track, and features the same production team as "Emotion" from Melting. The lyrics describe the happy joy the speaker feels when she is with her lover. English lyrics. MV.

Guitar: Park Ki Tae, Bass: 임기범, Piano: Cosmic Sound, Cosmic Girl
Background vocals: U 
0:00: Vocal intro, joined by synth & guitar
0:18: 1st verse (Wheein, Solar)
0:35: Pre-chorus (Hwasa, Wheein)
0:52: Chorus (Solar, Wheein, Hwasa) with added synth lead
1:18: 2nd verse (Hwasa)
1:26: Rap interlude (Moonbyul) with brass hits
1:44: Pre-chorus (Solar, Wheein)
2:01: Chorus (Solar, Wheein, Hwasa)
2:27: Bridge with broad electronic groove (Hwasa, Wheein)
2:44: Chorus, accented intro with guitar adlibs (Solar, Wheein, Hwasa)

As can seen below, Mamamoo also recorded many other solo/guest tracks and alternate versions of album tracks during this period.

Releases and exclusive online performances (tracks)

160403 “Woo Hoo” (기대해도 좋은 날) [LG GS & Friends OST] (on Memory) & MV (day before)
160411 “The Manual” (Eddy Kim), Moonbyul
160414 “Narcissus” (나르시스), HeechuI, Jungmo (Feat. Whee In) 
160424 “Who's Your Mama?” (어머님이 누구니), Whee In [King of Masked Singer]
160430 “Wonderful Confessions” (황홀한 고백) [Immortal Song 2]
160509 “Ex Girl”, Monsta X (Feat. Whee In)
160511 “Sexy Man” (섹시한 남자) [Sugar Man Part 30 OST]
160610 “Ddang” (땡땡땡), Suran (Feat. Hwa Sa)  
160704 "I Won't Let Go" Moonbyul ("I Love Too" early ver., Fan cafe)
160712 “In My Dreams” (꿈에), Solar [Solar's Emotion Part3]
160723 “Fly Me To the Moon”, Hwa Sa (Fancafe)
160802 “Nice”, Basick (Feat. Hwa Sa, G2)
160822 “Don't Forget” (Crush), Moonbyul (commemorating 77,777 fancafe members)
160831 “Angel”, ”Dab Dab” (on Memory) & MV
160921 “New York” (on Memory) & MV (day before)
161003 “HookGA” (Hook가), HIGH4 20 (하이포20) (Feat. Hwa Sa)
161004 “Ya!” (야!), Sandeul (Feat. Whee In)
161107 Memory 4th Mini-album, “Decalcomanie” single
161112 “You Are Always By My Side” (언제나 그대 내곁에) [Immortal Song 2]
161127 "Memory” MV
161130 “Mellow” (꿀이 떨어져), Hwang Chi-yeul, Solar (MV)
161222 "Your Thoughts" (네 생각), (John Park cover), Moonbyul (Birthday gift song)
170115 “LOVE” [Goblin OST]
170118 “HONEY BEE”, Solar, Luna, Hani
170122 “I Am Me”, San E (Feat. Hwa Sa)
170221 “Happy People” (행복을 주는 사람), Solar [Solar's Emotion Part4]
170304 “Immortal Song Medley” [released on MoosicaI Curtain Call Concert DVD]
170307 “Anymore” (부담이 돼), Jung Key (Feat. Whee In) (PV)
170324 “Double Trouble Couple” [Strong Woman Do Bong Soon OST]
170417 “Love Comes”, Hwa Sa, eSNa [Forplay Project Vol 3] (Korean + English vers]
170519 “Open Your Mind” (마음아 열려라) [Man to Man OST]
170521 “Is Anybody There?” (누구 없소), Hwa Sa [Masked Singer OST]
 
TV/Radio Songs
160408 “I'll Show You”, Solar, Kim Jeonghwa [Duet Song Festival]
160416 “It's Okay” (BTOB) [Special Music Core Stage]
160417 “I Don't Know Love Yet”, Whee In, Won Mi Yeon [King of Masked Singer]
160424 “Who's Your Mama?” (어머님이 누구니), Whee In [King of Masked Singer]
160430 “Wonderful Confessions” (황홀한 고백) [Immortal Song 2]
160510 “Sexy Man” (섹시한 남자), [Sugar Man Part 30]
160512 "You're the Best", TAKE #13 MAMAMOO X BAND (MBC MUSIC Picnic Live Excursion)
160512 "Peppermint Chocolate", TAKE #14 MAMAMOO X 브로콜리 너마저 썸남썸녀 (MBC MUSIC Picnic Live Excursion)
160519 Pretz Commercial 1, 2
160630 "You're the Best", Live in NY at KCON (MNET MCountdon)
160809 "Don't Be Happy" live [2016 Mamamoo Concert <Moosical> Preview] 
160813, 14 "Moosical: 1st Concert In 2016" (released in 2017)
160909 “That XX”, Solar, Dong Seonho [Duet Song Festival]
160911 “You Raise Me Up”, Solar, Sunggyu, Solji and JunK [Korean Music Wave in Fukuoka]
160923 “Timeless”, Solar, Dong Seonho [Duet Song Festival]
160930 “Romantic Cat”, Solar, Dong Seonho [Duet Song Festival] 
160930 "New York" performed live at KOREA Sale Festa
161030 "New York" Comeback Stage [SBS Inkigayo]
161107 “Decalcomanie” MV, Memory album release
161108 “Decalcomanie” Dance Version MV
161110 "Decalcomanie" Comeback Stage [Mnet MCountdown]
161115 "Memory" first Stage [SBS MTV The Show]
161126 “You Are Always By My Side” (언제나 그대 내곁에) [Immortal Song 2]
161113 “Sexy Medley (10 Minutes, One More Time, Crazy)” [Yoo HeeYeol's Sketchbook] 
161119 "You're The Best" + "Decalcomanie" [2016 Melon Music Awards]  
161219 "Santa Baby" (Eartha Kitt), Hwasa (also "Memory", "Save Me From Myself" (Christina Aguilera), and "Only Longing Grows") [Solar & Hwasa VJ Live]
161202 “Day by Day”, Hwa Sa & Sojung (Ladies Code) [Music Bank Special]
161223 “The EastLight - No.1 Song Remix” [Music Bank Special] 
161224 "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (Mariah Carey), "Decalcomanie" [MBC Music Show Core]
161226 "You're the Best" + "Decalcomanie" [2016 SBS Gayo Daejeon/SAF]
161229 “Invitation”, Uhm Junghwa (Feat. Hwa Sa, Monsta X) [2016 KBS Song Festival] 
161229 "You're the Best (Jazz ver)" + "Decalcomanie (Rock ver.)" [2016 KBS Song Festival]
161231 “You, In My Fading Memory” (흐린 기억 속에 그대) [Immortal Song 2] 
161231 "You're the Best (Jazz ver 2)" + "Decalcomanie (w Strings ver.)" [2016 MBC Music Festival]
170106 “Day Day”, Whee In, Park Heeju [Duet Song Festival] 
170113 "Forget Me Now", Whee In, Park Heeju [Duet Song Festival] 
170117 "You're the Best" + "Decalcomanie" [Seoul Music Awards]
170514 “Bang Bang Bang” (뱅뱅뱅), Hwa Sa, Yezi  [Masked Singer]
170521 “Is Anybody There?” (누구 없소), Hwa Sa [Masked Singer]

 Other Activities 
160430 "Girl Crush" performed live in Seoul.
160625 Mamamoo perform in New York at KCON
 
160813-14 MOOSICAL, Mamamoo's first solo concert (see details at top of page)
 
161102 "Korea Polytechnic University Cheer", Korea Polytechnic EXPO  
 
170303-05: MOOSICAL CURTAIN CALL (Seoul). This concert was released on DVD in September 2017. Songs "New York", "Woo Hoo", "Immortal Songs Medley", "Hometown" and "Decalcomanie" were added to this new concert production. Moonbyul also debuted "Love and Hate", which would soon appear on Mamamoo's next album, Purple.
Setlist (* Solo member sections not included on DVD):
"Mr Ambiguous"
"Baton Touch"
"Peppermint Chocolate"
"Piano Man"
"New York"
"Hometown"
"Memory"
"Love Lane"
"Sting"

Wheein Solo: "Moderato", "Say My Name" (Destiny's Child) *
Moonbyul Solo: "Love & Hate (with dance solo)" *
Solar Solo: "I will always love you" (Whitney Houston) (or "I Believe I can Fly" (R. Kelly)), "Happy People" (Solar's Emotion), drum solo, "Sexy Back" (Justin Timberlake) *
Hwasa Solo: "Stay"/"Diamond" (Rihanna) + "I Do Me" + "You give love a bad name" (Bon Jovi) *

"Taller Than You"
"Girl Crush"
"Pink Panties"

"Immortal Songs Medley" ("Dume Valley" + "A Girl's Love Story" + "The Road to Sampo" + "You in Cloudy Memories" + "Enchanting Confessions" + "Flying Through the Deep Night")

"Words Don't Come Easy"
"Woo Hoo"
"Funky Boy"
"I Miss You" 
"I Love Too"
"Decalcomanie (Rock ver.)"
"You're The Best"
"Um Oh Ah Yeh" (Band intros)


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