[Album Review] Starlit of Muse/Starlit of Twinkle (1st Studio Album/1st Studio Album Repackaged) – MOON BYUL (MAMAMOO)

4 weeks ago 13

A couple of weeks ago, I finally reviewed the lead single (Is It Love?) off MOON BYUL’s repackaged version of her first studio album, Starlit of Muse, which was retitled to become Starlit of Twinkle. This makes way for an album review for MOON BYUL’s first studio album (which was led by TOUCHIN&MOVIN’) and its repackaged album. As it has been a very long time coming (I mean, the original album was released back in February this year), and there are many more albums to review, let’s get right to it!

Starlit of Muse Tracks

1. Intro : WWUD (What Would You Do?) – The album starts with a heavy dose of hip-hop in this intro track. WWUD comprises a hefty beat, an abundance of synths, and MOON BYUL autotuned rapping. I can feel the cohesiveness and the statement being made in WWUD. But personally, this style of hip-hop isn’t my cup of tea. (6/10)

2. Think About (Pre-release Track) – For some reason, I always thought that Think About is a softer track of some kind. This makes no sense, given that I have heard the album before. Think About is a fun yet simple track with some great catchy hooks. I just love the pop vibe of the song, and MOON BYUL did a great job of showcasing that playful side of the song. (8/10)

3. TOUCHIN&MOVIN (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for TOUCHIN&MOVIN. (9/10)

4. Like a Fool – MOON BYUL taps into R&B for Like a Fool. She sounds very dreamy throughout the song. The instrumental is extremely paced and atmospheric. We also get a saxophone solo in the track that gives an elegant feel. However, I do feel like the song lacks in comparison to the other songs on the album. But overall, it’s a good track. (7/10)

5. Attention Seeker – MOON BYUL goes down the punk rock direction with Attention Seeker. The instrumental is quite bold and dynamic, which makes it stand out in the pack, which is the rest of the album. I found myself nodding along to the song (and, at times, when the track hits the right spots, head-banging along to the song) as it progressed. The energy MOON BYUL puts behind her delivery adds to that dynamism. An easy favourite on the album. (10/10)

6. NOLTO (feat. Hanhae) – The laidback hip-hop vibes come into play for NOLTO. MOON BYUL vocals are airy in this one. Alongside the instrumentation, both create some good rhythm also in this one. Hanhae (who used to be part of the Phantom hip-hop group) gives NOLTO a velvety note, particularly in the his second part. However, this style isn’t my cup of tea, so I haven’t returned to it much since its release. (7/10)

7. After Sunset (그런 밤) – Beginning the latter half of Starlit of Muse is the ballad After Sunset. MOON BYUL sounds heavenly in this song, and the melodies give the song that swaying effect I love in other ballads. On the instrumental front, I enjoyed how the piano in the verses was quite captivating and that some oomph came into it during the chorus. Another great song overall. (9/10)

8. TIMELINE – TIMELINE revisits a Latin influence that reminds me of MAMAMOO’s Egotistic. But it does so with moombahton beats and a much softer touch, an intriguing combination that sounds nice and elegant. While I have praised and spoken highly of MOON BYUL’s vocals in other songs, her high note in TIMELINE takes the cake. (9/10)

9. DARK ROMANCE – As the name alludes, DARK ROMANCE sees MOON BYUL go for darker energy, which does take me back to her solo debut days with Eclipse. DARK ROMANCE is a dance track, with the instrumental tapping into that darker vibe. As the song progressed, I wished it was sharper in a few areas, from the beat to the synth work in the instrumental and even MOON BYUL herself. (8/10)

10. GOLD – GOLD brings a pop vibe and a smile. It is a pleasant track, with both instrumentation and vocals maintaining a mid-tempo pace. A much better track than the other GOLD track in KPOP out at the moment. I really liked the hefty beats that make the background sound quite atmospheric. (8/10)

11. Memories (feat. ONEWE) – MOON BYUL collaborates with her label mates ONEWE in Memories, and does so in spectacular style. She brought the vocals, while ONEWE brought the anime-style instrumentation and backing vocals. This anime style always brings forward propulsion that makes such influenced tracks exciting and appealing, and pairing it with MOON BYUL vocals was a great move. (9/10)

12. Without (겁이나) – The final song on the Starlit of Muse album is Without, another ballad. This one features the standard piano, drums, and strings-based instrumental, as well as stunning and emotional vocals from MOON BYUL. I especially like the touch of electric guitar at the end of the choruses, which adds something more to the ballad. (8/10)

Starlit of Twinkle Tracks

1. Backpack – Moving onto the Starlit of Twinkle tracks, first up is Backpack. It starts off as a mellow and soft track, but I liked how the chorus kicks Backpack up a notch in terms of instrumentation and vocals from MOON BYUL. It remains relatively mellow especially with the consistent guitar riffs, but it has some punch so the track isn’t just consistent through and through. (8/10)

2. Is This Love? (내 친구의 친구 얘기인데) (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Is This Love? (8/10)

3. Dear (어떤 하루에 어떤 시간 속에) – Dear is another ballad in this era of MOON BYUL’s career. The swaying effect of the melodies is profound and easy on the ears. Her vocals are delicate and heartfelt in Dear. The instrumental was a nice accompaniment but standard at best for ballads. But still, it’s a nice listen that makes Starlit of Twinkle quite consistent. (8/10)