A few weeks ago, Mamamoo's Solar released a teaser of what appeared to be her take on a drag anthem. That song turns out to be the opener of her new album Colours and hasn't yet been promoted with a full video. Instead, we have title track But I -- a total genre shift into emotional pop rock. Clearly, the album seeks to showcase her chameleonlike talent across a variety of sounds.
But I utilizes a structure that vacillates between soft verses and upbeat, cathartic choruses. This is a well-worn songwriting trick guaranteed to give instant contrast. It doesn't always work for me because it feels so calculated, but given the right melodies this 'pull back, punch forward' sound can be very satisfying. But I's heart is in the right place and Solar sells the sentiment, but nothing here is striking me as hard as I'd hope.
But I's opening verse is incredibly hushed, first establishing the song as a piano ballad. A brief pre-chorus offers the song's strongest melody -- a musical-esque flourish of drama that offers unexpected transition into the driving chorus. These segments feel like they should be twice as long and more developed, as the melodies don't quite hit with the force intended. Solar is more than capable of delivering her own You Oughta Know, but this track feels like a less adventurous, less scathing little sister.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
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