Ex-(G)I-DLE member Soojin made her solo debut late last year with AGASSY -- a song high on atmosphere and low on substance. That description could match many K-pop tracks of the last two years or so, and new single Mona Lisa also fits within this realm.
Everything about this song feels like a means to an end. Try as I might, I can't imagine an A&R team going through demos, hearing Mona Lisa, and being so excited they had to snatch it up right away. It feels like a bunch of late-2010's sounds stitched together to form a semi-song. We move through verses and choruses, but Mona Lisa's limp "eh eh eh" refrain is so slight it threatens to evaporate right in front of your eyes. The alluring pre-chorus is stronger, but slows the track to a crawl right when it should be building momentum.
Speaking of momentum, there's a cool bit right at the end of Mona Lisa where the instrumental takes center stage and stabs of guitar finally bring a dynamic punch. It's much too little, too late, but this demonstrates how compelling production might have elevated an uninspired song. Alas, Mona Lisa is never able to bring its strengths together and ends up being very forgettable.
Hooks | 7 |
Production | 7 |
Longevity | 7 |
Bias | 7 |
RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
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