MINZY(민지)- MINZY WORK 01 UNO Mini Album Thoughts(K-indie)

   For people who don't know, You probably do know but Minzy was once apart of the mega popular South Korean girl group; 2NE1. She was the first member to announce her departure from the group last year. CL and Park Bom had already left spiritually too leaving their bodies behind. They were only really still apart of 2NE1 in name. With CL constantly dropping hints that she wanted to go solo and Park Bom being M.I.A, The group was heading for a steady collapse that everyone could see coming from a mile away.  Only fans who didn't want to see it didn't see it. Sandra Park is pretty and all but never had the vocal ability to support 2NE1 without Bom and Minzy. Deciding to become an actress was a great decision on her part. Minzy has been making moves as well after her exit. She owns a dance school in Seoul and released her first mini album last month.

Track List:
01. 니나노 (NINANO) (Feat. 플로우식 (Flowsik)) *Title
02. Superwoman (수퍼우먼)
03. ING (알쏭달쏭)
04. Flashlight (Feat. 박재범)
05. Beautiful Lie
06. 니나노 (English Rap Ver.) (Feat. 플로우식 (Flowsik))



   I will honestly say that I wasn't expecting Minzy to be returning to music anytime soon. Its just been a long string of events that she has had to experience and you think she would want to take a break. Not this girl since she's "SUPERWOMAN!" as a track off here album implies. Minzy is an artists that won't stop until she's in the place she wants to be in. Superwomen conveys her emotions after leaving 2NE1 so suddenly. The lyrics say that she has conviction behind every action she does and she's not afraid of the challenges that may come. The use of group harmony during the vocalization of the phrase "superwomen!" brings a powerful edge to the melody along with the pop beat production. Good song, great message. Ing was a track that had Minzy taking influence from Regge style. The transitions in the instrumental production have a nice build up from the bridge before the chorus. Minzy also fits perfectly in the role of vocalist here. NINANO is the most disappointing track on her debut effort to me. It was like listening to a recycled 2NE1 song without CL, Bom, and, Dara. That tropical island beat once again makes an appearance in the instrumental like in ing. You can dance to this song with no problem as its chorus presents a beat that will make you want to get all your friends together to bust a move. NINANO just doesn't have a strong enough impact to leave a lasting impression on the listener. mostly cause its a replica of all the other kpop songs kpop fans are used to hearing. What was good about the song was Flowsik's bars. His rap part was the fire that burned down the house. I will even go as far as to say his rap was the best part of the song. He's more on my radar now and I even started listening to his other works. Flashlight with Jay Park was a nice duet for the both of them. They mixed and mingled their vocals skillfully to create a peacefully harmony. I always know what to expect from a Jay Park collaboration because they all sound kind of similar to me. He's good at what he does though. Beautiful Lie was a ballad that allows Minzy to show her vocal range. She basically making a statement that she has a beautiful voice that can stand alone in a commanding lyrically based track. Too bad YG didn't use her talents like he was suppose to. Listeners should have been given a Minzy solo when she was still in 2NE1. Maybe then she wouldn't have left YG Entertainment.

  Listening to Minzy sing by herself lets me know who was backing up Bom during the demanding vocal parts of 2NE1's songs. She used to rap too but it never seemed like artistic choice on her part. It felt like was something YG Entertainment had her do to make 2NE1 feel more complete. I never had a doubt that Minzy couldn't hold her own as a solo artist. YG just never gave her the opportunity. Her voice can be full of  youth yet mature when she hits a lower range. There's room for future growth as a solo singer.

  Uno feels overal like a Minzy that is trying to shake off the time she spent as a Kpop idol. NINANO was a step backwards into that manufactures kpop genre that she stepped away from. I guess she though that making a track like this the title track would please 2NE1's old listeners(Blackjacks) but I want to hear Minzy without all the restrictions. Girl, your not a Kpop idol anymore. Now is the time to be daring and artsy. I know you have it in you. Forget about trying to please everyone. Be you.

  If you exclude the title track(not Flowsik's greatness.), Minzy made a decent solo debut album. I think she can still do more but not bad. I'm excited for her future as an artist.