Album Review: Wonder Girls’ ‘Wonder Party’

The Wonder Girls are giving us a “Wonder Party” with their new mini-album. With two songs composed by Yenny and with many different types of songs, the girls show us a different side to them. From telling us to get up and dance to trying to catch a boy to crying over their lost love. This was a really enjoyable album and probably the one I have listened to the most in the past weeks. They were able to show their emotions in each song which can be difficult with so many styles to cover.

R E A L

This song was something I didn’t expect. I love the different tones that this song takes on. At first, they sound really confident with their slightly snarky tone of voice but then it becomes a bight softer and affectionate and desperate (maybe?) with their “love like strawberries”. I really enjoyed the background music as well. It wasn’t overdone but it also helped set the pace and feel of the song. It had a lot of fun random noises put in too, like the occasional “uh” or a little word of some sort or a laugh. Since I heard “Like This” first, it kind of me reminded of that song in the beginning because of the similar instrument choice but it turned out to be different and a bit less repetitive (instrumentally). But props to Yenny for this song, it’s really catchy! 4.5/5

Like This

This is so much fun and so catchy. I just start singing “come one baby come on” or “like this yo like this” whenever I get the chance. Honestly, I was a little bit surprised by this song. I didn’t expect for the Wonder Girls to pull it off because of what I’m used to from them, but they were able to really work it. I adore the Yubin’s rap sequence. It sounds so cool and chill. The melody is catchy, but the instrumental is just the same thing the whole time, which isn’t bad in this case because the girls set the pace with their voices instead of having a different background music. I’m not sure if anything else is really needed to be said, since this is just a dance song that is meant to lift your spirits and it does exactly that. 4.5/5

Hey Boy

I was a bit surprised by the cars in the beginning but with the girls not shying away when they say “Hey Boy” I knew I would like this song. If they’re trying to seduce a boy, I’m sure they’d have all of them with the first words. Didn’t it almost seem like they were interrupting each other to talk to the boy? Before the other girl could finish, the next one would start singing. When the song slowed down, I think that was the most ’seductive’ part because it’s soft but they say it with confidence nonetheless. Not many guys would expect for the Wonder Girls to come up to them and ask them for their name, right? Their “oh”s were really nice, maybe a little bit overused but still really contagious. The tambourine in the back was really cute. It’s not quite a ballad and not really a dance track either, but it’s still really enjoyable. 4.5/5

Girlfriend

My favorite song off the album, so I might be windy. I like the acoustic feel and the obvious emotions that are in the song. I was really impressed that Yenny wrote this. At first I was confused by who was his girlfriend, but after reading the translations, it made sense, so if you’re confused, you should look it up. It actually makes sense and is really sad - calling your ex while drunk. I’m not sure if they switch off with the chorus where they say “I’m with my girlfriend right now” but I’m pretty sure that is Sohee for the most part and I really think her voice suits this song. I also like how that some of the girls sound less powerful but then this powerful voice comes in before the second chorus. And the rap was really really convincing - it is disheartening and somewhat desperate. Vocally and emotionally, the girls did not disappoint. I’ll keep my comments on the background music short: the guitar, the drums, the bass mixed together with their voices was perfect. Yenny is a pro. 5/5

Sorry

The first thing I noticed was the mix of the piano, drums, and strings. The mix was a bit unexpected because the drums were powerful, the strings were definitive, and the piano was softer to create a mellower mood. Then the strings went into the background and the girls began to sing. They sounded remorseful, especially the voice after the first chorus. She really sounded as those she was going to cry if the person didn’t forgive her. The part where they start singing in the higher register stood out to me and the little guitar solo was also really nice. The Wonder Girls know how to put their emotions into their music which can be extremely hard. Though not my favorite from the album, this song did not fade into the background at all. 4/5

The DJ is Mine

I didn’t really listen to this song when they released it in the America, but now I realize that it’s really a great dance track. They sound so confident, like they really own that DJ and no other girl will ever get him. I know that Sunye and Lim are the ones who usually sing the chorus but I can’t really differentiate between them just yet (and I’m sure if that’s even the case here). All I know is that they do a great job telling that other girl off. Actually, all of them do a great job. I’m not going anywhere near their man, that’s for sure. And because I understand everything, it makes it all the better. The music is mainly a fast beat. The keyboard is mostly overpowered by the girls’ voices. Except for some parts, like during the rap sequence, they used some really cool and funky instrument which I loved and I could hear perfectly fine. 5/5

Okay. I think you can tell that I really enjoyed this album. I’m not usually into girl groups, but the Wonder Girls really got to me with this album. I think I’m on the road to becoming a Wonderful. Once I learn Sunye’s and Lim’s voices, I think I’ll be a true Wonderful. The songs were all really memorable. Yenny should write more songs too!

What did you enjoy the most from this album?