WHEN TALKING about versatility across the shelves of various discographies, K-pop soloist Chung Ha is undoubtedly present at the frontlines of the discussion. Upon every new release, Chung Ha takes up the challenge of evolving continuously—not just musically or conceptually—but even choreographically.
With the arrival of her second full album Bare&Rare, Pt. 1, Chung Ha once again exceeds expectations as she participates in the lyrics of all the songs featured in the tracklist. The album explores her personal experiences and narratives, presenting a more vulnerable side of the soloist. Like her prior studio album Querencia, her latest release boasts a myriad of subgenres and sounds.
As a bold album starter, “XXXX” immediately immerses you into Chung Ha’s darker tones. Its lyrics outrightly express what the album sets out to do—“A new reflection in the fragments of glass / Reflecting different parts of me diversely.”
Contrastingly, lead single “Sparkling” is a bright, retro-inspired summer song with a vividly innovative instrumentation marked by an interesting coalescence of whistles, guitar riffs, and synths. While the music video boasts a grand underwater-themed set, listening to the title track transports you to a lively roller rink with a cup of refreshingly cool soda in your hand.
If “Sparkling” is a fun night at the arcade, “Louder” is a calm, sunny day at the park with your friends. The track, through its lyrics, seeks to empower the youth in speaking out and owning their freedom. However, the song is arguably on the weaker side of the collection—its repetitive melodies and empty post-chorus make it forgettable when compared to the adjacent tracks.
Nevertheless, what further cements Chung Ha’s versatility is the way her vocals distinctly adapt to suit the song’s message. From the catchy, wispy falsetto melodies that characterize “California Dream” to the full strong belts and low notes in classical crossover dance-pop track “Love Me Out Loud,” the soloist effortlessly showcases her singing prowess. Chung Ha has also expressed that these two earworms belong to her three favorite songs off the album—especially with “California Dream” being an ode to I.O.I, her former group.
Perhaps what may be considered as the standout gems of the album are “Crazy Like You (feat. BIBI)” and “Good Night My Princess”—two songs that deliver extremely divergent moods.
Singing about a dysfunctional relationship, “Crazy Like You” is a dark, sultry R&B-influenced track slightly reminiscent of Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman”—yet bolder and braver with its instrumentation. BIBI—with her signature style of sing-rap—smoothly glides across her verse, endowing the track with greater depths.
“Good Night My Princess,” on the other hand, shows Chung Ha at her most vulnerable. The soloist wrote the song as a gift for her mother, and it has ultimately become one of her favorite tracks in the album. Its lyrics recall their harsh experiences while residing in a foreign country during Chung Ha’s childhood. The sentimental song draws from Chung Ha’s past loneliness as her mother—who raised her alone–set out to work every day. Co-produced by ADORA, the emotionally-driven ballad takes you to the pocket of time between midnight and dawn, when only the stars stand witness to your deepest thoughts and dreams.
Lastly, Bare&Rare, Pt. 1 thematically comes full circle, as the concluding track “Nuh-Uh” elevates the boldness of “XXXX” to the next level. The exotic plucking and fluting atmospherically sets the mood of the track, along with the singer’s seemingly cheeky vocals that taunt the listener. “Undoubtedly, I'm the one, I'm the real one,” Chung Ha playfully declares, even brazenly deeming her copycats as “bright red lies.”
Chung Ha’s latest release presents another diverse assemblage of songs each with their distinct identities and instrumentations, which altogether may risk sounding disjunct to a new or indifferent listener. Looking back at her prior releases, however, sonic cohesion has never been an inviting idea to the versatile Chung Ha—and Bare&Rare, Pt. 1 proves that her colors simply cannot be watered down to a limited palette. As Chung Ha gifts her listeners with a sparkling trove of hidden gems embellished in various hues, her momentum for evolution is nowhere nearing a halt. One can only wonder how explosive Pt. 2 will be.