Mamamoo Goes Full Circle With ‘I Say Mamamoo: The Best’ Album

Mamamoo is coming back on September 15, 2021. Instead of a new concept, the group revisits their old songs that resonated with the public. However, this album is not merely a collection of songs. ‘I Say Mamamoo: The Best’ features 23 popular Mamamoo tracks in different arrangements.

For newer fans, this album will serve as a good way to discover Mamamoo and get a little experience of their live performances as the arrangements as well. For older fans, this will be quite an emotional ride.

In their 7 years in the industry, Mamamoo — along with the boy group BTS — underwent a successful underdog story. Coming from a small, independent company proves to be an uphill battle, especially when faced with casual sexism and misogyny. In all of their interviews, leader Solar will recall the struggle of them being ignored, being cut out of live broadcast, and practically belittling them for being not pretty enough for the Korean standards.

Mamamoo debuted with a retro-jazz-inspired concept back in 2014 when the status quo is all about dubstep and trap. The vintage concept was a breath of fresh air and Mamamoo made their mark not only as versatile vocalists but top-notch performers as well. The climb to the top may not be easy for this quartet, but it sure is satisfying to see.

Back on Wednesday, Mamamoo released the highlight medley for ‘I Say Mamamoo: The Best’. The album opens with the orchestra version of Paint Me, the song that formally opened the ‘Four Seasons, Four Colors’ project back in 2018. The follow-up is strong with ‘Starry Night’ from the ‘Yellow Flower’ EP off of the 4 Seasons, 4 Colors project, also arranged with an orchestra.

The entire album feels nostalgic but different at the same time. Seeing hits like ‘Piano Man’, ‘Ahh Oop’, ‘Um Oh Ah Yeah’, and their debut single ‘Mr. Ambiguous’, given a 2021 rendition, is a good way of rediscovering Mamamoo, whether as a new fan or a veteran Moomoo.