Aloof and gloriously calm, "Ojos Frios" stands in the proverbial entryway of MBLAQ's latest mini-album, 'Mona Lisa'. Played by ??? on a bandoneón - an instrument similar to an accordion that stems from the concertina family - this intro track is both luminous in spirit, and dim in its presence. While it's a lone instrumental, "Ojos Frios" (as chilling as its title implies) reveals a somewhat dark and moody setting. It almost takes you, me, and every listener alike on a thoughtful journey through the streets and passageways of a shadow blanketed Argentinean night. It rattles of romance, and hums in peace for two minutes as its tango roots pricks at the curious mind that wonders as to how MBLAQ came to embrace this style, and what could possibly lie in the rest of 'Mona Lisa'.

As "Ojos Frios" comes to a close, the album's title track, "Mona Lisa", picks up where the intro left off by incorporating those same South American/Spanish vibes into its own instrumental. And here, my friends, is where the true journey begins... --- Track List: 01 Ojos Frios (Bandoneon By ???) 02 ???? (Mona Lisa) 03 ????? (I Don't Know) 04 ??? ?? (You Know It) 05 One 06 ??? ?? (I Shouldn't Speak) --- "Mona Lisa" sees MBLAQ embracing a different feel of music than what they had showcased earlier this year with 'BLAQ Style', the boy-band's first full length album. Where songs like "Cry" and "Stay" radiated of electro-pop, MBLAQ are finding themselves on the heels of a style distant from what they've projected so far. Yet, a style they've known was theirs all along. MBLAQ first dabbled with a 'Spanish' musical approach to Kpop in their debut single, "Oh Yeah!", but the level of quality between their first song and "Mona Lisa" is significantly different. MBLAQ played on the idea of weaving a guitar riff into "Oh Yeah!", but as the song's own structure and melodies fell short of impressive, the whole thing ended up one big gimmick with no musical value. Now, it seems MBLAQ have returned to the style they intended to debut with, but this time to do it right.

"Mona Lisa" doesn't stray too far in feel and delivery from "Ojos Frios". The song carries a squeaky bandoneón throughout most of the song, with an additional guitar riff that strums in unison. It channels a strong tango influence, and what amps up the flavor is an almost hypnotizing drum beat with actual drums, and not just digitally generated ones, which sound best when they're thumping chaotically underneath Mir and Thunder's sections. This song is arguably MBLAQ's strongest single to date for several reasons. Rather than just riding the wave of electronica and diving in the over saturated pool of pop with the same music, MBLAQ have drawn genuine influence from a culturally appealing musical style that fits them, almost perfectly. MBLAQ, both in music and in image, enjoy the sensuality they are able to exude. Romance music thrives in this sensual connection with its audience, and MBLAQ have, more or less, nailed that much with "Mona Lisa". But what is most striking is how well they've made this influence feel relevant to the commercial Kpop listener. "Mona Lisa" is a nice blend of cultures, but above all, it still remains as engaging as a pop song is supposed to be. It has moments of calm - G.O. and Lee Joon's verses, and the middle eight - as well as moments of high energy - Seungho's chorus, the raps, and post-climax. "Mona Lisa" allows each member to sound their best as individuals, never over-performing nor over doing the concept, but staying right in line with what the song asks for, and MBLAQ sure deliver in that respect.

While "Mona Lisa" played up the drama, "I Don't Know" calms things down and guides us back to the ultra pop-goodness that thrives in Kpop. This song isn't lead single material, but it's not necessarily a bad filler track either. As every song on this EP will reveal, "I Don't Know" is quite the step above the norm for MBLAQ as a pop group. Most pop songs are excruciatingly Major scale, yet there's something appealing about "I Don't Know". It doesn't sound too happy-go-lucky, which isn't a musical detail I would match to MBLAQ anyway, so it plays to their skills while sounding crisp, sharp, and clean. "You Know It", one of the songs MBLAQ have cross-promoted for their comeback stages, almost trumps every mid tempo song these five have ever attempted to release. It plays to MBLAQ's R&B tendencies really well, which is a plus to hear on this EP. If any member sounds their best in this song it's G.O., who is MBLAQ's main vocalist, and rightfully so. Post-'stache G.O. possesses a developed smoothness in his voice that he takes advantage of when he belts into the highs that linger throughout the harmonies and climaxes of most songs. What really brings this song to the forefront of this EP is its sophisticated style. One could say it sounds timeless, which it really does, given the soft production and the refreshing vocal recording. It's a nice touch to hear a guitar line plucking around in the background, weaving it back to those Spanish influences of the title track. MBLAQ have never really proven they were capable of generating a sweet, gentle pop song, but as this EP has proven to be quite the pleasant surprise, that could be considered an old misconception now. "One" is a light and fluffy pop song. Not exactly what MBLAQ are known for, but it glows with beautiful melodies and a soaring arrangement. It features a gorgeous hook, one that matches the grandness of the verses and the softness of the instrumental.  The vocalists of MBLAQ whisper one tender line after another, managing to encapsulate their strengths as singers, and as the song builds up, it hits a wonderful high in an explosive middle eight and finish. "One" places MBLAQ in a category we haven't really heard them in -as carefree pop singers - and by the end of the song, it's a convincing piece of evidence that these five idols are capable of channeling their potential in all the right ways if they wanted to. The last song on 'Mona Lisa' is "I Shouldn't Speak", which takes reign as the sole ballad of the mini-album. The thing about this song is that it's so enveloped in the Spanish vibes, that it almost feels out of place - not as a part of this album, but within Kpop. It dives far deeper than any other song into that style, that it's a surprise to hear MBLAQ actually pull it off. Then again, this flavor of music fits them so well, that it sounds effortless and natural to hear them sing it. ==== MBLAQ seems aware that this particular style of music sits well with what they were going for two years ago. After several releases and plenty of time to develop as Kpop artists, this boy band sounds like they're finally stepping foot into the comfortable waters within their trade, and understanding which types of songs display their strengths the best. If anything should be taken away from this release it is this: 'Mona Lisa' is MBLAQ's most cohesive, gratifying, and smart album to date. Not only does it dwell in a distant culture, but sounds inspired and delivers every song with a high level of efficiency and freshness. Above all, it tells a story, and that is where I believe MBLAQ truly wins. --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-tUCvXvUao --- Overall Rating: 4.6/5 --- What are your thoughts on MBLAQ's comeback mini-album, 'Mona Lisa'? — Suggestions for a future review?  Hit the author up on Twitter (@rothsresidence) or via e-mail (arnold.arteaga@allkpop.com)! — Note: This article does not reflect the opinions of allkpop, only of the author.