One of the most important things on any rookie group's 'to-do' list is the crafting of a certain 'concept' or 'image'.

An 'image' is a key part in gathering (and maintaining) a stable fanbase, which is a must-have for any idol group. Yet it also helps make their mark with the general public, whose contact with idol music is typically relegated to digital streaming and the occasional sidewalk DJ. The importance of a clear, well-defined concept cannot be overstressed - it's what separates middling groups from truly successful ones, and the lack of it can contribute to the decline, if not the disintegration of a pop group.

Keeping this in mind, if there's one thing that Nine Muses have proven with their latest track, "News", it's that they are well on their way towards crafting that much-needed 'image' for themselves.



"News" continues their trend of fast-paced, party tracks that show off a 'powerful girl' image. Nine Muses had showcased a similar style with their first release, "No Playboy", and have stayed fairly true to it ever since.

Even when they released their own take on retro with "Figaro" in mid-2011, the girls made sure that the song still carried the brand they'd established with "No Playboy" and "Ladies", ultimately delivering a track that was slightly more mature than other songs seeking to play the retro card.

With "News", Nine Muses moved one step closer to solidifying their own flavor of pop music, based on the style previously established by their older tracks. As a group still exploring its creative boundaries, having a progression of singles exhibiting musical growth is nothing short of essential.

If "News" - and its predecessors - had been released by a more well-established group, there would've been criticisms of how that group was afraid to experiment and to change -- and it would've been well-deserved too, since more successful groups should focus on expanding beyond upon their proven concept.

That being said, Nine Muses hasn't quite reached a stable footing yet. As such, it's important for them to craft a basic image, a visual that can easily and immediately appear in anyone's head as soon as they hearing the group's name. In other words, Nine Muses should be able to trigger a visceral reaction. With "News", Nine Muses are certainly able to move closer toward their goal.

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With their newest track, Nine Muses has carved out a special niche in the over-saturated world of K-Pop. They've managed to successfully sketch an image for themselves, which is a major part of landing a successful foothold for any rookie group. Now, all that remains is building on that outline and showing their audience how far they can run with the concept that they've made theirs.

 



What are your thoughts on Nine Muse's new track? Leave an honest rating and your thoughts in the comments below.

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Suggestions for a future review or an opinion on this one? Hit up the author on Twitter (@MtnMadman) or via e-mail (seung.park@allkpop.com)!

Note: this article does not reflect the opinions of allkpop, only the author.