After releasing a slew of singles, AOA has finally cut their first mini-album, 'Short Hair.'  AOA is short for Ace Of Angels, a girl group formed in 2012. According to FNC, the mythology is that they are angels that fell in love with our music and visit earth on occasion. It's a fun concept, and I remember the American group GWAR doing something similar with the alien barbarian angle, so I'll go with that. The group is actually an octet, except one of their members, Youkyung, plays drums and is not an idol. Therefore, she's only half-angel, and so they refer to their group as consisting of "7+1." Yeah, I don't get it either.

The mid-tempo intro track "Fantasy," clocking in at 1:17, begins with breathy vocals and what almost sounds like the strings of a harp. Thankfully, there are no rap parts in it. The style of song doesn't really lend itself well to that, and it ends largely as it began. It's pretty if incredibly short.



The album then launches into "Short Hair," which, for better or for worse, reminds me of "Miniskirt." That may just be because of the "ooh ooh ohhs." Brave Brothers (Kang Dong Chul) has a tendency to recycle his music, so I can overlook this somewhat. The irony comes when I check the lyrics, and the first line is, "Should I wear a miniskirt?"

*sigh*

I don't hate them, but they're making it difficult...The song is an optimistic one about how changing it up, cutting your hair, and putting on new clothing will make you feel like a new person. The beat is catchy, and I like the song. The girls actually show a surprising amount of heart and vocal power, which makes the song work.

The third tune, "Joa Yo!" is a standout track. Lyrically it's nothing spectacular, but it talks about heading out to the beach with a lover on a sunny summer day. It's an appropriately upbeat, light and fluffy pop tune. It's also really catchy and I found myself singing along.


Behind the scenes with Lee Guk Joo

Next up is "My Soulmate," a breathy mid-tempo ballad. It's breezy, and talks about a girl missing her better half, her soulmate. And there's a rap part. Done by two of them. One is Jimin, the other would probably have to be Mina, though Chanmi is a rapper, too, so it's hard to tell. I like it. It's well done in my opinion. It's pretty and soothing.

I think they saved the best for last. There's an energy and urgency to "You Know That" that makes you just want to dance. I hear a horn section, drums, guitars -- all of these combine to make a solid song. A rapid fire rap section serves to keep the energy up and the heart pumping. ChoA really belts out her parts, too, making this the standout song on the album. It leaves you with a good feeling. Don't ruin it by playing the instrumentals afterward.

They keep talking about a "G-thang" in the songs. If that's supposed to mean a gangsta thing then that's just sad. I can't wait for the next evolution of this: "Yo, ridin' dirty through Seoul's hood sippin on soju and juice. It's just a g-g-g-g-g-thang." I've had enough of the South Korean gangsta schtick. Isn't it time to lay that to rest?

Anyways, this is a very listenable album.  Don't be fooled by my sarcasm. Some of the members actually play instruments (a rare thing for idols), and they can definitely sing, and there is talent here.  I'd love to see them write their own material. 

Basically, the album can be summed up as sometimes soothing, at times funky and catchy, but it's never boring.

Recommended tracks: "Joa Yo!" and "You Know That."

MV REVIEW

The MV is a mixed bag.

The dance moves are somewhat recycled and simplistic. Didn't we see some of this in "Miniskirt"? And very much emphasizing the posterior. While the movements are fluid and skillful, the choreography during the dance scenes is rather lackluster.

Mixed in with the uninspired dance moves is a plot of sorts. The girls are in various professions (waitress, flight attendant, cheerleader, etc) and many of them are given trouble, particularly the flight attendant with a difficult ahjussi, played by comedienne Lee Guk Ju, best known for her parody videos of KARA, f(x), etc. When they emerge from the hair salons sporting new bob hairstyles, things are then okay, and the ahjusssi dances together with them.



I think the costumes lend an added dimension to the already tired sexy concept. Instead of just having them in the same uniform dancing together, they each have their own unique, small outfit and are given a profession in the video. The outfits in the dance scenes mirror the cut and style, if not the color of their "professional" outfits, and serves to make things more interesting, at least.

As is characteristic of girl bands, the girls of AOA are all very hot. I can well imagine a boss wanting to stay late to ogle the sexy office worker (as creepy as that sounds...), and I wouldn't mind a cop looking like that writing me a ticket either.  

I think funny woman Lee Guk Ju actually makes it all work. The scenes with her are at least worth a chuckle. Combining the different outfits and the scenes with her making trouble for our heroines help elevate this video above the countless others with a sexy concept. At times it almost reminded me of an Orange Caramel video, and that is a good thing.  

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