Girl's Day has released their newest Duble Sidekick-penned mini-album, 'Everyday 4,' just in time for their fourth anniversary!

The disc opens with the intro song, "Summer Party." Appropriately up-tempo and cheery, this song sets the tone for the entire album. The hip hop rhythms are party-style and as to what the melody is about, the title says it all! The song shifts effortlessly from powerful chorus to rap sequences, and former DMTN-member-turned-songwriter, David Kim, lends his pipes and his pen to this tune.



The next track is "Darling," which starts out with surf sounds and a circus announcer-type intro. As he ends his spiel and the music starts, there's a creepy death-metal, growl-like laugh that fades into the song. Not only an odd convention for K-Pop, it's really out of place in such an upbeat tune. Don't tell me: the sound engineers for Tokkaebi (a death-metal band) were partying in the studio...

Aside from the head-scratcher beginning, the song is an ebullient, happy tune with the girls trying to express how they feel about their lover. It's incredibly catchy and a strong single to lead with. It's got a lighter, airier feel than some of their previous songs -- compare this to "Female President," for example. Not to diminish the other girls' contributions, but Minah really kills the high notes here.



"Look at Me" dials the tempo down to deliver a ballad with an orchestral beginning and, paradoxically, a powerful drum. The girls sing their parts emotionally, letting their men know that they want to be loved like women. Hardly an original sentiment, but I still enjoyed the song. While a slower track than the rest of the album, the drumbeat saves it from feeling out of place.

The final track is "Timing," a bouncy, lighthearted song that has a pounding surf sound effect in the beginning that makes it a built-in beach tune. The anthemic chorus is where we finally hear the trademark belted vocals that characterize songs like "Expectation" and have earned Girl's Day their place in the K-Pop pantheon.



This is a fantastic album. Usually the mini-album format has at least one filler song, but I didn't get that lull, lukewarm feel from any track here. This is definitely a collection of songs that you crank up while you're headed to the lake or the beach, which was apparently the intent according to the label: "The album will be a mini album. It's not only a 4th anniversary album but also a summer special album, and it'll be full of bright, lively music." Great job, girls! Every day is Girl's Day.

MV REVIEW

Straddling the line between cute and sexy, the MV appears to be nothing amazing at first glance. I didn't see any eye-popping special effects or avant garde visuals, but with that being said, it's still fun to watch.

The video itself shows the girls doing various cute things, throwing darts, blowing bubbles, washing a car, or standing in the kitchen with sugary snacks. These scenes are interspersed with dance sequences.

The girls are drenched in aegyo as their scenes show them framing their faces with their hands, smiling brightly then shyly looking down, making cute gestures, etc.



The clothing, while designed to titillate, is entirely appropriate for summer. Short shorts, sun dresses, miniskirts, sleeveless, midriff-baring tops--the girls seem like they are ready for the sun.

The whole affair is full of bright sets, pretty girls, vivid colors, and a fun festive atmosphere throughout. It's not ground-breaking or particularly thought-provoking, but it's a lot of fun to watch. If you like the song, which I do, you'll likely enjoy the video too.

SEE ALSO: Which Girl's Day member is your darling? + Signed CD Giveaway!