There’s a certain idol group we think of during the summer. Their vibrant colors and cheerful auras are reminiscent of a sunny, summer day. The band is no other than, “Twice.”
The band’s reputation is made up of upbeat and joyous songs with exuberant personas to fit that mold. This year was no exception.
The recent comeback, however, was slightly different.
Rather than their usual catchy undertones with discernable hooks, “Alcohol Free” is more of a Bossa nova. The song is softer than their previous songs.
We carefully analyzed and listened to their new single, “Alcohol Free” from their 10th mini album, “Taste of Love.”
“Alcohol Free” is your go-to dance music. The song had a hint of bossa nova. Tzuyu specifically shed light on the genre of the song. “The new song has a slight Latin twist to it.”
She continued to say, “Firework, from our 9th album also had a Latin undertone to it but with a darker tone. This comeback is a lot brighter, so it’s perfect for the summer.”
Bossa Nova is a style of Samba. The distinctive rhythm isn’t easy to mold with Kpop. Therefore, rumor has it that idols in the industry are hesitant to take on the notoriously difficult genre.
“Alcohol Free” draws inspiration from Latin music but also adds a hip-hop base to the song. They use modern instruments such as a classic guitar to layer the track with a sweet undertone.
The use of Baiao, a Northeastern Brazilian music genre originating from the 1950s, added a flair that complemented the instruments in the song. Towards the end of the song, the abstract tune of jazz is utilized for a light finish.
Although the song is slower than usual, the visual effects had the audience, captivated.
Sana says, “Twice is meant to explain the double appreciation people are expected to experience when first stumbling upon the band. It intends to be auditorily and visually appealing. These are reflected well to this song."
The group added a Latin twist to their zestful choreography. Rather than the linear, completely synchronized, powerful dance moves, “Alcohol Free” is structured to look less immaculate.
The choreography lives up to the spontaneous and free-spirited attitude of the song. Therefore, some describe the dance to be a “free” one.
As the performance starts, the girls all dance the same choreography, but not one of them moves in the same direction. They sway their hips, but not too aggressively as to render an overly opulent appearance.
The light, gusty footwork and body waves were added for the Latin mix, fueling the illusion of an airy, breezy day at the beach. Momo describes the dance as “A playful, slightly intoxicated dance.”
The choreography also features a clever “alcohol dance” where they dance suitably to a list of a few alcoholic beverages. Momo once again remarks, “We included dances that are suitable to the drinks mentioned in the song.”
Their stage attires, makeup, and styling all catered to the overall tropical aesthetics. They brought their initial, exuberant personas and concepts to life.
They wore costumes in vibrant colors, giving off a fresh summer look. The bold colors and patterns helped bring out their natural, bright personas.
Specifically, the scarf drew a lot of attention. Jihyo is seen wearing a tube-top that resembles a big-sized scarf. A corsage was even used as a hair scrunchie. It definitely reminds us of a beach on a warm, summer day.
Twice is the type of band you won’t be disappointed with. Whether it’s through their music or performances, they are guaranteed to leave a long-lasting impression.
Their joyous personas on stage and optimistic songs are enough to get people enamored with the band.
<Photo credits=Hojoon Lee, Gyeongbin Min(Dispatch), JYP Entertainment>
<Translated by=Justina Kim(Dispatch)>
