The countdown is over: YUQ1 is here!
(G)I-DLE is one of the most successful girl groups right now for a reason. Their music is addictive and their members overflow with talent. Yuqi is one of the people behind (G)I-DLE‘s iconic discography, so of course getting an entire mini-album of her songs was something that we were excited about. And Yuqi’s first mini-album, YUQ1, is here to give us a peek into her world and mind!
‘FREAK’
Starting with a guitar riff, pop-rock influence, and a bold, addictive chorus, Yuqi may be singing about a certified freak, but ‘FREAK‘ is a certified bop. This track is full of Yuqi’s confident, sassy, and fun energy. It screams her name in every way. ‘FREAK’ is quirky, fun, and a song we could listen to on a loop. It’s empowering in the way it celebrates differences and being who you are without worrying about judgement. And that ‘LION’ reference in the bridge is everything to us.
If you’re into horror movies or movies in general, the music video for ‘FREAK’ will be everything to you. Yuqi placed some iconic characters from classic horror movies in her universe. Her twist on these characters, making them fun and referencing even more movies, makes the song even more memorable. The vision for ‘FREAK‘ is perfect and so Yuqi.
YUQ1
But there’s much more to YUQ1 and her songwriting than just ‘FREAK.’ Yuqi explores different themes and genres in her mini-album. And yes, this album screams her name in every single song, and that’s one of the aspects we love the most about it.
‘My Way’
In the first b-side, ‘My Way,’ Yuqi explores a very meaningful message. The lyrics are all about shutting down the haters and making your own way. It pushes you to believe in yourself and stay true to who you are. The soft pop song is uplifting and hopeful, yet feels personal and is simply beautiful.
‘Drink it Up’
Yuqi was able to collab with several artists in her first mini-album, and ‘Drink It Up’ is the first of us, featuring rapper pH-1. And this song is one of the many highlights from the release. It’s all about living in the moment and trying to numb the pain. While it sounds bittersweet, ‘Drink It Up’ is truly uplifting and has immaculate vibes that cannot be put into words. It’s a masterpiece.
‘Red Rover’ & ‘On Clap’
When it comes to b-sides, ‘Red Rover’ and ‘On Clap’ are the two tracks that stand out the most in YUQ1. ‘Red Rover’ is a groovy track with a retro and funky feel, making it fun, sassy, and incredibly addictive. Meanwhile, ‘On Clap,’ featuring Lexie Liu, is a fun hip-hop track. If you love (G)I-DLE‘s songs like ‘My Bag,’ ‘Wife,’ and of course ‘Rollie’ – written by Yuqi for (G)I-DLE’s latest second full-length album – this track is for you. It has the same charm all hip-hop (G)I-DLE songs have that makes them addictive and instantly iconic.
‘Everytime’
From the moment we saw the tracklist for YUQ1, ‘Everytime’ was the song we were the most excited about, as it features none other than fellow (G)I-DLE member Minnie. And this song delivered. This soft, dreamy ballad is full of hope and feels the most vulnerable and personal in YUQ1. ‘Everytime’ feels like an ode to the members and a reminder that even when they endure pain, they do it together, and they come out on the other side stronger than ever. Of course, it makes the song even more meaningful to have Minnie there, and we aren’t strangers to how beautiful their unique vocals fit together.
YUQ1 ends on the best note possible with its pre-release single ‘Could It Be,’ and you can read our full review here!
The expectations were high for YUQ1, and Yuqi met every single one. Through this mini-album, she showcased her vocals, writing skills, and artistry in the most unique and personal way. YUQ1 is a statement of her talent and her unique vision, and a release we won’t be forgetting about any time soon.
Was YUQ1 everything you expected? What’s your favorite track out of the mini-album? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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