Hwasa is back with her first solo album “María”! I love that their agency RBW is encouraging the solo projects of talented four-member R&B/pop group Mamamoo. The youngest member Hwasa (real name Ahn Hye Jin) made her solo debut last year with the hit single “Twit”, and my expectations were high for this EP. Fortunately, every track on this release surpassed them and it’s worth doing a deep dive of each one. Let’s get started!
“Intro: Nobody Else”
Lyrics: Park Woo Sang/Composed by: Park Woo Sang
Fans may have expected that this album was going to be personal. María is Hwasa’s baptismal name (explaining the tattoo on her back), and an alter ego she has wanted to include for a while. In this intro to the album, we get a more vulnerable side to the confident performer we usually see on stage. The music video starts off with images of Hwasa looking into the dark night, huddled in a corner of a dark space as the screen reads “Sometimes it seems like nobody loves me. No one’s gonna help me out. Nobody else.” It seem to imply that she’s all alone in her struggles. The lyrics suggest that would-be comforters just tell her to be nice, but under all the pressure she “forgot how to smile”. But when the beat drops and Hwasa’s vocals pierce through, the screen fills with shots of her smiling, working on her craft, and performing, as she wonders “Why don’t you love yourself?” There is realization that even if there is nobody there, you don’t need their permission to love who you are. “Keep a smile on your face”- not because someone expects you to, but because you have finally found inner peace.
“I think it’s hard to be calm. But I’ve done a pretty good job… I’m calm now”
Intro: Nobody Else Music Video
María
Lyrics: Park Woo Sang; Hwasa/ Composed by: Park Woo Sang, Hwasa
The title track is one of those songs that sound upbeat but hide a deeper and more somber meaning. In that way this has a similar feel to last year’s single “Twit”, and both make good use of Hwasa’s deep tone and carry a ‘totally unbothered’ (but also kinda sorta bothered) attitude in a way that few but Hwasa can pull off. The bass in the background builds up in the pre-chorus to a charismatic hook with an addicting groove. Some may feel like the dance break came out of nowhere, but the Latin-inspired shift was foreshadowed a bit in the instrumentation and chord structure. Was it necessary? Maybe not, but it was unexpected and different. The choreography is also captivating and unique from what many K-pop solo artists may tend to do.
Now for the deeper meaning. Leading up to this release, we got two teasers- a ‘Vita’ (life) and ‘Morte’ (death) version, hinting at a haunting title track. The music video opens up with a chilling display- the scene of Hwasa’s apparent murder. Cameras and bystanders swarm at the spectacle- but all of the seats at her funeral are empty and faced away. This theme of how others only care about what they can use her for- attention, clout, an outlet for spiteful comments- instead of caring about her continues through the video. Hwasa has a history of making waves in the industry and being a target of angry netizens; Mamamoo’s song “Hip” was a nod to Hwasa’s ‘controversial’ airport fashion statements and she admitted that pre-debut she was told she was not good enough to meet the required beauty standards.
The lyrics state “I have an upset stomach from getting sworn at so much” (literally: ‘from eating swears’) And “If you knock me down does that feed you?” as a bloody Hwasa literally serves up a piece of her heart to satisfy the group. Some fans also pointed out a reference to the Italian movie Maléna,in which a beautiful, but struggling woman is the object of lust from the men and jealousy from the women in her town. There is a scene where she walks through the plaza and pulls out a cigarette while the men readily offer their lighters to her- not because of what they can do for her, but what they can get from her.
All of this hatred and speculation can drive a person crazy. In an interview Hwasa admits “I felt that I was changing and my mind was deteriorating.” In the next verse we see her in a hospital setting while dressed in an outfit inspired by a straight jacket. But is she crazy, or is that how society views her for not following their standards? The sharp pencils targeted at her represent all of the sharp and harmful comments frequently aimed her way.
But instead of crumbling under the negativity, she becomes stronger. She turns the projectiles into a crown as she says “I’ll change the path I go/ I’ll change a crisis to an opportunity.” The chorus uses a play on words. The repeated name “Maria” sounds like the Korean word “말이야” changing the meaning of the line to “These words are for you.” Hwasa remarked on the song’s intention: “Instead of this Maria, I wanted to say ‘All the Marias in this world.’” For all those who may feel misjudged or targeted, the chorus assures “Why are you struggling? You’re already beautiful.” In the same pool we saw her killed in the beginning, we see her emerge and the milk could symbolize a new birth of sorts- not as a victim but as someone who has realized her self-worth and beauty. And the cameo from the rest of the Mamamoo members show that for all the haters, there are also supporters who will always have your back.
“Kidding”
Lyrics: Kim I Na, ZICO/ Composed by: ZICO, poptime, Hwasa
This Zico composed song drips with passive-aggressive sarcasm. After a peppy guitar based intro promising a happily-ever-after, the synth-hop and bass kicks in as Hwasa grows tired of the lies in her relationship. I really like the descending piano motif and effects used in the chorus and I can see why Zico felt like this song would match Hwasa well.
“Why”
Lyrics: Hwasa, Cosmic Sound, Cosmic Girl/ Composed by:Cosmic Sound, Cosmic Girl
Producer Cosmic Sound and former girl-group member turned songwriter Cosmic Girl have been working with Mamamoo for years, so it’s not a surprise to see them credited on Hwasa’s album. Although the more dream pop anthem is more aggressive than the other songs on the album, the pulsing bass line didn’t overpower Hwasa’s vocals, and instead gave a haunting vibe as she contemplates her one-sided love.
“I’m Bad Too”(Feat. DPR LIVE)
Lyrics: Park Woo Sang, DPR LIVE/ Composed by: Park Woo Sang
This is probably the most upbeat song on the album (and it’s not hiding a bunch of darker secrets). Hwasa said that this was the song that cheered everyone up when her team had started to lose energy from working so hard on the album. And you can see why in the lyrics; when other people are having just as bad a day as you, it can be nice to just rant about your bad day together.
“When I say ‘I’m so tired’ and if someone replies with ‘Yeah, Me too’… that’s the most comforting thing to hear.”
Hwasa, María Track List video
“LMM” (Lost My Mind)
Lyrics: Hwasa, Park Woo Sang/ Composed by: Hwasa, Park Woo Sang
The last new song in the album, “LMM” is also my favorite track. The stirring instrumentals match Hwasa’s voice perfectly, and create an almost spiritual atmosphere, like a prayer asking for an inner renewal. The lyrics are about the fragility that occurs when you lose your vision in life. Instead of moving forward “We’re still just hanging around in the same place.” And yet, it ends on a positive message, that even in the worst situation there can be hope for the future: “Flowers bloom even in the falling rain.”
-“LMM”
*Images are from Hwasa’s (@_mariahwasa) and Mamamoo’s (@mamamoo_official) Instagram pages and are intended for fair use for commentary. Translated lyrics are from genius.com and Twitter user @ch0sshi. You can see more of Hwasa’s comments on the album in her Track List YouTube video.
What were your thoughts on the album? Let us know in the comments!