Review Summary: Summer is here, all hail the Bunny Queen
Im Na-yeon burst onto the soloist scene with her 2022 mega-hit “POP” off of her eponymous debut mini-album
IM NAYEON, an album which gave her the space to develop early Twice’s bubblegum pop sound into something a little more r&b adjacent. As the “face” of Twice (and the eldest member), her solo debut was not only a celebration of the legacy she had already established along with her fellow members, but it marked a new chapter in the group overall with
IM NAYEON being the first time a member promoted music individually.
With her new followup album,
Na (which has a hilariously Kendrick-like triple entendre meaning that we won’t get into here), Nayeon and her team make a push to cement herself as a soloist that is here to stay; and they succeed.
For starters, the production on
Na is immaculate. Bringing in one of BTS’ main producers Pdogg for the title track, as well as production credits from other huge names in the industry, no corners were cut in crafting the pristine r&b and disco-funk soundscapes on the record; from the intricate layers of strings, synths, drums, and guitars weaved together on the Beyonce-inspired title track, and the call-and-response synths and wet 808 bass tones on the chorus in “Heaven,” to the plucking hollow percussion and warm synth pads on “Count It;” you couldn’t really ask for a better production to suit Nayeon.
Her versatility is on full display here; the spectrum of her lower and huskier tones all the way to her whistle notes, in combination with her increased sense of rhythm and intonation, allow for several beautiful and subtly complex passages that are perfectly placed and layered in the production.
Aforementioned tracks like “Heaven” and “Count It” are some of the best r&b cuts we’ve heard in the K-pop space in a while; the former featuring contemporary Sam Kim as a duet in what is sure to be on many summer night playlists, while the latter is about a perfect closer as you can get with it's "night drive with the windows down" chorus leading you through all of Nayeon's winding melodies. Other tracks like “Magic” (who features vocals from Julie of contemporary group Kiss of Life) and “HalliGalli” (produced by Lee Chanhyuk of famous duo AKMU fame) could slot nicely on TWICE’s full-length
Formula of Love from 2021 without sounding like a recycled b-side, focusing more on the disco and funk danciness that latter career TWICE explored thoroughly.
While I wouldn’t consider this a flawless record, it’s exactly what it needs to be for the type of moves Nayeon is making at this point in her solo career. There are some silly and awkward English lyrics (although her English pronunciation is fantastic and handily the best of her group), and a couple of the tracks didn’t really grab me as much as others upon the first handful of listens due to being
too Twice reminiscent (“Magic” and “HalliGalli”), but at the end of the day it’s a project that her and her team should be very proud of. She sings her ass off, and it’s very easy to hear the care that was put into making sure the soundscapes highlight every strength she has.
Her vocal chops and dancing ability are only improving, and if
Na is any indication, she has even further heights to reach; both as Twice’s Nayeon, and Im Na-yeon the soloist.
As her scepter falls to usher in summer once more, again I say: All hail the Bunny Queen
