Mamamoo Sing About a Night of Allure and Romance in ‘Illella’

Sometimes, all you need is a good rhythm and a gorgeous vocal performance to make all the difference to your day. And K-pop hitmakers Mamamoo show us just how essential the two are in their latest single “Illella.” Leading their 12th EP Mic On, the track follows the group’s September 2021 single, “Mumumumuch.”

Co-written and co-composed by Moonbyul, “Illella” can be characterized as a reggaeton track that beautifully fuses rich brass sounds with guitar riffs. It’s a near-perfect soundscape to underline Mamamoo’s vocal prowess that has helped them cement their identity as one of K-pop’s leading girl groups. The upbeat, saucy sonic sphere runs adjacent to the track’s theme, which playfully narrates a night of passion and lust as the group sings, “Before the sunrise, I want to feel you out/ Will something happen/ Should I make something happen/ Starry, starry night.” Of course, this wouldn’t be a Mamamoo release without lush adlibs, which the single thankfully doesn’t hold back on. Though every member has their stand-out moments, Moonbyul’s performance deserves a slightly longer round of applause as she captivates listeners with her swanky rap flow and lush vocal performances throughout the track.

Though the music video doesn’t stem from a solid storyline, it does an exceptional job of highlighting the group’s knack for choreography. Draped in chic and glamorous ensembles, the Mamamoo members focus their energies on a groovy choreographed routine, embodying the heightened levels of sensuality that the single’s lyrics offer. 

Leading the group’s 12th EP Mic On, “Illella” is accompanied by two additional tracks, “L.I.E.C” and “1,2,3 Eoi!.” While Mamamoo have returned with a group release after nearly a year, it sure does not feel like the members have been away from the spotlight. Thanks to a string of solo releases such as Moonbyul’s sophomore EP 6equence, WheeIn’s 2022 mini-album Whee, Solar’s first solo EP 容 : FACE and Hwasa’s 2021 EP Guilty Pleasure, we’ve been basking in each member’s iridescent artistic hues for a while. However, fans and listeners alike yearned to hear the four artists come together on a record. That wait is now finally over.