It is almost impossible to pass a year with only one TWICE comeback. The girls are back again this year with a new album, Feel Special, and a same name title track on Monday, September 23rd 2019. This is TWICE's second release in 2019 after Fancy in April.
Feel Special comeback feels different for TWICE since Mina will not join the promotional activities despite appearing on the music video and album. She has suffered anxiety disorder for these past several months and decided to sit back from TWICE promotional activities. Her elegance presence will be missed on Feel Special comeback, but her health should be the number one priority. Hopefully, Mina takes her time to rest and eventually feels better.
Although Mina is absent, Feel Special comeback still raises anticipation because the teasers display a more mature image of TWICE. The girls are ready to transform their image gradually after years of embracing bubbly concepts. They make their first attempt on Fancy comeback and continue their transformation through Feel Special.
How does TWICE show their mature image through Feel Special song and music video? Check out my review of TWICE newest title track here.........
Feel Special maintains TWICE signature energetic music. It has a strong electronic beat, a pop melody, and a catchy hook. The mature side comes from TWICE attempt to explore different song arrangement. Feel Special mixes TWICE signature style with house music, which makes the whole song goes upbeat instead of having various beat changes like their previous releases. It also does not have a fast interchange between singing, talking, and rapping during verses. As the song composer, JYP gives TWICE a long singing part that allows them to showcase their vocal abilities. Each member delivers her parts well; even Chaeyoung surprises me with her sweet vocal to open the song.
Feel Special continues TWICE tradition to release an enjoyable song. However, the combination of house music and singing part makes Feel Special sounds repetitive in several parts. The arrangement stays similar throughout the song without vocal improvisations on bridge or final refrain. Only Dahyun rap part has a different arrangement, which spices up a song the little before it ends.
Meanwhile, Feel Special music video focuses on the glamour theme, which also marks TWICE transformation into mature ladies. The girls wear glitter makeup, silk dresses, and jewellery and pose in luxurious settings such as a studio with a chandelier or a living room with gold statues. The bold colour tone like gold, red, and blue dominate the music video and its combination with the glamorous image makes Feel Special visually pleasing.
Feel Special music video then continues TWICE previous releases, which shows each member in her individual scene. However, this approach seems more poignant this time since it integrates with the song lyrics. TWICE opens up about their insecurities and loneliness amidst their cheerful celebrities status through Feel Special. They stare longingly to the camera on their individual scenes. Take a look at Mina’s sad eyes when she walks inside a forest, as well as Sana’s when she sits in front of the store in the rain. What keeps them strong is their love towards each other and Feel Special music video displays this lyric in a touching way. TWICE pairs up and one of them has to console others on the music video scene. Dahyun gives Sana umbrella, Momo embraces Tzuyu who traps inside a dollhouse, Chaeyoung smiles at Mina despite she stays inside a cube, Jihyo feels relieved to see Nayeon on television, and Jeongyeon stares at all TWICE members from her throne. It is a nice callback to Feel Special lyrics without having to sacrifice the music video visual.
Despite the song repetitiveness at some parts, Feel Special manages to reveal TWICE mature side without losing their own flavour. It is still a catchy dance track, however, the girls combine it with house music genre and longer singing line. The music video also continues to let each TWICE member shines in her individual scenes while shows their transformation into a glamorous image.
But the most important thing is Feel Special allows TWICE disclosing their vulnerabilities. It is nice to see them being honest with their raw emotions, especially since they have high celebrities status. Their actions hopefully could encourage more talks about this issue in K-Pop world because behind their perfect facades, our favourites are still the ordinary human being.
Rating: 4/5
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