With the announcement that Kpop girl group Dreamcatcher would be ceasing group activities after several members did not re-sign with the company, group sub-unit UAU took shape as a full-fledged group, debuting with their first mini album Playlist #You Are You and title track “2 Months.”
The group centers on three of Dreamcatcher’s members, JiU, SuA, and Yoohyeon, and takes its name from syllables of each of their names. The UAU also stands for “You Are You,” showcased by the album subtitle itself.
When it comes to the four tracks on the debut release, it might leave familiar listeners with a puzzled feeling, as if these three skilled vocalists are not given justice by the songs they are performing.
Lead comeback track “2 Months” immediately surprises, with a confusing vocal modulation choice over all of the singers. Stylistic in nature, the more confusing part is that it doesn’t end, giving the vocals an almost muddy tone that conflicts with the general mix of the track.
Even without this, the track doesn’t offer anything musically memorable. It seems to fall into an area of “playing it safe” for the general Kpop community, while remaining completely mundane and not even providing a catchy pop hook.
“Sacrifice,” the album’s opening track offers a jazzy pop track entirely in English. This one gives a better look at the vocal abilities of the group, but doesn’t offer much variety as it progresses.
Where that lacks, “Attitude” picks up the slack, giving a similar jazzy feel but adding in a catchy little chorus and instrumental. This track also gives SuA the chance to show off her vocal range, with a few swelling high notes to close out the final chorus.
Closing track “Good Luck” feels much more like a traditional upbeat Kpop track, but keeps with the album’s style and adds in some instrumental zest in the form of a fun background saxophone. It comes across as the most exciting track of the album, but sadly that’s not a high bar.
The album makes clear that despite UAU’s origins with the rock and metal-infused Kpop group Dreamcatcher, they are focusing on a very different style. Current fans of the group may be divided on the departure, though the unfortunate circumstance seems to be that even with a change of style, the album itself doesn’t feel like a very strong debut for this group of talented performers.
