Face (stylized as  : FACE) is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer-songwriter Solar, the leader and main vocalist of Mamamoo, released on March 16, 2022, by RBW.[1]

Face
Solar Face Album Cover
EP by
ReleasedMarch 16, 2022 (2022-03-16)
GenreK-pop
Length13:35
LanguageKorean
LabelRBW
Solar chronology
Spit It Out
(2020)
Face
(2022)
Colours
(2024)
Singles from Face
  1. "Honey"
    Released: March 16, 2022

Background and release

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On February 22, 2022, the first teaser for Face was released.[2] It shows a face motion logo of Solar's new EP Face. The EP title was inspired by the hanja , pronouncing yong, from the singer's real name Kim Yong-sun. She described the concept of Face as her true and sincere self, as well as an appreciation towards self-love, uniqueness, and beauty, "just as the faces of people living in the world are all different, each and every one of them is precious." In particular, as her face reflects emotions and the path that person has walked, Solar plans to show various colors of music by comparing her sincere thoughts, feelings, and values.[3]

The lead single "Honey" was written and composed by Solar, Kim Do-hoon, and Seo Young-bae. An accompanying music video for "Honey" was released simultaneously with the single. "Honey" is a witty and kitsch song about how people tempt her sweetly, just like bees bring honey to the queen bee.[4]

Track listing

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Face track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."RAW"
  • Kim Do-hoon (RBW)
  • Minky (RBW)
  • Solar
  • Kim
  • Minky
  • Lee Hoo-sang (RBW)
  • Minky
1:11
2."Honey" ()
  • Kim
  • Seo Young-bae (RBW)
  • Solar
  • Kim
  • Seo
  • Solar
  • Minky
Minky2:47
3."Chap Chap" (찹찹)
  • Solar
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound (RBW)
  • Solar
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
2:59
4."Big Booty"SolarSolar
  • Ha Hyung-joo
  • Dunk
3:52
5."Zinggle Zinggle" (징글징글)
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
2:46
Total length:13:35

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME     

容 : Face has been met with positive critical acclaim from reviews. NME critic Rhian Daly gave the album a 4 out of 5 score, and stated "‘容 : FACE’ captures Solar's energetic, bright and breezy personality well. The rap verse on ‘Honey’ is a particular highlight that showcases her dynamism, while the mini-album as a whole pops with little vocal details that subtly elevate the songs."[5] In addition, Honey has been listed as one of the 'Best K-pop Track of 2022' by British magazine Dazed. Dazed stated "Solar often changes the sense of speed and atmosphere in the song, which further emphasizes the meaning of the lyrics written by Solar herself, doubling the feeling of challenge. It is a sweet yet bright and bold song."[6]

Year-end lists

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Critic/publication List Track Rank Ref.
Dazed The best K-pop tracks of 2022 "Honey" 38 [7]

Charts

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Release history

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Release history for Face
Region Date Format Label
Various March 16, 2022 RBW

References

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  1. ^ Seon, Mikyung (February 25, 2022). 마마무 솔라, 3월 16일 솔로 컴백 확정..'容 : FACE' 발표[공식] (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Seon, Mikyung (February 22, 2022). 마마무 솔라, 1년 11개월 만에 솔로 컴백…3월 '容:FACE' 발매[공식] (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via naver.
  3. ^ Lee, Dakyeom (March 16, 2022). 마솔라, 오늘(16일) 신곡 ‘꿀’ 컴백...키치 사운드 예고 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via MK.
  4. ^ Park, Soyeon (March 10, 2022). 마마무 솔라, 신곡 '꿀' MV 티저 공개..꿀 보이스+키치한 사운드 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via naver.
  5. ^ Rhian Daly (March 21, 2022). "Solar – '容 : FACE' review: an unpredictable and bright debut mini-album". NME. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Ji Min Kyung (December 22, 2022). "마마무 솔라·원어스·퍼플키스, 英 데이즈드 '2022년 최고의 K-팝 트랙' 선정" [Solar, ONEUS, Purple Kiss (Mamamoo) selected as 'Best K-Pop Track of 2022' by Dazed UK]. Naver. Osen. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "The best K-pop tracks of 2022" 2022년 최고의 K팝 트랙 [The best K-pop tracks of 2022]. Dazed. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 12, 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  9. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – March 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2022.