Narsha (stylized as NARSHA) is the eponymous debut extended play by South Korean singer Narsha, a member from girl group Brown Eyed Girls. Lee Min-soo, her group's long-time producer served as the album's executive producer. Featuring a dark and edgy sound, it was released on July 8, 2010, and distributed by Nega Network. The EP features seven tracks in total, including one preview and one instrumental version of the album's title track.
| Narsha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| EP by | |
| Released | July 8, 2010 |
| Recorded | 2010 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 20:55 |
| Language | Korean |
| Label | Nega Network |
| Producer | Lee Min-soo |
| Singles from NARSHA | |
| |
Upon its release, the album became a success by debuting at number three on Gaon Weekly Albums Chart with an approximate sale of 5,000+.[1] It also received positive reviews from music critics, praising its dark theme along with the electronic influence. Three singles were released from the album, with the first and pre-release single "I'm In Love", a remake of Ra.D's original song. The second and title track, titled "삐리빠빠 (Bbi Ri Bba Bba)", became another solo hit for Narsha as well as her signature solo song. "Mamma Mia" was released as the last digital single on August 20, 2010, one month after the album's release.
Background and composition
editIn 2010, it was announced that all Brown Eyed Girls' members would start their own solo careers beside their group activities, starting first with Narsha.[2] Its original title was "Narshism", but later changed to just plain "NARSHA".[3][4] The album was produced executively by Lee Min-soo, while frequent lyricist Kim Eana participated in writing the majority of the album's lyrics. It also featured productions from producer DJ Jinu aka Hitchhiker, whom is responsible for her home group's most well-known hit "Abracadabra" and had previously remixed their single "How Come?". Musically, the album is a K-pop record with a "dark and edgy" electronic sound, while also including R&B and bossa nova elements.
Singles
edit"I'm In Love"
editOriginally a Ra.D song, "I'm In Love" was selected as the album's first single, It was released on July 2, 2010, reaching number six on Gaon Singles Chart (Weekly) and number four on Gaon Download Chart (Weekly).
"Bbi Ri Bba Bba"
editThe song was announced as the album's title track upon its track list announcement.[5] It peaked at number six on Gaon Singles Chart during the second week while reaching number three on the download chart. An accompanying music video was released online, receiving mixed to positive reacts due to its dark and gothic theme.[citation needed] Upon its release, the song became her most successful solo hit to date
"Mamma Mia"
editPreviously included as a 27-second preview on the album, the full version was released as the last digital single on August 20, 2010, featuring Sunny Hill. The song also peaked at number six and number four on Gaon Singles Chart and Gaon Download Chart, respectively. An accompanying music video was also released online, receiving an R-19 rating.
Release and promotion
editThe album was originally intended to be released in May, 2010, but was pushed back to June, then July, 2010, due to schedule conflicts.[6] Prior to the release of the album, two teasers for both "I'm In Love" and "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" were released online, along with photo teasers and behind-the-scene cuts from the latter song.
Narsha made her debut solo stage on Music Bank (KBS) on July 9, 2010, followed by performances on Music Core (MBC) and Inkigayo (SBS), performing the title track "Bbi Ri Bba Bba".[7][8] She then went on to promote the album on many programs. The title track's promotion was wrapped up on July 30 and August 1 before starting with "Mamma Mia" from August 8, 2010, due to Brown Eyed Girls' showcase in Japan promoting their Japanese debut.[9] She then performed "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" again for KBS's Gayo Daejun on December 31, 2010.[10]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fantastic" | Kim Eana | Hitchhiker (DJ Jinu) | 3:22 |
| 2. | "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" (삐리빠빠) | Kim Eana | Kim Yang-woo | 3:27 |
| 3. | "I'm In Love" (with Sungha Jung) | Ra.D | Sungha Jung, Shinji Ho | 4:02 |
| 4. | "Queen B" | Lee Da-in | Kim Jee-eun | 3:32 |
| 5. | "Radio Star" | Kim Eana | Lee Min-soo | 3:53 |
| 6. | "Mamma Mia (Preview)" | Kim Eana | Lee Min-soo | 0:27 |
| 7. | "Bbi Ri Bba Bba (Instrumental)" | Kim Eana | Kim Yang-woo | 3:27 |
| Total length: | 22:10 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mamma Mia" (맘마미아, with Sunny Hill) | Kim Eana | Lee Min-soo | 3:20 |
| 2. | "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" (삐리빠빠 (East4A Club Vocal Mix)) | Kim Eana | King Yang-woo, east4a | 3:38 |
| Total length: | 4:24 | |||
Chart performance
editAlbum charts
edit| Country | Chart | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Gaon Weekly Albums Chart[13] | 3 |
|
| Gaon Monthly Albums Chart[14] | 11 | ||
| Gaon Year-End Albums Chart | — |
Awards and nominations
editAnnual music awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12th Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Solo Dance Performance | "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" | Nominated |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | July 8, 2010 | CD+DVD, digital download | Nega Network |
| Worldwide | Digital download |
References
edit- ^ "gaon chart". Gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "Narsha To Release Solo Album In May". Soompi.com. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "Mini Album: Narshism : Narsha (Brown Eyed Girls) | HMV ONLINE - L100004104 [English Site]". Hmv.co.jp. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "[News] Changes to Narsha's solo mini album - Latest K-pop News - K-pop News | Daily K Pop News". Dkpopnews.net. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "K Pop News: More Info on Narsha's Mini Album". Kpopnewsnsd.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "K Pop News: Narsha is in the midst of preparations for her upcoming solo album". Kpopnewsnsd.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "Narsha (Brown Eyed Girls) - Bbi Ri Bba Bba (Jul,9,10)". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "100711 Narsha - Bbi Ri Bba Bba". YouTube.com. 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "Narsha to Promote Follow-Up Song "Mamma Mia"". Soompi.com. 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "Narsha - You Oughta Know + Bbi Ri Bba Bba (December 31, 2010)". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - NARSHA by Narsha". iTunes Store. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Mamma Mia by Narsha". iTunes Store. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – July 4, 2010 to July 10, 2010". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – July 2010". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 25 November 2013.