T-ara are an odd bunch.
They revamp their their image more often than Rihanna, their songs contain the repetitive and catchy simplicity of a Lady GaGa hit, and you’re more likely to see them starring in a television commercial than sitting at the top of the GAON charts. They’re hardly the most talented or successful K-Pop girl group out there by any means, but they’ve carved out a unique spot for themselves and managed to become one of the more recognizable acts in the crowded South Korean pop scene.
When T-ara first announced their official comeback last month, my excitement quickly turned to bemused confusion when they started rolling out their concept details. Their new single would be titled “Roly Poly” and was being billed as a sequel to their breakthrough hit “Bo Peep Bo Peep”; their new album would be called John Travolta Wannabe and themed around 70s and 80s disco music; and their first batch of black & white concept photos contained some snaps that looked more like sepia photographs from the 1920s than an attempt at disco retro revival. Their next concept photo (see above) was a movie poster that looked like an illegal Taiwanese VHS tape that you’d find tucked away in the back of some dingy Asian pawn store, and that’s when they had me completely sold.
After teasing and tantalizing us for weeks, T-ara finally returned today with the release of “Roly Poly”, or should I say in Engrish “LOLLY POLLY, LOLLY LOLLY POLLY!” It only takes one listen to the song to realize why it’s being compared to “Bo Peep Bo Peep” — both songs are packed full of el cheapo dance beats and mindlessly catchy hooks. “Roly Poly” was produced by T-ara’s longtime producers Shinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu Sung, who have been helming hits for the girls since their debut and have done a good job at providing the group with a signature sound (that would be cheap and catchy dance-pop). The real catch of the song is the addictive instrumental that follows the chorus, which is accompanied bySaturday Night Fever-style arm move that has to be one of the best K-Pop dance moves of the past couple of years.
“Roly Poly” was inspired by retro disco beats to match the group’s new concept, but it’s still rather modern sounding. Fellow girl group Wonder Girls definitely pulled off this style better with their hit “2 Different Tears”, but the low budget tackiness of “Roly Poly” really works in its own special way when paired with the shonky concept photos and official music video.
“Roly Poly” is a hard one to rate, though. Just as a song alone, it can’t come close to the perfection that is “Why Are You Being Like This?” or “YaYaYa”, both of which are in the same caliber of catchiness as any SNSD hit. But when “Roly Poly” is viewed with its full concept and choreography, it’s a stone cold smash.
T-ARA comeback stage with a new song calllll!!!! "ROLY POLY"...lagu nie mmg best.. n as always..'hyomin' cumey,sexy n funny heheheh!!! lgu ni kesahnya ttg pompuan yg tingat kmbali kisah cnta dolu2..ala2 down memory lane gteww!!! enjoy..
