4minute turns the ‘Volume Up’
4Minute has released its third mini-album titled "Volume Up" after almost a year to the day of its last release "4Minutes Left." Buoyed by the carrier single of the same title, "Volume Up" garnered impressive sales numbers and critical acclaim.
Leader Ji Hyun, main vocalist Gayoon, lead vocalist and dancer Ji Yoon, lead rapper and maknae So Hyun, and main rapper, dancer and vocalist Hyuna have displayed phenomenal digital staying power and with the release of "Volume Up," 4Minute has once again topped Mnet, Soribada, and Bugs charts, and ranked consistently in the Top 3 on other online digital sales countdowns as well. Hyuna has earned rave reviews on her own, topping music charts and the occasional TV music show with her own hits "Bubble Pop" and "Trouble Maker" (as part of concept duo Trouble Maker, with B2ST member Hyunseung).
The girls vamp all over "Volume Up," a saxophone riff-driven dance track featuring several power notes, sexy growls and the general high-energy vocal performances that have set 4Minute apart from other girl groups. "Volume Up" is produced by longtime collaborator Shinsadong Tiger, who was responsible for the group's previous hits "Mirror Mirror" and "Hot Issue," which, by the way, may be nostalgic for Filipino 4Nias, as 4Minute fans are known, who can recall the girls' Philippine visit in February 2009 as part of its international promotions for "Hot Issue".
Cube Entertainment, the girls' management label, is pulling out all the stops to promote "Volume Up." Its music video is a visual and musical treat rumored to have had a budget of more than US$130,000 on the production including fashions, animation and props which included a live snake slithering all over Gayoon and a fierce Doberman alongside Hyuna. In another unique promotion move, 4Minute is also providing month-long free bus rides for the citizens of Seoul. The citizens are invited to ride a 4Minute bus plastered with the girls' image, listen to and watch the "Volume Up" music video. There are rumors that the girls may make a surprise appearance on the bus, so we can bet 4Nias will do their best to take a ride on the 4Minute bus headed to Hongik University, Jamsil, and Myung Dong.
4Minute will stage its first music show comeback on April 12 on "M! Countdown."
4Minute "Volume Up"
Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas, and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.
