MV Review- KARA's "Mamma Mia"

2013 was a frustrating year for me as a Kamilia. Disappointing sales, a ridiculous scandal and Nicole leaving the group was quite a big blow for me, and knowing that Jiyoung was also thinking of leaving was the final nail in the coffin. I wasn't even upset when Jiyoung and Nicole left, it just felt surreal. In fact it only really hit me when the first teaser for KARA Project was released, by which other girl groups such as AOA and Girl's Day had caught up on my bias list. When I first heard they were coming back I was honestly worried, but now they've returned I don't even know why.
"Mamma Mia" is the 3927th track composed by Duble Sidekick this year. The problem I have with Duble Sidekick is his tracks are either absolutely brilliant (SECRET's "I'm In Love") or underwhelming (BESTie's "Hot Baby"), and thankfully "Mammia Mia" belongs in the former.

Goddess Gyuri looking flawless as always.

Despite the new composer it's still classic KARA: upbeat, full of synths, an explosive chorus and ruthlessly addictive. Maybe their singles won't last too long on your playlist, but you'll be replaying the buggers again and again for a good couple of weeks, and this one is no exception. Obviously Youngji doesn't have too many lines here since she's only just been introduced into the group and people would be fuming if she took centre stage, but she gels with the group surprisingly well and does a pretty good job of filling the void left by the two former members, and for that alone she should be commended.

Ignore whiny Somin fans,
Youngji fits KARA really well.

The video's... odd. It just really doesn't suit the song at all. It's all too sterile; the girls mainly wear white in white backdrops with a white light filter (I don't know about you but if a song says "Hit the lights LET'S GO!" I do not expect to see the girls gazing curiously at butterflies in an all-white room)  Couple this with slow zoom-ins on the individual shots and, apart from the choreography, the cleanliness of the video seems much more suited to a slower song. It's all very aesthetically pleasing and the members look lovely, especially in the billowing dresses, it's just off and doesn't really fit the music.

Literally 60% of the video is all-white...

...Even the dance shots are pristine.

Nevertheless, overall "Mamma Mia" is a very pleasant package. KARA have certainly passed their peak now, there's no denying that, but this proves that they can keep going for a good while yet.