Minnie HER: Debut EP Review
(G)I-DLE’s Minnie has officially stepped into the solo spotlight with her debut EP, solidifying her presence beyond the group. The project, which dropped on January 21, 2025 showcases her signature alt/PB R&B sound, blending emotional ballads with empowerment anthems reminiscent of HER.
Notably, Minnie holds writing credits for all tracks, highlighting her artistic involvement. Following the 7 track solo debut of Yuqi, YUQ1, who also has a feature on the EP, Crazy, it appears all of the members are getting their time in the sun. This is a great way to keep fans engaged whilst the group work on their next comeback.
The EP introduces a fresh sound, but some tracks fall short due to a lack of exploration beyond the alt-R&B space. The key elements of alt R&B are all present from the use of synths, autotune mysterious isolated vocals to create a futuristic sound and atmospheric soundscape. Artists that I hear influences from in the EP include Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Daniel Caesar and wavetoearth to name a few.
Some of the songs are reminiscent of early The Weeknd tracks from his EP House of Balloons which I love but they’re only great when you’re in that specific mood. The songs can feel one-dimensional after the initial novelty wears off. However, as her first solo project, there’s ample room for growth, and her potential is undeniable.
Two of my standout songs being her feature with Ten, Obsession, and Cherry Sky. Obsession feels like a true duet with Ten and Minnie equally sharing their talent on the song and their voices compliment each others well. Ten really does a great job of singing alongside Minnie and driving the message of the song and I hope that they work together again. I really enjoy the instrumentation of Cherry Sky the drums and mellow guitar strum accompanied with Minnie’s vocals mesh really well together. The opening line really reminds me of CHIHIRO by Billie Eilish and the chorus is very Coldplay ft Rihanna Princess of China.
Features from close peers Yuqi and Ten add a personal touch, reinforcing the EP’s intimate feel. While some tracks may get lost in the ever-evolving K-pop landscape, this release is still a solid attempt at carving out a unique identity. With this debut, Minnie proves she has more to offer, leaving fans eager to see how she evolves as a solo artist.
