Sunmi "Tail" Review: A Fascinating Blend of Pop and Artistic Vision

"Tail" perfectly captures Sunmi's artistic vision through a dance and city pop track that explores raw emotional instincts. Released as her sixth digital single on February 23, 2021, through Abyss Company, this captivating song peaked at number 22 on the Gaon Digital Chart.

Essentially, the track conveys Sunmi's instinctive feelings regarding love, drawing inspiration from how animals express emotions through their tails. Furthermore, the song taps into the singer's sexual desires and fantasies, with Sunmi manifesting these animalistic ideas by stretching out her vocals to mimic feline sounds. This release also marked a significant milestone for Sunmi, as she turned 30 in Korean age that year. With its ominous groove, electronic loops, and atmospheric pads, "Tail" creates a polished production reminiscent of her excellent debut track "24 Hours".

Background and Release Timeline

Announcement and teaser rollout

The journey of "Tail" began in early February 2021 when Makeus Entertainment (later renamed Abyss Company) announced Sunmi's comeback scheduled for the end of that month. On February 10, Sunmi officially announced the release date through Instagram.

The promotional campaign unfolded methodically:

February 14: Tracklist revealed with two songs - "Tail" and "What The Flower" - both written and co-composed by Sunmi herself

During this period, Sunmi shared striking promotional images on Instagram with the intriguing caption "What made think like this?", building anticipation for the Sunmi Tail concept that would soon captivate fans.

Digital release and music video launch

"Tail" officially dropped on February 23, 2021, as Sunmi's sixth digital single. The release featured both the title track and B-side "What The Flower". While Sunmi wrote both songs, she collaborated with frequent partner Frants to produce "Tail" and with Hong Sojin on "What The Flower".

The music video, directed by Cho Bum-jin of VM Project, drew inspiration from the Catwoman storyline. Simultaneously with the digital release, Sunmi held an online showcase where she elaborated on her new direction, stating, "It's a song that's really different from 'pporappippam.' It's completely different from the songs before that too".

Why this comeback mattered for Sunmi

Turning 30 in Korean age that year, "Tail" represented a significant milestone in Sunmi's career. "It's my first move taken in my 30s and I feel like I've taken a very daring step forward," she expressed.

Moreover, the Sunmi Tail dance featured choreography by renowned choreographer Janelle Ginestra, who had previously worked with Beyoncé, elevating the performance aspect of the release.

This comeback marked Sunmi's first release since "Pporappippam" in 2020 and set the stage for her future projects. Indeed, during her showcase, she hinted at preparing her next album without rest, having earlier expressed her intention to release a full album within 2021.

Exploring the Music and Lyrics

Genre and production style

Collaborating once again with producer Frants, "Tail" marks a return to Sunmi's earlier musical approach. The track blends dance and city pop elements, featuring retro-inspired synth textures that create an ominous groove with electronic loops pulsing over atmospheric pads. Notably, the production incorporates a high-tempo backbone through an insistent kick drum, although the overall feel remains surprisingly languid.

In contrast to her previous releases, certain beats and guitar riffs were specifically crafted to mimic cat-like sounds. These subtle instrumental touches, alongside random inclusions of both simple guitar plucks and electric samples, add remarkable depth to an already compelling soundscape.

Sunmi Tail lyrics and their meaning

The Sunmi Tail lyrics portray a character Sunmi describes as a "super sensitive cat-woman villainess" expressing her deepest instinctive feelings. Throughout the song, she strategically employs feline imagery with lines like "Probably it began after I clawed at you" and "Wagging my tail for your last words".

Her delivery feels almost confessional, with lyrics spilled over the track in a loose structure resembling stream-of-consciousness. The chorus particularly emphasizes this unstable love with the memorable hook: "We're madly in love / Kiss each other like crazy / Rock your head like crazy".

The role of instinct and emotion in the song

The Sunmi Tail meaning primarily draws inspiration from how "animals use their tails to express their emotions". "I liked the frankness of this instinctive behavior," Sunmi explained, "and the word 'tail' just left a huge impact in my mind".

This animal-like expressiveness manifests through her vocal performance as well. Sunmi deliberately stretches her vocals to mimic feline sounds—purring rather than simply crooning. Her husky tone combined with snappy, sassy delivery creates a fascinating duality that perfectly balances playfulness and danger.

Visual Concept and Choreography

Sunmi Tail concept: The Catwoman persona

In the music video, Sunmi undergoes a complete transformation into a feline anti-heroine. Evidently inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal in the 1992 film "Batman Returns," her storyline begins with being pushed from a skyscraper. This cinematic opening establishes her revenge-driven character who hunts down her executor throughout the narrative. Accordingly, she dons multiple outfits including a skintight leather catsuit directly referencing the iconic DC Comics character.

Choreography and stage performance

The Sunmi Tail dance was created by renowned choreographer Janelle Ginestra, who previously worked with Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Red Velvet. Sunmi specifically requested Ginestra "to really go bold with it so the animal rawness can really come across". The demanding routine includes:

Crawling movements that left Sunmi with knee bruises

Symbolism in the music video

The visual elements maintain consistent tonal danger despite utilizing diverse settings. Primarily, sharp nails, dramatic eyeliner, and cat-like crawling movements symbolize feline agility. To illustrate emotional complexity, the video alternates between scenes of Sunmi looking serious and smiling while portraying both vulnerability and power. Consequently, this visual approach perfectly complements her explanation that "tail" represents the concept: "Do not hide. Express yourself".

Reception and Artistic Significance

Critical reviews and fan reactions

Upon its release, "Tail" garnered significant praise from critics and fans alike. Sofiana Ramli of NME described it as "a flirty affair" that presented "new facades to a beloved veteran performer". Meanwhile, Stern from IZM noted that the song "reveals Sunmi's concerns, who don't want to fall into mannerism". The track's artistic merit was officially recognized when it won best song in the 2021 Miyane fan club awards. Fans particularly appreciated the innovative choreography, with many commenting that the creative leg formations and cat-like movements were "hypnotic".

How 'Tail' fits into Sunmi's discography

"Tail" represents a fascinating evolution in Sunmi's artistic journey. Though reminiscent of her "WARNING" mini-album in its jazz-inspired beats, critics noted that "where 'WARNING' is subtly sensual, 'Tail' is fiercely sexy". Undoubtedly, the release demonstrates her continued ability to exist within a defined artistic space yet find "seemingly endless ways to tweak and twist her persona". As one reviewer observed, this release proves "Sunmi's appeal and versatility as a songwriter and performer is only growing".

Comparing 'Tail' to previous hits like '24 Hours' and 'Siren'

Musically, "Tail" draws comparisons primarily to Sunmi's 2013 hit "24 Hours" due to its "same sultry, tense atmosphere". Nevertheless, it differs from chart-toppers like "Gashina" or "Siren," offering what fans described as "a very perfect blend of the more contemporary, funky Sunmi and the earlier Sunmi that was both dark and sultry". Though some critics felt it wasn't as "hard-hitting" as her other title tracks, others appreciated its maturity, noting that "the mature sexuality is just... incredible".