"Eclipse" by LOOΠΔ/Kim Lip

“Eclipse"

LOOΠΔ/Kim Lip

LOOΠΔ is an enigmatic girl group who create high concept, retro-futuristic, synth-heavy pop music that include narratives revolving around androids, forbidden love, parallel universes, creation mythologies, solipsism, and non-linear timelines, among other things.

One of the exciting things about LOOΠΔ is their non-traditional approach to releasing music. LOOΠΔ consists of 12 members (HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul, YeoJin, ViVi, Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, Yves, Chuu, Go Won, and Olivia Hye) and 3 sub-units (LOOΠΔ 1/3, LOOΠΔ/ODD EYE CIRCLE, and LOOΠΔ/yyxy) that were individually introduced on an almost monthly basis starting in October of 2016 and ending in March of 2018. Each introduction has been accompanied by a corresponding single (or EP in the case of sub-units) and music video(s). LOOΠΔ  has released no less than twelve singles, two EPs, and over twenty-two music videos, despite the fact that they have yet to properly debut as a group. 

Stylistically, LOOΠΔ’s early musical output mainly consist of slower ballads or reside in the “cute concept” genre of K-Pop… most of which I am a not fan of. With that said, LOOΠΔ’s early music videos are conceptually interesting, help establish the LOOΠΔ universe, and are worth watching. Unfortunately, the songs don’t rise to the same quality level as the videos. There are exceptions though, such as the electro-funk bop “I'll Be There” by HeeJin/ HyunJin and the effervescent synth pop of LOOΠΔ 1/3’s “You and Me Together.”

In May 2017, LOOΠΔ’s music became sleeker, darker, and more mature with the introduction of Kim Lip… a much needed and welcome change of direction. From that point on, every LOOΠΔ release has been consistently great, particularly those of members Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, and the sub-unit they form, LOOΠΔ/ODD EYE CIRCLE.

While LOOΠΔ has released plenty of stellar songs, the one song that I cannot seem to escape would have to be the glossy and elegant “Eclipse” by Kim Lip. “Eclipse” was produced by Daniel ‘Obi’ Klein and Charli Taft and the song is delicately steeped in their signature warm, buzzy synth sound.

After a short spoken introduction, the song spirals and plummets into a dark and seductive groove. The rhythm section acts as percussive punctuation… gently supporting the song while adding a needed sharpness. Kim Lip’s vocals are almost translucent… gracefully covering the song like gossamer frost. The production is pristine in its execution and quietly washes over the listener like a shimmering fog. 

The official music video’s color palette is on point and the whole production has a polished and cinematic feel to it. Handily serving up outfits, moves, looks, hands, and face in excess. The music video is fantastic, and one of the better music videos of 2017, however, the editing is too frenetic and restless for its own good…never allowing the song to breathe or a moment to settle in.

The real showstopper, and truest visual representation of “Eclipse,” is the brilliantly straightforward and exquisitely performed “Choreography Version” music video. The video is refreshingly subtle and minimal. Taking a cue from “The Wizard of Oz”, the video begins in a crisp black and white color tone before quickly descending into a surreal deep red... revealing an intense and inky black-purple background. 

The choreography is brilliantly conceived and matches the tone and feel of the song perfectly. The choreography is chic, sensual, and dangerous all at once. A gentle melancholy seems interwoven into the choreography, clinging to the dancer’s movements like static electricity.

The dancers calmly lilt and sway like flowers in the breeze as one coordinated unit. Each backup dancer moving as a mirrored reflection of Kim Lip, or perhaps a parallel version of Kim Lip from another reality. To be clear, though, the effortlessly stylish Kim Lip is definitely the star of the video. Kim Lip exudes a calm confidence and fully inhabits the space and time of “Eclipse.”

-Daniel R.

Choreography Version:

Official Music Video: