Chuu just missed the top 30 last year. And now, she's missing the top 50 altogether. Tragique! Tonight, we bid farewell to our last remaining Chuu rate entry, Strawberry Rush.
Strawberry Rush is the title track of Chuu's second mini album. It was composed by Ryan S. Jhun, dwilly, Colin Mags and Sorana, with lyrics written by Perrie and 9june9. Strawberry Rush didn't appear on the main Circle Digital Chart but it did peak at number 23 on the component Download Chart.
This... this is the sound that I expected Chuu to debut with. Not that they sound alike but this is at least closer to Heart Attack and to me, that's still the most Chuu-like song to ever exist. Strawberry Rush is bright and bouncy which is, like, the definition of Chuu - or at least her public persona. Songs like this could easily go beyond people's tolerance level for aegyo but I think Strawberry Rush managed to avoid that. Yes, it's cutesy but not to a suffocating degree.
You know, I kinda wish the song went even cutesier to be honest. Or quirkier, like Crayon Pop. Just to amp the camp level. But I know most of you would hate that so whatever! Some of you can't even recognize the genius of her rapping on Strawberry Rush! No but I do feel like the production needed a bit more juice. A little extra just to take things to the next level, to match the energy of Chuu's vocals and rapping.
My main complaint on her debut single, Howl, is the lack of a middle 8. And thankfully, Mother Chuu listened and gave us one hell of a middle 8 on Strawberry Rush. I mean, that death-defying high note? Oh I know IU is shaken, as she should!
Chuu is just about to release her third mini album, Only Cry in the Rain, a week from now. And it looks like she's ditching the brightness of Strawberry Rush for something more somber and more emotional. I can't wait to see how well she would do the concept.
@codecat (4): "Great vocals. Great vocals"[Slicey: Shady!]
@eccentricsimply (4): "I like Chuu SO much and this is why it makes me so sad that I care nothing for her solo career. I think she's a great variety star and a really good group member, and so so so charismatic, but I don't think her music is interesting to Me."
@roblognick (5): "I loved Chuu last year (I think). Her voice really grates on me in this one."
@clowezra (7): "Hit me way more whilst rating, some really great elements here."
@Serg. (8): "Why is this girl always singing about some food?"[Slicey: FFFFFFF relatable icon tbh!!]
@boom bazooka joe (8.5): "Chuu's songs this year don't QUITE hit as hard as the two from last year, but they are still solid. Like this chorus a lot."
@savilizabeths (10): "This is the most Chuu song I have ever heard and I ate the entire sugar coated thing up."[Slicey: Nah, it's still Heart Attack, unnie!!]
@soratami (10): "What I said about Chocolate (which I imagine will be eliminated first) also applies here. Chuurly Rae Jepsen is really just the best at these sugar rush type of bops."
@Vixen (11): "KSOTY IDC IDC IDC!!! I do wish she would drop the forced rap bits, especially since, she's not even doing it that well here (she can k-pop rap better than this, guys, I swear, I don't know what she's doing fjfjgfkj) - but this was just such a rush - no pun intended - of synthy and delicious fun. Melodies after melodies, hooks after hooks, and THANK GOD, we get an anthemic bridge where she can show off. She came mad as hell in the studio that day she decided to do record a pussy-shattering five-steps belt. I need MORE of that on the next single, Chuuriana Grande, thank yew ~"[Slicey: I promoted Chuu's upcoming comeback for you, unnie! You're welcome xoxo]