More & More (EP)

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More & More
Black background with the words "The 9th Mini Album More & More" featuring the nine members of twice in floral dresses with some reaching forward toward the camera.
Digital and A version cover
EP by
ReleasedJune 1, 2020 (2020-06-01)
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length22:15[1]
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Twice chronology
&Twice
(2019)
More & More
(2020)
Twice3
(2020)
Singles from More & More
  1. "More & More"
    Released: June 1, 2020

More & More is the ninth extended play by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records on June 1, 2020, and features the lead single of the same name. It is their first release with Republic Records.

Consisting of seven tracks that features various genres including Latin pop, new jack swing, bass music, and tropical house, the album received generally favorable reviews from music critics which praised Twice's musical growth as they adapted a more mature style. More & More became Twice's best-selling album release to date, reaching over 563,000 copies sold on Gaon, while also becoming their first entry on the US Billboard 200, charting at number 200.

Background and release[]

It was first reported by media outlets on April 20, 2020 that Twice were in the final stages of preparation for an upcoming album as well as music video filming. JYP Entertainment confirmed the reports later that day.[2][3][4] On April 28, Twice held an online press conference for their YouTube original series “TWICE: Seize the Light”, with member Jihyo confirming that their comeback was set on June 1. The members then revealed the title of their upcoming single to be "More & More".[5] It is the group's first comeback as a nine-piece group after member Mina took a break from activities due to mental health issues.

In May, it was confirmed that the group's upcoming EP would have the same name as its title track, with J.Y.Park and a team of international songwriters and producers including MNEK of Britain, Zara Larsson of Sweden, and American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels having joined the album's production.[6] On May 7, the group announced the contents of the three physical album versions, with pre-orders beginning May 11.[7] On May 18, the tracklist for the EP was revealed through JYP Entertainment's Twitter account.[8]

The album alongside the music video for its eponymous title track was released on June 1 at 6PM KST.[9] This marked the group's first release with Republic Records after last signing with the American label earlier in February.[10]

Composition[]

More & More consists of seven tracks that features various genres from Latin pop, new jack swing, bass music, and tropical pop, among others. The album's title track of the same name is a tropical house song featuring an EDM-heavy instrumental chorus which lyrically depicts a theme of desire. "Oxygen" describes the growth of a romance which develops from an innocent affection to a fiery love. "Firework" features a Latin-inspired rhythm that opens with a guitar line, with the members lyrically comparing themselves to exploding pyrotechnics as they describe the sensation of a romantic relationship. "Make Me Go" is a song written by Nayeon that discusses the feeling of passion. "Shadow" conveys underlying pain that one feels and hides in the middle of an active relationship. "Don't Call Me Again" is a straightforward portrayal of a romantic breakup. The closing track written by Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung, "Sweet Summer Day", does not explicitly reference love with its lyrics encouraging one to leave behind the worries of yesterday.[11][12]

Talking about their album, member Jeongyeon stated that the group wanted to create a track that was different from what they had done before.[13]

Promotion[]

In support of their album, Twice performed its lead single on various South Korean music programs starting with Mnet's M! Countdown on June 4, 2020.[14] This was followed by performances on KBS's Music Bank and SBS's Inkigayo.[15][16]In their second week of promotion, Twice received their first music show trophy for "More & More" on MBC Music's Show Champion.[17] The group appeared as guests on June 7 episode of the variety show Running Man.[18] Following their music show win on June 12 on Music Bank with "More & More", the group had accumulated a total of 100 music show wins throughout their career.[19]

On August 9, Twice embarked on their first online concert titled "Beyond LIVE: World In A Day", with the group performing 15 songs including three tracks from their latest EP release: "More & More", "Shadow", and "Firework".[20][21] Expanding their reach globally, Twice released an English-language version of "More & More" on August 21.[22]

Critical reception[]

Kim Do-heon of IZM gave a generally favorable review to the album, stating that Twice is "one step closer to building a stable album with More & More," citing the pool of international producers and songwriters as well as the variety of music genres included in the material as a strength which "presents the possibility of [further] collaborations".[23] Writer Kat Moon from Time magazine describes that the album "might have been disjointed, yet More & More is one of Twice’s most cohesive albums, in large part because its seven songs build on a progressing storyline." She also praised the group for managing to adapt a more mature concept without giving up their trademark bright demeanor, and states that "Twice is a versatile ensemble keen on surprising their audience."[11] Amanda Lee of Sound Digest states that all seven songs from the album will "have you ready to make some sweet summer memories", while also noting the continuing maturity of Twice's musical direction.[24]

Chermel Porter of KultScene described More & More as a "very cohesive album", noting that with their latest release, the group was able to completely transition into a more mature image "without it coming off too strong".[25]

Commercial performance[]

On May 27, it was reported that the pre-order sales of More & More had surpassed 500,000, becoming a half-million seller before release and their best-selling release.[26][27] With over 260,000 copies sold on Hanteo on the first day, Twice broke the record at its time for the highest first-day sales for a Korean girl group. They also became the first Korean girl group to surpass 200,000 albums sold on the first day of release.[28] On July 2, Gaon confirmed that More & More reached 563,000 copies sold in shipments, making it not only Twice's best-selling album to date, but also setting a record for the highest album sales volume by a girl group in Gaon Chart history. With this, the group had reached an accumulated total of 5.26 million albums sold throughout their career.[29]

More & More debuted at number 1 on the Gaon Album Chart, while all of its tracks charted on the component Download Chart, with the title track topping it.[30][31] The EP also debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart and at number 3 on Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart.[32][33] It also debuted at number 25 on the UK Album Downloads Chart, making it their highest entry and second overall.[34] The EP also entered at number 200 on the Billboard 200, making Twice the fourth South Korean girl group to break into the chart, after Girls' Generation, 2NE1 and Blackpink (fifth including the Girls' Generation sub-unit TTS).[35] It also charted at number 3 on the US Heatseekers Albums and at number 2 on the World Albums charts, respectively, making it their eleventh top 10 entry on the latter.[36][37]

Track listing[]

Adapted from the group's official website.[38]

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."More & More"
  • MNEK
  • J. Y. Park
  • Lee Hae-sol
3:19
2."Oxygen"
  • JQ
  • Jeong Il-kwon (makeumine works)
  • Johan Gustafsson
  • Josefin Glenmark
Gustafsson3:45
3."Firework"Kim Soo-jeong
  • Billie Jean (BADD)
  • Kim Jin-hyung
  • Slyberry
  • Sophia Pae
  • Slyberry
  • Kim Jin-hyung
  • Billie Jean (BADD)
3:13
4."Make Me Go"
Shift K3Y3:06
5."Shadow"Jo Yun-gyeong
LDN Noise2:48
6."Don't Call Me Again"Park Lee-soo
  • Markus "Mack" Sepehrmanesh
  • Emanuel "Email" Abrahamsson
  • Imani Williams
  • Iman Conta Hultén
  • Mack
  • Email
2:53
7."Sweet Summer Day"
Lopez3:11
Total length:22:15

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[39]

  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" – producer, vocal director (on "More & More")
  • Kim Yeo-joo (Jane Kim) – music (A&R)
  • Choi Eun-su – music admin (A&R)
  • Kim Ji-hyung – production (A&R)
  • Kim Yu-ju – production (A&R)
  • Kang Gun – production (A&R)
  • Hwang Hyun-jun – production (A&R)
  • Kim Tae-eun – design (A&R), album art director & designer
  • Seo Yeon-ah – design (A&R), album art director & designer, web designer
  • Lee So-yeon – design (A&R), album art director & designer, web designer
  • Hwang Si-nae – admin (A&R)
  • Choi Hye-jin – recording engineer, digital editor
  • Eom Se-hee – recording engineer, digital editor
  • Lee Sang-yeop – recording engineer, digital editor
  • Park Eun-jung – recording engineer
  • Goo Hye-jin – assistant recording engineer
  • Lee Tae-seob – mixing engineer
  • Lim Hong-jin – mixing engineer
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering engineer
  • NAIVE Production – video director
  • Kim Yeong-jo – video executive producer
  • Yoo Seung-woo – video executive producer
  • Kim Eui-mil – photographer
  • Park Gyu-tae – assistant photographer
  • Kim Hyun-tae – assistant photographer
  • Park Hyun-kyung – assistant photographer
  • Jung Nan-young at LULU – hair director
  • Son Eun-hee at LULU – hair director
  • Choi Ji-young at LULU – hair director
  • Lim Jin-hee at LULU – hair director
  • Heo Yeon-ji at LULU – hair director
  • Park Min-jung at LULU – hair director
  • Jo Sang-ki at LULU – makeup director
  • Zia at LULU – makeup director
  • Jeon Dal-rae at LULU – makeup director
  • Won Jung-yo at BIT&BOOT – makeup director
  • Choi Gyeong-won at F9ISSUE – style director
  • Shin Hyun-kuk – management & marketing director
  • Kiel Tutin – choreographer
  • Leejung Lee – choreographer
  • Twice – lead vocals
  • Lee Hae-sol – vocal director (on "More & More", "Sweet Summer Day")
  • Sophia Pae – background vocals (on "More & More", "Firework", "Shadow"), vocal director (on "Firework", "Shadow")
  • Brayton Bowman – background vocals (on "More & More")
  • Zara Larsson – background vocals (on "More & More")
  • Johan Gustafsson – all instruments, additional background vocals (on "Oxygen")
  • Josefin Glenmark – additional background vocals (on "Oxygen")
  • Kim Yeon-seo – background vocals (on "Oxygen", "Make Me Go", "Don't Call Me Again", "Sweet Summer Day"), vocal director (on "Oxygen", "Make Me Go", "Don't Call Me Again")
  • minGtion – digital editor (on "Firework")
  • Slyberry – bass, guitar (on "Firework")
  • Choi Jae-yeol – drum (on "Firework")
  • Kim Jin-hyung – keyboard (on "Firework")
  • Ryan Ashley – vocal arranger (on "Make Me Go")
  • Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editor (on "Make Me Go", "Shadow", "Don't Call Me Again", "Sweet Summer Day")
  • Greg Bonnick – keyboard, drums, programming (on "Shadow")
  • Hayden Chapman – keyboard, drums, programming (on "Shadow")
  • Email – all instruments (on "Don't Call Me Again")
  • Gabe Lopez – all instruments (on "Sweet Summer Day")

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Weekly chart performance for More & More
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[40] 87
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[41] 115
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[33] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[42] 1
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[43] 7
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[44] 1
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[45] 25
US Billboard 200[46] 200
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[36] 3
US World Albums (Billboard)[47] 2

Year-end charts[]

Chart (2020) Position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[48] 31
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[49] 12

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[50] 2× Platinum 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also[]

References[]

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