By CHARLENE HUANG
Staff Writer

After two and a half years on hiatus, TaeTiSeo (TTS) has finally released its new impressive Extended Play: Holler. TTS is a part of the world-renowned Korean-Pop group, Girls’ Generation (SNSD). Since SNSD’s debut in 2007, the group’s popularity has spread from its fan base in Korea to audiences in Taiwan, China, Japan and recently North America. In 2012, SM Entertainment released the sub group TTS, consisting of Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun, the three strongest vocalists of SNSD. TTS has become known not only for its strong vocals, but also for its willingness to experiment with different styles of music and find ways to incorporate these styles into mainstream K- Pop. This year, TTS has made its comeback with an “Extended Play,” also referred to as a mini album. An EP consists of the same style of music as a normal album might but only includes select songs that personally reflect the group’s growth over the years. While Girls’ Generation is known for its cute dance tracks, TTS breaks away from the typical SNSD image. The group’s first attempt to do so with its album Twinkle in 2012 failed to depart from the norm; this time, TTS handpicked songs with greater musical depth. In an interview with Billboard, Tiffany said that she hopes to show fans a “rawer side of [the group’s] music.” Holler consists of six tracks, each experimenting with a different era or style of music, ranging from 20’s swing dancing to 80’s bubblegum pop.
“Holler” is the title track of the mini album and bears a strong resemblance to TTS’s earlier title track “Twinkle.” Both songs are sassy and fuse jazz with modern pop music. The only difference is that “Twinkle” presents a cute image, while “Holler” shows the idols’ more mature side. With a heavier jazz influence, “Holler” begins with a cabaret-styled intro and transitions into a mix of 60’s and modern pop music. The title track still maintains qualities of music that appeal to fans of mainstream K-Pop, but it also creates a new sound by including jazz characteristics, impressive vocals and multiple harmonies.
The song “Whisper” stands out from other TTS songs because of its sophisticated sound and mellow feel; it further highlights the trio’s style by introducing a more sensual R&B sound. The song is very laid back but retains a strong beat, showcasing the vocal talents of Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun with emphasis on their smooth singing and harmonization. The vocal range of this song is very impressive, stretching the idols’ voices from the high notes in the chorus to the lower notes in the verses.
In Holler, TaeTiSeo explores different styles of music popular from different eras, a testament to the idols’ well-roundedness as artists. Fans all over the world enjoyed the new album as the music video for “Holler” passed one million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours. The album has topped music charts in South Korea, Japan and the US. Alongside the success of its title track, the EP Holler as a whole has proved to be an album worthy of admiration for the group’s exploration of different music genres and the variety of styles the EP melds together.